Denver - May 23, 2008 Soldiers Ride
Thanks to the Wounded Warrior Project!! BBG Had a great Day!
TIA
Earl
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009
Soldiers Ride - Wounded Warrior Project
Post # 2 (Better News)
Every once in awhile I get to talk about something cool here. This weekend my wife rode in the Soldiers Ride in Denver a product of the Wounded Warrior Program. (Links Below)
Wounded Warrior Program
https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/content/view/412/875/
Soldier's Ride
http://sr.woundedwarriorproject.org/
She was approached through some of these wonderful folks at the VA to be a part of this experience. She was full of trepidation. After all, our own attempts to get her back on a bike hadn't been so successful. Her balance is shot to hell so its a lot like teaching the 6 year-old how to ride a bike - difference is she used to be an athlete and the idea that it would be hard to ride a bike again was totally foreign. I was sure I could get her up and going but failed miserably.
They put her on a recumbent sit down bike and Friday night she road eight miles as a prep for Saturday's ride. Despite the misgivings of the safety officer, they agreed to let her do it on Saturday. She made it. My wife, BBG, who used to knock out twenty like it was nothing road twenty miles on a bike was able to do it again. A simple pleasure we had thought lost forever was hers.
She cried when I met her at the end. Then she told me over and over how she had done it. A lunch provided by the Denver Hard Rock Cafe was a great way to end a very special weekend.
The mission of the Wounded Warrior Project is to honor and empower wounded warriors.
The Wounded Warrior Project’s (WWP) Soldier Ride is a rehabilitative cycling program for wounded warriors and an advocacy program for today’s wounded warriors. For many of these combat-wounded veterans, Soldier Ride provides the first and important step in their return to an active lifestyle.
Many of these men and women have been physically active throughout their lives. Soldier Ride offers them the chance to get on a bike and prove to themselves, "I can still do this." Soldier Ride is not about politics; it's not about the war. It's simply about the soldiers. It’s about mindshare for the men and women that serve or have served in the United States Armed Forces.
There is much more to the Wounded Warrior Project and more programs than just the soldier's Ride. Please take the time to visit the web sites listed above, to find out more and to give your time, support, energy and even money if you can. As always, please share these links with friends family, local media, and your elected officials in your area.
Our greatest failure would be to let these heros fight this battle alone.
TIA
Earl
Every once in awhile I get to talk about something cool here. This weekend my wife rode in the Soldiers Ride in Denver a product of the Wounded Warrior Program. (Links Below)
Wounded Warrior Program
https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/content/view/412/875/
Soldier's Ride
http://sr.woundedwarriorproject.org/
She was approached through some of these wonderful folks at the VA to be a part of this experience. She was full of trepidation. After all, our own attempts to get her back on a bike hadn't been so successful. Her balance is shot to hell so its a lot like teaching the 6 year-old how to ride a bike - difference is she used to be an athlete and the idea that it would be hard to ride a bike again was totally foreign. I was sure I could get her up and going but failed miserably.
They put her on a recumbent sit down bike and Friday night she road eight miles as a prep for Saturday's ride. Despite the misgivings of the safety officer, they agreed to let her do it on Saturday. She made it. My wife, BBG, who used to knock out twenty like it was nothing road twenty miles on a bike was able to do it again. A simple pleasure we had thought lost forever was hers.
She cried when I met her at the end. Then she told me over and over how she had done it. A lunch provided by the Denver Hard Rock Cafe was a great way to end a very special weekend.
The mission of the Wounded Warrior Project is to honor and empower wounded warriors.
The Wounded Warrior Project’s (WWP) Soldier Ride is a rehabilitative cycling program for wounded warriors and an advocacy program for today’s wounded warriors. For many of these combat-wounded veterans, Soldier Ride provides the first and important step in their return to an active lifestyle.
Many of these men and women have been physically active throughout their lives. Soldier Ride offers them the chance to get on a bike and prove to themselves, "I can still do this." Soldier Ride is not about politics; it's not about the war. It's simply about the soldiers. It’s about mindshare for the men and women that serve or have served in the United States Armed Forces.
