Reminder

A few years back, 26 to exact, I was living single working as a bouncer, and avoiding life for a bit. I had just gave up a relationship of 6 years that I shouldn't have. No, This is not about that! But, If you will bare with me I think you may be able to take this little story and apply it to your life in some positive way. This is a life altering instance for me, and I refer to it a lot in my life. I will explain that at the end if you will please read on!

Being a bouncer, I made it a point to get to know all the girls. That was for many reasons, not just to get laid. Anyway, I need to mention that this was in a fairly small town, which is right beside of the small town I was raised in. That being said, you can conclude that most everyone knew each other or of each other. I had my eye on a particular girl one night. Her demeanor was like a little wild child. Who was so uninhibited and almost as free as a person can be, and that was just by observation. I couldn't wait to at least talk to her and see what she was about. I didn't know her, so my first task was to seek out a mutual friend. I did so, and from there the story begins.

OK, the mutual friend, was Pee Wee, That will be important in a few. He told me that her name was Wendy Alderman, she was from a small town about 15 miles away. She was 20, and had been dating a friend of mine(I for the life of me cannot remember his name). I had arranged that we all meet for breakfast after getting off work, and they all agreed! We did so and afterward ended up at my place drinking till we all passed out. The next day me and Wendy talked like we were siblings. She knew more about me than my own family after that day, and I knew her life story too! I learned that she had just had a baby, the babies father was in denial, and her parents had taken her baby because she refused to stop smoking pot! That is the simplified version, but you get the drama gist! Anyway, as time passed we became inseparable, and completely platonic, for fear of complicating a goal we set for her...Get her child back!

A few months later, 6 drug test later, 3 court appearances later, and one judges decision later, she was getting her son back in 3 days! We were happy, she was through the roof happy! I couldn't have been more proud of anyone one. And through it all, she was always that same uninhibited happy wild child that she was the first night I saw her! While I was working, she dropped by and was celebrating! I got her a room, so she could drink and not get into ANY trouble, and assured her I would be off in a couple of ours. I had also told Pee Wee to take care of her. She was not to get into her car driving or not! I knew that her FIAT SPIDER was like her second child, so, I thought it would be out of danger! I about an hour a friend of mine said the police were at the door and wanted me. That was not uncommon, I was a bouncer after all. Anyway, as I approached I saw that I knew him and he had some keys in his hands. He asked if I knew Wendy and of course I said yes, that she was in a motel room beside the club and that I could get her. What was this about. Well the next sentence changed the rest of my life. He caught me as I heard him say “Wendy Died 20 Minutes ago”, and I fell to my knees. I realized at that very moment that “I loved Her”! She was celebrating and Ironically that celebration killed her. Months of changing her life to get her son back, gone in a flash. She was driving and hit a tree head on. Killed instantly.

First I blamed Pee Wee.. I had no reason to, she was a strong woman and that was that. But it did take me years to forgive him. Secondly, I blamed me. I should have taken off and celebrated with her. I was responsible but who knows, I may have drank and been in the car and died too! But, It took me years to forgive myself. I blamed her after years. I couldn't right away because I couldn't blame the one I had fell in love with.

NOW... The reason for me asking you to bare with me to get to this point! I have lived through many instances and problems, as well as celebrated many good things in life since Wendy was a part of mine. But, I cannot count the times I think of her wasting all her time only to loose her life before she got to be with her son again. She loved him but that celebration stop the one thing she desperately wanted. I also think of the time I invested in a friendship and a love, that maybe, if I had expressed that love, she would have been there with me and would have never been there to have wrecked. I even think of the nights we cried in each others arms struggling just trying to find a reason to get to tomorrow, and telling each other that we were each others reason to wake up the next day! The Message here is that life is full of messages. You cannot try to pin point one. Yes, some are more stand-out than others, but, you have to look at life every day every moment and absorb it, and learn to grasp the good in it. Cause if you do not, the one bad thing will erase 10 great things. But if you grasp the good, the bad will only remain in the background, there to be a simple reminder of what NOT to do! If I can say anything to everyone it would be...“Grasp the moments of your life”.

CHAZ, WHO I AM AND WHAT I DO!

I am CHAZ!  Charles Jeffrey Cecil and this is my blog site!  I am better known to most of my readers from #Twitter as VetsFinalHonor or my older friends and family on facebook as Jeff Chaz Cecil I want to thank them all for following and supporting my causes whether physically or just emotionally, it means allot that what little I am able to do it is appreciated in some way, and the causes I advocate for are recognized.  

