Laura Fong Photography

Ohio vets help vets get back to work

2012-01-31T14:57:00.000-08:00

This is a story I'm proud of.

All three of these guys have shown me that the military brotherhood runs deep - and all three are helping Ohio vets get back to work.

Read the full story at wksu.org

Cutting the carp at work today...

2012-01-31T13:46:00.000-08:00

Today at work I wrote about carp. Voracious Asian carp that are threatening the Great Lakes.

Voracious, my news director said. Might make for a good regional Sci-fi movie. Any takers?

From the vault :the closing of Wadsworth's labor and delivery ward

2012-01-29T09:34:00.000-08:00

Got talking about this in the newsroom the other day - it reminded me of how special this event was. How newsworthy is was that nurses were losing jobs, that labor and delivery was being measured by profitability - and how this community of amazing women had invited me in to share their story that went completely unreported.

veterans day :a look at ohio veterans courts and the woman who made it happen in Ohio

2011-11-11T06:29:00.001-08:00

It's an honor to tell this story on veterans day. Supreme court justice Evelyn Stratton brought veterans courts to Ohio, and Mansfield Municipal court judge Jerry Ault and the community have joined together to address the needs of veterans.

http://www.wksu.org/news/story/29917

Twelve veterans whose service spanned from Vietnam to Iraq received their graduation certificates from Mansfield Municipal Judge Jerry Ault last month. They were graduating from one of Ohio’s first veterans courts. Go to WKSU.ORG for more on the efforts to recognize that – as with many aspects of life – vets have needs that don’t always fit with the traditional justice system.

Iraq and Afghanistan War Impact Report- From Veterans For Common Sense

2011-10-31T11:44:00.000-07:00

"Iraq and Afghanistan War Impact Report,"
VA Confirms Nearly 712,000 Iraq and Afghanistan War Veteran Patients

In an effort to document the severe and escalating human and financial consequences of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, Veterans for Common Sense (VCS) summarizes several government reports about U.S. military service members and veterans who deployed to the Iraq - Afghanistan war zone since September 11, 2011.


Military Deployments to War Zone Since September 11, 2001 (1)
• 2,226,056 Total Service Members Deployed
o 941,743 Deployed Twice or More (42%)

Military Casualties in War Zone Since September 11, 2001 (2)
•108,974 Total War Zone Casualties
o 6,211 Deaths (6%), Includes 298 War Zone Suicides
o 45,889 Non-Fatal Wounded in Action (42%)
o 56,874 Non-Fatal Medical Evacuations Due to Injury or Disease (52%)

Veteran Post-Deployment Healthcare Use (3, 4)
• 1,442,987 Veterans Eligible for VA Healthcare
o 711,986 Veteran Patients Treated (49% of Veterans Eligible)
o 367,749 Veterans with Mental Health Condition (52% of Patients)
o 211,819 Veterans with Potential PTSD (30% of Patients)
o ~9,700 Average New Veteran Patients Each Month

  Veteran Post-Deployment Disability Claim Activity (5)
• 1,442,987 Veterans Eligible for VA Disability Benefits
o 624,266 Veterans Filed Disability Claims (43% of Veterans Eligible)
o 133,595 Veterans Awaiting VA Decision (21% of Claims)
o 107,718 Veterans with Approved PTSD Claim (17% of Claims)
o ~9,500 Average New Claims Filed by Veterans Each Month

Estimated Long-Term Impact on VA
• ~1,032,000 Total New Veteran Patients, Dec. 31, 2013 (6)
• ~ 938,000 Total New Veteran Claims, Dec. 31, 2013 (7)
• up to $900 Billion VA Healthcare and Benefit Spending Over 40 Years (8)

Service Member and Veteran Suicide
• 462,854 Total Calls to VA’s Veterans Crisis Line (9)
o 259,891 Calls from Veterans from Any Period of Service
o 6,030 Calls from Active Duty Service Members
o 195,933 Calls from Others / Family
• 16,855 “Rescues” of Suicidal Veterans and Service Members
• 2,293 Active Duty Suicides Since January 2001 (10)
o 298 Suicides While Deployed in War Zone
o 1,995 Other Suicides (Deployment Status Unknown)
• Unknown Suicides Among Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans

Veterans’ Claims Pending at VA for All Periods of Service (11)
• 1,097,489 Sep. 2011, Pending Veterans’ Claims and Appeals
• 568,711 Mar. 2003, Pending Veterans’ Claims and Appeals
• 528,778 Pending Claim Increase, Mar. 2003 to Sep. 2011

When sharing our VCS quarterly report, please cite how VCS uses reports from the Department
of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Defense (DoD) obtained by VCS under the
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The report serves as a reminder our nation remains at war.

Sources
(1) DoD, “Contingency Tracking System,” Number of Deployments for Those Ever
Deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, as of Dec. 31, 2010.
(2) DoD, “Global War on Terrorism - Operation Enduring Freedom, By Casualty Within Service,
Oct. 7, 2001, Through Sep 6, 2011” (Afghanistan War), DoD, “Global War on Terrorism -
Operation Iraqi Freedom, By Casualty Category Within Service, Mar. 19, 2003, Through Sep 6,
2011” (Iraq War, Mar. 2003 through Aug. 2010), DoD, “Global War on Terrorism – Operation
New Dawn, By Casualty Within Service, Sep. 1, 2010 Through Sep 6, 2011” (Continuation of
Iraq War since Sep. 2010).
(3) VA, “VA Facility Specific OIF/OEF Veterans Coded with Potential PTSD Through 3rd Qtr FY
2011,” Sep. 2011.
(4) VA, “Analysis of VA Health Care Utilization Among US Global War on Terrorism Veterans,
3rd Qtr, Fiscal Year 2011,” Sep. 2011.
(5) VA, “VA Benefits Activity: Veterans Deployed to the Global War on Terror,” Through May
2011, Jul. 2011.
(6) VCS estimate based on current rate of 9,700 new veteran patients per month.
5 / 6VCS Releases Updated War Statistics - Veterans For Common Sense
Written by VCS
Thursday, 29 September 2011 16:43
(7) VCS estimate based on current rate of 9,500 new veteran claimants per month.
(8) Joseph Stiglitz and Linda Bilmes, House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, “True Cost of War”
Sep. 30, 2010.
(9) VA “VA National Suicide Prevention Hotline Call Report 2011 Totals YTD” Jul. 31, 2011.
(10) DoD, “U.S. Active Duty Military Deaths” Jul. 29, 2011.
(11) VA “Monday Morning Workload Reports,” Mar. 22, 2004 and Sep. 26, 2011.

Oct.7 2011 : #occupycleveland

2011-10-06T21:51:00.000-07:00

Eileen Matias is unemployed.

Cleveland's Matt Hollamon is an activist for peace.

Activists march to Public Square.

#occupycleveland : Willard Park, Cleveland Ohio

Today about 300 people gathered downtown Cleveland in to support the peaceful direct action #occupywallstreet that is 26 days and counting. The peaceful gathering and rallying of thousands in Manhattan's financial district is a protest of the state of this country. Activists say they will stay until their voices are heard.

In Cleveland today, people of all ages, all classes, and stood together to support all Americans who are affected by the government's actions. Topics addressed were bank bailouts, foreclosures, unemployment, healthcare, ending the war, corporate ownership, and many more.

I felt a familiar feeling in my guts today...reminiscent of the summer of '93 when I joined the more than 10,000 people who visited Clayoquot Sound to witness a pristine rainforest of ancient cedars and firs being clearcut. 857 people were arrested that summer.

The feeling of hope that lives in a group of people who feel strongly enough to put their jobs, their lives, their everything on hold so that they can gather with their peers and be stronger together.

And when the dreadlocked man sang Marley's 'Redemption Song', I'll admit I got a little misty-eyed. Democracy works. We should all practice it a little more often - because we still can.

live stream :New York City www.occupywallstreet.org live stream: Cleveland www.justin.tv/occupycleveland

mustached lifestyle, banana-throwing, and a patriotic whiz-fest : a day for ridiculous news

2011-09-28T11:30:00.000-07:00

:September 28 2011 ridiculous and in the news
mustached lifestyle, banana-throwing, and a patriotic whiz-fest

an update on the new 'pee for your welfare check' law in Florida :

this one contains the BEST quote I've seen in a while -

"Preliminary figures on a new Florida law requiring drug tests for welfare applicants show that they are less likely than other people to use drugs, not more. One famous Floridian suggests that it’s the people who came up with the law who should be submitting specimens.

Columnist and best-selling author Carl Hiaasen offered to pay for drug testing for all 160 members of the Florida Legislature in what he called “a patriotic whiz-fest.” Several of the law’s supporters say they’re on board."

********************************

in other news from the American Mustache Institute...Chicago is the MOST mustache-friendly city

"The Behavioral Economics Division of the Mustached American Research Dept. within the American Mustache Institute (AMI), the world’s leading facial hair think tank and advocacy organization, embarked on a two year analysis to better understand the cities in the United States that are most appealing to people choosing to live a Mustached American lifestyle. The first stage of the study involved examining medium-to-large sized American cities by a series of mustache-friendly factors."

********************************

and ONE MORE - the Banana-thrower has been apprehended and is in custody

My first photo assignment for WKSU : The New Cleveland Playhouse

2011-09-16T06:52:00.000-07:00

CLEVELAND PLAYHOUSE MOVES TO PLAYHOUSE SQUARE : GALILEO opens this weekend

It's a story about old meeting new in theater. Thankfully, it was a great first assignment for me - I grew up in Stratford, Ontario - and theater is a comfy place for me.

Jeff St.Clair did a great job on the story, and the Artistic Director Michael Bloom was the easiest person to photograph.

"America’s oldest regional theater is moving to a new space. The Cleveland Play House opens its new season in the renovated Allen Theater in Playhouse Square with a play that depicts the dawn of the scientific age.

WKSU’s Jeff St.Clair reports on The Life of Galileo and the dawn of a new era in Cleveland theater."

Remembering 9/11 : Wendy Anderson

2011-09-09T13:24:00.000-07:00

This week we're all remembering ten years ago : September 11th, 2001

: Wendy Anderson was raising her family in Penninsula, Ohio. Her adult life had been spent working as a nurse and paramedic - in the emergency room in East Cleveland.

She was also a volunteer firefighter for Valley Fire in Penninsula, OH. The morning of September 11, she sent her three boys off to high school, and stayed home - glued to the TV. By the time her husband came home from work that day, she knew she had to go.

Her job had trained for exactly what was needed at Ground Zero, so she called the Red Cross.

Hear her story by clicking the link: WKSU's Remembering 9.11.01

Viet Nam Veterans Traveling Memorial Wall in Akron : Photos

2011-08-20T14:42:00.000-07:00

VietNam Memorial Wall in Akron August 2011 - Images by Laura Fong

Schedule of Events - Traveling Vietnam Wall, Fairlawn, Ohio

2011-08-15T20:43:00.000-07:00

Event Schedule:

Tuesday August 16

9:00 am Bikes arrive at Liberty Harley Davidson for staging (32 E Cuyahoga Falls Ave, Akron 44310)

10:00 am Wall Arrives at Liberty Harley Davidson

10:15 am Ride to Catavolos Funeral Home (Route- Liberty to Main to Market W on Market to Cemetery Entrance)

11:00 am Arrive at Catavolos Funeral Home (3653 West Market Street, Akron 44333)

11:15 am Purple Heart Ceremony for Gunnery Sgt. Robert Gilbert, Jr.