There is much more to the Wounded Warrior Project and more programs than just the soldier's Ride. Please take the time to visit the web sites listed above, to find out more and to give your time, support, energy and even money if you can. As always, please share these links with friends family, local media, and your elected officials in your area.
Our greatest failure would be to let these heros fight this battle alone.
TIA
Earl
Two posts tonight - back with a vengence
First post:
My friend - Aviation Commander, father, husband, PTSD sufferer who I have repeatedly promised to tell you about called yesterday to thank my wife and I for our service.
She deserves it - as does he.
I, a glorified whirlybird bus driver, do not.
I'll bypass his story for now and share our conversation.
Him: Dude how are you? Hey, sorry we haven't talked in a couple of weeks. Wife had the baby - she's beautiful and amazing (Baby and wife).
**NOTE: He gave me the stats and all I can remember is baby girl, name is normal, and she was 19.5" long - I am pathetic and I apologize to mother and father. Remember me as a caring friend with the memory of a toad.
Me: Congrats brother. You must be so proud - two beautiful daughters.
Him: I am - she lights ups the room - lights up me.
Me: How are you doing? Writing much lately?
Him: Fuck no - I just can' get into it lately (sad for an award wining Columbia MFA). I try but it just won't come. I'm a slacker!
Me: You OK otherwise?
Him: Kinda - the nightmares are really bad. Almost every night. At least I'm up when the baby cries though.
Me: Any luck with the VA? (his disability package is in the purgatory of the VA process. So much for reducing their average wait time down from 173 days. I'm a six sigma black belt and guarantee I could cut it by 30% but they have declined my offers to help)
Him: No - I'm kinda giving up on that. I get to see someone from my wife's health care program. They have no clue what war is like but at least its someone to talk to.
Me: I'll make a call on Tuesday to my wife's VA therapist she'll get you in.
Him (resigned) Sure dude thanks - whatever you can do.
As god is my witness, I will call this therapist tomorrow morning first thing. She is overwhelmed with troops in need and probably has no life outside the VA but she'll get him in. She cares and will go the extra mile. I owe her my life, my wife's life and our marriage and I'll ask for one more favor. She'll find a way to get him in. The VA is filled with folks like her. They care and give to the detriment of their own lives
My friend needs help and it isn't readily available. As an Army Officer this shames me. As an American this shames me. On this Memorial Day, we owe our freedoms to good men like my friend yet very few are doing everything they can - except for the overburdened caregivers at the VA - they do it until they become casualties themselves. Unable to bear the weight of so many and still take care of themselves.
If you read this, do me a favor and send a copy to your congressman or senator. Ask them to ensure this stops happening. Share it with your local newspaper or your neighbor. We need to get the word out and keep it in the headlines until it stops - until all get the help they need, We owe it to them.
TIA
Earl
My friend - Aviation Commander, father, husband, PTSD sufferer who I have repeatedly promised to tell you about called yesterday to thank my wife and I for our service.
She deserves it - as does he.
I, a glorified whirlybird bus driver, do not.
I'll bypass his story for now and share our conversation.
Him: Dude how are you? Hey, sorry we haven't talked in a couple of weeks. Wife had the baby - she's beautiful and amazing (Baby and wife).
**NOTE: He gave me the stats and all I can remember is baby girl, name is normal, and she was 19.5" long - I am pathetic and I apologize to mother and father. Remember me as a caring friend with the memory of a toad.
Me: Congrats brother. You must be so proud - two beautiful daughters.
Him: I am - she lights ups the room - lights up me.
Me: How are you doing? Writing much lately?
Him: Fuck no - I just can' get into it lately (sad for an award wining Columbia MFA). I try but it just won't come. I'm a slacker!
Me: You OK otherwise?
Him: Kinda - the nightmares are really bad. Almost every night. At least I'm up when the baby cries though.
Me: Any luck with the VA? (his disability package is in the purgatory of the VA process. So much for reducing their average wait time down from 173 days. I'm a six sigma black belt and guarantee I could cut it by 30% but they have declined my offers to help)
Him: No - I'm kinda giving up on that. I get to see someone from my wife's health care program. They have no clue what war is like but at least its someone to talk to.
Me: I'll make a call on Tuesday to my wife's VA therapist she'll get you in.
Him (resigned) Sure dude thanks - whatever you can do.