Some of my writings are #socialissues, and some are #veterans / #HomelessVeteran issues.  Because I am a veteran, and because I have been homeless these are issues that I feel strongest about.  Over the years I have come to know numerous veterans and homeless who No person can begin to know what they are dealing with or how they are dealing with it, unless you are there.  Within the homeless population there are so many personal issues that they deal with besides being homeless.  Issues such as PTSD, Being disabled(Waiting on VA or SS Decisions) Sexual Abuse history, Social Anxieties, and just simple Self Shame!  These are only a few of very many issues that plague the #HomelessSociety and its occupants.  These people are your Brothers,Sister,Moms,Dads,Uncles,Aunts,High School Buddies, or just a stranger you see on the corner.  But what most seem to forget is that these are #People.  Flesh and Blood Human Beings who deserve our respect, and our empathy(to sense other people’s emotions, coupled with the ability to imagine what someone else might be thinking or feeling). I want others to see the problem and try in some way to be a prt of the solution.  I am not asking you to take one or ten into your home and take care of them.  But I am asking you to care.

I got off my point!  This is about me and I got sidetracked.  I am a #USArmyVeteran who served 7 years and 9 months. Where I went and what I did is something you will have to ask if you want to know.  I am waiting on disability to make a final decision.  At age 52 I am unable to do much with a spinal injury.  It is not an injury which left me in a wheelchair or assisting devices.  It is however an injury which keeps me in constant pain and discomfort.  I have fought depression now for about 4 years.  What I do online is about the limit of what my life has come to be.  Everything I have done in my life is just a memory for me to sit and ponder, which I do often.  I have worked my ass off all my life, dedicated to whatever task I was given to the point of exhaustion sometimes, but it is in me to never give in, never give up, and damned sure never quit! I do not get out of the house often and I don't do anything physically demanding because I am unable.   It is killing me inside to do this, to live like this.  I feel so useless as a person, and disappointing to myself that I let something like this get me here.  I fight suicidal thoughts, and I grab hold of life through my constant support of my causes.  So, after all this said, my message which I intended to get out is this; Whatever you read that I write, Whatever I Promote as a cause, or whatever I Tweet or post, #PLEASE remember, I don't get paid for ANY of my blogs in any way, nor do I for my tweets or Facebook posts.  I only get the satisfaction that as I sit here all day and night, maybe someone out there will be impelled to help another person because of what little blog I wrote or a Tweet I posted.  Maybe someone saw a homeless person and bought them dinner because I posted a picture and they remembered it!  I guess what I am saying, is that If you are reading this, I have to think that you have read at least one of my other blogs, and that being said, I hope you will do something good for someone today, tomorrow, or any day because of what I wrote.  I don't have money, and very few resources, but I have the ability t write stuff and #BringAwareness!

May God Bless you and yours!  For all you Veterans and Soldiers, Thank you and may Angels guide you safely every minute of every day!

How Is A Sniper A Coward?

This is for #ANYONE who thinks a #Sniper is a Coward, whether they work with or for the Government of the US, be it Law Enforcement or Military. Here are a few facts to remind you otherwise!

First fact! A sniper does not just become a sniper. There are constant and very consistent training and practice standards paced on these individuals. It is a lifestyle unlike any other. It is both physical and psychological requiring the utmost in patience and attention to detail. Their nerves have to be within 1% of the most steady of any other occupation. After the rigorous training and endurance's, then you have an uncommon #HazardOfOccupation.... The #SNIPER during any engagement is the most sought after #TargetEngagement by any enemy. He is most often the only man with a #PriceOnHisHead. The enemy considers them the #MostEffective of enemy tactics because of their ability to engage from “ANY distance (Only limited by mechanics of the weapon and load), and their ability to #EngageWithoutPrejudice.

Now, I am not detailing the training or specifics of any operations, but, I am asking one simple question... “Would you take an occupation which made you the most sought after enemy of any foreign faction”? Would you consider one to be a coward when they have to enter an enemy infested #WarZone, alone in most cases, take out a target or often #MultipleTargets, knowing that your chances of being extracted depend solely on you ability to become/stay invisible?

To #ANYONE who refers to a #SNIPER as Cowards, all I have to say is “If Ignorance is Bliss, you are one #HappySonOfABitch” and have no idea what you are talking about!

