Letter to the Editor: I Thought Life Would Be Good After The Military

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I thought life would be good after I got out of the military and being in Asia during the Vietnam war, but it turned out different.

I was not received in the area — despised for no reason — except for being a peaceful person and a Christian.

So I went to churches. They despised me. I had my own Bible study — got tortured. I figured I had had enough so I went to California on my “last legs.” Oops, got nonreceived there too by a ministry I thought I knew. 

Out of a lot of choices, I ended up in a park, where surprisingly a young Hispanic boy came up to me and asked if I needed a place to stay. And yes, I got food (a Catholic family), thank God there.

Well, I thought of coming back here to work a seasonal job, so I hitchhiked back up here, barely making it, and I worked. Time went on and I worked for decades. I found it interesting that friends were very fleeting, although I was a good person.

Fortunately, I liked to read and do music, so I wrote a book on Christian unity, which I found that Catholics and Protestants like. I felt very good about that book.

I, of course, worked all my life and and am retired now. Years ago, I ran into a fantastic, good and loving woman — Jeannie — who I will love forever. But she passed on last year, and this has torn me up greatly, although I am a strong person.

Not naming names, the medical place that was “caring” for her allowed her to fall on a chair, which I knew could have been avoided since I saw others do a great job to protect her. She bled a lot, lost consciousness and never came back, and died a few days later.



I know they are liable, yet an investigation found nothing wrong. I lost the love of my live and am losing my house. I’m just on Social Security.

As time goes by, I have had some help from my neighbors, thank God. This has been the most difficult thing in my life, but I know God will help and I have these good people around.

I get backstabbed by others but I’m pressing forward in the faith where I know in the end I will be be in heaven with all the good creation and God. I am grateful for what I have and still enjoy karaoke.

I know that others face hardships as well. I hope things work out for them. I believe in the Bible, Constitution, Bill of Rights and so on. Good luck out there!

 

Jerry Palmateer

Chehalis