11:30 am Wall Set-up Begins

Opening Ceremony

Friday - August 19, 2011

6:00 pm Eric Mansfield - Intro and Welcome

6:05 pm Colors will be parachuted into the wall area, Revere High School Band will play National Anthem

6:15 pm Speakers: Governor Kasich, Congressman LaRose

6:35 pm Revere Band, Fly by U.S. Military

6:45 pm Rifle volley and taps signaling the official wall opening

Saturday - August 20, 2011

10:00 am     Wall Open

1:00 pm      All Sponsors Memorial Service: wreath placement and brief memorial service

1:15 pm     Rifle Volley and TAPS

4:00 pm     Bikers arrive, patches given to all riders. BBQ for all Riders sponsored by Liberty Harley Davidson and Catavolos Funeral Home

4:00 pm -
9:00 pm     Live music at bandstand at rear of parking lot

9:30 pm     Fireworks

Closing Ceremony

Sunday - August 21, 2011

1:00 pm Call to the Wall - All veterans all eras

1:30 pm Bagpipes and Closing Rifle Volley with Taps

2:00 pm Harley Davidson Motorcycle Raffle results

3:00 pm Eric Mansfield -Thank You and closing address

Viet Nam Veterans Traveling Memorial Wall in Akron Tuesday August 16-August 22

2011-08-14T21:47:00.000-07:00

Today the guys from the Akron chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart #699 were busy setting up their float and getting ready for the arrival of the traveling Viet Nam Memorial Wall..until they got rained out.

Come out and support Viet Nam Veterans! The traveling wall arrives on Tuesday, it is 3/4 the size of the wall in DC. It will be on display in Fairlawn, Ohio from 11am Tuesday August 16th until Monday, August 22 at:

Catavolos Funeral Home

3653 West Market Street, Akron, OH 44333

(click on the address above for a map and directions)

Camp Lejeune with Jerry Ensminger

2011-08-07T10:56:00.000-07:00

Camp Lejeune

: with Retired Master Sgt. Jerry Ensminger

"At first I had all the faith and confidence that the Marine Corps that I knew would do right by its people. What I found was, not only were they not doing what was right by their people, they were doing everything in their power to do wrong by their people."

Jerry's daughter Janey died of Leukemia in 1985: she was nine years old. 12 years later, he heard a news broadcast about water contamination at Camp Lejeune being a possible link to childhood cancer. Jerry lived and worked at Camp Lejeune for much of his 25-year career in the Marine Corps until his retirement in 1994.

That day in august 1997 Jerry made finding the truth about the water contamination his full-time job.

I picked him up at 10 am and we drove to Camp Lejeune where he gave me a tour of the base and showed me the locations of the contamination, the water wells and the treatment plant that supplied drinking water to Camp Lejeune's Marines, residents and civilian employees from 1957 to 1987. (ATSDR)

Jerry has been on this mission now for 14 years; for his family, and all families who were exposed to the contaminated water.

Semper Fidelis means 'always faithful' he reminded me many times. He says he won't stop until he gets to the truth and until the Department of the Navy and Marine Corps live up to the same motto he lives by - Semper Fidelis.

"..the obligation to serve our troops doesn't end when you get your discharge papers." he said.

Thanks Jerry for your time, the information, the laughs, and your patience with Bessie.

Camp Lejeune Day 1

2011-08-03T18:04:00.000-07:00

Camp Lejeune : Public Affairs

First day at Camp Lejeune with fellow photog Olympia Flaherty:

After a brief tour, we stopped in at Public Affairs to ask some questions about making photographs. We're working on two stories; one about water contamination at Camp Lejeune, the other about 2ndLAR's deployment to Fallujah in 2004.

What happened in Fallujah was pivotal in the war, and the platoon's legacy lives on. More about that to come soon.

*****

I couldn't help but notice the above poster on the wall, considering the alleged magnitude of the drinking water contamination at Camp Lejeune from 1957-1987. It is not known how many Marines and their families were affected in that time period, but water modeling studies by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) will be complete mid-2012, more details will be known by then.

Retired Master Sgt. Jerry Ensminger's daughter Janey died in 1985 of a rare kind of Leukemia. She was 9 years old. Ensminger gave 25 years of service to the United States Marine Corps, and he's spending his retirement searching for the truth about the water contamination where he lived and worked: Camp Lejeune.

www.tftptf.com contains heaps of documents, tests, timelines, and everything else Ensminger and his team of volunteers have tracked down.

This month marks 14 years since the evening news broadcast he saw; it announced the water contamination at Camp Lejeune could possibly be linked with cancer in children.

PFC. Robert H. Rees, USMC 4/6/1957 - 9/10/1985

2011-07-27T10:34:00.000-07:00

Honoring PFC. Robert H. Rees, USMC : 4/6/1957 - 9/10/1985

PFC Robert (Bob) H. Rees was the brother of Betsy and Sue, and son of Eugenia (Gene).

Bob joined the Marine Corps in 1973 on a two-year contract. Frankly, he joined for the G.I. Bill. Bob worked at Camp LeJeune. It has been discovered that drinking water wells had tested positive for volatile organic compounds (VOC's) during the time Bob was in the Marine Corps.

One of the places that is consistently mentioned in USMC reports, EPA reports, and media coverage is Hadnot Point - where Bob Rees lived and worked.

"The water provided by the Tarawa Terrace and Hadnot Point distribution systems was highly contaminated with various chemicals, including the VOCs (volatile organic compounds) known as PCE (Tetrachloroethylene aka Perchloroethylene), TCE (Trichloroethylene), DCE (Dichloroethylene), Vinyl Chloride and BTEX (Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylene).These chemicals are either known or suspected human carcinogens." (source: http://www.tftptf.com )

Hospitalized in July of 1985, Bob was diagnosed with Acute Myelocytic Leukemia an aggressive cancer in his bone marrow. The Oncologist said he could have 5-7 years to live. Bob died two months later. He was 28 years old.

"Nobody in our family ever had cancer before," Gene said, her eyes telling me it still doesn't make sense and 26 years later the case of her son's death is still not closed in her heart.

"Exposure to benzene is a leading cause of the type of Leukemia Bob had," Betsy Rees said. She will always be Bob's little sister.

*****

Honorably Discharged an E-2, Private First Class, Bob spent his two years working at Camp LeJeune as an Administrative Clerk.

In a non-descript legal-sized manilla folder, his mother had saved her son's every letter, every accolade, and every correspondence with the Marine Corps. Also in the folder, the Survey she received in 1991 from the Department of Health and Human Services, inquiring of families about deaths in Marines and their families who drank the water at Camp LeJeune.

It's no secret.

“It is estimated that more than a million Marines or their family members were affected by the toxic drinking water at Camp Lejeune,” reads a quote from U.S Representative Brad Miller - NC, 13th District on his web site.

It was widely reported when the Marine Corps made a public announcement in 1990 that they would investigate the tainted drinking water at Camp LeJeune as a result of unexplained illness and death.

"Marines and their families who lived at Camp Lejeune between 1957 and 1987 drank and bathed in water contaminated by various “known human carcinogens” including Trichloroethylene (TCE) and Tetrachloroethylene (PCE), benzene and vinyl chloride. In some cases the contamination was as high as 280 times what is currently regulated by the Safe Drinking Water Act," reads an article on U.S Rep Miller's web site dated February 20, 2010.

*****

It's a large, grey area though some have fought the Veterans Administration for disability benefits, and many others have filed lawsuits.

"He died an unwarranted death, and it just needs to be written down," Gene said last Sunday about her willingness to share her story 26 years after the death of her son.

It is my honor to share with you one family's story about losing someone that just never seemed to make sense. Stand by for transmissions from the road as I hit the road, headed for Camp LeJeune.

Committee formed in City of Kent to honor veterans

2011-07-23T19:42:00.000-07:00

Committee formed in City of Kent to find ways to honor veterans

Just read the above article...and feeling the need to write about it.

          When the family says "please don't name anything after our son.." we should listen.

          A million yellow ribbons, benches and road signs will never truly help to share the burden of what we ask soldiers to do.

          We are all responsible, because we live in a country that sends our children to war. That responsibility does not get alleviated by a 15 minute hero's dedication ceremony.   In my personal experience, we can help a whole lot more by simply listening.

          Thank you, members of Warriors Journey Home for teaching me, a Canadian who knew nothing about the military a few years back. Here is an explanation of the mission of Warriors Journey Home - a non-denominational veterans healing circle in Tallmadge, Ohio; taken from their web site. Warriors Journey Home was founded by a group of local veterans, Reverend John Schluep, and Seneca Holy Woman Shianne Eagleheart.

         “In the Warriors Journey Home circle, we are inspired by these Ancestral teachings to tend to our veterans’ needs effectively. We offer our gratitude to our Native Elders for preserving these sacred teachings so that we may know how to live,” says Shianne.

          “We honor all beliefs,” says Reverend John Schluep.

          Reverend John brings a sensitivity to veterans in the circle.   He served in the U.S Army before pursuing counseling and ministry work. Shianne Eagleheart brings a foundation in clinical treatment of Post-traumatic stress and Earth Medicine. All of these elements create a safe and sacred space for our community to listen, speak, and heal.

          Those that come to the Sunday meetings sit in a circle surrounding the talking stick.

          Reverend John goes on to say the talking stick, “carries the stories of our people.” The individual holding the talking stick is the only one allowed to speak. Once the stick is returned to the center of the circle, others may take it to share their war stories.

          In addition, Warriors Journey Home has agreements which are used to create safety in the circle. Some of the rules include:

          I will tell the truth. I will not use language to harm. I will not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. I will not interrupt when someone else is speaking. I will actively listen with an open heart.

          Those who come to Warriors’ Journey Home realize that when they share their stories with others, they’re letting go of their personal pain.

   “War wounds our soul,” Reverend John says. He also says that warriors need to find a way to make their wounds bleed in order for the veteran to heal; and it’s the warrior’s responsibility to make this happen.

          Reverend John does not consider all stories to be war stories.

          “On Sundays, I don’t hear war stories, I hear love stories,” Reverend John says. The stories John hears are about those who have an undying love for their country and love for their family members.

         The objective of Warriors’ Journey Home is for our veterans to listen, speak, and heal."


          Visit www.warriorsjourneyhome.org for a schedule of meetings and events. Everyone is welcome.

Nicky Bricks : Portrait Lesson with Lynn

2011-07-09T12:47:00.000-07:00

Portrait : Nicky Bricks

     The mason who was working on a patio in Lynn's neighborhood goes by the name of 'Nicky Bricks'.

     Nick was patient enough to model for me while Lynn directed me through the best-lit spots around her house. I'm really happy about the portrait that emerged showcasing Nick and his revolver tattoo - the result of a failed 17-year relationship with a woman named Cynthia.

     Apparently Nick also goes by the name 'cheese', but that is related to another story that involves playing cards where the stakes are rotten food items? I'll save that story for another time.

