Day one hundred and what have you done? Infuriated by the GOP’s complete disregard for the honor and memory of our fallen heroes and those currently serving in uniform we walked to a local housing project where a lot of older vets live. We brought bottles of cold water and some brews from one of the many Brooklyn artisan beer collectives.
We talked about the attack by the GOP and Donald Trump on Captain Khan and his parents. Eighteen vets and not one had heard about what the GOP had done. So iPads and tablets can be amazing tools. It took some time. I’m glad another retired doc and nurse came with because we were able to do some minor interventions.
Not one of them knew how to send a text message. They asked for a number to call. We gave them Gillibrand’s number and Schumer’s number. Next time we’ll give them Clinton headquarters number — when more of you go to your state’s Clinton office or use the internet to help.
It was hot. It was exhausting. None of us are especially young anymore. All five of us have worn a Gold Star on our lapels. None of us felt we had a right to be tired, or complain about anything in the presence of the heroes we visited. One older Irish-American woman that was pretty much immobile had pictures of her three sons with purple hearts on each one. We were speechless.
Nurse Shea, a hard ass retired VA nurse that had seen things that many people are spared — like the grotesque and disfiguring scars and debilitating wounds with which that those that have made actual sacrifices for our country often suffer in silence and embarrassment — was in frantic action mode. Checking the refrigerator for signs of food spoilage. Going through every bottle of medication he could find. Barking orders to some imaginary staff to sterilize things.
We had to drag him out. He would gladly have stayed there and slept on the floor, eyes wide shut, sensing imbalance by sense of smell.
Don’t think any of them had ever not voted Republican. Pretty sure they won’t this time. But who knows? They were deeply offended, and incredulous. We emphasized they should call Kirstin or Chuck’s office for any reason at all.
It’s kind of the same way we ask our firefighters, and postal workers and police officers to provide mental health counseling, domestic abuse monitoring, security and protection monitoring, and community happiness counseling. I know if anyone we saw tonight calls Kirsten or Chuck’s offices they will get what they need.
Taking care of old people, or caring for our parents, or working 3 jobs to pay for school or food for the kids, or trying to find someone to fuck and/or fall in love with can be really hard. They are all equally important. Some of you might argue with that, but it’s true. We are all entitled to Health, Happiness and Joy.
So volunteer an hour a day or a few hours on the weekend answering phones for the campaign wherever you are. Whatever it is you are looking to achieve in your life will become easier. Nothing will ever make you feel better (or make you more attractive) than giving of yourself. You don’t need drugs or a face lift or bigger muscles. In the last fifty years it’s been the most effective thing that anyone has ever prescribed.
So what are we going to do for our 99th bottle celebration besides continuing to demand action in response to the assault on our vets and men and women in uniform? Beach canvassing? Nope. Feel free to do so.
We’re gonna hit a food bank tomorrow and talk to people waiting in line. Nurse Shea always has things for the kids — and voter registration forms. And his drinking coin, of course.
You are never too old, or young, to fight. We really are stronger together. And we’re still just not leaving anyone in the field.