To all who serve or have served #HooRaaH to you all! To the dedicated men/women who become #Snipers, I salute you for your #Courage, Commitment and Honor and Thank GOD for your gift which saves so many lives in time of war! #ISALUTEYOUALL

I HAVE ADDED A VIDEO LINK.  THIS IS JUST A PART OF WHAT THEY GO THROUGH IN TRAINING!
http://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/surviving-the-cut/videos/surviving-the-cut-army-sniper-school/

IRS Blames REPUBLICANS!

IRS blaming Republicans for “Slow” service this year saying”Congress intentionally cut the IRS budget because of last years supposed IRS Scandal. They say they had no other choice but to make the cuts in “Customer Service” and this will only hurt the taxpayers. Now, examining that statement, there are so many things wrong.

Yes, congress “AND” the senate did this. Adding that it was a “Democratic” senate at that time. Secondly, the cut was a cut on the IRS as a whole. IRS chose where to make cuts and “they” chose to cut in the customer service division. They could have made cuts overall and done away with raises and bonuses, but they didn't. They could have made cuts in travel budgets and sub-contracting budgets to private sector accountants and auditors. They didn't. One can look at this any way they want, but the IRS could have made cuts without any disruption or slowing down of customer service. and blaming the Republican party for their proposed “Inadequate customer service” that the taxpayers are going to experience is just another attempt of the IRS to put a blemish on the Republican party in retribution for their recognition of the IRS's actions to disrupt/stall its' parties 501 c 3 status applications for certain republican factions heading into the 2012 elections.

The IRS is also claiming that wait time for refunds will be longer, and Email complaints and/or questions will be in diar need of help noting that there just won't be enough personel to get these answered in a timely manner

*Note;   Keep in mind that the pay for a Customer Service Rep. is $31,067 - $52,312 The IRS claims that last year the average customer service call wait time was approxinately 4 minutes.This year the same call after cuts will be quote “Long enough to knit a sock”! Did they terminate “ALL” of their customer service representatives?

What do you think about the Budget cuts and the consequence of “Slower Customer Service” from the IRS? Let me know below what you think!  Just filll out the comment section!

I CHALLENGE POLITICIANS!

HOMELESSNESS! Most people have no idea what that really means. They know that it means that a person has no home, no place to sleep and even knows that they have to live on the streets. The average person just lives their lives with the knowledge that the homeless exist and occasionally see a homeless person as they go to work, or the market, or to drop the kids off at school or the daycare. They may even toss a dollar to one standing on the corner or on the sidewalk at the market. Still, they really have no idea what it really means to the person they occasionally see. They don't know that the guy on the corner used to be a soldier who was given a Purple Heart and a Medal of Honor for saving his buddy's' life. That he had a wife and 2 kids till he lost his job due to budget cut-backs 11 months ago and his wife left him because he couldn't get a job and she decided to go to her family when they foreclosed on the house. So he gave up and ended up ashamed to ask anyone for help and here he is now....HOMELESS.

There are many scenarios which one can give to explain how this could happen, but most people think those scenarios would never be them. In all true reality, it could as easily be you as it could anyone. Today's society is very unforgiving and extremely unpredictable. This problem. HOMELESSNESS, will never be 100% taken care of, but it can be taken care of a lot better than it is. Politicians and government officials have no idea what it is to be homeless and in despair. What they have no idea how it is, means they have no idea how to fix it! If gas prices are too high they fix it, they have to buy fuel. If the taxes on homes in their city are getting too high, they find alternatives, they pay property taxes.

That being said I have a proposition, a “CHALLENGE” if you will! I challenge any 4 politicians at a level of Senator, Governor, or above, to live with me in the streets of the city of my choosing. I will set the RULES of what they can have or not have when they start out, but they have to stay out 6 nights and 7 days, with on the clothes on their backs and 1 change, an out of service cell phone, a comb, their wallet with $5.00 no credit cards and can have no contact unless it is through the out of service cell phone. I will help them survive for the week if they choose to take the challenge!

If you are reading this, I ask you to please help me get through to at least 1 but I would like to get 4...1 week each... to accept my challenge. I will do my best to get one, but I am truly doubtful that any will accept. And I assure you, I will contact quite a few through Twitter, Facebook and any other media I can use! Again, I need all your assistance getting this out please! I will do this in a city that I choose and NO PRESS to interfere once this starts. If they finish, then maybe they will understand what it means to be homeless and that their help is needed and why!  Please use all #SOCIAL MEDIA, #Twitter #Facebook and blogs!

