THE SPIRITUAL WARRIOR
NEWSLETTER
Published for the Vietnam Veteran, their
families and those who have a desire to understand.
Issue Number 1, Spring 2000 Editor:
Bill McDonald
WELCOME HOME!
This is a newsletter about veterans, their concerns, issues
and things of interest. It is also inclusive of their families, friends,
students and those who have come to these web pages in order to learn and
understand what the Vietnam War experience was like. Time has certainly tried to
heal much of the anger and frustration that followed us veterans back to the
world, when we left Southeast Asia - but not everyone has managed to purge their
hearts and souls of the guilt, fear, rage or the feelings of being unappreciated
and unloved by their country. These newsletters along with the shared
experiences on The Vietnam Experience Web Pages, are just a small attempt to
help heal through education and sharing. All veterans paid the emotional and
spiritual price for that war - some paid the ultimate cost with their flesh and
bones - either killed outright on the battle fields of Nam, or slowly over time
by bottle, drugs, PTSD, divorce, unemployment, disenchantment, depression and
sometimes suicide!
I have been talking to many veterans over the past few years -
you can still feel the hurt and see it in their eyes. I guess we are all still
waiting for America to reach out and touch us. So, to all those veterans still
wandering some isolated desolation row, seeking a fix of joy or at least some
peace; to you, I welcome you back home! You are among your own on this web site.
To families or friends or son's or daughters seeking to
understand - we veterans salute you too. For we know that some of you have
suffered in the shadows cast by veterans, trying to find themselves a life. You
have paid a price also. You may need to know what it was that caused this to
happen to your spouse, your sibling, your parent. You too are searching for
answers to questions, that you cannot even formulate in your heart, let alone in
your mind.
These newsletters will share some joy, some news, some
history, some grief, but always compassion and hope. I hope you come back
several times during the year to read the newest editions. Your contributions
and comments are also welcome. Please email me at this web site.
BURL BILEU - VIETNAM VET WRONGLY IMPRISONED
If you have seen the recent movie of boxer,
"Hurricane" Carter - then you might understand how injustices do take
place and can happen to innocent men. Former Vietnam Veteran and Marine, Burl
Bileu, sits and rots in his jail cell, at the new Folsom Prison in California.
He is serving a life sentence for a murder he did not commit. Several veteran
groups have already sounded the alarm about how this man was railroaded and
framed. I will be following up on more details of his plight and how you can
learn more about him and the evidence against him, in future newsletters. If you
want to assist him in the fight to gain his FREEDOM back - write him at the
following address:
Burl Bilyeu D46650
PO Box 290066 - A 12229
Represa, CA 95671-0066
You can read more about Burl and his case by visiting the web
link page and clicking onto SOLDIERS
OF THE CROSS
Veteran Benefits Available From The VA - What you may not know
There are many benefits that most veterans and their families fail to take
full advantage of. Over the coming issues of this newsletter, we will explore
some of those different kinds of benefits. Here is an over view of what you may
be able to receive as a former member of the military or as a family member, in
certain case situations:
·
Headstones or markers
·
Outpatient care at some VA hospitals for certain veterans.
·
Compensation for service connect injuries.
·
Compensation for survivors of veterans who have
died due to their military service.
· Pension for wartime
veterans who are totally or partially disabled.
·
Educational assistance (money) to veterans to attend school.
·
Burial benefits
·
Clothing allowance
·
Allowance to buy a specially adapted van or to
make modifications to your home.
·
Loan guaranties - which often allow for little
or no down payment for housing.
·
Nursing homes
·
Domiciliary homes
·
Specialized post-traumatic stress disorder treat.
·
Vet Center readjustment counseling.
·
Alcohol and drug abuse treatment.
·
Prescriptions.
MIAs IN VIETNAM - THE SEARCH CONTINUES
The Associated Press released a story on March 14, 2000 - stating that a
search is under way in Dong Phu, for NHAS, at crash sites about 20 miles
southwest of Hanoi. The Secretary of State, William Cohen, was at the site of
one of the digs and watched crews of Vietnamese digging through the mud, in
search of human remains or anything that would give any clues to the missing
airman.
There are still about 2,000 missing servicemen missing from the Vietnam War.
This latest cooperation between the United States and Vietnam shows that some
progress has been reached on this issue. According to Cohen, this will be of the
highest priority for the current administration. Cohen is the first Secretary of
Defense to visit Vietnam soil since the pull out of American troops for South
Vietnam. This newsletter will you updated should there be any more news on this
issue.
A Little Respect
My heart still lays buried
Among distance rice patty memories
Where my soul died,
and I lost my youth,
many decades ago.
So don't tell me
about Jane Fonda's divorce,
Or how hard you fought
for the "Peace
Movement",
All I desire now,
is a little respect
No more,
no less.
#
Copyright 2000 - Bill McDonald
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