     Remind me to tell you about his cheese tattoo.

Photography Therapy : with Lynn Johnson

2011-07-09T12:39:00.000-07:00

I'm so lucky to have photographer Lynn Johnson in my life. Thursday I drove to her home in Pittsburgh, PA; we had a great visit and she gave me some really great feedback on my current and upcoming projects.

It was like having an intense massage on my storytelling muscles.

Though uncomfortable at times, she reaches deep inside me to help me answer the questions that will remove the blocks I have between the way I currently work and my goal of being a better Photojournalist. I just want to properly honor my subjects by making outstanding photographs of them.

Called, driven, and dedicated to her own projects and assignments, Lynn's time and interest in my work is an honor. I left with some instructions, a full heart, and a whole lot to chew on.

Here's to aspiring to a great photo every time I push the button!

How can I describe this amazing woman? I'll let her bio do it for me, and make sure you check out her WEB SITE :

"Photojournalist Lynn Johnson is known for her intense, sensitive work.

Dividing her time between assignments for National Geographic and various foundations, Johnson has traveled from Siberia to Zambia and photographed celebrities including Tiger Woods, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Mister Rogers and the entire Supreme Court.

With her Leicas, she has climbed the radio antenna atop Chicago's Hancock Tower and dangled from helicopters in Antarctica. Yet her favorite assignments have been emotionally demanding stories about ordinary people; a family struggling with AIDS (Life), the death of an African-American coach in Amish country (Sports Illustrated), native Hawaiians who protect traditional ways (NG), the impact of zoonotic diseases around the world (NG).

Her vision is subtle. She invites the viewer to find the meaning in the frame. Her shooting style is equally low key allowing her subjects to reveal themselves to the camera. The photographs she strives for are compassionate. After 30 years of practicing photography, she sees her personal work moving from that of an observer to advocate."

Vietnam Vet from Hudson, Ohio receives Purple Heart 43 years later.

2011-06-30T11:55:00.000-07:00

43 Years later...

     Congressman Steven C. LaTourette (R-OH) today presented a PurpleHeart to a retired U.S. Army Sergeant from Hudson, OH, 43 yearsafter he was critically wounded in Viet Nam.

     LaTourette presented the following medals to Sgt. David Hack,telling the retired Army hero: "We're going to take care ofyou because you've taken care of us."

     Sgt Hack was presented with a Purple Star, Good Conduct Medal(third award), National Defense Service Medal, Viet Nam ServiceMedal with three bronze service stars, Republic of Vietnam CampaignRibbon w/Device (1960), Expert Badge with Rifle Bar and an ArmyRecruiter ID Badge.

    Thanks to Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 699 for asking me to come and photograph the ceremony. I even wore my Purple shirt. Look for all of the photos soon HERE

Valor Home Groundbreaking - Akron Beacon Journal

2011-06-28T14:58:00.000-07:00

After much hard work and dedication, Ground was broken at the site where Valor Home will be built in Akron. Akron's first transitional homeless facility for veterans will make 30 beds available to the city's more than 1,000 homeless veterans.Thank you Matt Slater, and everyone else who has worked so hard for this to come to fruition.

Day 1 Video. Fun? No way.

2011-06-15T23:22:00.001-07:00

Dynamic Duo : Day 1

2011-06-14T12:25:00.001-07:00

Late start today after a suprise visit with Kathy Lasar, Al Plapp and David, the respective stewards of Warriors Journey Home Poplar Bluff, MO and St. Louis, MO. God its great to see the journey to Vietnam still bearing fruit. It's humbling.

And Al- that new lease on life is lookin' really good on ya! Quick stop to Franklin Hall-thank ya Josh for the mics, also notable, we ran into Jeff the dean of JMC at Jimmy Johns.

Feeling alive. Awakening to the yellow line in front of the car on 80 that has always taken me to amazing places. There is no end to where this road goes, on this new journey collaborating with Olympia Flaherty-needs no introduction, because her awesomeness will indeed be revealed.

We are two mothers speeding down the interstate without our children. We share a with a compulsion to sing Michael Bolton at the top of our lungs and the likes of Peter Cetera's 'you're the inspiration'. Two mothers with hard-won experience hitting the road together for the first time with a common purpose: to satisfy the call of an untold story that has risen to the surface. It is with urgency that we travel.

So picture it.

Because it's fucking awesome.

Pictures of Lily.

2011-06-08T09:54:00.000-07:00

Pictures of Lily make my life so wonderful...like The Who said.

Mike Boettcher, Embeded in Afghanistan

2011-06-07T10:04:00.000-07:00

This journalist was imbedded with the 101st Airborne "No Slack" Battalion..here is some coverage of Operation Strong Eagle 3 which took place just a few weeks before they were to return home. Thank God for journalists brave enough to tell this story from the inside.

http://abcnews.go.com/International/abc-news-mike-boettcher-caught-taliban-firefight-us/story?id=13702376

http://abcnews.go.com/watch/nightline/SH5584743/VD55129194/nightline-530-troops-in-afghanistan?brandid=003

Wheels4Change Film Festival TONIGHT May 14th

2011-05-14T13:33:00.000-07:00

6:30 pm tonight - Akron Public Library Auditorium - $10

Prayers For Peace - by Dustin Grella

Journey To Vietnam - by Laura Fong Torchia

The Whistler - by Cassie Schumacher

see you tonight!

WARRIORS JOURNEY HOME Relay For Life, Tallmadge, Ohio.

2011-05-14T13:18:00.000-07:00

From 10am today until 10am tomorrow, the Warriors Journey Home is walking the track at Tallmadge Middle School. Team captain Joe Caley and the crew are walking for Agent Orange-related cancers. Go team!

13 seconds, 67 bullets, 9 wounded, and 4 dead in Ohio. May 4, 1970 : Never Forget.

2011-05-04T21:34:00.000-07:00

Carol Meyer holds a candle in the parking lot next to Taylor Hall where Jeffrey Miller was killed by Ohio National Guardsmen May 4, 1970.

May 4, 2011 :

This year's commemoration was different. It was held inside, in the Ballroom. Paula and I usually do the candlelight vigil at 11pm on the 3rd, then spend the day together on the 4th. Paula wasn't well enough to walk in the rain or spend the day at Kent this year. Allison Krause's cousin gave an amazing speech about her cousin who was killed at Kent State University when she was barely a year old.

Nobody sat in the tulips, like usual, and there were no boots. We stood in silence while they rang the victory bell outside on the commons. We couldn't hear it in the Ballroom.

It's an important part of Kent State history. To never forget how one day the National Guard fired -- unprovoked into a crowd of students who were exercising their right to gather and protest when Nixon announced his plan to order an invasion of Cambodia. www.kent.edu/may4

It's May 4, and Peace is still the answer.

2011-05-04T05:35:00.000-07:00

May 4, 1970 -Jeffery Miller, Allison Krause,William Schroeder, and Sandra Scheuer were killed and nine others were injured when National Guardsmen fired 67 bullets at students on campus at Kent State University. The war in Vietnam continued for five more years killing 58,000 Americans and 3,000,000 Vietnamese. To everyone who was affected by the shootings at Kent State, to all who devote their time to preserving the truth, and to ALL veterans - I will remember.

The times they are a changin' - Helmet Cam and wifi.

2011-05-03T08:32:00.001-07:00

P050111PS-0210, a photo by The White House on Flickr.

technology made this possible..the big guys got to witness the raid on Osama Bin Laden's House. Oh the times they are a changin'. Amazing.

http://gizmodo.com/#!5797739/president-obama-reportedly-watched-the-bin-laden-raid-live

Gary Fabiano

2011-05-02T08:11:00.000-07:00

Check out his work..some amazing stuff right here..and this short video

The Burr Spring 2010 takes more awards!!

2011-04-19T07:23:00.000-07:00

April 18, 2011-Miss Kristina Deckert takes a prize for "Overall use of photography"First: Kristina Deckert, Kent State University, The Burr, Spring 2010Second: Justin McCraw, Kent State University, Fusion, Winter 2011Third: Staff, SCAD Atlanta, SCAN Magazine, Winter 2011 issueComments: ~~This was a lot of discussion among the judges with the last three entries in this category.~~ The winner had a variety of photography including portraits, historic and current photos. There was a breadth appreciated. ~~The the second place winner did great, but the 3-D effect hurt it the most.3-D effect of hurt it the most.~~

Shoot: Willis Gordon

2011-04-17T14:05:00.000-07:00

Willis Gordon - Images by Laura Fong

Mr. Willis Gordon, ladies and gentlemen.

2011-04-14T14:56:00.000-07:00

So...whatthe heck is Willis Gordon talkin' 'bout?

Ohiospeech and debate champion, writer, and former restless young blackman from Canton, Ohio; twenty-one-year-old Willis Gordon has always been'talkin' 'bout' something.

Thesedays he's talking about being a published author.

Publishedin February of this year, 'The Long Road Home', is for sale onlinethanks to his publisher, Authorhouse. After just one month on Amazon,the online mega-bookseller was placing a second order.

“Idon't do anything small,” Gordon says, and throws his head backlaughing.

'TheLong Road Home' is a collection of short stories crafted from hisown emotionally gripping personal experiences.

Inhis last year of high school Gordon was grieving the murder of acousin with whom he was raised. He withdrew from his family and histeachers and peers at school. The stories are a personal accountof that time in his life and the non-stop debauchery that rounded outthe summer before he left for boot camp.

Currentlyon leave from the Navy, Gordon is busy promoting his book. Tomorrownight, he'll be reading from the book at Muggswigz Coffee shop inCanton.

Gordoncalls himself a fiction writer and his online bio defines him, “losthighwayman, a traveler, a patriot and a hell-raiser”. Withinfluences from Hemingway to Steve McQueen, Hunter S. Thompson toBruce Springsteen; Willis Gordon is a true American writer. Like hisinfluences, Gordon speaks and writes about all that he believes to beAmerican – opportunity, public service, and the freedom to achieveanything. He also doesn't hesitate to include his candid version ofsurviving the human condition.

Infact, he's transparent about the self-destructive path he took afterhis cousin Jarrod Underwood was gunned down in Cleveland at the ageof 28.

“Ifailed,” says Gordon, “protecting him was my one job and I fuckedthat all up.”

Hedrank, he smoked, he wrote, he dabbled in the un-mentionable. A longyear of mornings after the murder Gordon would wake and wonder how itwas possible to still be alive.

Notdying is what Gordon says made him realize why he's alive.

“Ihad an epiphany at the end of the summer of 2008,” he explains,“realizing my purpose has become my coat of armour...I know Icannot die until this is done.”

ByrunReed worked in the library at GlenOak when Gordon was in high school– they shared a love of literature and music. Reed describesGordon as, “never afraid,” and “always two steps ahead.”

Hisspeech and debate coach Tom Mosberger referred to Gordon as one ofthe 3 or 4 state champions he's coached in his career. “He's aunique individual, a jack of all trades.” In a phone interview,Mosberger went on to describe Gordon as a student who had acommanding stature and was intelligent, though at times he foundhimself confused about Gordon's behaviour, he said there were timeshe looked at Gordon and thought, 'what were you smoking?'

