What a great Thanksgiving. Spend the time with Mom Mack, my ex-mother-in-law, who I respect and love. She is 96 years old and to me a delight to be around. I had the chance to hold my grandson who was born in August of this year. He is a quiet baby, at least when I was around him. Sweet smile, bright eyes and a head full of hair. I figured the hair was my contribution. I loved hold his small body, feeling him breath, watching his eyes follow movement, and feeling his life in my arms. Oh, my daughter had send many, many pictures of him. We teased her, telling her that when two days go by and we don't receive a picture of him, we think something wrong with her. My first time seeing him in the flesh. Indeed, it was a time of thanks during this Thanksgiving.
I also had a chance to spend time with Preston Jackson, an old friend and great artist. His sculptures is on display around the world. His time and words infused me with renewed energy towards my own works.
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
2006 Illinois Authors Book Fair - Illinois State Library
What a great birthday weekend. It started Friday, November 17th my 62nd birthday. I was honored as one of Illinois' emerging writers at the Illinois Authors Book Fair at the State Library in Springfield. I had a chance to meet and talk with James B. Stewart, Pulitizer Winner and author of "Den of Thieves, Disney Wars and Heart of a Soldier" We were both born in Quincy Illinois. That evening Scott Turow spoke about his book "Ordinary Heroes" and the next day, Saturday, had a chance to talk to him.
On Saturday, I had two author signing periods, sold a few books, had interesting conversations with people, and did a hour presentation on Lost Survivor. The session received very good comments.
Later that evening I spoke at the Marine Corps Ball. The Marine Corps League two years ago changed their rules so that Hospital Corpsmen with FMF training and served with the Marines could join. I told them that when I was serving with the Marines in Vietnam they always wanted me to be with them, so I was happy to see the rule change and I would be joining the group. Even old Marines look good in their dress uniforms.
On Saturday, I had two author signing periods, sold a few books, had interesting conversations with people, and did a hour presentation on Lost Survivor. The session received very good comments.
Later that evening I spoke at the Marine Corps Ball. The Marine Corps League two years ago changed their rules so that Hospital Corpsmen with FMF training and served with the Marines could join. I told them that when I was serving with the Marines in Vietnam they always wanted me to be with them, so I was happy to see the rule change and I would be joining the group. Even old Marines look good in their dress uniforms.
Friday, November 17, 2006
My Birthday is today
Happy Birthday to me or as I like to say Happy New Year. In my mind years do not count until you have a begin of life. Sixty-two years ago my life awareness begin in the small town of Quincy Illinois. A river town on the Mississippi river. A small beginning full of possibilities. At least when I look back now that is what I think. Possibilities for a black baby born back then was not thought of in those terms. My mother left Quincy when I was six months old, not searching for possibilities but to leave a life of a young black girl with a baby and no husband. A life of dim views filled with shame. A life she did not want her son to live. She didn't know what she would have to face leaving the small town and family she knew, but she knew what she wanted to leave.
I am a state brat. Born in Quincy Illinois, raised in Peoria, Illinois by my grandmother until I was in the sixth grade then my mother came and took me to Chicago. Growing up my life was one of newness, in many different places with different thinking people. It gave texture to my life, many different colors and a belief in possibilities. It gave my mind the openness to accept differences as a normal state of life.
So on my 62nd birthday I look back and thank my mother for her strenght to be different, to be bold, leave what she knew and venture out into the world to give her son possibilities.
I am a state brat. Born in Quincy Illinois, raised in Peoria, Illinois by my grandmother until I was in the sixth grade then my mother came and took me to Chicago. Growing up my life was one of newness, in many different places with different thinking people. It gave texture to my life, many different colors and a belief in possibilities. It gave my mind the openness to accept differences as a normal state of life.
So on my 62nd birthday I look back and thank my mother for her strenght to be different, to be bold, leave what she knew and venture out into the world to give her son possibilities.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Quincy and Jacksonville, Illinois
November 9, 2006 Quincy Illinois
Started the day off with an interview on WTAD radio 930 AM on the Mary Griffth's show. She was a good interviewer, had read the book twice and had some great questions. Left there and did an interview at CBS KHQA TV. Then had a book signing at American Legion Post 37. I thank Jerry Stoddard the Commander for his help in setting it up and letting the Post members know about the event. Many of the members who came to the Post that night had either seen the TV or heard the radio interview. Some of the members had brought their sons or daughters which added to the event. Carol, my wife, and I enjoyed our converstaions and interaction with the members.