So let the challenge begin!

Attacks on the US?

Is a “HOMELAND” attack a likely scenario? Is Homeland Security doing all it can to protect us? What are the threats to the US. These are the questions on most peoples minds!

Lets approach this one scenario at a time. Why a terrorist attack is likely. It is my opinion that yes there will be, the only question would be when. Do I think there will be an all out attack? No. We have in the recent past, seen a number of individuals who have taken up with the beliefs of ISIS and Al Queda. Homeland security has limited the travel and communications of the majority of such individuals. That does not stop them from taking matters into their own hands. While the probable attacks will be small, they will be definitive in my opinion. Small factions of 1 to 5 people similar to France, will accomplish small statements in the factions minds. But more importantly, it will become a statement for others to follow suit. That is where it will not only become hard to detect, but of course, harder to stop! Though they are small battles in the scope of things, it would be distinctive points of success in terrorists overall war on its enemies! These theories in mind, remember, “ANYONE” with an agenda can access how to make a bomb, or chemical weapon by simply going on the internet and doing a search!

Can Homeland Security, or is it, doing all it can against a viable attack o the US here on our soil? I believe yes, within their capabilities. They are limited to some extent, and again, referring back to the first section, I think that the “smaller attacks” are the initial probability, and I do not think that anyone can detect when some college student is going to feel neglected and acts out by taking up a cause to become noticed. Are they keeping the “major” attacks from occurring? Yes, I feel intelligence and Homeland Security are doing a sufficient job and are on top of it on an hourly basis. Does that mean that it will not happen? NO!, but it does decrease the possibility by bounds!

These are my opinions, and I welcome response. Please use discretion but do state your mind! I hope you will comment and share this for others to do the same!

MAD - INTERESTED?

MAD -Military Alliance Division . MAD is a national alliance of veterans and approved non-veterans joined to aide and assist local, regional and national authorities,armed forces, and emergency assistance organizations. MAD is an all volunteer, non-contractual organization set up to assure that there is a secondary defense should there be a need due to an attack, or national disaster which could use the aide of professional certified personnel for any reason. Our oath will be to aide and assist, defend, and our country against any foreign enemy, terrorist, or natural disaster. We are a secondary line of defense/aide which will only act when requested by the proper authorities.

Our other missions will be to aide Charitable organizations/causes, Veteran Awareness/Assistance and other causes in creating an awareness and need to support.

We will be working closely with all authorities from the local Firefighters/Rescue, Police, and emergency response organizations for whatever needs they may have upon request.

MAD will maintain Arms and follow a strict set of regulations as set forth in our By-Laws. We are not and will never be associated with “ANY” organization which does not promote equality among all, whether it be Race, Creed, Sex, Sexual Preference, Religion etc. Our Oath & Regulations will be formed and guide-lined by the Constitution Of The United States, Bill Of Rights, as well as Local,State,and Federal Laws.

If you are interested in joining please contact Charles “Chaz” Cecil for more information via email at finalhonor2014@gmail.com

This is just starting and we are interested in any assistance/input anyone wishes to participate in. Thank you for your support!

Charles J. Cecil

US VETERAN

SGT. 82^Nd & 101^st Abn. Div.

