FAREWELL TO CLAY, Does anyone really care?

“In life he had nothing: no money, no home, no family.

In death he had a full-dress honor guard,

prayers from a holy man and tears from grateful strangers.

Thomas Allen Clay, a Minnesota native, Vietnam veteran

and man of the streets,

was buried in full military tradition Friday at the South Florida National

Cemetery west of Lake Worth, the area's only veterans cemetery.”

The above caption introduced an excellent article written by the Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel reporter Robert Nolin in a recent edition of the newspaper*. A well balanced, sensitive and informative article, it dealt with a topic which, as a society, we have been trying to ignore for a very long time but some how continues to grow with each passing year.

Mr. Nolin, in a precise and accurate assessment, described the situation in the following terms:

“Clay represents a larger problem:

One in four homeless people are veterans,

but given the fluidity of their existence, hard figures are elusive.

Estimates of their numbers nation wide, range from 107,000 to 250,000.

Various groups peg Florida's homeless vets at between 8,600 and 19,000.

Whatever the statistics, they are a presence in Florida,

the state with the third largest number of veterans.”

Other authoritative sources have confirmed these statistics in a number of studies. The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans estimates that in any given night more than 200,000 Homeless Veterans walk the streets. Even the official Government estimates (U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs) place the numbers at 131,000 in any given night and approximately twice that number experience homelessness over the course of a year.

Many causes have been ascribed to this abnormally large percentage of the homeless population. Clearly social isolation, unfortunate economic conditions and inadequate housing opportunities all play a major role in its etiology as well as the gross inability of the V. A. system to respond to the enormous demands. But equally important, is society’s ambivalence to the peculiar needs of these unfortunate people and its desire to ignore them by consigning them, and isolating them to its rubbish heaps that is the homeless population.

Some of the causes among returning veterans that have a high correlation with homelessness are Mental Health problems resulting from Post-traumatic Brain Injuries(TBI) or Stress Disorders (PTSD) causing significant impairment in normal function, difficulty in maintaining stable relationship and increased tendency to unstable behavior. In addition the high rates of Alcohol and Drug abuse, the unrealistic multiple combat deployments and the extended separation from family and employment only served to damage the family commitments and encourage conflict after returning. It is no surprise that more than half the homeless veterans find themselves involved with law enforcement. Many of these being the result of reports originating from members of the public who demand that they be put away “for good”. (In this context I am reminded of Willy the Vagrant about whom I previously referenced in a fictional essay, who was banned by the local police from coming for his morning coffee as the result of the complaint of an insensitive mother because he might “act out” in front her child).

There is no question in my mind that Society’s attitude to its homeless veteran population is correlated to the actual conflict that produced these veterans. The veterans of World War II, a popular war that involved the entire population, were far better assimilated and cared for than those of the very unpopular and to some experts, unjustified Vietnam and Iraq/Afghanistan conflicts.

The majority of the older homeless veterans saw active duty in Vietnam, but unfortunately their ranks are rapidly being filled by new “recruits” from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. Even more tragically, these include both male and female soldiers with much more serious disabilities and more serious management problems involving children. When this is added to the very large population of very seriously injured veterans who normally would have died from their wounds but who have survived as a result of miraculous advances in medicine, the final picture is mind boggling.

Although we were assured by current Secretary of Veteran Affairs, General Eric K. Shinseki, that “No one who has served the United States in uniform should ever end up living in the streets”, the fact is the V.A. system is so overburdened and underfunded that, with all the best intentions, it is virtually impossible to achieve much more than provide where possible, a full military burial and a grave site in the local National Cemetery. Until then, it would seem that we are committed at best, to continue to treat our veterans in the manner described by General Shinseki himself:

“When I arrived, the homeless program primarily involved engaging veterans

that sleep on the streets and getting them to shelter.
The deeper I dug into it, I realized that it assured that we’d be dealing

with homeless veterans forever, because the system is reactive.
You wait to see who shows up on the streets, you go out and try to encourage them

to leave the streets and provide them safe shelter and warm meals.”

The real truth is that until genuine and serious efforts are made to address the underlying causes of homelessness among veterans, including the reckless commitment of soldiers to unjustified, unwarranted and extended conflicts, this tragedy will continue to plague America’s societies. And people like Clay will continue to live in artificial oblivion, hidden away from the rest of us and upon dying we try to sublimate our guilt by providing a full military burial with a full dress honor guard.
……AS IF CLAY REALLY CARED!