November 10, 2006 Quincy Illinois
Carol and I were invited to join the Marine Corps League's 231st Birthday Celebration of the Marine Corps. It was an invitation only dinner. I was their speaker. It was a special moment for me since I served with the 3rd Marine Recon Company in Vietnam. I told them that I have always felt safe in a room of Marines. I shared my background (I was born 62 years ago at St. Mary's Hospital in Quincy), and my military service during and after Vietnam. In fact I learned that two years ago the Marine Corps league changed their rules so that Corpsman that attended FMF and served with the Marines could join the League. A special and small group I am honored to be able to join.
November 14, 2006 Jacksonville Illinois
I did a book signing and reading at the Due Gatti Cafe in Jacksonville. The Due Gatti is a friendly, neat coffee house in downtown Jacksonville. Brian and Lisa the owners did a great job of getting the work out about the event and we met some interesting people. It was sort of a Springfield artist evening. Job Conger, a talented and dedicated poet attended, David Pitchford poet and the publisher of Lost Survivor and his wife Siobhan were there. Siobhan wrote a poem after reading the book called "To Survivor in Your World" which she read. It was a very enjoyable time shared with interesting people.
Started the day off with an interview on WTAD radio 930 AM on the Mary Griffth's show. She was a good interviewer, had read the book twice and had some great questions. Left there and did an interview at CBS KHQA TV. Then had a book signing at American Legion Post 37. I thank Jerry Stoddard the Commander for his help in setting it up and letting the Post members know about the event. Many of the members who came to the Post that night had either seen the TV or heard the radio interview. Some of the members had brought their sons or daughters which added to the event. Carol, my wife, and I enjoyed our converstaions and interaction with the members.
November 10, 2006 Quincy Illinois
Carol and I were invited to join the Marine Corps League's 231st Birthday Celebration of the Marine Corps. It was an invitation only dinner. I was their speaker. It was a special moment for me since I served with the 3rd Marine Recon Company in Vietnam. I told them that I have always felt safe in a room of Marines. I shared my background (I was born 62 years ago at St. Mary's Hospital in Quincy), and my military service during and after Vietnam. In fact I learned that two years ago the Marine Corps league changed their rules so that Corpsman that attended FMF and served with the Marines could join the League. A special and small group I am honored to be able to join.
November 14, 2006 Jacksonville Illinois
I did a book signing and reading at the Due Gatti Cafe in Jacksonville. The Due Gatti is a friendly, neat coffee house in downtown Jacksonville. Brian and Lisa the owners did a great job of getting the work out about the event and we met some interesting people. It was sort of a Springfield artist evening. Job Conger, a talented and dedicated poet attended, David Pitchford poet and the publisher of Lost Survivor and his wife Siobhan were there. Siobhan wrote a poem after reading the book called "To Survivor in Your World" which she read. It was a very enjoyable time shared with interesting people.
Monday, November 6, 2006
November Activities
NOVEMBER BOOK SIGNINGS AND APPEARANCES
Thursday, November 9, 2006, Vietnam Veteran, Thomas R. Jones will be interviewed on WTAD Radio 930 AM on the Mary Griffith's Show in Quincy, Illinois at 9:30 a.m. CST. At 4:30 p.m. on that day he will be signing copies of his book at American Legion Post 37, 1168 Eighth Street, Quincy: Jerry Stoddard, Commander.
Friday, November 10th, Mr. Jones is invited to speak at the Marine Corp League's 231st Birthday Celebration of the Marine Corps with a dinner to be held at American Legion Post 37. (Invitation only)
Mr. Jones will also conduct a book signing and reading at Due Gatti Café, 27 South Central Park Plaza in Jacksonville, Illinois on Tuesday November 14th from 7:00 to 10 p.m.
Lost Survivor is a part of the Illinois State Library Illinois Author's Collection and Tom will speak and sign books at the Illinois Author's Book Fair November 18th at the Gwendolyn Brooks IL State Library, 2nd & Capital Streets in Springfield.
In October, Mr. Jones spoke to the Illinois Library Association's Author's Luncheon at Navy Pier and the Illinois Woman's Press Association Book Fair held at the Chicago Cultural Center. He was also recently featured on News Channel 20 ABC-WICS TV and Radio Stations WFMB AM 1450 and WMAY AM 970.
For more information or to book Thomas R. Jones for speaking engagements on Lost Survivor please call, visit our website www.lostsurvivor.com or email us at lostsurvivor@i publication. com.
