Traveling is an interesting experience. There’s always the chance to meet strange new peoples, encounter exotic cultures, partake of unusual foods – it’s a good thing, generally. Today I’m in Central Missouri, traveling along the old Rt 66, the federal highway that took people from the jobless depression in the rust belt, westward through the dust bowl of Kansas and Oklahoma, to the Promised Land of Southern California, as delineated long after the event by John Steinbeck in the “Grapes of Wrath. That’s a day or so in my future, but I’ve already met my Tom Joad, 2006 style.
Last night, after a long day of driving, I ate at a Cracker Barrel restaurant. Let’s face it, a meat, starch, two vegetables, and a muffins or biscuits for $10.00 – it’s not a bad deal. There was a young fellow sitting outside, wearing some torn cammies, a thin sweatshirt with the faded dark “ARMY” just visible, a red ballcap, and 4 day beard. He was just sitting in one of those porch rocking chairs, sort of staring at the parking lot. (When you’re my age, just about everyone’s a ”young fellow.”
As I passed him, I looked at his face. And then his eyes. I knew those eyes. I’d seen them before, 35 years and 8,000 miles ago. Under the growth of beard I saw he had quite a scar, starting up near the hairline, behind the ear, and stretching down the side of the neck, disappearing below the neckline of the sweatshirt, ending up – somewhere.
I nodded politely and he glanced at me. Glancing at him, and a non-committal “How are ya?” He nodded back without much interest. I should have just kept on going. I know better. I’m in Bush country, after all. No vet could ever go unfed, uncared for here.
“Waiting for someone?” I asked politely. He looked at me, and then asked me if I could spare a dollar.
“When’d you eat last?” I asked him. He grunted, “Yesterday.”
Oh damn.
So we went in to eat. The chicken and rice is the Saturday special at that place and we both had a damned good meal. Corn muffins were pretty good. I gave him both of mine and hustled the waiter for two more, telling him my dog back at the motel would be thrilled.
Tommie was an 11B and did 5 years active duty on a 6 year enlistment. He’d made corporal, which I suppose is pretty good for a young guy with a high school degree and no remarkable useful skills other than a strong back and a lot of willingness. The IED wounded three other guys from his squad – he and one other were discharged for medical reasons, after a few disheartening months, first in Germany, then Walter Reed Hospital, and finally Ft Leonard Wood. Discharged with some final pay and all the papers he needed to allow him to go to a VA Hospital and get put on a line, to wait till he can be seen by them for follow-up care.
We didn’t talk too much about Iraq. That's OK. I don't like talking about my war, either. It seems we both feel about the same although Tommie admitted he was gung-ho for the war at the beginning. One of the few times I saw him smile was when he talked about believing George Bush’s lies about Saddam and 9/11. Those were his words. He said that loud enough for the older couple at the next table to look up, the man’s eyes glaring disapproval, lips downturned in a classic grimace. Tommie caught his look and look and stared at the man.
“Oh, boy,” I thought. “This is gonna be interesting.”
“What are you lookin’ at?” my friend (Oh yes! He was my friend now!) asked in a calm voice.
The old man put his head down, and we finished, I paid, we left. I felt good, for a change.
As it turns out, Missouri is kind of fortunate. There are quite a few VA hospitals and clinics, and not all of them have a 4 month waiting list. He was working his way out to the Harry Truman VA Clinic at Columbia, sort of in the middle of the state. He’d heard they didn’t turn vets away, there.
I’m kind of hoping he’s right. Mr Truman would bust a gut to hear troops were turned away at his facility.
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Comments
great story, thanks for sharing it. I hope your new friend finds the help he needs.
I'm not going to comment on how shabbily our vets are being teated today, you already know and if I start in on that this morning I think my head will explode.
Oh damn is right Lurch! You brought tears to my eyes with that story!
I see younger Vets more and more at the VA now. I turn them on to all the information and experience I have. Fighting with VA for 15 years does that.
I'm over at the 'Low and Left' crying over a benefits study and a possible reduction and your feeding them. Hats off!
As Veterans maybe we will all have a full impact on these turds in Washington. But I like your method better, feed one hungry vet at a time.
Thanks for the comment and observation, SoS. I know a guy who's a fairly regular reader of this page who might like to trade information with you. I'll drop him an email. Is it OK with you if I out the two of you together?
Lurch, thanks for being there for that young guy. At that moment, it made all the difference, and gave him the strength to carry on another day. Good on you, buddy.
Lurch, I'm here to help!
That was damn good of you to buy that kid a meal. I hope he gets what he needs at the VA.
If you find yourself in Prescott AZ, check out the VA hospital there. I spent some time there and if all the VA facilities were as good as that one, there'd be no problem. Other than money, of course.
Sorry to be OT, but did anyone see this?
Data theft affects 26.5 million veterans.