*http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/palm-beach/fl-veteran-funeral-20100924,0,2532974.story

LIVING WITH CHARITY-A Personal View

For as long as man has inhabited the earth Charity has existed. In basic terms it means being loving and caring towards others in need. It exists, to a greater or lesser extent among all peoples and religions, where the provision of alms is embedded in the teachings and practices. It is most extensively developed in the “Abrahamic” religions of Christianity, Judaism and Islam, where it constitutes a major foundation of belief that its practice “glorifies and pleases God.” The Holy Bible, both the Old and New Testament, and the Talmud contain an abundance of references attesting to the cardinal demand for “Obedience to God and care of the needy.” Islam is equally referenced. In the Koran, charity is referred to as “Zagat” and is considered to be one of the five pillars on which the Muslim faith is based.

In all of us, the concept of charity is deeply engrained as an action that should be admired, respected and emulated and that the charitable practitioner deserves special acknowledgement and recognition for his actions. To some extent, successful people are measured by their attitude in fostering and encouraging charity to others. In the same way, a society that promotes and facilitates charity to the needy, by providing organizations or opportunity to its members to assist in caring and alleviating the needs of the less fortunate is always held in higher regard.

Charity takes many forms and has as many reasons, but in all cases it can only be genuine if the real intention is helping the needy and not for personal aggrandizement. In my experience there is always a very strong underlying emotional component associated with giving that reflects the true personality of the giver and confirms the old adage, “You can always tell a man by how he gives.”

Take for example the case of two of the world’s richest men, Bill Gates and Warren Buffett , who recently announced their intention to pledge much of their own wealth to charitable causes designed to improve the health and welfare of people worldwide, beginning during their lifetime and continuing on. This decision speaks volumes to the character of these men who, on the one hand, are recognized as strong willed, determined and uncompromising businessmen who will spare nothing to dominate and succeed in the business world, and yet be sensitive enough to recognize the overwhelming good that can be achieved in the welfare of millions of the less fortunate of the world. The difference is even more commendable when this action is compared to those of so many other people who choose to spend their riches on collecting multimillion dollar homes and planes and boats and cars and “wives”, while totally ignoring the rest of the world. The world is full of these people and their names and pictures are prominently displayed in every form of public media and sadly, with public acceptance and adoration.

But men like Gates and Buffett are not unique. They have always been around in every generation as well-meaning philanthropists motivated to give back some of their success by improving the lot of those people in need. The great industrialist, Andrew Carnegie, accepted by many as the first of the great modern philanthropists, in his essay entitled The Gospel of Wealth, recorded his concept “that rich men are trustees of their wealth and should administer it for the good of the public". He spent his life in this pursuit of providing educational opportunities, libraries, schools and universities and in the search for international peace. No surprise that names like Carnegie, Gates and Buffett will live on in the hearts and minds of people the world over, long after the names of so many of their equally successful peers, with their wealth and accompanying “bling”, have been buried into oblivion by“the sands of time.”

The world is full of people who chose to give of themselves and their possessions to help others. They do it voluntarily, often at great personal inconvenience and discomfort, because of a profound desire to give back. I personally hold these people in highest esteem for in my mind they live the true Christian ideals. Consider the very successful Irish entertainer, Bono (Paul Hewson), who has spent his professional life parlaying his fame into a universal campaign to persuade governments worldwide to improve the humanitarian needs of their people. This is but one of the many examples of successful individuals who give their names and their efforts to benefit others. They all deserve our deep-felt gratitude and our respect. Especially when compared with their equally successful “material” peers who prefer to be seen in the latest issues of People Magazine or Vanity Fair, or worse than this, spend their time in a Drunken or Drug induced stupor.

But charity is not solely restricted to successful and well motivated businessmen and is most certainly not reserved to a special group. Every moment of every day in every corner of the world, a charitable event unfurls and someone gives while another benefits. All of these are as important as the organized and supervised programs run by an organization. Real charity begins at home, in our families, in our personal contacts, in our neighborhood and in each life. It is a sacred duty of parents to teach by word and by example, the true value of charity. To me, giving charity however desirable, is a very personal undertaking and reflects the true character of the individual and is much more related to intent rather than content. In this context, I am reminded of the comment of Jesus Christ, contained in the Holy Scripture in Luke 21:1-4:

“He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury;
and he saw a poor widow put in two copper coins, and he said,
"Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them;
for they all contributed out of their abundance,
but she out of her poverty put in all the living that she had."

Ask yourself, how much better this world would be if each one of us took the time to show love and caring to a fellow human being who needed that one-on-one contact. To quote Louis Armstrong's, one of the greatest entertainers the world has ever seen, conclusion:

“What a wonderful world this will be”.

