An Old Friend Builds Homes In Vietnam

It's pouring rain here in the Finger Lakes of NYS and that's good. It's needed and welcome. Seneca Lake and surrounding lakes are low due to the drought that we've experienced all summer and into the fall. But the rain brings other things, melancholy thoughts, tiredness, a few new aches and pains along with the old ones that have been hanging around more often and for longer periods.

Focus.... focus on the positive. An old friend of mine, Paul Mann, is getting set to return to Vietnam for the second time as part of the international Habitat for Humanity program where a diverse group of people will help build houses for Vietnamese citizens. I've talked about Paul before. He and I were at the Catholic Worker together in the mid 60's both refusing to fight in the Vietnam War, choosing the works of mercy versus the works of war, feeding the poor, clothing the naked, singing and trying to work for peace. We lived together, sang together, loved together, made jokes and walked the streets together. At one point we moved north of the city to Tivoli, NY and tried our hand at the communal life with a small group of friends living in an old chicken coop minus the chickens - quite comfortable actually.

Dan Kelly another draft resister from the Catholic Worker is joining Paul on this trip. Dan is a well respected pediatrician in San Francisco these days and it is great to see him joining Paul and the team that is going to Vietnam.

Paul called me a while back and invited me to go along on this trip, something I really wanted to do for lots of reasons. Alas, it's not in the cards. Health issues keep me pretty close to home these days. I'm certainly not in dire straits by any means but I've got enough issues that keep me from going too far.

What Paul and Dan are doing though is truly important. Yes the homes for families are important but so is the healing, personally, communally and for all of the individuals going on the trip. Paul tells the story of working with and bonding with a veteran of the war on the last trip, crying together as the reality of their two experiences during that time frame long ago hit home. Two characters from different worlds, now working together to build a home for a Vietnamese family. The myth of antiwar protesters and veterans waring with each other proven wrong again.

Paul and his veteran compadre are examples of what needs to happen more in this country, especially after this terrible election season. People sitting in silence, looking at each other and realizing that they're in this together nd that there are better ways to get things done.

Paul has a GoFundMe page to help with expenses for his trip. Of course money or lack of it won't stop Paul from going. Never has, never will. But if there are some folks out there reading this who believe in a better way, a more peaceful world, a place where healing can and should take place, think about sending a few dollars to Paul for his voyage. It will be money well spent. You can find his page here Paul Mann Vietnam Trip . In the meantime, thanks Paul and Dan for doing this and safe travels.