Greetings, Kossacks!
I just got off the phone with our TX veteran, Leo, after calling to check on the Moving Day progress. We didn't have as many volunteers on hand as we'd hoped for, but Leo said the heavy stuff is moved in and they're two trips from being done. Huzzah!
Follow me into the conversation pit for some well deserved kudos, if you will...
The story of Leo's family would have a very different, very unsettling chapter right now, and none of this would have been possible without the mind-boggling efforts of llbear, who brought this effort to our attention. (See llbear's recent diary history to get all the facts.) And his efforts would have been heroic enough, on their own, but llbear was, and is, living through his own family issues as his Father deals with a recent heart attack and bypass surgery. Dedication? And then some, brothers and sisters!
llbear is retired and could be sitting back, enjoying the quiet life, but he's out there working the phones and pushing the system to make sure our veterans receive the benefits they've earned. Leo's story is one of many that llbear's been involved with, most of which we'll never hear about.
Wayward Wind - Halfway across the world, Wayward Wind was doing his part as llbear's wingman to help Leo's family, even as he deals with veterans' issues in his own regular workdays. His contributions, experience, concern and reasoned voice were a big help to me as I struggled with Leo's situation, esp. when llbear was unavailable due to his Father's health. His reputation and encouragement in these diaries was invaluable. Tip his jar, Kossacks!
Grandma Marie - What can you say about an 82 yr. old woman who shows up to clean a stranger's house, based on nothing but her daughter's claim that we're good people and a newfound friend needs some help? Heroine hardly begins to describe this lovely lady's personality and actions. MWAH!, you beautiful lady!
Becky - A friend of a Kossack, she stepped up and offered her services in helping Leo's family find an apt. close to Leo's college, and dealt with the vageries of property management corporations on her own time. Again, this would have been a very different ending without her help. Thank you, Becky!
Donnie - Forgive me if Donnie's a Kossack and I don't know his dKos handle. But Donnie stepped in as the face of TKP and dKos, pulled some Marine ninja-magic that we probably don't understand, and secured an apt. for Leo's family at the last minute. The very last minute... Thank you, Donnie!
A mind-blowing bunch of Kossacks - Where do I begin? Patriots, concerned citizens... I can't think of the proper definition to apply to all of YOU who helped us in this matter. Financial contributions to a cause that doesn't "concern" you, personally, for a person you don't know - you reinvigorated my belief in Humanity. One Kossack donated $5 - you read that right. Can you imagine the compassion a person must possess to give to another family in need when they're scrimping and scratching that much? I'll be honest, that donation brought a tear to my eye (it still does) and well, it meant more to me than probably any other contribution TKP has ever received.
Some of you gave your time and effort - moving Leo's family out of their apt. was no small deal. You gave up your weekend and free time, you humped furniture and boxes on and off trucks, you gave your vehicles and gas, you helped clean... for complete strangers. You offered household goods of all kinds - clothing, bedding, furniture, computer peripherals, artwork, decorating help... for complete strangers. You took Mrs. Leo shopping for the first time in years, because your compassion and concern put her at ease for the first time in years... even though you were a complete stranger.
You showed up this weekend to help move them from a motel and storage unit to their new apt. Humping furniture and boxes a second time, for complete strangers.
'Heroes' is a word that's been thrown around a lot, these last few years. You, dear Kossacks, have earned that honor. I hope, when you read this diary, you'll take a moment to pat yourself on the back.
Leo and his family - Through the month or so that I've been involved with llbear, Leo and his wife have called many times - sometimes on the verge of abject panic. But through it all, they've been courteous, non-assuming and willing to take a chance on a handful of strangers from halfway across the country - including You, dear Kossacks. Fortunately, Leo and his wife never picked up on my panic (we'll just consider that a testimony to my calm demeanor and problem solving skills for now, ok?) and trusted us enough to sit back for a moment, though I'm sure their fingers were crossed as hard as humanly possible.
But we did it, kids. We fucking did it. Leo and his family have a secure place to live, Leo won't spend half his day on a bus, and they can feel like real live citizens again, without the worry of... well, let's hope their only worries are the normal stuff like kids scraping their knees and socks on the floor (looking at You, Leo!).
And us? I like to think we're blessed by the opportunity to help.
It's September the Twelfth. While Glenn Beck is surrendering his Humanity to the gods of ratings and salary, and a bunch of malcontents and ingrates bitch about taxes and birth certificates, a handful of good people are lugging the last few items from a storage unit into an American vet's new home. A few people are packing up boxes of stuff to help complete a family's home. A few of us can stand tall as Americans and human beings because we did something that actually matters.
Thank you.
Scott
PS - I wrote this diary, llbear / Dallas Vet: Putting our money (and more) where Sean Hannity's mouth is, last month. That night, I was sitting in a restaurant with a buddy and what is on Sean "Squeaky" Hannity's show? "Hannity's concerts for the vets! Freedom Alliance! I support the troops and their families! Me me me!!" Coincidence? Hmm....