Lost Survivor is published by Pitch-Black LLC, nationally distributed to major book retailers by Independent Publisher's Group of Chicago. It is available at local and national retail bookstores, www.Amazon.coni and www.barnes&noble.corn
Thursday, November 9, 2006, Vietnam Veteran, Thomas R. Jones will be interviewed on WTAD Radio 930 AM on the Mary Griffith's Show in Quincy, Illinois at 9:30 a.m. CST. At 4:30 p.m. on that day he will be signing copies of his book at American Legion Post 37, 1168 Eighth Street, Quincy: Jerry Stoddard, Commander.
Friday, November 10th, Mr. Jones is invited to speak at the Marine Corp League's 231st Birthday Celebration of the Marine Corps with a dinner to be held at American Legion Post 37. (Invitation only)
Mr. Jones will also conduct a book signing and reading at Due Gatti Café, 27 South Central Park Plaza in Jacksonville, Illinois on Tuesday November 14th from 7:00 to 10 p.m.
Lost Survivor is a part of the Illinois State Library Illinois Author's Collection and Tom will speak and sign books at the Illinois Author's Book Fair November 18th at the Gwendolyn Brooks IL State Library, 2nd & Capital Streets in Springfield.
In October, Mr. Jones spoke to the Illinois Library Association's Author's Luncheon at Navy Pier and the Illinois Woman's Press Association Book Fair held at the Chicago Cultural Center. He was also recently featured on News Channel 20 ABC-WICS TV and Radio Stations WFMB AM 1450 and WMAY AM 970.
For more information or to book Thomas R. Jones for speaking engagements on Lost Survivor please call, visit our website www.lostsurvivor.com or email us at lostsurvivor@i publication. com.
Lost Survivor is published by Pitch-Black LLC, nationally distributed to major book retailers by Independent Publisher's Group of Chicago. It is available at local and national retail bookstores, www.Amazon.coni and www.barnes&noble.corn
What does America Owe People Who Fight for their Country?
That is the name of the article I wrote for the "Streetwise newspaper" in Chicago for Veterans' Day. It was from the perspective of a Vietnam veteran. Following is the article.
WHAT DOES AMERICA OWE PEOPLE WHO FIGHT FOR THEIR COUNTRY? FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF A VIETNAM VETERAN
Thomas R. Jones
I am a Vietnam Veteran. I am a survivor. I made it home. Vietnam veterans’ families, their friends, and even the government that sent us to war, did not know what to do with us when we came back home. So we took our medals and our memories, and retreated into ourselves. We didn’t talk, and we didn’t join groups nor were we asked to join. We were heroes lost in our own country. Some said we were psychologically devastated, bitter, homeless, drug-addicted people. There was no public or institutional support for us. Our veterans’ benefits were dramatically less than those enjoyed by veterans in previous wars, like World War II.
Vietnam veterans suffered from a variety of psychological problems and experienced life-adjustment troubles, such as marital problems and work difficulties. Their depression, anxiety, alcohol and violence contributed to these difficulties. Any one of these problems would overwhelm a person, but Vietnam veterans tended to have multiple problems simultaneously which produced posttraumatic stress disorder.
In previous wars combat veterans had shell shock or suffered from combat fatigue. For the Vietnam combat veteran it was more than just the combat, it was what happened after they came home. It took me a long time to be able to walk down the street at home and not search building roofs for snipers that could take a shot at me.
I served as Assistant Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affair from 1980 to 1987 and I know that during that time only a small number of Vietnam veterans actually sought treatment from mental health providers. I counseled many combat veterans. They talked to me because I had been in combat, I was a Corpsman (“Doc” to them), and had a Purple Heart for wounds I received in battle. In my book, “Lost Survivor”, I write about surviving the brutal and violent Vietnam War. Then realizing what you gave up to survive, you needed to live when you come home.
Now America is in another war. Many feel there are similarities to the Vietnam War. As in the jungles of Vietnam there are no front lines in the cities of Iraq and Afghanistan. It is difficult to know who the enemy is until after they attack. Women and children are used as weapons of war. The war is unpopular with a majority of Americans. And we are not sure what winning the war means.
Today we understand the soldiers are serving our country. They are not the target of people’s strong negative feelings about the war. I think there are several reasons. The Iraq war is being fought by a large number of National Guard units. Many young men and women are from the same community, attended the same high schools, played on sport teams together, went to the same churches, and participated with each other in community and social affairs. Their families know each other. Family and friends hold fundraisers to help their kids get body armor and helmets. Parades are held to welcome them home and community-wide funerals are held for those who made the ultimate sacrifice. The young men and women joining the military to defend this country are the children and grandchildren of Vietnam veterans who know the effects of war.
