Comments on: Veterans’ Prayers: A Hidden Part of Warrior Life: Veterans Day 2007

By: Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés

Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 10:40:24 +0000

Dear spirasol; your exact loving words for your brother, I will pray.

Dear Shaun, thank you, and always, for your notice of good people doing good. For your taking vets to the VA.

dr.e

By: spirasol

spirasol — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 23:21:08 +0000

I pray that my brother will one day come home from Vietnam; that the ghosts that haunt his sleeeping and waking life will depart; that he can forgive himself of the crimes he committed over there; that the Marines will one day come to understand the degree of bravery it took for him to refuse to wear his uniform after 3 years of service, a purple heart, and the promise of a “cush” final assignment. I pray his wound will stay healed and not reopen as it has in the past. I pray that my brother will not mistake me for the enemy; that he can come to know me and trust me such that the sound of my footsteps will not cause him to reach for a nearby weapon. I pray that he will learn to sleep with the grace of a ballerina dancing through a field of mines. I pray he will cease to need the medicine he drinks to keep the peace within. I pray that one day the Marines will allow him to be buried with his comrades, all who appear to nod in agreement. And finally I pray that the Marines will reverse their decision and grant him the conscientious objector status he sought at the time, reinstating all the benefits he so richly deserved and that were taken away from him along with his dignity.
–Spirasol

By: Shaun Mullen

Shaun Mullen — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 16:10:14 +0000

A beautiful post.

Somebody is right. Despite enormous staffing and resource shortfalls, the people who toil at VA hospitals and clinics are extraordinarily dedicated and often wear their hearts on their sleeves.

I know this from taking disabled friends to the VA and from a career psychiatric nurse who visits vets in their homes. They are simply the best.

By: Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés

Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 09:06:34 +0000

SteveK, that means a lot that your prayer is that others can see; that’s a time honored prayer. Similar to you, I dislike hearing the word ‘troop,’… I always think to myself, He has a name, she has a name, use it, find it and use it. Thank you for seeing that anonymous wordings, and no stories told, erase people… and thank you right back.

Somebody, I appreciate you saying that about the VA …that the VA despite its seeming ever dwindling resources, has people who are full and good. I am so glad you put it that way. That makes it really clear for others too. And Soldier, I will tuck that smart salute of yours right into a special corner of my heart for when I need sustenance to keep going. Thank you.
dr.e

By: Somebody

Somebody — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 03:14:53 +0000

From one of the 28 percenters (who lived thru tours of Vietnam and is opposed to the war but wants to make it right unlike what we did in Vietnam)…..From one who visits the VA hospital weekly…..thanks for your help, devotion, dedication and understanding.

It has been my experience from nearly every person I have encountered at the VA that they want to help the Vets. The VA is full of good, caring, helpful people who give their all for the men.

At times the bureacracy lets them down but the people by and large do NOT. Our VA is a barely adequate system that is made great by the people such as yourself who truly cares about the soldiers. It makes mistakes, it has limits and it does not always succeed but the PEOPLE want to succeed. They want to help.

I salute You Dr. and I salute the VA. They have always been there for me.

By: SteveK

SteveK — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 02:09:35 +0000

How very, very nice Dr. E… thank you.

I pray your words help others see these wonderful servicemen and women as individuals, not faceless statistics. Maybe a few of the 28%-ers will take a moment to consider the consequences.