Me and Henry

Mon, 21 Apr 2003 17:29:20 -0700

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Help - What is Doug and Judy Brown's email address?   

-----Original Message-----
From: austin-ghetto-list-admin@pairlist.net
[mailto:austin-ghetto-list-admin@pairlist.net] On Behalf Of Judy Herr
Sent: Friday, March 21, 2003 10:25 AM
To: 'Gerry Storm'; austin-ghetto-list@pairlist.net
Subject: RE: Me and Henry

This is a beautiful piece - may I share it at the UU church in Livermore
on Sunday?  

-----Original Message-----
From: austin-ghetto-list-admin@pairlist.net
[mailto:austin-ghetto-list-admin@pairlist.net] On Behalf Of Gerry Storm
Sent: Thursday, March 20, 2003 9:02 AM
To: austin-ghetto-list@pairlist.net
Subject: Me and Henry

Me and Henry

It just happened that on the first day of the new war I had an
appointment at the VA Hospital in Albuquerque. Throughout the 5 hour
drive I was tuned in to NPR. Other than the news it was a lovely day for
crossing New Mexico, without a doubt a place of great beauty and
breadth. 

The entrance to the hospital grounds is adjacent to the entrance of
Kirtland AFB where a crowd of protestors was gathered, flanked by
mounted police. Flashing them the peace sign (long time since I'd done
that) I drove to my appointment. Albuquerque has a sizeable Peace
contingent, well organized and quite visible. I've thought about moving
closer the "The Q" to join them.

The best thing about a VA hospital is the attitude of the staff, very
upbeat and utterly devoted to the patients. The heaviest thing is the
sight of the patients themselves, many of them quite advanced in age,
every one of them crippled in one grotesque way or another by an enemy
they fought as kids. They too have a good comraderie. (One group in
Southern New Mexico operates a shuttle bus service taking vets from
their homes to the VA hospital--no charge to the patients, the drivers
are volunteers.) They call one another "partner" or "brother" or "kid". 

The hospital provides various contraptions like walking aids and braces
and even little motorized carts. Some of the guys have attached small
flag poles and decals to their carts. Most of them are multiple
amputees.

At a table in the cafeteria I met a woman who was in the service the
same time as me. She had been driven in by her granddaughter, some 250
miles. They were Native Americans. We reminisced about C-119's, the
"Pregnant Guppy's" of the Korean War era.

I had planned to stay the night and drive back this morning, but as I
was checking at the accomodations desk they noted that I was from Silver
City. "Will you be driving back to Silver City?" I was asked. "Yes," I
said, "In the morning." 

"We have a gentleman from Silver City who needs a ride home. He came in
this morning on the shuttle but his appointment ran an hour over and he
is stranded. We can put him up for the night if you will drive him home
tomorrow."

Then I saw him, a little guy, maybe 80, all twisted below the waist,
wide eyes and a mouth that was always open. He wore a leather cap and
matching jacket. He got up and came over to me, moving very awkwardly
with two canes, a motion that was quite fluid considering his handicap.
He smelled of nicotine. Propping one the canes against a leg he offered
his hand, "Hi Brother," he said, "I'm Henry."

"Hi Henry," I smiled, taking his hand, "I'm Gerry. You want to spend the
night or go home now?"

"I didn't come to spend the night. Didn't bring a kit or nothing."

"OK, let me get my van. I'll pick you up at the main entrance in a few
minutes."

So, as this first day of the new war turned to darkness, me and Henry
drove the 5 hours back to Silver, listening to the war news on the radio
and talking about war and history (he was born in Santa Rita, a town
that was literally disassembled in order to mine the copper that lay
beneath it.) When we got to his house, he handed me a crumpled $5 bill
and what was left of a pack of cigarettes. I helped him to the ground
and he walked toward the house with that complicated yet polished gait
that enabled him to be ambulatory.

I was wishing the George Bush could meet Henry, could spend a day with
the boys at the VA hospital. Maybe it would open his eyes. It sure
reminded me in the most profound way as to why I am on the other side.

Gerry

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<div class=3DSection1>

Help - What is Doug and Judy =
Brown&#8217;s
email address? &nbsp;&nbsp;

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dblack face=3D"Times New =
Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>&nbsp;</span></font></p>

<div style=3D'border:none;border-left:solid blue 1.5pt;padding:0in 0in =
0in 4.0pt'>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DTahoma><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma'>-----Original Message-----<br>
<b><span style=3D'font-weight:bold'>From:</span></b>
austin-ghetto-list-admin@pairlist.net
[mailto:austin-ghetto-list-admin@pairlist.net] <b><span =
style=3D'font-weight:
bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Judy Herr<br>
<b><span style=3D'font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Friday, March 21, =
2003 10:25
AM<br>
<b><span style=3D'font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> 'Gerry Storm';
austin-ghetto-list@pairlist.net<br>
<b><span style=3D'font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> RE: Me and =
Henry</span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'>&nbsp;</span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dblack face=3D"Times New =
Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>This is a beautiful piece &#8211; =
may I
share it at the UU church in Livermore on Sunday?&nbsp; =
</span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dblack face=3D"Times New =
Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>&nbsp;</span></font></p>