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And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three;
But the greatest of these is Charity.
……I Corinthians 13:13

Charity suffers long, and is kind; Charity envies not;
Charity vaults not itself, is not puffed up.
……. I Corinthians 13:4

Charity, well directed, should begin at home.
……Joaquin Miller

Charity and personal force are the only investments worth anything.
…… Walt Whitman

The practice of Charity will bind us;
It will bind all men in one great brotherhood.
……Conrad Hilton

Charity is a virtue of the heart, and not of the hands.
……Joseph Addison

The smallest act of charity shall stand us in great stead.
…..Francis Atterbury

True charity is spontaneous and finds its own occasion;
it is never the offspring of importunity, nor of emulation.
……Hosea Ballou

The Charities of life are scattered everywhere;
Enameling the vales of human beings as the flowers paint the meadows.
They are not the fruit of study, nor the privilege of refinement,
and need no trumpet in the receiver.
……Francis Beaumont

True Charity, a plant divinely nursed.
…..William Cowper
The highest exercise of Charity is charity towards the uncharitable.
…..Joseph Stevens Buckminster

He who receives Charity, should never forget it;
he who does one, should never remember it.
…….Pierre Charron

A rich man without charity is a rogue;
And it would be no difficult matter to prove that he is also a fool.
…..Henry Fielding

The man who cannot live with charity, sharing other men's pain,
is punished by feeling his own, with intolerable anguish.

…….Cesare Pavese

WHERE HAVE YOU GONE HOLLY?

“When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here,
that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.

There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends,
so they can run and play together.

There is plenty of food, water and sunshine,
….and our friends are warm and comfortable.”

These beautifully written words from The Rainbow Bridge poem, attracted my attention as I searched for something to say to the heart broken little girl upon hearing of the abrupt and sad loss of a little creature who answered to the name Holly.

I had met Holly just two weeks earlier when I visited the home. For some strange reason I found her trying to snuggle up to my leg as soon as I sat down. This was quite unusual for me, for although I like pets, I do not usually pay attention to them and their attempts to draw attention. But this one was different. I am not sure whether it was her intelligent face, or her wide, inquisitive eyes or the way she waited eagerly for my response, or perhaps the exquisite drawing of her face done by the little girl that sat in a frame on the table in front of me. Whatever the reason, the little puppy left an impression which even now, several weeks after the unfortunate incident, remains.

Having been a physician for more than fifty years, I have had my fair share of dealing with families of people who have passed on and have spent many hours helping them to cope with the loss. Also during my own life I too, like everyone else, have lost close relatives and friends and have experienced the pain and sadness and regrets that follow the event. You would therefore expect that with that background, I should be able to comfortably deal with any such event. Let me assure this is far from the truth, and like anyone else, the loss of life carries a painful responsibility.

This is no different with the loss of a favored pet. In my own family, I witnessed the pain and sorrow of my youngest daughter when her lovebird, Kiki, died, the genuine emotional outburst in my wife and son after Boojou’s demise and the sadness and regret in the faces of our neighbors after their dog passed on. To each one of them the loss was indeed genuine and true.

Yet in all these cases the skeptic would respond, in good faith, with a word of reassurance that all is not lost for the pet could be replaced. They will never understand the outright rejection of this suggestion and the insistence that the loss was irreplaceable.

And so it should be, for I can think of nothing else that provides complete, total and unreserved loyalty and love, without any preconceived rules or conditions or expectations as a pet. This indeed is the real definition of a Pet. Their love is unconditional and they will unhesitatingly give their life in defense or service of their masters.

My own personal views were tempered many years ago as a young boy after our family watchdog, Bobby, was poisoned by a neighbor whom he constantly prevented from stealing mangoes from our tree. My immediate response was one of anger and of sorrow, but I still remember the advice of Mr. Thomas, an older man and friend of my father, who reminded me that we should be happy for Bobby for having had the opportunity to feel the love and attention of his masters. A very spiritual man, he believed that pets were placed here by God to teach us what unconditional love really means, and what God expects from us. I remembered thinking that if this was true, then Bobby had indeed done a great job.

In his humble simplicity perhaps Mr. Thomas may well have touched on the real purpose of a pet in the lives of people. Perhaps this may indeed be the way that God has chosen to teach us the real meaning of faith and being true Christians. You only have to compare the absolute trust, love and loyalty of the pet against the distrust, aggression and antagonism of its cousin in the wild to be convinced. So in a way we should rejoice when our pet passes on and instead of being sad and depressed we should take time to thank God for sending it to us to teach us the way to be good children of God.