Reflectingon his former student at GlenOak high school, forensic scienceteacher John Shoup describes Willis Gordon as, “...insightful,ahead of his years, has a cutting wit, and he's one of those peoplehe gives a little bit more meaning to your own life.”

“Astudent like Willis Gordon comes along rarely in a teacher's career,”Shoup said.

***

Gordonleaves next week on deployment to Bahrain, now an E-3 with the U.S.Navy.

“I'mready for an adventure,” says Gordon in that confident cool voice. “Mylife story could not have been possible anywhere but America; I canat least give them four years of service.”

checkout Willis Gordon at Muggswigz Cafe in Canton, Friday April 15, 9pm,and follow his online column at : www.drunkenabsurdity.com

Willis Gordon can also be found onFacebook. Click on the book cover below to get yourself a copy.

ONPA 2011

2011-04-09T21:05:00.001-07:00

The Final Delivery wins an SPJ award!

2011-04-04T11:04:00.000-07:00

THIRD PLACE in online reporting! YAY! such happy memories of working on this project. Thanks again to all of the nurses on the L&D ward at Wadsworth-Rittman Hospital (who all lost their jobs when the ward closed) and to Sylvia Reed, for allowing me to document the last child who was born at WRH.

Rock the Runway 2011

2011-03-18T14:31:00.001-07:00

2011rtr_will1 a photo by Laura Torchia on Flickr.

I just started editing this year's shots from Rock the Runway. I look forward to shooting this event every year. This year's winner, Will Riddle had some awesome makeup/masks and colors that were fun to shoot. Oh, and Gary Fong (no relation) thanks for inventing the powersnoot. You make my photos look so pretty.

WARRIOR’S CODE OF HONOR - submitted by a Vietnam Veteran

2011-02-21T16:39:00.000-08:00

-Anonymously submitted, beautifully written.

As a combat veteran wounded in one of America’s wars, I offer to speak for those who cannot. Were the mouths of my fallen front-line friends not stopped with dust, they would testify that life revolves around honor.

In war, it is understood that you give your word of honor to do your duty -- that is -- stand and fight instead of running away and deserting your friends.
When you keep your word despite desperately desiring to flee the screaming hell all around, you earn honor.

Earning honor under fire changes who you are. The blast furnace of battle burns away impurities encrusting your soul. The white-hot forge of combat hammers you into a hardened, purified warrior willing to die rather than break your word to friends -- your honor.

Combat is scary but exciting.

You never feel so alive as when being shot at without result.
You never feel so triumphant as when shooting back -- with result.
You never feel love so pure as that burned into your heart by friends willing to die to keep their word to you. And they do.

The biggest sadness of your life is to see friends falling.
The biggest surprise of your life is to survive the war.

Although still alive on the outside, you are dead inside -- shot thru the heart with nonsensical guilt for living while friends died.
The biggest lie of your life torments you that you could have done something more, different, to save them.

Their faces are the tombstones in your weeping eyes, their souls shine the true camaraderie you search for the rest of
your life but never find.

You live a different world now. You always will.
Your world is about waking up night after night silently screaming, back in battle.
Your world is about your best friend bleeding to death in your arms, howling in pain for you to kill him.
Your world is about shooting so many enemies the gun turns red and jams, letting the enemy grab you.
Your world is about struggling hand-to-hand for one more breath of life.

You never speak of your world.
Those who have seen combat do not talk about it.
Those who talk about it have not seen combat.

You come home but a grim ghost of he who so lightheartedly went off to war.
But home no longer exists.
That world shattered like a mirror the first time you were shot at.

The hurricane winds of war have hurled you far away to a different world -- the Warrior’s World -- where your whole life is about keeping your word or die trying.
But people in the civilian world have no idea that life is about keeping your word -- they think life is about babies and business.

The distance between the two worlds is as far as Mars from Earth.
This is why, when you come home, you feel like an outsider -- a visitor from another planet.

You are.

People you knew before the war try to make contact.
It is useless. Words fall like bricks between you.

Serving with warriors who died proving their word has made prewar friends seem too untested to be trusted – thus they are now mere acquaintances.
And they often stay that way because, like most battle-hardened Warriors, you prefer not to risk fully trusting anyone whose life is not devoted to keeping their word, their honor.

The hard truth is that doing your duty under fire makes you alone, a stranger in your own home town.

The only time you are not alone is when with another combat veteran.
Only he understands that keeping your word, your honor, whilst standing face to face with death gives meaning and purpose to life.
Only he understands that spending a mere 24 hours in the broad, sunlit uplands of battle-proven honor is more deeply satisfying to a man than spending a whole lifetime in safe, comfortably numb civilian life with DNA
compelling him to anguish endlessly over whether he is a brave man or a coward.
Only he understands that your terrifying – but thrilling – dance with death has made your old world of babies, backyards and ballgames seem deadly dull.
Only he understands that your way of being due to combat damaged emotions is not the un-usual, but the usual, and you are OK.

Although you walk thru life alone, you are not lonely. You have a constant companion from combat -- Death. It stands close behind, a little to the left.
Death whispers in your ear: “Nothing matters outside my touch, and I have not touched you...YET!”

Death never leaves you -- it is your best friend, your most trusted advisor, your wisest teacher.
Death teaches you that every day above ground is a fine day.
Death teaches you to feel fortunate on good days, and bad days...well, they do not exist.
Death teaches you that merely seeing one more sunrise is enough to fill your cup of life to the brim --
pressed down and running over!
Death teaches you that you can postpone its touch by earning serenity.

Serenity is earned by a lot of prayer and acceptance.
Acceptance is taking one step out of denial and accepting/allowing your repressed, painful combat memories to be
re-lived/suffered thru/shared with other combat vets -- and thus de-fused.
Each time you accomplish this act of courage/desperation:
the pain gets less;
more tormenting combat demons hiding in the darkness of your gut are thrown out into the sunlight of
awareness, where they disappear in a puff of smoke;
the less bedeviling combat demons, the more serenity earned;
serenity is, regretfully, rather an indistinct quality, but it manifests as a sense of honor, a sense of calm, and
gratitude to your creator – which lengthens life span.

Down thru the dusty centuries it has always been thus.
It always will be, for what is seared into a man’s soul who stands face to face with death never changes.

Writer’s Note (1):

This work attempts to describe the world as seen thru the eyes of a combat veteran.
It is a world virtually unknown to the public because few veterans talk about it.
This is unfortunate since people who are trying to understand, and make meaningful contact with combat
veterans, are kept in the dark.

Those who wonder why they cannot connect with combat veterans need look no further than these few
lines to understand why this is so.

How do you establish a rapport with a combat veteran?
It is very simple:
Demonstrate to him out in the open in front of God and everybody that you too have a Code of
Honor --that is, you also keep your word -- no matter what!

Do it and you will forge a bond.
Do it not and you will not.
End of story. Case closed.

I offer these poor, inadequate words – bought not taught – in the hope that they may shed some small light on why combat veterans are like they are, and how they can fix it.

It is my life desire that this tortured work, despite its many defects, may yet still provide some tiny sliver of understanding which may blossom into tolerance – nay, acceptance – of a Warrior’s perhaps unconventional way of being due to combat-damaged emotions from doing his duty under fire.

Signed, a Purple Heart Medal recipient who wishes to remain an unknown.
Life Member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH), member number L63550.
Life Member of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV)

Four day Viet Nam series ONLINE || www.ohio.com

2011-02-21T08:21:00.000-08:00

click here to see everything

check out the four day story, photo galleries, a video for each of the members of Warriors Journey Home who went on the journey, and all media all in one location.

A second tour to Viet Nam; what an honor.

Don't forget to grab a copy of Sunday's Akron Beacon Journal, and ohio.com!

2011-02-19T09:12:00.000-08:00

And check out www.ohio.com to read about a most amazing opportunity I had this past October.

The story of returning to Vietnam with 10 members of Tallmadge's Warriors Journey Home Veterans Ministry is running tomorrow, Sunday. AND the four days following..

What a long road to get here, and when I left the Beacon yesterday, knowing everything was complete and ready for the press, I got into my car and cried. Relief? Accomplishment? Joy? Pride? Nervous? As much as I thought my brain would explode with the amount of time the editing process took, and the waiting for the day to come-I can truly say, what an invaluable experience. I have learned so much about myself, and about the power of telling a good story.

I'm so incredibly honored to tell the story of five brave combat veterans who returned to Vietnam some 40 years later. Grateful the Akron Beacon Journal Photo staff supported me in every way, and helped me to realize that there is a market for the stories I want to tell. Stories come my way, like the story of a community taking care of its veterans that I wasn't looking to find.

I'm proud of all of you- Joe, Tom, Ron, Ralph, and Charlie - It's an honor to know you. John and Shianne, you're an inspiration. Mona and Beth, your commitment to support your men was a testament to marriage I needed to see. And Chuck, thank you for being the tier of loose ends..without you I'm sure I would have left some fancy piece of equipment in some field or jungle somewhere..thanks for having all of our backs.

Memories and friendships that will stand the test of time. Please grab yourself a copy of the Akron Beacon Journal tomorrow -Sunday February 20, 2010 and check out the online galleries and multimedia about the story.

New Multimedia Presentation for Warriors Journey Home Veterans Ministry

2011-02-13T16:07:00.001-08:00

Warriors Journey Home Presentation FC_Music from Laura Torchia on Vimeo.

An introduction to Warriors Journey Home, how it works, and why it works as an effective healing model for veterans and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.

Random Photo

2011-02-13T06:27:00.000-08:00

Sometimes i'll go through photos and find ones i didnt see before. Enter Bananaman.

I uploaded a bunch of new photos from Vietnam to my flickr site, check 'em out!

Wheels4Change - Race Across America

2011-01-31T10:01:00.001-08:00

As many of you know, in June 2011 I will be documenting a local woman's cross-country bicycle race. Akron's Cassie Schumacher has qualified for Race Across America -- and she will race SOLO. Cassie will be the first woman from Ohio to complete the race solo, and only the fifth from Ohio to qualify. The race happens annually, and began in 1982.

Cassie will be raising funds for Warriors Journey Home veterans ministry. The 3,000 mile race is 30% longer than the Tour De France and solo racers take NO REST DAYS. the Race begins in Oceanside, CA and finishes no more than 12 days later in Annapolis MD. That's an average of 300 miles per day! The cost to get her and her support team across America is $20,000. Please Make a donation using PayPal to help her raise awareness and funds for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and other veterans' issues.
www.wheels4change.com
www.warriorsjourneyhome.org

Lloyd Strickland: Martin Luther King Day 2011

2011-01-27T13:32:00.000-08:00

Click for multimedia: a conversation with Lloyd Strickland at First Grace United Church of Christ.

Athletic Portrait-Crossfit

2011-01-17T16:39:00.000-08:00

So lucky to get to make portraits like this. Amazing and inspiring!

Vivian Meier, unknown photographer

2011-01-13T10:42:00.000-08:00

This story is a wonderful story, and has me reflecting on why making photos is an essential part of my life. I learn so much from the people I photograph and feel like my work is a life-long study of the human condition. I love how much this woman's story has made me think. And, she made some wonderful images.

