Monday, May 30, 2011

Memorial Day

I was taught that it is an honorable thing to serve in the service. I was also taught not very many things are worth going to war for. When my Cherokee great-grandma told me if your livelihood is threatened, it is a reason to go to war. This is the same woman who cried when we went to war because she thought that her sons would soon die for a cause not their own.

My uncle was a cook in the service, and my brother was a Green Beret and worked in communications during the Vietnam War. He now has Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome and is an alcoholic. Why? The cause was not his own.

He also sings, plays his guitar, and laughs. He is supportive to me and others who struggle. He is supportive of our causes. He has learned to get help if he gets too down and tells us to do the same. This is his cause.

My brother was in the Korean War. He found good prices on goods in the foreign community, learned to eat with chopsticks, and has learned to make a mean stir fry and excellent rice. He showed me how to make the best of the worst situations.

I have yet to get with it and spread the word on supporting the veterans here and everywhere. I'm telling people now, and I am remembering them too. I would like to honor the veterans and the families with a song that I am co-writing. We need to spread the word and support.

Author: T

In the News

My feelings about the death of Bin Laden is not so much an American or patriotic issue but a human issue. It's always bad when human life is lost, but I also believe that justice should prevail and everyone should be accountable for their deeds. I'm not sad over Bin Laden's death and I am not rejoicing. I am satisfied that justice prevailed because he reaped what he sowed. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.

Author: "T"

About Me

Being in a shelter is not where I had meant to be. Most people talk about being in charge of one's life. I thought that I was in charge of my life. I pay my bills, I follow the rules, and I volunteer my time in my community. Yet, here I am in the shelter; this is not where I am meant to be.

My mother taught me what was right and wrong and to follow the golden rule. I did those things change for me? How am I here?

Why am I invisible? Why do people shy away from me on the street? Why do people sneer? This is not how I treat people, so why are they mean to me?

My voice is ignored in the justice system, ignored in my community, ignored in my family. My talents are squeezed away from me; I hate who I am and where I am. Yet, I go on. My plans have changed. My most important plan is to be a role model for future generations, but I can't when I am here. It is not where I am meant to be.

Author: Anonymous