As god is my witness, I will call this therapist tomorrow morning first thing. She is overwhelmed with troops in need and probably has no life outside the VA but she'll get him in. She cares and will go the extra mile. I owe her my life, my wife's life and our marriage and I'll ask for one more favor. She'll find a way to get him in. The VA is filled with folks like her. They care and give to the detriment of their own lives
My friend needs help and it isn't readily available. As an Army Officer this shames me. As an American this shames me. On this Memorial Day, we owe our freedoms to good men like my friend yet very few are doing everything they can - except for the overburdened caregivers at the VA - they do it until they become casualties themselves. Unable to bear the weight of so many and still take care of themselves.
If you read this, do me a favor and send a copy to your congressman or senator. Ask them to ensure this stops happening. Share it with your local newspaper or your neighbor. We need to get the word out and keep it in the headlines until it stops - until all get the help they need, We owe it to them.
TIA
Earl
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Sometimes you just have to get away
Its been two months and one day since I've posted - sorry! I'll make my excuses short and get back to what I do.
1) Work has been insane. As an aside (meaning on my own time), I've fallen into providing process engineering support to an engineer and inventor who has developed some material that provides ballistic protection at weights that are significantly lower than what is currently out there. Imagine a humvee that is not so top heavy it flips every time you turn a sharp corner or imagine body armor shaped like your body at half the weight of what our soldiers are currently wearing.
Amazing!
2) I've been tired. Every once in awhile I get wrapped back up in me. I'm tired of being the caregiver. I just want to be a husband or a dad. I don't want to be the husband of the disabled Iraq vet. I will always be that but sometimes I like to pretend I'm not and so I stay away for a time.
Our lives are OK right now. Summer is coming and no longer having the ability to regulate body temp is definitely starting to affect BBG so I am wary of what summer will bring. I am already starting to find my children tucked in at night wearing an occasional ski toque. On a brighter note, she is involved in some sort of project which will be highlighting women vets and their lives post Iraq/Afghanistan. A photographer and writer was here today and will spend some time with us over the next little while learning about our lives.
Smart money says she'll be half crazy by the end of the week. Thank god for the meth lab in the basement!
It felt funny. I know I write about all of this so its not exactly a secret but it's different somehow when you say it out loud. Perhaps there is comfort in not saying things out loud. There is certainly a certain level of comfort in the anonymity that comes with being the average unknown redneck writer in the blogosphere and I must admit I kind of like that.
So I'm back - Tomorrow, I'll share a story about a friends son's sad return from Iraq and his efforts to get retired and have his VA disability completed. As per normal, it could be mapped at the same speed as continental drift.
TIA
Earl
1) Work has been insane. As an aside (meaning on my own time), I've fallen into providing process engineering support to an engineer and inventor who has developed some material that provides ballistic protection at weights that are significantly lower than what is currently out there. Imagine a humvee that is not so top heavy it flips every time you turn a sharp corner or imagine body armor shaped like your body at half the weight of what our soldiers are currently wearing.
Amazing!
2) I've been tired. Every once in awhile I get wrapped back up in me. I'm tired of being the caregiver. I just want to be a husband or a dad. I don't want to be the husband of the disabled Iraq vet. I will always be that but sometimes I like to pretend I'm not and so I stay away for a time.
Our lives are OK right now. Summer is coming and no longer having the ability to regulate body temp is definitely starting to affect BBG so I am wary of what summer will bring. I am already starting to find my children tucked in at night wearing an occasional ski toque. On a brighter note, she is involved in some sort of project which will be highlighting women vets and their lives post Iraq/Afghanistan. A photographer and writer was here today and will spend some time with us over the next little while learning about our lives.
Smart money says she'll be half crazy by the end of the week. Thank god for the meth lab in the basement!
It felt funny. I know I write about all of this so its not exactly a secret but it's different somehow when you say it out loud. Perhaps there is comfort in not saying things out loud. There is certainly a certain level of comfort in the anonymity that comes with being the average unknown redneck writer in the blogosphere and I must admit I kind of like that.
So I'm back - Tomorrow, I'll share a story about a friends son's sad return from Iraq and his efforts to get retired and have his VA disability completed. As per normal, it could be mapped at the same speed as continental drift.
