Posted on 11/13/2001 3:14:37 AM PST by Shenandoah
I received the following email:
I wrote back to Colleen suggesting that she contact her local VFW, Marine Corps League, American Legion, and Vietnam Veterans of America. I've also posted her message on American Veterans
I have corresponded with Colleen, so I know this to be valid.
I AM HOPING YOU AND YOUR READERS CAN HELP ME WITH A PROBLEM, I HAVE A NEIGHBOR, A MARINE, WHO DID TWO TOURS IN NAM, HE IS VERY POOR HEALTH AND PROBABLY WON'T LIVE TO SEE ANOTHER CHRISTMAS, HE LIVES IN A 3 ROOM HOUSE HE BUILT HIS SELF, HE HAS NO LIVING FAMILY, FEW FRIENDS, EVERY CHRISTMAS I TAKE HIM A BASKET OF GOODIES, WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO ADD TO THAT IS CHRISTMAS CARDS FROM ALL OVER, FROM OTHER VETS, YOU CAN'T IMAGINE HOW HAPPY THIS WOULD MAKE HIS CHRISTMAS. HE LIVES WITH HIS CAT, AND IN ON OXYGEN AS HE HAS EMPHYSEMA AND IS BASICALLY HOUSEBOUND. PLEASE IF YOU CAN HELP ME, HIS NAME IS RICHARD WORKMAN, AND YOU CAN SEND CARDS TO HIM C/O COLLEEN CASTILLO, 3372 S KNOX, ODESSA,TX 79763
THANKS
--- COLLEEN CASTILLO
HI, WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW I JUST RECEIVED A VISIT FROM THE LOCAL MARINES, THEY HAD A COPY OF MY LETTER, AND WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THEIR BROTHER, WHAT DOES HE NEED, HOW CAN THEY HELP, AND WHAT THEY PLAN TO DO, BOTH ARE BRINGING CAKES AND PIES OUT FOR THANKSGIVING, AND WE JUST FOUND OUT HIS HEATER IS OUT, AND THEY ARE GOING TO HELP WITH THAT. THEY ARE ALSO GOING TO SET HIM UP WITH MEALS ON WHEELS, WHICH NOT ONLY HELPS WITH THE FOOD PART, BUT GIVES HIM A DAILY CONTACT. THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT GO OVER THERE TODAY BUT LINE SOME THINGS UP, AND THEN COME BACK OUT, SINCE THEY KNEW WHERE HE LIVED NOW, THIS JUST KEEPS ON GETTING BETTER AND BETTER. I OBVIOUSLY PICKED THE RIGHT PERSON TO GO TO FOR HELP, I HOPE YOU KNOW HOW MUCH YOU HAVE DONE, AND HOW VERY MUCH IT IS APPRECIATED. MY HUSBAND IS A TRUCK DRIVER, AND SPENDS THE MOST TIME WITH RICHARD, AND HE HAS BEEN GONE SINCE I POSTED THE LETTER, HE WILL BE BACK TODAY AND I CANNOT WAIT FOR HIM TO SEE ALL THE WONDERFUL REPONSES. AT BEST WE THOUGHT WE WOULD GET A FEW CHRISTMAS CARDS, NEVER DID WE THINK IT WOULD GROW TO THIS. THANKS AGAIN, COLLEEN
I just got a big pretty card today to send.
Of a war that he had fought in,
And the deeds that he had done.
In his exploits with his buddies;
They were heroes, everyone.
And 'tho sometimes, to his neighbors,
his tales became a joke.
All his buddies listened,
For they knew whereof he spoke.
But we'll hear his tales no longer,
For ol' Bob has passed away,
And the world's a little poorer,
For a soldier died today.
He won't be mourned by many,
Just his children and his wife.
For he lived an ordinary...
Very quiet sort of life.
He held a job and raised a family,
Quietly going on his way.
And the world won't note his passing,
'Tho a soldier died today.
When the politicians leave this earth,
Their bodies lie in state.
While thousands note their passing,
And proclaim that they were great.
Papers tell of their life stories,
From the time that they were young.
But the passing of a soldier,
Goes unnoticed, and unsung.
Is the greatest contribution,
To the welfare of our land,
Some jerk who breaks his promise,
And cons his fellow man?
Or the ordinary fellow,
Who in times of war and strife,
Goes off to serve his Country...
And offers up his life?
The politician's stipend,
And the style in which he lives,
Are sometimes disproportionate,
To the service he gives.
While the ordinary soldier,
Who offered up his all,
Is paid off with a medal,
And perhaps a pension...small.
It's so easy to forget them,
For it is so long ago,
That our Bob's and Jim's and Johnny's,
Went to battle, but we know.
It was not the politicians,
With their compromise and ploys;
Who won for us the freedom,
That our Country now enjoys.
Should you find yourself in danger,
With your enemies at hand;
Would you really want some cop-out,
With his ever waffling stand?
Or would you want a Soldier,
Who has sworn to defend,
His home, his kin and Country,
And would fight until the end?
He was just a common Soldier,
And his ranks are growing thin.
But his presence should remind us,
We may need his like again.
For when countries are in conflict,
Then we find the Soldier's part,
Is to clean up all the troubles,
That the politicians start.
If we cannot do him honor,
While he's here to hear the praise.
Then at least let's give him homage,
At the ending of his days.
Perhaps just a simple headline,
In the paper that might say,
"OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING,
FOR A SOLDIER DIED TODAY."
author unknown
Bump!
Colleen's e-mail contained such good news. Thanks to the two of you, Mr. Workman's life will be less lonely now.
God bless you both for caring and God bless Mr. Workman.
I am so happy to be able to play a very small part in this.
Thanks for what you have done!!
UH....Saturday?? It IS Saturday correct?? I think I need another cuppa
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