<div style=3D'border:none;border-left:solid blue 1.5pt;padding:0in 0in =
0in 4.0pt'>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DTahoma><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma'>-----Original Message-----<br>
<b><span style=3D'font-weight:bold'>From:</span></b>
austin-ghetto-list-admin@pairlist.net
[mailto:austin-ghetto-list-admin@pairlist.net] <b><span =
style=3D'font-weight:
bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Gerry Storm<br>
<b><span style=3D'font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Thursday, March 20, =
2003
9:02 AM<br>
<b><span style=3D'font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> =
austin-ghetto-list@pairlist.net<br>
<b><span style=3D'font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> Me and =
Henry</span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'>&nbsp;</span></font></p>

<div>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'>&nbsp;</span></font></p>

</div>

<div>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'>Me and Henry</span></font></p>

</div>

<div>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'>&nbsp;</span></font></p>

</div>

<div>

It just happened that on the first day of the new war I had an
appointment at the VA Hospital in Albuquerque. Throughout the 5 hour
drive&nbsp;I was tuned in to NPR. Other than the news it was a lovely =
day for
crossing New Mexico, without a doubt a place of great beauty and =
breadth.

</div>

<div>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'>&nbsp;</span></font></p>

</div>

<div>

The entrance to the hospital grounds is adjacent to the entrance =
of
Kirtland AFB where a crowd of protestors was gathered, flanked by =
mounted
police. Flashing them the peace sign (long time since I'd done that) I =
drove to
my appointment. Albuquerque has a sizeable Peace contingent, well =
organized and
quite visible. I've thought about moving closer the &quot;The Q&quot; to =
join
them.

</div>

<div>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'>&nbsp;</span></font></p>

</div>

<div>

The best thing about a VA hospital is the attitude of the staff, =
very
upbeat and utterly devoted to the patients. The heaviest thing is the =
sight of
the patients themselves, many of them quite advanced in age, every one =
of them
crippled in one grotesque way or another&nbsp;by an enemy they fought as =
kids.
They too have a good comraderie. (One group in Southern New Mexico =
operates a
shuttle bus service taking vets from their homes to the VA hospital--no =
charge
to the patients, the drivers are volunteers.) They call one another
&quot;partner&quot; or &quot;brother&quot; or &quot;kid&quot;. =

</div>

<div>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'>&nbsp;</span></font></p>

</div>

<div>

The hospital provides various contraptions like walking aids and =
braces
and even little motorized carts. Some of the guys have attached small =
flag
poles and decals to their carts. Most of them are multiple =
amputees.

</div>

<div>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'>&nbsp;</span></font></p>

</div>

<div>

At a table in the cafeteria I met a woman who was in the service =
the
same time as me. She had been driven in by her granddaughter, some 250 =
miles.
They were Native Americans. We reminisced about C-119's, the =
&quot;Pregnant
Guppy's&quot; of the Korean War era.

</div>

<div>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'>&nbsp;</span></font></p>

</div>

<div>

I had planned to stay the night and drive back this morning, but =
as I
was checking&nbsp;at the accomodations desk they noted that&nbsp;I was =
from
Silver City. &quot;Will you be driving back to Silver City?&quot; I was =
asked.
&quot;Yes,&quot; I said, &quot;In the morning.&quot;

</div>

<div>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'>&nbsp;</span></font></p>

</div>

<div>

&quot;We have a gentleman from Silver City who needs a ride =
home. He came
in this morning on the shuttle but his appointment ran an hour over and =
he is
stranded. We can put him up for the night if you will drive him home
tomorrow.&quot;

</div>

<div>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'>&nbsp;</span></font></p>

</div>

<div>

Then I saw him, a little guy, maybe 80, all twisted below the =
waist,
wide eyes and a mouth that was always open. He wore a leather cap and =
matching
jacket. He got up and came over to me, moving very awkwardly with two =
canes, a
motion that was quite fluid considering his handicap. He smelled of =
nicotine.
Propping one the canes against a leg he offered his hand, &quot;Hi
Brother,&quot; he said, &quot;I'm Henry.&quot;

</div>

<div>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'>&nbsp;</span></font></p>

</div>

<div>

&quot;Hi Henry,&quot; I smiled, taking his hand, &quot;I'm =
Gerry. You
want to spend the night or go home now?&quot;

</div>

<div>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'>&nbsp;</span></font></p>

</div>

<div>

&quot;I didn't come to spend the night. Didn't bring a kit or
nothing.&quot;

</div>

<div>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'>&nbsp;</span></font></p>

</div>

<div>

&quot;OK, let me get my van. I'll pick you up at the main =
entrance in a
few minutes.&quot;

</div>

<div>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'>&nbsp;</span></font></p>

</div>

<div>

So, as this first day of the new war turned to darkness, me and =
Henry
drove the 5 hours back to Silver, listening to the war news on the radio =
and
talking about war and history (he was born in Santa Rita, a town that =
was
literally disassembled in order to mine the copper that lay beneath it.) =
When
we got to his house, he handed me a crumpled $5 bill and what was left =
of a
pack of cigarettes. I helped him to the ground and he walked toward the =
house
with that complicated yet polished gait that&nbsp;enabled him to be =
ambulatory.

</div>

<div>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'>&nbsp;</span></font></p>

</div>

<div>

I was wishing the George Bush could meet Henry, could spend a =
day with
the boys at the VA hospital. Maybe it would open his eyes. It sure =
reminded me
in the most profound way as to why I am on the other =
side.

</div>

<div>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'>&nbsp;</span></font></p>

</div>

<div>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'>Gerry</span></font></p>

</div>

<div>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'>&nbsp;</span></font></p>

</div>

<div>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'>&nbsp;</span></font></p>

</div>

<div>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'>&nbsp;</span></font></p>

</div>

</div>

</div>

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