TIA
Earl
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
30 percent of soldiers in Iraq have considered suicide
My next story about a friend and his struggle to get care for PTSD is being delayed for another day - sorry.
Every once in awhile, someone drops a newspaper article or story from around the world about PTSD, life after Iraq/afghanistan, Military suicide rates etc. I can't imagine why! Of course, you know the drill - veteran care and suicide is my cause and will be for the rest of my life. Its kinda close to home.
Today I received two links:
Link # 1 is about a Maine vet who says he has been saved by a story about a Massachusetts Marine who took his life after running into the road blocks I talk so frequently about.
Link #2 is the story of that young Marine who lost the fight.
Aside from the shame I feel for the failure of our system to provide for one Marine, lost to his family and friends forever, I am proud that there are still Americans out there who feel the pain of every loss.
Here are the links:
#1
http://thephoenix.com/Boston/News/78245-Gulf-War-vet-saved-by-Phoenix-article/#anchormore
#2
http://thephoenix.com/Boston/News/78044-Soldiers-committing-suicide/
I ask you this: If you know a service member who is struggling to adjust to life after Iraq, Afghanistan or other points unknown in the Global War on Terror. Talk to them. Beg them to get help. Make the call for them and most important of all, follow up to find out if they are getting help or running into barriers.
I know it becomes difficult and interrupts your lives but they need you. They need us. Please - help them overcome the barriers.
TIA
Earl
Every once in awhile, someone drops a newspaper article or story from around the world about PTSD, life after Iraq/afghanistan, Military suicide rates etc. I can't imagine why! Of course, you know the drill - veteran care and suicide is my cause and will be for the rest of my life. Its kinda close to home.
Today I received two links:
Link # 1 is about a Maine vet who says he has been saved by a story about a Massachusetts Marine who took his life after running into the road blocks I talk so frequently about.
Link #2 is the story of that young Marine who lost the fight.
Aside from the shame I feel for the failure of our system to provide for one Marine, lost to his family and friends forever, I am proud that there are still Americans out there who feel the pain of every loss.
Here are the links:
#1
http://thephoenix.com/Boston/News/78245-Gulf-War-vet-saved-by-Phoenix-article/#anchormore
#2
http://thephoenix.com/Boston/News/78044-Soldiers-committing-suicide/
I ask you this: If you know a service member who is struggling to adjust to life after Iraq, Afghanistan or other points unknown in the Global War on Terror. Talk to them. Beg them to get help. Make the call for them and most important of all, follow up to find out if they are getting help or running into barriers.
I know it becomes difficult and interrupts your lives but they need you. They need us. Please - help them overcome the barriers.
TIA
Earl
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
President Obama Screws Veterans
Urgent News so next friend from Iraq with PTSD will have to wait another day - sorry!
President Obama told Representatives from Veterans Groups Monday that he is still considering a proposal to have treatment for service-connected injuries charged to veterans' private insurance plans.
I may not be a Democrat but I am proud of the process we have in place and Obama is my president and our Commander in Chief. The above statement is a slap in the face to our wounded and injured veterans.
We as a nation owe free medical care for injuries received in the line of duty. It is our debt, our social contract, with the men and woman who have stood in harms way in our names.
How is it acceptable for us to expect our wounded and injured to begin footing the bill for injuries incurred in our name.
This is our nations shame and the Commander in Chief is the primary perpetrator. I don't know how else to express it. Maybe its time to start hanging flags upside down again.
TIA
EARL
President Obama told Representatives from Veterans Groups Monday that he is still considering a proposal to have treatment for service-connected injuries charged to veterans' private insurance plans.
I may not be a Democrat but I am proud of the process we have in place and Obama is my president and our Commander in Chief. The above statement is a slap in the face to our wounded and injured veterans.
We as a nation owe free medical care for injuries received in the line of duty. It is our debt, our social contract, with the men and woman who have stood in harms way in our names.
How is it acceptable for us to expect our wounded and injured to begin footing the bill for injuries incurred in our name.
This is our nations shame and the Commander in Chief is the primary perpetrator. I don't know how else to express it. Maybe its time to start hanging flags upside down again.
TIA
EARL
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