Veterans Healing Veterans members and volunteers celebrate their graduation San Quentin’s Catholic Chapel provided space on June 27 for a small group of Bay Area volunteers to meet with incarcerated veterans who’d just completed a rigorous year-long therapy program designed to help them overcome past traumas, including PTSD. The program, Veterans Healing Veterans from the Inside Out (VHV), began in 2012 by then-incarcerated Ron Self. Self believes giving military veterans the chance to write about their lives is therapeutic, which is why … [Read more...] about Veterans find healing through sharing their experiences
Veterans
Veterans’ toy drive is “all about the kids”
Toys collected for the Veterans’ Toy Drive in the SQ visiting room It was toys and smiles all around as dozens of children came to visit their dads in San Quentin State Prison at Christmas-time. “It’s all about the kids,” said Tony Burch, vice chair of the veterans group that sponsored the Toys for Tots event in its thirtieth year. “I just love to see the expressions on the faces of the kids,” said Army veteran Garvin Robinson, long-time secretary and treasurer of the Veterans Group at San Quentin. Robinson admitted that sometimes … [Read more...] about Veterans’ toy drive is “all about the kids”
Veterans Healing Veterans organizes Shakespeare plays
A group of San Quentin veterans joined with Shakespearean actors on Nov. 29 to portray the experience of service and sacrifice. Veterans Healing Veterans actors and the audience warming up before the play A banner greeted the audience VETERANS HEALING VETERANS FROM THE INSIDE OUT (VHV-FTIO), a group with a mission to represent the imprint each generation of veterans leaves on the next. Lesley Currier directed the performance, a joint enterprise between VHV and the Marin Shakespeare Company (MSC). “Taking that leap of faith with us and … [Read more...] about Veterans Healing Veterans organizes Shakespeare plays
Servicemen sentences overturned
Two servicemen on military Death Row had their sentences overturned this summer, reports the Death Penalty Information Center (DPIC). U.S. Air Force veteran Andrew Witt and Vietnam War veteran Robert Fisher both had attorneys who failed to present mitigating evidence of mental health issues and trauma in their initial trials. Witt was sentenced in 2005 for murdering an airman and his wife. After a three-week capital resentencing trial, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces imposed a life sentence, according to DPIC, which cited the … [Read more...] about Servicemen sentences overturned
“The Fence of Time”
If time was created to magically fly. Would it take me soaring into the blue sky? Beyond to a place I can never see, Somewhere conscious and free, outside of me. My being desires to fly, to be un-hid, Resuming life as the innocent Kid. Instead, there’s a steel Fence holding reality hidden, Where true emotions are lost or forbidden. The vicissitude in life began due to a forlorn War. Causing only the mind to transcend past the steel door. With Time, I linger thru the effects of my life, Trying to survive the imposed strife. While being impeached … [Read more...] about “The Fence of Time”
“VIETNAM WILLIE”
As a child Vietnam Willie always knew, His dream adventuring to see the world a view He wanted the freedom to travel around, Not knowing what in life may be found. Vietnam Willie’s younger years, so lonely to do Friends and family had other cares to respond to. Imagining fantasies for fun as a secluded kid, The green forest Vietnam Willie often ran and hid. Vietnam Willie ventured into the Military Force, Be sought out his new green forest Joining the Vietnam War while Tet was still hot, A land of trees and sand, God had forget. It poured rain … [Read more...] about “VIETNAM WILLIE”
“I Believe”
In comparison to the many legs of a Centipede. Hurriedly, moving in unison like a stampede. I travel thru life, trying to accomplish what I need While opposed to empowering my depression demons to feed. I do not covet my soul to continue to bleed, The realization dawned that would not succeed. Dejectedly, my soul will never be freed. I yearn for someone to directly intercede. Humanely taking up the lead, sowing a productive seed. Helplessly, I concede, there is no one to impede, Instead, they permit the demon seed to grow like a weed. I beg and … [Read more...] about “I Believe”
“The American soldier standing guard at Christmas”
The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light, I gazed around the room and cherished the sight. My wife was asleep, her head on my chest, My daughter beside me, angelic in rest. Outside the snow feel, a blanket of white, Transforming the yard to a winter delight. The sparkling lights in the tree I believe, Completed the magic that Christmas Eve. My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep, Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep. In perfect contentment, or so it would seem, So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream. The sound wasn’t … [Read more...] about “The American soldier standing guard at Christmas”
“STARTLED”
When you jump in the night, You’ve been startled with fright. Must have been scenes from the past, The vision will never be the last. When you cry out in the night, You’ve been startled with fright. You know the reason, not hearing a sound, Like trees falling in the forest, no one around. When you toss n turn, sweat in the night, You’ve been startled with fright. Where’s the peace of abundant sleep? You fill there’s no relief down deep. When there’s a flash in the night, You’ve been startled with fright. Without life, the vision is at end, The … [Read more...] about “STARTLED”
Veterans’ 29th annual Toys-for-Tots giveaway
The holiday spirit enriched the Main Visiting Room for five days in December. For two consecutive weekends, the fully decorated seven-foot Christmas tree was the busiest place at San Quentin. Inmates and their families took pictures in front of it. For the 29th consecutive year, Marines from the San Bruno Recruitment Station donated toys for children of inmates at the prison. This year, the veterans at San Quentin put out over 500 toys for the kids, the biggest donation received in the last six years, said Gary Cooper, president of the San … [Read more...] about Veterans’ 29th annual Toys-for-Tots giveaway