Cripple

News to whoever chats or follows Paul or Cripple2001 on this site. Paul passed away last Saturday night 8/18. I doubt you will ever see me on this site ever again. The Best Man Ever!

Tears have been flowing around here and the memories abound.

We were married just before Paul got out of the Marines back from Vietnam. Huge amount of hours, many months to try to accomplish what he said “rejoin humanity” from those terrible days. My husband didn’t like officers saying he saw so many who acted like they were the enemy. The scar on his butt is almost gone, he kept the Purple Heart he called “tin” and the Silver Star that was really never awarded to him. He said he was on the boat (he liked calling ships boats just to get the Navy guys) and while he watched them push a helicopter off the side of the boat several Army guys came to him and handed him the Silver Star Paul carried with him all these years later. They said they would all be dead if it wasn’t for him. He was a real good shot with his rifle in those days.

So many people don’t have a clue what it’s like to be married to a combat Marine Veteran. How many nights I woke with him tearing the sheets and pillow case into strips claiming he was making boobie-traps. How many times he literally kicked me out of the bed with a quiet whisper the V.C. were close. So many other things he never got over. In those days what Paul had was not called PTSD in fact they had nothing to help him.

Paul often said the world is full of people who sacrifice their “Ethics” on a daily basis. He was once a Democrat and a Campaign Manager for a man locally who was elected to the Arizona Legislature. All he kept saying was if he could help U.S. society to just follow the top 3 or 5 issues they see as “Ethics” meaning no deceit, he would be happy. He use to say “Morals” but claimed he tired of all the religious discussions he got into using that word but say “Ethics” and such is a better conversation.

Paul switched and became a Republican after a big fight with Arizona Democrats on the one word deceit. He stayed a Republican years when he worked with the Steelworkers and worked at an underground mine. So many arguments he had while with the unions. He just had to be involved with the union when he was a Letter Carrier for the Post Office and became President for some 14 years. He was elected as the State Union President for 4 years, the union actually created a position for him to be elected as a Union Lobbyist to D.C. for 4 years and he was good, real good. He said so many times he liked working in the West Wing of the White House though he was the voice of conservatives with Pres. Bill Clinton he was really outspoken against Bill Clinton, didn’t like him and didn’t have to resign. He said one day we was sitting in a room in the West Wing waiting for a meeting to happen when he met eyes with the National Union President whose ego was damaged and the next e******n Paul would not be elected. Paul was so tired of 90+ hour weeks and flying home on weekends and soon after he went back to being a Letter Carrier on his way to work some criminal woman rear-ended him while he was at a stoplight pushing him into a real busy street. Regardless his spine was severely damaged and the rest of his life he was in a wheelchair. He warned people about insurance and crooks who make the laws certainly don’t support their constituents, you loose so much of everything after you’re disabled. I still remember many times Paul said if this is the Karma (being in a wheelchair) from the days of Vietnam he’s getting off easy. He still had nights he rolled over in bed putting his hand over my mouth whispering to me to be quiet the V.C. is here.

It was Trump that really set Paul off on his issues of Ethics and deceit. He felt so bad he supported Trump then one day Paul started researching and discovered Trump lied to everyone. Paul switched to being an Independent in his political activities that were important to him. Paul often said Aristotle (ancient Greek philosopher) said something that a person is “stupid” or “ignorant” when they cannot have a discussion with someone who saw things differently or a different opinion.

One day Paul went to a local bank sitting with his wheelchair and his favorite service dog taking pictures with his camera of all the people who violated handicap parking as-if they don’t care. Paul argued too many “sheep” in our society that believe so many lies in our political arena. He often said “Is that who you are?”

With labored breath he spoke on his death bed that he would never fall for a “Gulf of Tonkin” ever again claiming U.S. Navy boats attacked, people k**led, U.S. men k**led pushing the U.S. into thousands, tens of thousands of military people to Vietnam, ALL A LIE! The government said, the media didn’t do what we rely upon them to do and investigate to find the t***h and over 58,000+ U.S. people died. How our priorities are so messed-up. We live in a country where we settled with at least 60,000 people a year die in auto accidents. He said “think about it” 58,000+ died in years involved in Vietnam who ripped this country apart while we ignored 60,000+ U.S. people die in auto accidents every year.

He first came up with the “sheep” argument (describing people) involving Pres. Bill Clinton people saying they don’t care about his sex-life that’s not what they want him as President. So “that’s who you are” he said so many times and hears all the same arguments today involving Trump. Paul never c***ted on me our 53 years of marriage. He smiled and almost laughed with his trouble breathing Evangelicals who now have a real “Ethics” problem. They support “Adultery” by supporting Trump who was acting like a 15 year old boy with beautiful women. Paul laughed we now have a President who has less credibility than a “porn star” or “centerfold”. So much of U.S. society supporting (encouraging & rewarding) a man who falls into a lower standard than they place upon themselves. One rationalized excuse after another when it boils down to they (U.S. society) don’t practice Ethics what they say is so important to them.

Before he passed, Paul was still sad about all the “terrible things” (according to him) he did in Vietnam. He felt bad that this Trump is President (he supported) and a whole society who refuse to take the blame for v****g him into political office. He said he may have failed to find someone who will carry the “Ethics” he was pushing so hard. He did say there was a man on this site who wants to push the “Ethics” banner for him after he’s gone. He never said the name but if you are reading this Paul felt fond about you.

It helps to write this down for him. Sorry it’s so long. Paul said that if you can’t say it with many words you’re just not trying hard enough (that he said as a joke). I’ll see you soon honey.

moldyoldy

I am sorry for your loss, I wish he had shared more of his life with us.

Fit2BTied Loc: Texas

I'm sure I speak for many when I say we're sorry for your loss. I haven't yet found someone with whom I completely agree and Paul was no different. That said, I owe him a huge debt of gratitude.

When I enlisted, Vietnam was winding down. It's men (and certainly women) like your Paul who were responsible for bringing that horrible chapter in our history to an end - before I was able to get there. At the time, I was eager to serve, but having talked with VVets who would actually talk about it (and I know they spared me much of the horror) I know that I was lucky to have missed it. I learned also how much we all owe these warriors who did their duty - regardless of the legitimacy of our involvement. All those k**led there, and all those who brought their scars back with them deserve wh**ever we can do as a country to take care of them and their families. It breaks my heart whenever I hear about a Veteran committing suicide. And it's difficult to control my anger when I read about the VA mistreating ANY Veteran of ANY generation.

I'm glad God blessed you with 53 years, and I'm glad you have the faith that helps you know you will be together again soon. Paul's just getting your heavenly quarters squared away.

I respect Paul's attitude about wanting people to live their lives with integrity and honor. We all fall short. I know I do. God Bless Paul and God Bless You. We're sorry to say goodbye to you both.

debeda

That was beautiful F2B! I echo your sentiments regarding this good man's passing, but could have never expressed it so eloquently.