About twenty of us gathered today inside the prison's conference room...
...to honor our fellow veterans, and to reflect upon our own experiences while serving in the military.
Yes, there are former military veterans doing time in America's correctional facilities. With many of today's veterans facing things like unemployment, homelessness, drug addiction and higher than the national average's rates of suicide, it should be of no surprise that some former vets found their way into places like this. I've met a fair amount, of former police officers and politicians behind these walls, as well.
As per our yearly Veterans Day tradition, we had a brief opening ceremony, to include reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. This was followed by a moment of silence to remember those veterans who died while serving and protecting our country. Then another moment of silence for two of our members who passed away this year, both from prostate cancer.
Afterwards, we shared personal stories of our own experiences in the service. I gave a brief version on how I first learned the proficient use of a typewriter, having gone from infantryman to clerk typist. It's a skill I now use almost daily.
The entire event lasted from 8:30 to 3:45 and included a simple but tasty low budget lunch, the ingredients paid for by the members of Sullivan Correctional Facility's veterans group. It was a good day.
D.B.
Yes, there are former military veterans doing time in America's correctional facilities. With many of today's veterans facing things like unemployment, homelessness, drug addiction and higher than the national average's rates of suicide, it should be of no surprise that some former vets found their way into places like this. I've met a fair amount, of former police officers and politicians behind these walls, as well.
As per our yearly Veterans Day tradition, we had a brief opening ceremony, to include reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. This was followed by a moment of silence to remember those veterans who died while serving and protecting our country. Then another moment of silence for two of our members who passed away this year, both from prostate cancer.
Afterwards, we shared personal stories of our own experiences in the service. I gave a brief version on how I first learned the proficient use of a typewriter, having gone from infantryman to clerk typist. It's a skill I now use almost daily.
The entire event lasted from 8:30 to 3:45 and included a simple but tasty low budget lunch, the ingredients paid for by the members of Sullivan Correctional Facility's veterans group. It was a good day.
D.B.
