Farewell, Dear Friend

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Beowulf

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I was planning a road trip tomorrow to another town where I had recently lived, and I was counting on the highlight to be visiting the VA Hospital. I do that once in a while, and and I was looking forward to seeing my favorite there, whom I will call Chuck. He was a veteran of the first Gulf War, where he had both his legs blown off. That was the least of his health problems, though, since he had a myriad of other problems, such as lesions on his body and other "unexplained" symptoms. He was my favorite because his eyes always glowed as he convulsed me with his anecdotes of tomfoolery with the nurses and staff, and I always felt truly honored and priveleged to spend time with him.
I called my brother to let him know that I would be in town, making no mention of the planned visit to the hospital. As we were about to hang up, he said By the way, you got a letter from the Administrator of the hospital. My heart was in my throat as I told him to go ahead and open it to see what it was about.
Chuck died of pneumonia a couple weeks ago.
It was his wish to give me his Purple Heart.
*trying to calm down*
It makes me so FURIOUS the way we are treating our veterans. There is a MASSIVE coverup concerning the effects of DU (Depleted Uranium), and it is my understanding that about half of our veterans returning from Iraq will have health problems because of it. Did you know that?
Did you know that about 67 percent of babies born to Gulf War veterans are deformed?
Does anyone here even care????
Farewell, my friend. You will never be forgotten. I will continue to fight for you to make sure of that.
:sadwave:
 
sadwave.gif


Agreed w/Beowulf, as long you want continue to fight for them to makes sure of that!

Wishes you luck...
 
Beowulf, I'm so sorry about your friend. I'm sure that he enjoyed your times together.

I'm praying that you will be comforted. :hug:

Thank you for caring about our veterans.
 
:hug: :hug: :( OH Beowolf, I am so sorry to read about the death of a good friend of your's Chuck. This has to be an overwhelming emotion of sadness for you right now. The effect you had on Chuck's life and how much you must have meant to him by going to see him, and taking the time to let him know how much you appreciated that he gave his life for our country. This gentleman has become a big part of your life Beowolf, as you did for him. These soldiers, so brave, so wonderful, to put their lives on the line for people in their own country, people they don't even know to tell them their country is safe, because they are fighting for us.
The chill I am receiving is the fact that he left you his "purple heart", what an honor that is to be remembered by a soldier who you had visited, sat with, laughed with and cried with. You both served each other well, as friends and comrades.
You are right, do people realize what these honorable soldiers go through when they are in another country fighting for our lives, and their health is being deteriorated by all sorts of bad elements.
But the upside is, Chuck had been there for us serving his country, and you Beowolf had been there thanking him for a job well done. You both will have so much meaning and love for each other in both your lives.
You will never forget Chuck and all the wonderful times you spent together and what he meant to you. Chuck is now a beautiful Angel watching over you and still doing his job keeping you safe!!! He loved you that much!!!
:hug: :hug: and may God comfort you at this sad time.
Thank you Chuck for serving your country well, and being such a wonderful soldier as well as a wonderful friend to Beowolf. Good night sweet Prince!!
 
21 gun salute and presents the American flag...

God Bless and you are in my prayers. I care about our veterans. I try to donate money to veteran organizations fighting Congress and sign petitions online.
 
So sorry to know that your veteran friend has passed away, yet, I do admire the fact that you've taken the time to visit veterans, reaching out in a way of just 'being there' and to carry on a conversation which simply can make their day! Did this friend really requested to have his Purple Heart given to you? If so, that's quite an honor friend! Be sure to display this with pride and honor, a lasting testiment for your friend! ;)

Hang in there!

(also, will make this 'sticky' for the time being in honor of a fallen veteran and for all veterans)

~RR
 
I am sorry to hear about your friend. Let's not forget about him as he will always be remembered. I am givin' my condolence here. :hug:
 
Aww I really do admire you for taking the time to visit those veterans at the VA Hospital, and am really sorry to hear about your friend, you're a good guy and that shows the goodness you have in your heart! , but I hope some single women out there will see the type of guy you're truly are.... :hug:


U will be missed by many of us here in AD, my prayers are with you!
 
I'm sorry about your loss.

at least he is already put in a better place.
 
sorry for your loss and it's nice of your friend to leave something behind for u to remember him.. the purple heart I'm sure u will treasure it forever...
 
Sorry about loss. We admire what you have done by visiting VA Hospital. My mom and few aunts have done that and bringing them to bowling once a month. I was gotta go but something come up. Rats!! but I will never forgot for those ppl who have fought in the war. I have seen the soilder coming and going where I used to work and it wasnt easy for me to see those kind of situation. But I admire them for keeping our country safe. Rest in peace Chuck.
 
I am so sorry about your friend's death. He was lucky to have someone like you in his life.
My condolences goes out for you :hug:
All the best of luck to you with your continued fight.
 
Not the first time

It makes me so FURIOUS the way we are treating our veterans. There is a MASSIVE coverup concerning the effects of DU (Depleted Uranium), and it is my understanding that about half of our veterans returning from Iraq will have health problems because of it. Did you know that?
Click to expand...

RIP Chuck.

It took Washington many years to admit that Vietnam vets were exposed to Agent Orange. Gulf War I vets faced much the same problem. I wonder how many Iraq/Afghan vets will get stonewalled by DC before something is done to properly treat them. It's a shame. They did their part to defend the country and Washington won't return the favor.

John D.
US Navy 1979 - 1984
 
Oh I am sorry about your loss, it's so sad.

It makes me so FURIOUS the way we are treating our veterans. There is a MASSIVE coverup concerning the effects of DU (Depleted Uranium), and it is my understanding that about half of our veterans returning from Iraq will have health problems because of it. Did you know that?
Did you know that about 67 percent of babies born to Gulf War veterans are deformed?
Click to expand...
:jaw:
Oh really, that's terrible, hope they sue the Government for compo.

I believe once they came back home from the war, they will never be the same person again.
 
Yea they never be the same person as before they went out to war. It was so hard. I met one guy who used to work for DOD Police and that where I used to work. He told me all about the war and how he survived and when he returned home. His life was a screwed up for a few years then he realized and gotten better. All because of the war. Dang!!!

Tamara said:
Oh I am sorry about your loss, it's so sad.


:jaw:
Oh really, that's terrible, hope they sue the Government for compo.

I believe once they came back home from the war, they will never be the same person again.
Click to expand...
 
:hug: Pommie Thank you for teasing and joking with me on im, I needed that, lol.
Thanks to everyone for the kind words, but the heartbreak is still not over. Some Shakespearean gobbledygook comes to mind along the lines of

...We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother...

I never shed blood with him, just tears, but in his eyes that made me a brother, and God bless him for being great enough to know that. It is only after the fact that I realize he was just sharing the heart, not giving it to me.

God bless our troops.
Bring them home.
 
Beowulf,
I'm sorry to hear about the passing of your friend. It's time for the Veterans to get sufficient help from the government.
 
I am sorry to hear that your friend passed away. My prayers are with you and his families
 
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