If I could explain what I get out of making photos..I'd like it to be half as eloquent as this guy..

2010-12-08T20:46:00.000-08:00

" Cameras help me to translate, interpret and understand what I see. It's a simple act, and it keeps me grinnin' "

DARK SIDE OF THE LENS from Astray Films on Vimeo.

Welcome Home Reception-Sunday October 31st -all are welcome

2010-10-27T07:06:00.000-07:00

Invitation to all from Reverend John Schluep :
What a remarkable feeling of support and healing as we “land” from Viet Nam. The journey was an extraordinary example of the power of love, forgiveness, reconciliation, atonement, and healing. Thank you for the prayers and the support – I think I can speak on behalf of everyone that was there - we felt your presence!
This Sunday we will have a special ceremony, of sorts, to share with the wider community the experiences of the journey and take the opportunity to express our gratitude. One of our children’s choirs will be present to sing for us as well as special guests from Viet Nam and Soldier’s Heart. The ceremony will start at 6:00 p.m. in our Fellowship Hall and a reception will follow in the Atrium hosted by our Women’s Fellowship. All are welcome.
WELCOME HOME!
Map-get directions

First Congregational Church of Tallmadge

85 Heritage Drive, Tallmadge, OH 44278-1420

(330) 633-4931

‎

www.fcctallmadge.org

www.warriorsjourneyhome.com

SUPERBOWL tickets still available! - Warriors Journey Home fundraiser

2010-10-27T06:57:00.000-07:00

Warriors Journey Home Fundraiser:

Superbowl Raffle Tickets still for sale until Nov. 11

$10 buys you a chance to win:

2 tickets to 2011 Super Bowl XLV

Cowboys Stadium, Arlington Texas

Travel Stipend (flight and accommodation for 2)

To purchase tickets: contact Jane Huffman at 330-633-9628

or email tallmadgefcc@sbcglobal.net

Drawing Thursday November 11^th

at Delanie's Neightborhood Grille

67 West Ave
Tallmadge, OH 44278-2249
(330) 630-2888 Get directions

|| drawing will be held at half-time ||

10.16.10 : Hill 55

2010-10-23T07:10:00.002-07:00

10.16.10 : Hill 55

10.17. 2010 : Phạm Út Quyên- Việt Nam

2010-10-23T07:10:00.000-07:00

Journey to Our Hearts - words from a 23-year old journalist Quyen (pronounced QUINN) who spent a week traveling with us.

“I lost my soul, somewhere in the forest, the moment I gave the order to my troops to shoot a VC,” Tom said. He is one of the Vietnam Veterans who believe that a part of their soul left them in the war. When they fired at someone, when someone beside them died, either their buddies or their enemies, it took away apart of their hearts and their souls; the part that belongs to innocence, and goodness and humanity was sent forever roaming.

It’s so lucky for me, a Vietnamese girl who never walked though any wars, to have had a chance to join a journey of Vietnam Veterans (called American Veterans for the Vietnamese) led by Dr. Ed Tick of the Soldier’s Heart organization. They call this trip a journey home for the soldiers who return to their old battlefields in order to bring their souls back. But I call this trip the Journey to Our Hearts.

I was born in the time when my country was changing vigorously from the period of the Subsidy System to the period of Socioeconomic Renovation. I grew up with the stories of my grandpa when he was a soldier during the war. He fought for the independence of his country and the happiness of his people. I used to think it was full of glory to be a soldier. That was when I hadn’t realized all the wars were wrong, they were not supposed to happen. And no one in this world was supposed to be born to become a soldier. Though I am still proud of my grandpa for what he did, he would have had a better life if the war had never happened. He is a gentle man who just likes reading books, gardening and playing with his grandchildren.

I am the girl who has never believed in miracles, because I thought it meaningless to just stay still and pray for a miracle to happen to change the world. Every achievement a person gets in his life must be built by his own hands. But to join this journey, to know these people, and to witness the healing of their hearts is more than a miracle for me.

A miracle is when I see a man who was hurt so badly that he thinks his soul has left him can smile the smiles of healing and happiness again.

A miracle is when I see two men who used to fight on two opposite front lines hug each other tightly and make fun of themselves about the past: “If I met you forty years ago you would died for sure. Now the war is over, and we become friends.”

A miracle is when I see the happiness shining in the glittering eyes of John, a soldier who was forced to kill to keep from being killed when he is doing the job of healing and bringing life back to other people.

A miracle is Ralph, an old man with a leg broken by the war that still hurts him as the war still hurts his heart, fall down on his knees, take a handful of Vietnamese soil, recall the death of his old friends. “I couldn’t believe it,” he said. But “It’s over. Let them come home.”

Yes it’s over, the war and the obsession with it. Today all the hearts were healed!

A miracle is that in this world of billions of people, we have a chance to meet each other, to be come friends, brothers and sisters, father and daughter, to understand and warm each other heart.

A miracle is that you and I were born into this world to witness all of these miraculous things.

To soldiers from whom a part is still left in Vietnam, it’s time to come back, it’s time to take it home. Come here and ask every Vietnamese: “Do you forgive me for the things that I did to your country and your people?” You will get this answer: “You are forgiven.” no, this one: “You WERE forgiven” and a tight hug. For us, the war is over and now we are heading forward, so why don’t you?

Việt Nam, October 17, 2010

Phạm Út Quyên

10.16.10 : Mac Dinh Chi Primary School

2010-10-22T00:13:00.000-07:00

10.16.10 : Mac Dinh Chi Primary School, Thang Binh District

Tom Saal, Marine, and former English teacher in Akron found himself at home - in a classroom 8,500 miles away - passing out beanie babies and other items to the children at the Mac Dinh Chi School.

Tom Saal's officer class built this school ten years ago – the same class of officers that saw the highest number of casualties in the war in Viet Nam. They arrived in Viet Nam in 1967, shortly before the Tet Offensive began.

Tom began his reconciliation with the people of Vietnam by donating money to help build the school. We visited with the children, and Tom was welcomed by the school's headmaster and honored with flowers. We left behind the school supplies that were donated by Roosevelt High School's "Project:Vietnam", and members of various communities in North East Ohio, the City of Tallmadge and the First Congregational Church of Tallmadge.

10.14.10 : Phu Bai, Camp Eagle, and High Van Pass – *means cloud and sky

2010-10-22T00:10:00.000-07:00

10.14.10 : Phu Bai, Camp Eagle, and High Van Pass – (named cloud and sky)

“Camp Eagle is known as the land of the dead,” said Charlie Forsyth.

The former Area of Operations (AO) is now a graveyard.

We gathered at Phu Bai for all soldiers who did not come home from Viet Nam.

By this time in our trip, it's clear that we need to bring this reconciliation

back to all veterans at home.

Tom, Charlie, Ron, Joe and Ralph can now tell their stories of healing

to everyone suffering from the impact of war, and ready to come home.

WELCOME HOME!

High Van Pass, hence why it is named cloud and sky!

"Now we're shooting pictures," says Charlie Forsyth about his return to Viet Nam; this time it was a peaceful journey.

High Van Pass is a place the Marines with us remember.

We are close to Marble Mountain, Hill 55, Chau Son Village, and Dodge City.

We are entering into territory where Tom Saal and Charlie Forsyth

were stationed during the war.

Our driver passed other vehicles and negotiated hairpin turns as we

saw some of the most beautiful vistas of the East Sea,

(what we call the South China Sea) and the lush mountainous terrain.

It's hard to imagine someone decided this was a place to go to war –

it is breathtaking as the clouds roll in on us at 1500ft above sea level.

10.13.10 : Firebase Birmingham

2010-10-22T00:08:00.000-07:00

10.13.10 : Fire Base Birmingham

Members of Warriors Journey home in Tallmadge, OH gather at the site of the former Firebase Birmingham - home to the 101st infantry - to honor member Steve Burr who was stationed there during the war.

Before we left for Viet Nam we didn't know the exact location. At the last minute we found the book in this picture - a dictionary of locations that the US Military occupied in Viet Nam between 1945 and 1975 – the book has an old aerial photo of Fire Base Birmingham on the cover.
With this book and the help of our guide Song, we found our way to Fire Base Birmingham. Shianne Eagleheart mentioned she'd heard Steve say he lost his youth there. When we arrived, a large group of curious neighborhood children gathered.
WELCOME HOME STEVE!

10:13.10 : The Citadel at Hue

2010-10-22T00:06:00.000-07:00

10.13.10 : The Citadel at Hue

Former President Ho Chi Minh presides over the Citadel in Hue. Veterans Joe Caley, of Akron, OH, Mike Blake and Nathan Lewis, both of Ithaca, NY, examine the bullet holes and shrapnel marks left in the marble 42 years ago.

The South Vietnamese Army and U.S. Army protected
the city of Hue during the Tet Offensive in 1968. Hue,
situated on the perfume river, was also a base for U.S. Navy supply boats.

The battle at Hue began when the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army
invaded - despite agreements made between the two sides. The SVA
and U.S. Army were unprepared and what resulted was one of
the longest battles of the war in Viet Nam. The city was destroyed,
leaving behind one of the highest casualty counts: estimates vary,
stating more than 10,000 Viet Cong and civilians were killed,
Allied forces (SVA and U.S) lost over 600, and almost 4,000 wounded.

The Citadel now attracts foreign visitors wishing to know the history of the country - at $55,000 Dong per person; or just under three dollars U.S.

Yahoo news top story!!!!

2010-10-20T11:59:00.000-07:00

Check us out!

Thank you!

2010-10-20T10:13:00.000-07:00

Here is link to Beacon story - http://www.ohio.com/news/105317228.html

Plane is Early

2010-10-19T15:25:00.000-07:00

The plane is arriving about 15 minutes early. - Kim

Almost home

2010-10-19T14:00:00.000-07:00

It looks like the plane is going to be on schedule tonight - 7:13 p.m. at Akron-Canton Airport.
Welcome home, boys! -------- Kim

10.12.10 : Montangard Compassion House Dedication

2010-10-17T02:00:00.000-07:00

10.12.10 : Montangard Compassion House Dedication, near Dong Ha

The indigenous people of Viet Nam are known as Montangards, or people of the mountain. They live in community, and many were drafted to be soldiers during the war. Soldier's Heart donated the money to build this home they call "Compassion House" to a young family with six children.

There was toasting with their tradition of homemade rice wine, and our US veterans got the chance to meet former Viet Cong soldiers who had not

met any Americans since the war.

Check out a short video of vets from both sides:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSDCcxFpOQ0

Tom Saal hands out school supplies to the children:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLgiU1b4k2Y

10.11.10 : 14 Hour Train to Dong Ha - DMZ

2010-10-16T21:22:00.000-07:00

10.11.10 : 14 hour overnight train to Dong Ha - DMZ

This is ground control on the train ride to Dong Ha, also known as the DMZ or De-Militarized Zone. We arrived in Dong Ha a few hours later than expected because of storms and flash flooding in Quang Binh province. Media reports say the floods have claimed up to 66 lives, and left thousands homeless. Ha Noi's Millenium Celebration was scheduled to have fireworks in 29 locations - 28 of those fireworks displays were canceled, and the money was sent to victims of the flooding.