Thanks, Gordo, but, truthfully, I just did what I wish to G_d someone would do for me if I was in that position. I mean, whatthehell........
One of the last things my mother said to me before her death was that it's important to get from Point A to Point B, doing as little damage as possible.
Dr T. I heard that on the radio today. Anyhting new about it? I've been driving all day.
Fixer's got it up here with links.
Lurch:
I used to work at the University Hospital doing research; it is connected by a tunnel to the VA hospital there in Columbia. The VA in Columbia is good, from what I understand, about helping vets get services, but there is a pretty stark contrast in funding as compared to the University hospital right across the street. It is unfortunate because anyone who is injured in any way while serving in the armed forces of this nation should, at the very least, get the best medical treatment we can provide. Instead, the VA hospitals are woefully underfunded. My father gets his medical care through the VA (he's in the D.C. area) and it is difficult to get good care in a timely manner.
If the guy you talked to heads to Columbia, he'll probably find better service than at a lot of VAs, but it isn't going to be nearly what he ought to get. That's my view.
If you're ever in mid-Missouri again, I'll buy you a beer. I live in Boonville, which is about 20 miles from Columbia.
Lurch:
Sorry to post this here, but I can't find an email for you on the site. I don't know if you have any way of contacting this guy further, but if he's without a place to go I wanted to point out that Columbia also has Welcome Home, which is a facility for homeless veterans.
Here's the link: http://www.welcomehomeinc-mo.com/
It is small, but do some good with what they have. I lived in Columbia for 15 years prior to moving last month, and my law practice was there for a while as well. I know quite a few people in town.
If this guy is on the street, I realize you won't have any way of contacting him, but on the off chance you do I'm happy to do some leg work with respect to the services available in Columbia...you can email me if you like.
RS, many thanks for the information about Columbia. That's where he was planning to go, as far as he told me. I thought I'd phone his mother tonight, introduce myself, say hello, try and tell her good news.
I will most definitely pass on the information you gave me.
I'm actually on my way up towards Sacramento, to see some grandchildren for the first time, and spoil 'em rotten. I haven't worked out a return yet,but if I drill through Central Missouri, I'll let you know.
Again, thanks for the information.
I live astride I-80 west of Reno. What route are you taking to Sacatomatas?
I was thinking of stopping at Las Vegas, after doing New Mexico and Arizona. I heard they had some extra cash laying around.
From there I was kinda sorta thinking of going through Mojave, Barstow and Bakersfield, with that stop at Manzanar. I'm actually ending up pretty close to Placerville.
Sacatamatas? LOL
Be sure to look for the aircraft 'boneyard' as you go through Mojave on 58. Commercial stuff, some brand new, never used. I've done that exact drive several times. My offer still holds to answer any questions you might have. I'd hate for you to miss something interesting.
Should you have the need to know, 'El Presidente' is a good Mexican restaurant in Kingman.
I got a million of 'em.
Oh yeah - when you get to 395, hang a right for Manzanar. It's a little out of your way, but worth it.
Lurch, I don't know if your coming this far south but i'm just west of Phoenix, in Avondale, your more than welcome. dj moonbat from 'the left coaster' stopped by and we had some beers poolside in my backyard.
Check out 'Low and Left', coyote put up a photo from Chief Jackson, beautiful!
Gordon:
I grew up in Tehachapi. Have seen the airport boneyard in Mojave many times. Always wondered about it - why those craft were there.
Actually, SoS I was sort of thinking of looking around Phoenix. I'm in Raton, NM, tonight, and will be in Roswell tomorrow or Friday, so probably around Phoenix on the weekend.
RSKimsey - Somebody actually grew up in Tehachapi? :)
I think the airlines over-ordered and then fell on hard times and couldn't afford to put them in service.
I have to step out for a graduation on Sat. night for a little while but will be available before and after that. And there are plenty of casino's here as well. Let me know how to get in touch, or what you need from me. You have my e-mail right?
I used to go through Raton Pass on my way from CO to NM at least twice a year to visit my parents in Alamogordo, NM. In the winter I could always count on being delayed by a storm! Glad Mom and Dad are close by now in Goodyear.
Lurch:
Good on ya. Vets reaching vets. We'll just have to keep on doing that....
NOC
Thanks, Neil, but it was little enough. I think it's incumbent on each of us to stretch out a hand and help someone stand up if they've stumbled. Isn't it a shame that the "christians" that seem to form Mr Bush's 24% don't feel the same?
You're a hell of a human being, Lurch.
I wasn't going to leave a comment, but that last comment about the Kristians lit the fire.
What you got there was a gift, more for you than that young man, and I'm grateful that you chose to spread it around...
I was wondering if there was some way we could find out who the vets are who are wandering the country in need of a helping hand, and then get them together with people who would be willing to do so through the magic of the internets? I even happen to have some space on Godaddy that's just sitting there....
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