Please! #AnswerMeThis

Answer me these; Have you ever felt like whatever you were doing in life was a useless battle which you really didn't feel like fighting?  Have you ever woke up and wondered why you didn't die?  Have you got into your car and couldn't deal with facing your family who wait for you at home?  Did you ever wake up from a dream, only to realize that what you woke up to was the nightmare you were dreaming about?  Did you ever look at your child as they sat across from you at the table and felt that you were such a disappointment to them that you couldn't look them in the eye to tell them you loved them?
Well, after be homeless a few times and talking with the homeless around me, I have found that these were the thoughts that preceded the spiraling downfall leading to their homelessness.  Hidden in these "questions" lay a path of disturbing consequences.  Now these were only a few statements which depicted the thoughts and sometimes fears of people who were at sometime productive individuals in society.  Some you may even consider upstanding beyond reproach!  There were even heroes!
Now I am no psychologist or Behavior study major, so I cannot give you clinical answers.  But, if you look into these questions, you can begin to see how or why this started. For instance, waking up feeling like you were in a battle with life, you are more than likely in or headed to a state of depression.  Depression starts and snowballs to withdrawal from others, then inner shame,seclusion, and eventually one runs and hides.  They subconsciously choose to be homeless.  It allows them to feel like they are administering a punishment that they so deserve, thus causing a viscous circle of personal disparagement.
Take a veteran with PTSD, who has a family that he loves and they love him.   He, always being the provider, and guardian of his family, is now incapable of providing these securities a father provides.  He is afraid to go to sleep for fear of who he may harm during a nightmare he know could become reality, all the while he has no control, whether he is awake or asleep.  He has tried the therapy, and the drugs!  His reality is that he is no longer the man, the father, that they knew and although they love him, inside they fear what he could do without even knowing it!  So, his choice for everyones best interest is for him to leave and live alone in a world where at least if he does do something to someone, it won't be someone he loves.  Not only is this veteran a danger to himself or others, but his condition will only get worse without structure and attention.
From this I think you get the picture of where I am going with this.  Homelessness is a "condition" which is a result of either other conditions, or a driving force of overwhelming situations which cause an individual to feel like there are no options and there mental condition at the time leaves them with the thought of self deprivation and self punishment which leaves homelessness the consequence of the situation.  Maybe after reading the first paragraph, you will understand at least how in ones mind the beginnings of how some feel before they take a step to run into homelessness. If you get it, then please share with someone else so they may learn.  If you don't, please leave your questions in the comment section and I will try to answer it or get the answer!  Thank you for reading my blog, May God Bless!

#HaveAHeart

You do not know me, and I prefer it that way because too many people these days have a tenancy to per-judge or determine who a person is simply by their looks. If one has long hair, tattoos and a leather jacket you look at them as a mean biker, but do not take time to know that he road 4,000 miles last year for charities, or that he took his own money and bought Christmas presents for the kids in the Cancer unit. If you see a person who needs a haircut and a bath, and is standing on the corner with a cup and a sign, you tend to ask yourself how someone could be so lazy as to let themselves get in that shape. But, you do not know that before his wife passed away, and he was so heartbroken he let his life fall apart and lost everything....even his framed case of medals from 9 years of fighting in Vietnam .....even his Medal of Honor and 3 Purple Hearts. Or maybe you looked at the woman walking down the street with 2 young children and a 10 month old, barely clothed, thinking she should be ashamed that she doesn't have cots on her kids and they look to need a meal. But had you asked, she chose to leave an abusive husband who beat them all in a daily drunken rage, and just chose to get out regardless. Her thoughts of survival verses death, was simply a choice she “Had” to make.

OK, back to me. Who am at this point in my life, I don't even know. My life has been so twisted through the years that even a good shrink would be confused. But, I do know that with not a dime in my pocket, and barely a place to lay my head at night, I will forever fight for others and there rights. I do not judge, I do not question, I only offer a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen, or a hand to guide them to someone who can help them more that I can. You do not have to drop money out into a cup, or buy someone a gift, or even provide a meal. Yes, that is a good thing! But, you don't have to. You can help them by simply caring enough to listen and help them with their “problem”. I have found that more often than not, it is really better to sometimes just listen and give them a little self-esteem boost, or guide them to some way of allowing them to help themselves. I guess my point is, just help. But be careful not to appear condescending, that will hurt more than help.

This is not a a mind blowing blog or anything like that. I just want you to know (if you have read this far) that you do not have to be rich to help. You don't even need money, just #HaveAHeart, #DoNotJudge #AllLivesMatter.

Below are some helpful links and tips for you to get involved or to pass on to someone who may need assistance!

Tips to help!

• If you know someone who is homeless or needs a way to communicat, give them an old Smart Phone. They can use it at public WiFi spots without activation to text or surf web for places to get help.
• Stop by the homeless shelter near you at lunch. They usually do not give out lunches, so by simply finding out how many are hanging around you can spend less than $20 dollars and buy some dollar burgers and some cheap fruit drinks.
• If you are around someone that you know who is a veteran, ask if they need a ride to the VA hospital anytime, or need to pick up a prescription from the VA. It's just a ride that will only take a little gas and time!

https://www.justgive.org/donations/help-homeless.jsp

http://christianity.about.com/od/faithinaction/qt/homeless.htm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYMUT9zN62k