10.11.10 : Ha Noi : Viet Nam Writer's Association : Poetry Reading

2010-10-16T21:05:00.000-07:00

10.11.10 : Ha Noi : Viet Nam Writer's Association : Poetry Reading

"If it weren't for the war, we would never have gotten the chance to know one another."

Apparently this quote comes from The Women of Troy by Euripides, but it has been said many times by Dr. Ed Tick when introducing our group and it's purpose in Vietnam, it's become a bit of a mantra for all of us.

We were invited to share poetry with some of the most esteemed Vietnamese poets at the Vietnamese writer's Association. The welcome we received was warm and many of the poets we met were veterans of what they call "The American War." It was a chance for both sides to share stories of how their people were affected by the war. And a chance to share the healing power of writing about and sharing the truth of war.

We are welcomed to the Viet Nam Writer's Association, Dr. Ed Tick introduces the veterans in our group who came to Vietnam seeking peace.

Reverend John Schluep represents Warriors Journey Home, and First Congregational Church of Tallmadge, OH. Schluep read his poem titled, "When the Air Shakes."

Poet Gabz Ciofani, Wick Poetry Center, Kent State, and Que Mai, Viet Nam Writer's Association read each other's poetry in their respective languages, so everyone in the room can enjoy their poems. Thank you again Que Mai for everything.

Welcome them home

2010-10-16T08:13:00.000-07:00

Several people have asked for details about the veterans coming home. Here's the scoop from the Beacon Journal story :)
Blessings,
Kim

The five area Vietnam veterans never received a hero's welcome when they returned home from war. Instead, they were often ridiculed and called names. One was teased for having his legs nearly blown off by a land mine.

A Tallmadge congregation and community members want to help those men with their healing as they again return home from Vietnam, where they spent the last few weeks trying to find peace.

On Tuesday, when they arrive at Akron-Canton Airport, the ministry hopes to encourage the men with a welcome they never had.

During the Vietnam War, the country was angry. Four students who were protesting the war were killed at Kent State University. And when the warriors returned to the States, there was no fanfare.

North Olmsted's Charles Forsyth stepped on U.S. soil in San Diego with a few hundred fellow Marines. Because it was such a large group, the arrival was portrayed as a kind of troop withdrawal, so Forsyth was expecting a Marine Corps band or some type of celebration.

Instead, the soldiers were loaded on buses with military police who were bearing batons.

''We were all told there were protesters outside the gates and . . . not to react in any way. And to keep our heads down,'' Forsyth said.

The batons, he recalled, were to be used on Marines who disobeyed.

That was 40 years ago.

The men, members of Warriors Journey Home, a ministry that meets biweekly at First Congregational Church in Tallmadge, left more than two weeks ago on a reconciliation visit to Vietnam.

Suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, some said they were returning to retrieve the souls they lost during battle. Others went in search of healing.

The Akron Beacon Journal wrote of their life journey Oct. 3 and has provided a place on Ohio.com for photos and narrative from the trip, provided by Laura Torchia, a senior visual journalism major at Kent State University.

In addition to Forsyth, the Vietnam veterans returning home are Tallmadge's Joe Caley, Akron's Tom Saal, Springfield Township's Ron Oskar and Streetsboro's Ralph Knerem.

AirTran Flight 203 from Atlanta to Akron-Canton Airport is due at 7:13 p.m., provided there are no delays.

Those who want to join the caravan, rather than meet at the airport, should be at the church at 5:45 p.m. A bus provided by the Tallmadge Recreation Center will transport those who need assistance to the airport.

The Tallmadge Police Department is providing an escort to the church for the men, who will be riding in a limousine.

''I think just having our presence at the airport giving warmth and love will mean more to them than words can say,'' said Ann Carter, a Warriors Journey Home member who is honored to be helping coordinate the welcome-home celebration.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

THE ROUTE HOME

The men, who will be riding inside a limousine, will receive a police escort back to Tallmadge. They will take I-77 north to I-76 east and exit state Route 532. The caravan will go into Tallmadge, around the circle and back to the church.

Makin' more headlines...

2010-10-15T10:34:00.000-07:00

Sai Gon Paper regarding our meeting with the Director of the War Remnants Museum and the Speakpeace Project.
http://tuoitre.vn/Van-hoa-Giai-tri/404354/Tien-si-Edward-Tick-Toi-muon-thay-nuoc-mat.html

Another article with photos of our day 10.09.10
http://chuadieuphap.com.vn/content/tintuc_chitiet.php?catid=415&subcatid=0&newsid=1531&langid=0

Making Headlines while Making new Memories in 'Nam

2010-10-15T08:58:00.000-07:00

Our Visit has brought much media attention in Vietnam. Here are the links I have received so far (mostly in Vietnamese).

From our broadcast and interview with Vietnamnet: There's a photo of Joe Caley who spoke on the panel on the topic of reconciliation between soldiers and all people of the US and Vietnam.

http://day0909.net/2010-10-12-nhung-nguoi-linh-my-den-viet-nam-tim-lai-tam-hon

The Vietnamese writer's association hosted a poetry reading for us and their members - many of whom are veterans (has poetry and Vietnamese translations-they will be adding all of the poetry read that day)

http://hoinhavanvietnam.vn/Details/tac-pham/giao-luu-tho-ca-viet-my/32/0/2579.star

An Interview with Ed Tick and John Fisher from Soldier's Heart and Professor Minh Tai from Vietnam University School of Journalism and Communication. Gabz Ciofani, our representative from the Wick Poetry Center at KSU is mentioned.

http://day0909.net/

On another website (we are all named here as a delegation of Americans seeking peace and reconciliation)

http://tonvinhvanhoadoc.vn/van-hoc-viet-nam/doi-song-van-hoc/1607-giao-luu-tho-ca-viet-my-qloi-tho-hoa-binh-tu-hai-phiaq.html

From the Vietnam University - Ha Noi Campus, School of Journalism and Communication: (has Gabz Ciofani's poem "Lending a hand to Healing" translated in Vietnamese)

http://ussh.edu.vn/han-gan-vet-thuong-chien-tranh-bang-tho-ca/2795

"Please tell them that the writers here can't stop talking about them and felt that the reading was so special. I have been asked by several newspapers to submit the Vietnamese versions of some of the poems read by your group, for printing on national newspapers." In an email from Que Mai, poet from the Vietnamese Writer's Association, who translated our poems, and helped translate and facilitate the poetry readings to accommodate writers and listeners in two languages.

10.11.10 : Ha Noi : Vietnamese Writer's Association : Poetry Reading

2010-10-11T18:15:00.000-07:00

10.11.10 : Ha Noi : Vietnamese Writer's Association : Poetry Reading

"If it weren't for the war, we would never have gotten the chance to know one another." ~Euripides, The Women of Troy

Apparently this notion came from Euripides, but it has been repeated by Dr. Ed Tick when he has introduced our group and it's purpose in Vietnam. It's become a bit of a mantra for all of us.

We were invited to share poetry with some of the most esteemed Vietnamese poets at the Viet Nam writer's Association. The welcome we received was warm and many of the poets we met were veterans of what they call "The American War." It was a chance for both sides to share stories of how their people were affected by the war. And a chance to share the healing power of writing about and sharing the truth of war.

10.10.10 Ha Noi Millenium Celebration

2010-10-09T21:01:00.000-07:00

A message to NFL Official John Parry from Reverend John Schluep from Ha Noi on their capital city's 1,000th anniversary. John Parry is behind the fundraiser for Warriors Journey home - raffle tickets are available for $10 to win 2 tickets to next years superbowl including travel and accommodations to Arlington, TX A total of 2,500 tickets will be sold, draw will take place Nov.11th. Contact for tickets: Jane Huffman at 330-633-9628
CLICK HERE for the Link

10.09.10 : Friendship Village - The Effects of Agent Orange

2010-10-09T11:48:00.000-07:00

10.09.10 : Friendship Village

I needed to do a special post just for this, because it was quite an experience for everyone, however difficult, painful, or joyful the experience. I went into this visit with some fear and reservation, preparing for a difficult situation, and it was joy that prevailed overall.

Dr. Ed Tick, and John Fisher of Solider's Heart share laughter and high fives with Vietnamese veterans receiving medical treatment at Friendship Village. John found new friends in men who were his enemies during the war in the Central Highlands.

Friendship village is an NGO that was started by a US veteran Gerge Mizo. Mr. Mizo had the idea to make a home for veterans and their children who were affected by Agent Orange. His troubles raising funds to build friendship village sent him to Germany where he was able to raise funds from many countries to begin the project, his vision for peace and reconciliation on land that was once ride paddies, Located in Van Canh commune, Hoai Duc district, Ha Tay province, about 15 kilometers southwest of central Hanoi.

The Village opened it's doors in 1993, and now has beds for 120 children, and 40 veterans, a school, an organic garden among other facilities. The residents receive medical care, education, vocational rehabilitation, in addition to many other types of rehabilitation to address the different ways - physical, mental, and emotional - effects of Agent Orange present themselves; even three generations later.

All of the veterans from both sides gather for a photo together chanting
"Hoa Binh!" the Vietnamese word for peace.

A highlight with the kids was a spontaneous game of kickball in the rehabilitation room with their rehab balls, plastic balls, and anything that bounced. Smiles and laughter all around. I heard someone say, "these kids may be disabled, but they're happy with what they've got."

"The only universal language is pain," says Joe Caley.

Joe Caley, and Michael "Magoo" Phillips pose with veterans they
met at Friendship Village who fought in the same battles with them in 1968.


Reverend John Schluep embraces the Dr. who takes care of the Village residents' medical needs. Schluep presented him with a giveaway cloth marked with the organizations behind the journey - Warriors Journey Home, Kent Roosevelt High School, The Red Bird Center, Soldier's Heart, Freedom House, The Wick Poetry Center at KSU, and the City of Tallmadge Ohio.

We were also reminded by our Iraq vets Nate Lewis that chemical warfare in the form of depleted uranium is being used in in Iraq and Afghanistan. For the two Iraq vets with us in Vietnam, the visit was also a vision into the future of the long-lasting hurt and conflict this current war will leave behind.

10.09.10 : Ha Noi : Reconciliation and Healing

2010-10-09T10:00:00.000-07:00

10.09.10 : Ha Noi (Thang Long)

Ha Noi was full of some exciting opportunities for healing for veterans of the US and Viet Nam - and everyone affected by this horrible part of both our countries' histories. In Vietnam, the war will not be forgotten - but it is in the past. A past that no one wanted. We arrived in Ha Noi during their Millennium celebration, and the streets were packed with people celebrating and opening their hearts and welcoming Americans making the journey to Viet Nam seeking healing.

Our translator Song, Al Plapp, Joe Caley, Ed Tick, John Fisher (not seen), Professor Ming Tai, poet Que Mai, and Gabz Ciofani from Left.

Our friends and partners, Dr Ed Tick, John Fisher, and the non-profit organization Soldier's Heart work very hard promoting reconciliation, healing and world peace. They had many great opportunities arranged for our time in Hanoi. Our first day in Ha Noi started with a live round table discussion on Vietnamnet on the topic of peace and reconciliation and healing the wounds of war. The panel included Dr. Tick, veterans John Fisher, Al Plapp, and Joe Caley; Professor Minh Thai, Professor of Journalism and Communications at VNU Ha Noi , Nguyen Phan Que Mai from the Vietnamese Writer's Association, and Wick Poetry Center representative Gabz Ciofani.

