VVJan22

Inspiration from the Neighborhood
By: Chuck Dean / Vet 2 Vet
Sometimes we run short of inspiration;
especially when trying to get something
done that is so daunting that giving up may be
the best choice. You’ve been there, I’ve been there - we’ve all been there
in some shape or form.
Working through perplexing issues that have come along as a result
of serving our country, we veterans can easily throw in the towel and try
to use the “silent method” - which is sweeping it under the rug rather
than facing it head on. Believe me, I’ve tried
that one, and it works for a while, but the past
always catches up.
For me, I just didn’t like the time or place
that the bad genie decided to come out of
the bottle. It was not only embarrassing, but
dangerous as well. Digging deeper takes some
guts, and when we decide to do it, we may just
need a little extra push to get up and move
out again.
Years ago, I was doing work helping
veterans process their challenges of getting separated from the service,
and for many, dealing with the aftermath of war. Now, as the new year
begins, I’m doing some reflecting on those times and thinking of how
Mr. Rogers became such a special inspiration for me.
In the early ‘90s I had, just in passing, mentioned to some of the other
volunteers how much the TV show, “Welcome to the Neighborhood”
put me at peace. I told them there were times when I had been very
fritzed out, and that if
I simply watched an
episode or two of Mr.
Rogers, I calmed down
and found some much
needed relaxation.
Well, unbeknownst
to me, one of the ladies
in the office sent off a
copy of my first book,
“Nam Vet: Making Peace with Your Past” to
Fred Rogers and told him how his show was
affecting me.
A few weeks later I was blown away to
receive an unexpected personal letter from
him.
It came at a time when I really needed the encouragement to
continue the mission. Needless to say, the letter hangs on my studio
wall reminding me of his immense goodness as a human being, and
how much he inspired me when I needed it.
It is my 2022 hope for all of you, that if you’re in need of a “push”,
that someone, or some special happening, comes along to get you up
and going again, just like Fred did for me. Happy New Year.
Chuck Dean served as an Army paratrooper in Vietnam and
through that experience was led to address the many transitional
issues veterans struggle with. He is the author of several important
books for veterans. All can be found on Amazon at: http://www.
amazon.com/author/chuckdeanbooks
30
January 2022