In this context, with apologies to Simon and Garfunkel, as well as “Mrs. Robinson”, I have adapted their famous song to honor Holly and all the other pets who have devoted their lives in the service of their masters:

"And here's to you, Baby Holly.
Jesus loves you more than you will know.
Woah, woah, woah.
God bless you please, Baby Holly.
Heaven holds a place for those who pray.
Hey hey hey, Hey hey hey."

LIFE WITH MIRACLES, a personal view

LIFE WITH MIRACLES - a personal view!

"There are only two ways to live your life;
One is as though nothing is a Miracle.
The other is as though everything is a Miracle".

This statement recorded by Albert Einstein, the great German-American theoretical physicist, philosopher and author, universally regarded as one of the world’s most influential and best known scientists, encapsulates to me, by its clarity and simplicity, the true status of Miracles in our society.

Where many of his scientific collegues denied the existence of a Supreme Being, and insisted that all of nature and its laws can be explained on the basis of predictable evolution, he held firmly to the belief that the universe had to be the work of a supernatural entity. He expressed this view thus:

“Every one who is seriously involved in the pursuit of science,
becomes convinced that a spirit is manifest in the laws of the Universe.
-- A spirit vastly superior to that of man, and one, in the face of which,
we, with our modest powers, must feel humble.”

To him, life itself was a miracle. He did not feel that he needed to explain or define those events that cannot be explained by the known laws of nature. He had no difficulty in assigning these occurrences to either the result of our incomplete knowledge, or to a “superior spirit”. But Einstein, as well as others like the great Portuguese Philosopher Spinoza and so many of the world great scientists, while accepting the existence of a superior spirit, were unwilling to accept the concept of a Personal God and all that it implies.

To me this view is unfortunate and incomplete, for one does not need to witness a miracle to believe in a God of miracles. Although I have never witnessed a true miracle in my lifetime, I believe firmly, that they do occur and that they are the work of an Almighty God and that they appear as part of a Divine Plan.

In strict scientific terms, Miracles are defined as events which occur as a result of the “divine” intervention of some supernatural entity or outside force, must survive rigorous scrutiny and must fulfill rigid criteria. History is replete with records of miracles that have occurred and of their impact on the society. All the great religions, past and present, have acknowledged their existence and have given them prominent positions in their literature. Miracles play a central role in the Christian churches, in Islam and in Judaism. The New and Old Testament of the Holy Bible, the Holy Koran and the Talmud contain an abundance of references of events that are true miracles. Many of the great philosophers and thinkers have spent there lives in the search and understanding of these events. A study of any of these miracles readily reveals clear evidence of divine intervention with an intention or fulfillment of a purpose. There is no evidence of an indiscriminate or purposeless occurrence but rather the deliberate work of the Almighty God over his domain. But we do not need to witness such miracles to be convinced of God’s presence or power.

But “Miracle” also has a casual usage which is a very important and fundamental component to life and living. It is often used in the context of a variety of unusual events occurring most often with beneficial outcomes that were unexpected but hoped for. We can all relate to these and when they occur they are accepted as such, without giving rise to doubt or challenge. Such occurrences, like surviving a natural disaster, or a life threatening situation, or avoiding a harmful outcome, or receiving unexpected good news are viewed as evidence of “the hand of the Almighty at work” and more or less accepted by all but the most skeptical among us. Deepak Chopra, the Indian-American Physician and Public Speaker, was speaking for every believer when he expressed his views as follows:

“Miracles happen every day.
Not just in remote country villages,
or at holy sites halfway across the globe,
but here, in our own lives”.

Over the many years of my life, both professional and personal, I have witnessed and can attest to a large number of events which have left me in awe, without a reason or an explanation. Some are striking and dramatic as was the case of a young man not quite 29 years old, diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia who was told by a highly respected Oncologist that his prognosis was very guarded, yet was alive and well ten years after, or the severe post-traumatic accident victim who regained consciousness more than 18 months after the accident and went on to lead a full life, or the case of a 67 year old man who received a direct lightening strike while playing golf, was completely knocked out, yet got up shortly after and went home. But stunning as these may be, they are but a small part of the miracles of life around us. In fact, I share this view that life itself is the miracle, and that their presence is more a measure of the individual and the extent of their imagination.

In the end, the final decision as to the existence of miracles is, and will always be, left up to the individual and his personal beliefs and faith. As Nancy Gibbs, the author, commentator and editor for TIME magazine, so eloquently observed:

“For the truly faithful, no Miracle is necessary.
For those who doubt, no Miracle is sufficient”.