We picked up Mr.Van Hanh, professor Minh Tai's father, and headed to visit a Dinh. Van Hanh was a soldier in the Viet Ming, what was then called the National League, who joined in 1940, and fought for his Vietnam's independence from France. Mr. Van Hanh took ill with Malaria, and became a singer. He was a singer and entertainer for the military until he retired. He sang us a traditional Quan Ha (Vietnamese folklore) song on the bus ride to welcome us to the Dinh; his voice was tender and sweet.

At the Village, we stopped first at a Buddhist temple, a temple of the 8 kings. The ancient deities and the smell of incense is inviting and comforting, offering a place of refuge.

A Dinh is in our words a community center. To the Vietnamese, it is a place of worship, a place to gather, a civil court, and a common space for locals. The civil court is an example of restorative justice; the process of taking care of disputes within the community before it would need to go to a larger court. This process comes from a philosophy of peace-making and community, the very principles that are a part of the foundation of Vietnamese culture.
We visited Dinh Bang, a short drive from Ha Noi. Dinh Bang was the birthplace the first king of the Ly Dynasty who moved the capital of Vietnam to Ha Noi around 1010. The Dinh was built in 1796, and we had the chance to visit and share a wonderful, sweet, sticky rice cake wrapped in a banana leaf called Phu The (meaning husband and wife). It is a cake traditionally served as wedding cake, and we were welcomed by the volunteers to pray in their temple, get a history lesson, and have a snack and some tea.

We headed off to Friendship Village with some fear in our hearts about visiting Vietnamese veterans and children affected by Agent Orange.

The Guys Sing to a Kindergarten Class

2010-10-09T06:48:00.000-07:00

Just so you know, we are having some fun in 'nam too...
CLICK HERE to see the video

Former Viet Cong soldier Tam Tien hosts American veterans in the Mekong Delta

2010-10-08T08:04:00.000-07:00

Because the War is Over : Tam Tien

(Tam Tien gets a hug from Warriors Journey Home member Joe Caley)

Dr. Ed Tick said the Vietnam veterans from our Warriors Journey Home circle would be welcomed by the Vietnamese; and he said our American veterans would be embraced by former Viet Cong soldiers. He was right. Tam Tien was a Viet Cong soldier. To Americans, the Viet Cong, or VC were the enemy.

Tam Tien taught seventh graders where he grew up in the Mekong Delta, in North Vietnam. The delta is a small, intimate place where family and community come first. When the school he taught at was bombed, he had few choices. The country was divided at war, Tam knew he could be drafted to the VC, or he could enlist with the ARVN (Army of the Republic of Vietnam) and join forces with the United States to fight the Viet Cong. Tam ultimately made the decision to join the Viet Cong because he could stay in the Mekong Delta and defend his family and his community. His wife was also Viet Cong, they raised a family and at the same time fought to protect their community in the Mekong Delta.

On a mission with the North Vietnamese Army (NVA), Tam was severely wounded, and left for dead. He was unable to walk and left with a gaping wound in his abdomen. Tam crawled to a villager's home where he was cared for until the Viet Cong came to get him and provide him with proper medical care.

Tam Tien hosts Ed Tick and the groups of American veterans he brings to Vietnam by welcoming them into his family's home. Tam and his family encouraged our Warriors Journey Home members to 'let go', explaining that the war in Vietnam was not the fault of the soldiers. Soldiers on both sides of the war were put in the roles to fight one another; but they are no longer enemies - because the war is over.

(R)Charlie Forsyth, John Fisher, Tam Tien, Ralph Knerem, Rev. John Schluep, Song

(F) Shianne Eagleheart, Dr. Ed Tick, Joe Caley

10.6 : Cam Ranh Bay - Ron's Bridge

2010-10-07T21:15:00.000-07:00

10.6 : Cam Ranh Bay - Ron's Bridge

Ron Oskar was a Quartermaster. He delivered supplies and crossed this very bridge many times. Visiting the bridge brought some reconciliation for our group, as we stood on the bridge and listened to Ron's stories of hardship and loss, and also those of the comraderie and the good times that came to mind as we returned to this beautiful place where he was stationed so long ago.

Here's to new memories in Viet Nam for Ron.

WELCOME HOME.

10.5 : WAR REMNANTS MUSEUM -Speakpeace

2010-10-07T21:13:00.000-07:00

WAR REMNANTS MUSEUM - Speakpeace

The War Remnants Museum used to be called the Museum of American War Crimes until as recent as 1993. American Military vehicles and equipment left behind in 1975 decorate the courtyard entrance, and much of the exhibits held inside are dedicated to telling the truth about the war in Vietnam.

The new room that displays the Vietnamese Children's Art Exhibit is an expression of the desire for Peace for Vietnam, and for the world.

Kent State University's Wick Poetry Center brought 22 of the children's paintings to Kent and published a catalogue of the corresponding poems written by Americans. A call for poetry submissions brought over 1200 poems in response to the 22 paintings that have now become a traveling exhibit.

Dr. Ed Tick presented the printed catalogues to Museum Director Madame Huynh Ngoc Van. This even is a testament to Soldier's Heart's efforts to build bridges between the people of Vietnam and America - and a sincere dedication to peace and healing for all.

Museum Director Madame Huynh Ngoc Van is part of the 4 person delegation who will be joining Soldier's Heart and Warriors Journey Home at the International Summit on War and Peace to be held at Case Western University October 25-30. Dr. Tick is the Keynote speaker, and former Viet Cong soldier Tam Tien will also be attending the Summit.

Find information and register for the Summit HERE

The presentation of the Speakpeace catalogues was covered

by the local paper Tuoi Tre - read/see the article HERE

Hoa Binh is peace in Vietnamese.

It is pronounced (waaah bin)

10.5 : Reunification Hall and our Guide Song -Sai Gon (HoChiMin City)

2010-10-05T21:59:00.000-07:00

REUNIFICATION HALL AND OUR GUIDE SONG : SAI GON, October 5, 2010

Our first day in Saigon, we visit the reunification Hall, where our guide Song tells his story. Song is a former ARVN (Army of the Republic of Vietnam) who now works for Soldier's Heart. After his time in the service, Song raised a family and became a teacher of English and other subjects. Song is our translator, our organizer, our tour guide, our everything. He has been embraced by our American Veterans on the same journey to heal the wounds of war through storytelling, and promoting peace. This day's history lesson brought much reflection to the veterans in the group, for some learned things about the war in Vietnam they had never known.

42 Years Later

2010-10-05T02:22:00.000-07:00

42 Years Later

Tom Saal, retired 1st Lieutenant, U.S Marine Corps, steps foot in Vietnam 42 years after leaving combat wounded in a helicopter. After stepping on a landmine, Saal was transported to a hospital in DaNang (that was under fire at the time), to Japan for surgery, and on to Bethesda Naval Hospital.

Tom is also a poet; he wrote this before we left.

"Our Journey Together"

As we move closer to this journey of healing,

may we each be aware of our wishes and of our desires,

of our wish to reconcile, of our desire to forgive,

so that our minds and hearts might be restored,

so that our souls may once again become one with our bodies.

Let us ask our Higher Power,

our source of our spirituality,

to become one with each of us present here this evening.

Those of us going on this journey are searching.

Some of us are searching for ourselves

or a part of ourselves which has been lost.

We are traveling to reconcile the effects of war,

or to help those affected as a result of war's traumas,

or simply to attempt an understanding of who we really are.

Please, may we work together as one during the next few weeks,

to work together in peace and harmony.

May we travel together

so that this journey might be an initiation into a new life,

a life of continued recovery,

a life of forgiveness,

of a healing of our souls, of our minds,

and of our complete selves.

The Long Road To Vietnam

2010-10-05T01:26:00.000-07:00

: Snaps From The Journey to Viet Nam :

1.5 hour flight to Atlanta : 5 hour flight to LA

13 hour layover-Ramada Inn El Segundo : 14 hour flight to Taipei

1 hour layover in Taipei : 4 hour flight to Saigon (Ho Chi Min City)

: highlights :

: We found the Sunday Edition of The Akron Beacon Journal while getting coffee at the Akron/Canton airport, Giant photo of Tom above the fold on A1..amazing story, and two more full pages inside! We made the flight with 3 minutes to spare

: The hotel shuttle (Ramada El Segundo California) left us waiting at the airport for an hour after we missed it the first time..well, our luggage was in the shuttle, but we didn't make it in the van

: Tom left his camera behind, I left a battery charger behind - one trip to best buy and Tom has a new camera..the search is still on for a charger for the D300s

: Tom meets a Vietnamese soldier, a former Captain, South Vietnamese Army, in line for our international flight, he's starting to get excited

: We connect with Gabz and the three of us are ready for Viet Nam

: 14 hour flight to Taipei - there are no words to describe a 14 hour-long flight except to say we survived it!

: Arrived in Saigon (Ho Chi Min City) welcomed by Tony, a former Sergeant in the South Vietnamese Army

Misc. stuff

2010-10-04T10:42:00.000-07:00

Good afternoon! This is Kim Hone-McMahan at the Beacon Journal. In the event you are overhearing that something special may be taking place upon the warriors return, apparently that's in the works. I will write about it prior to their arrival at Akron-Canton Airport on Oct. 19.
To those who have contacted me about Sunday's story - thanks so much. It has been my honor to work with these men and those who support them.

By the way, Laura and Tom were able to get a newspaper before boarding the plane, so everyone will be able to take a peek at the story.

Again, thanks so much.

Blessings,
Kim

Peace be with you Warriors

2010-10-01T19:15:00.000-07:00

The sendoff on Wednesday was brimming with love and joy for the brave warriors and people of strong heart who are journeying to Vietnam. Members of the congregation at the Community Church of Christ, citizens of Tallmadge, and members of Warriors Journey Home gathered at the church to see everyone off.

Charlie Forsyth, the quiet, softhearted, bearded one of the bunch threw a peace sign as he took the first steps of his journey; with peace in his eyes, and the biggest smile. A Marine, in the Mike Company 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Division -- Charlie is ready to go back to Vietnam.

Good Luck!

2010-09-28T12:01:00.000-07:00

Good luck everyone! I'll be thinking and praying for you.

The story in the Beacon Journal about your mission will run on Sunday, Oct. 3 (www.ohio.com). Hopefully, Laura will be able to pick up some papers at the airport (if she's not leaving too early).

The brave group traveling to Vietnam

2010-09-28T09:04:00.000-07:00

we'd like to thank you all for your love, support, and prayers as we embark on this healing journey. Follow our blog at www.ohio.com/vietnamjourney

Four Soldiers: Four Different Wars: One Unit

2010-09-20T22:37:00.000-07:00

Four soldiers, four wars--all 101st Airborne--together in the same room last night at the Warriors Journey Home circle in Tallmadge Ohio.