What does America owe people who fight for their country? All levels of government, federal, state, and local, should make sure veterans receive the maximum benefits promised. All veterans, their spouses and children (dependents) are owed the benefits of any and all services needed to assist them to regain the life they lost due to the veterans’ service to the country. Government should not disgrace them by instituting bureaucratic barriers that make it harder for them to receive their benefits. In spite of government’s watered down response to its veterans, amazingly, it has been reported that 91% of combat veterans would serve again, if called upon.
Everyone should realize that veterans have been fighting wars in countries whose cultures are very different than ours. They had to survive terrible, brutal, and violent events. To survive the pressure of “adapt or die,” change was forced on them.
War veterans need help to come home. Understand that there are reasons that cause them to be changed which many veterans may not be able to talk about. It takes time and patience. After experiencing combat violence, family, old and new friends, co-workers, strangers, business, medical providers, and especially our government, all play critical roles in reducing posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms.
WHAT DOES AMERICA OWE PEOPLE WHO FIGHT FOR THEIR COUNTRY? FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF A VIETNAM VETERAN
Thomas R. Jones
I am a Vietnam Veteran. I am a survivor. I made it home. Vietnam veterans’ families, their friends, and even the government that sent us to war, did not know what to do with us when we came back home. So we took our medals and our memories, and retreated into ourselves. We didn’t talk, and we didn’t join groups nor were we asked to join. We were heroes lost in our own country. Some said we were psychologically devastated, bitter, homeless, drug-addicted people. There was no public or institutional support for us. Our veterans’ benefits were dramatically less than those enjoyed by veterans in previous wars, like World War II.
Vietnam veterans suffered from a variety of psychological problems and experienced life-adjustment troubles, such as marital problems and work difficulties. Their depression, anxiety, alcohol and violence contributed to these difficulties. Any one of these problems would overwhelm a person, but Vietnam veterans tended to have multiple problems simultaneously which produced posttraumatic stress disorder.
In previous wars combat veterans had shell shock or suffered from combat fatigue. For the Vietnam combat veteran it was more than just the combat, it was what happened after they came home. It took me a long time to be able to walk down the street at home and not search building roofs for snipers that could take a shot at me.
I served as Assistant Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affair from 1980 to 1987 and I know that during that time only a small number of Vietnam veterans actually sought treatment from mental health providers. I counseled many combat veterans. They talked to me because I had been in combat, I was a Corpsman (“Doc” to them), and had a Purple Heart for wounds I received in battle. In my book, “Lost Survivor”, I write about surviving the brutal and violent Vietnam War. Then realizing what you gave up to survive, you needed to live when you come home.
Now America is in another war. Many feel there are similarities to the Vietnam War. As in the jungles of Vietnam there are no front lines in the cities of Iraq and Afghanistan. It is difficult to know who the enemy is until after they attack. Women and children are used as weapons of war. The war is unpopular with a majority of Americans. And we are not sure what winning the war means.
Today we understand the soldiers are serving our country. They are not the target of people’s strong negative feelings about the war. I think there are several reasons. The Iraq war is being fought by a large number of National Guard units. Many young men and women are from the same community, attended the same high schools, played on sport teams together, went to the same churches, and participated with each other in community and social affairs. Their families know each other. Family and friends hold fundraisers to help their kids get body armor and helmets. Parades are held to welcome them home and community-wide funerals are held for those who made the ultimate sacrifice. The young men and women joining the military to defend this country are the children and grandchildren of Vietnam veterans who know the effects of war.
What does America owe people who fight for their country? All levels of government, federal, state, and local, should make sure veterans receive the maximum benefits promised. All veterans, their spouses and children (dependents) are owed the benefits of any and all services needed to assist them to regain the life they lost due to the veterans’ service to the country. Government should not disgrace them by instituting bureaucratic barriers that make it harder for them to receive their benefits. In spite of government’s watered down response to its veterans, amazingly, it has been reported that 91% of combat veterans would serve again, if called upon.
Everyone should realize that veterans have been fighting wars in countries whose cultures are very different than ours. They had to survive terrible, brutal, and violent events. To survive the pressure of “adapt or die,” change was forced on them.
War veterans need help to come home. Understand that there are reasons that cause them to be changed which many veterans may not be able to talk about. It takes time and patience. After experiencing combat violence, family, old and new friends, co-workers, strangers, business, medical providers, and especially our government, all play critical roles in reducing posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms.
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