Hank is a medic who jumped at Normandy in WW2, in front Tim is a medic deployed to Afghanistan and currently recovering at Fort Campbell's Warrior Transition Unit, Dustin patrolled US hwy 10 in Iraq, and Steve served at Firebase Birmingham in Vietnam. What an amazing sight to see these men together; these brave brothers in combat; these brave brothers healing the wounds of war.

Thank you for serving.

Battle For Hearts and Minds -Danfung Dennis

2010-09-17T11:46:00.000-07:00

this trailer is amazing. A photographer embedded with a Marine company in Afghanistan, using a customized Canon 5D Mark II. This might be what the future of photojournalism looks like..

Battle for Hearts and Minds video trailer

All My Relations

2010-09-13T07:48:00.000-07:00

Redbird Center, Cambridge, Ohio
Preparing for the healing journey to Vietnam Oct 1-21, 2010
I realized this time in the healing lodge that I carry a lot of grief and sadness from the stories I hear from the veterans in my project.
I'm working on finding the emotional balance of carrying these stories and connecting with veterans as I write about them or edit images, talk about these courageous people, and eventually publish and share their stories.
Thanks Shianne, for your wisdom and guidance as I navigate the gift of being a storyteller.

This guy started the fire...

2010-09-10T13:30:00.000-07:00

Charlie started the fire :)

On the way to the Redbird Center...

2010-09-10T13:29:00.000-07:00

It's a beautiful day to prepare for Vietnam :)

Iconic Vietnam Photos, Horst Faas, Eddie Adams, etc

2010-09-08T11:22:00.000-07:00

some of the best known news photos from Vietnam compiled in a gallery:

http://blogs.denverpost.com/captured/2010/04/30/captured-a-look-back-at-the-vietnam-war-on-the-35th-anniversary-of-the-fall-of-saigon-2/?source=ARK_plog

Private First Class Tim Low - Medic, 101st Airborne, Age 20

2010-08-17T22:51:00.000-07:00

It wasn't “combat, combat..” it was more like,

Am I allowed to defend myself?

No.

Well then.

BOOM!

Two months ago, Tim Low, an infantry medic in the U.S. Army 101^st Airborne, made the same sacrifice that nearly 7,000 others have made since September, 2001: He was injured on active duty. CBS News reported June, 2010, as the deadliest month of the invasion on Afghanistan that began in October, 2001. Sixty U.S. Troops were killed and 517 injured in 30 days.

While supporting the Afghan National Police (ANP) on a joint, NATO-led (IASF) mission in Lar Sholtan Village, Kunar, Tim said he saw an Afghan woman walking down the mountain road into the village.

“I knew,” he said. Tim looked right into my eyes and I knew there had never been doubt.

Grasping his index finger to count the reasons; he said he'd never seen a woman in Afghanistan walking alone and holding his middle finger, he said he'd never see a woman wearing brightly-colored clothing. She was wearing orange. Rumor was she was middle-school aged. Her name was Bibi Alimi, the Taliban told reporters and claimed she was one of theirs.

“Yeah, I saw her on the bridge told (Spc. Andrew) Looney, “That bitch is going to blow the fuck up.” I asked to shoot her. He said, “no PID (positive-identification), no shot.”

Rules of engagement, Tim explained. “And, unfortunately, I was right.”

When the female suicide bomber detonated her IED, the blast killed two from the 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne.

Spc. Andrew R Looney, 22, was killed.

Pfc. David R Miller, 19, was the other. Media reports vary, some said there were more than 12; others said up to 18 others injured. Three Afghan National Policemen were reported dead. Tim remembers seeing three dead children

“It broke my knee and both of my feet, and I was bleeding like crazy from my head,” Tim said about the explosion. He estimates he was 25-30 meters from the female suicide bomber when her IED exploded. He was flown to Asadabad Airforce Base, to Bagram Airforce Base, then out of Afghanistan to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany (the largest American hospital outside the United States) before he arrived at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland on June 25. Bethesda has facilities for treating Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

*****

What I remember most about meeting Tim that afternoon on the surgery ward at Bethesda Naval Hospital, was how eagerly he shared his story with me. And he was smiling. What the heck did this guy have to smile about I remember thinking.

His father, Mike, had introduced himself to me in the hallway, and Tim wheeled himself out of his room to join us. Tim's legs and feet were obviously injured. He'd definitely already had surgery, and there was a giant metal contraption attached to his right foot. It wasn't until he looked down at the floor once when smiling that I noticed the scar on his head.

“Shrapnel,” he told me.

“IED, right?” I asked cautiously.

“Female suicide bomber,” he said, looking right in my eyes.

I remember pausing to let that sink in. Did he say what I think he said? I had only heard about that stuff in the news, and there I was looking into the happy eyes of a young man I guessed to be about 19. I fumbled around in my bag for my pen.

“How did you know?” I continued, “You didn't see her before it happened....someone must have told you?”

“Oh, I'll tell you the whole story,” he said.

This young veteran was different. His spiritual glass seemed half full. When I asked about the surgery to remove shrapnel from his brain, he shrugged and told me they were still doing tests. He smiled and said he figured since he was there talking to us and understanding what was going on around him he was doing pretty good.

Pretty good for a kid with a large, obvious, unmistakeable scar above his right ear. Pretty good for a strong, handsome, young man now confined to a wheelchair. Pretty good for kid who made it home from this war at the peak of combat and violence. Pretty good for a kid who took a piece of shrapnel to the right cheek—it formed a scar of the cutest dimple.

Another soldier walked past using two canes, maybe learning how to walk for the second time in his two decades on the planet. One more soldier passed with a giant open wound on his left leg—like nothing I'd ever seen. We don't read about those soldiers. The Department of Defense has a system of announcing casualties, but doesn't announce servicemen and women who are injured in combat or supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

In an instant message conversation just the other night, I could feel Tim's direct and pointed frustration. He stated the facts in a direct manner, without using too many words.

“There are 7000 guys like me, some worse off, some not. No one talks about that. That toll of the war. It’s just death toll. Makes it look less deadly. Less suffering, because dead aren't human vegetables with a wife and a baby who have to take care of them now.”

Today Tim's at Fort Campbell's Warrior Transition Unit. On September 23^rd he'll have exactly two years of service left. He'll go to med school—maybe even back home in Kansas City.

Thanks, Tim, for your service. I know you'll be walking the next time I see you.

Youngstown Airforce Base-Reverend John Schluep

2010-08-17T05:29:00.000-07:00

Got the chance to make a portrait of Reverend John Schluep from Warriors Journey Home last week at the Youngstown Airforce Base. John jumped out of these planes while he served in the US Army, while stationed in Alaska during Vietnam.
Being on this plane, that had been to Vietnam, and recently to spray dispersant into the gulf to aid the BP Oil Spill-I thought to myself, man, if this plane could talk...

Derek's mom

2010-08-17T05:20:00.000-07:00

Painting with Light

2010-08-13T19:50:00.000-07:00

Gwen playing with a sparkler in the backyard.

Warriors Journey Home Blog: $10 tickets for a chance to win a trip to the 2011...

2010-08-10T08:41:00.000-07:00

Warriors Journey Home Blog: $10 tickets for a chance to win a trip to the 2011...: "tickets are now available, you can pay by paypal by hitting the pay now button below: or follow the link on the 'support us' page of th..."

Why would a veteran go back to Vietnam?

2010-08-09T11:46:00.000-07:00

"In war, truth is the first casualty." Aeschylus - Greek tragic dramatist (525 BC - 456 BC)

Why go back to Vietnam you ask? Well, we believe the wounds of war are wounds of the soul. All wounds need to bleed, scab and heal. Or like we say in Warriors Journey Home, "Listen, Speak and Heal"

Tom Saal, 2nd Lt., USMC shares a little about going back to Vietnam October, 2010

TomSaal_WhyamIgoingtoVietnam? from Laura Torchia on Vimeo.
Tom Saal talks about how he feels about going back to Vietnam summer 2010.

The Redbird Center was Saved!!

2010-07-15T09:10:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,

Incredible news!

I have the pleasure of announcing The Red Bird Center has been saved

The Sheriff sale is canceled and the note is paid in full

Someone from the private sector who wishes to remain anonymous has step forward. They stated their wish is to preserve and protect this sacred work. I will have more to share in the celebration of this miracle in the days to come but wanted to share the immediate news as soon as I received it.

Please pass this on to anyone who is not on line

Thank you, to everyone who has volunteered their time working and praying for our good success.

Together we can do anything. Each of us have a critical role

I have felt held up during the most difficult part of this by your love and prayers

Thank you

In the healing spirit - Shianne

Shianne Eagleheart, LICDC,ICCS
Haudenosaunee - Seneca
Founder / Executive Director
The Red Bird Center, Inc.

2010-07-11T07:40:00.000-07:00

Bethesda Naval Hospital. LCpl Tim Conner, USMC, 20, of Barberton, is recovering from injuries sustained in an IED blast June17 in Afghanistan.

New Summer Pics and Happy Canada Day!

2010-07-01T09:19:00.000-07:00

The Redbird Center

2010-06-28T19:18:00.000-07:00

This amazing place in Guernsey County, OH is in danger of being sold at Auction July 16th. This is a unique place for healing trauma of all kinds; children, abuse survivors, veterans and anyone else needing to heal.
read their call for help here: http://www.redbirdcenter.org/statement.asp

These photos are of some of the Warriors Journey Home Veterans preparing for a Wounded Bear retreat and sweat lodge last week at the Redbird Center.

Indian Men ||

2010-06-27T06:08:00.000-07:00

a quick look-through of all my images from India made me see this group of photos that needed to be both black and white, and together in a group. More to come.

well, it's not trendy to actually use a lomo anymore... but it's as easy as 1,2,3 in photoshop!

2010-06-23T22:54:00.000-07:00

My most favorite subject

My Lai Massacre photos from the Cleveland Plain Dealer

2010-06-20T22:09:00.000-07:00

Clevelander Ronald Haberle was drafted during the Vietnam war and worked as a military photographer. These are the photos he made at the My Lai massacre that were published by the Plain Dealer against the military's urging. He explains the attack was unprovoked, and in one day he witnessed the demise of over 100 civilians -including women and children - in a village where there were no Viet Cong, ONLY civilians.

These are not graphic in the act of, but the result of the massacre.

In October I'll be visiting My Lai with four Vietnam veterans, and 7 other members of Warriors Journey Home.

http://www.cleveland.com/plain-dealer-library/index.ssf/2009/11/plain_dealer_exclusive_my_lai_massacre_photos_by_ronald_haeberle.html

Dr Bob's Way

2010-06-18T16:23:00.000-07:00

They Renamed Olive Street. The street St. Thomas Hospital is on. The Hospital where AA was founded.

Blast from the past-Vancouver, 1999 Entrepreneur of the Year-Manufacturing

2010-06-15T23:03:00.000-07:00

Manufacturing:This entrepreneur is a committed environmental, social and political activist. She founded her business incorporating those values, which she holds so dearly. The flexible schedule of "being her own boss" allows her the freedom to pursue her many other personal interests. A background in herbal medicine and selling natural products at the retail level, led her to the production and marketing of her own organic hair care products. VanCity understands her goals and provided financial support when others refused.

Laura Fong, It's All Good