Monday, May 26, 2014

Memorial Day Reflection


Memorial Day Reflection

 I was born in the city of Cleveland, Ohio.  My father, a husband, father of three, butcher, steel worker, WWll Veteran, is now living in the Sandusky Veteran's Home and every day I thank this facility for giving father such good care. 
I am not a stranger to what post-traumatic stress is as one of my parents is a war veteran who fought in a globally recognized war and when you grow up with a war veteran you learn about survival skills at a young age.  My father was not the only veteran I spent some time living with.  I grew up during the Vietnam Era and at the age of about 10 years old my eldest sister and her husband returned home to live in the family house until they could get back on their feet.  My brother-in-law returned from the Vietnam War after fighting in the Battle of Khe Sanh.  Dear Dan had a slow recovery as he was trained to investigate and fight at the sound of a drop of a pin and did live through a horrific battle.  Needless to say, at the age of 10, I tiptoed around the house.

 Below is one story among many stories Dan shared about his time in the war.  Of course, this story is hearsay and it was a long time ago but hopefully you get the idea.  One of my curiosities in life is how mental states of being come into existence. 

 The story goes like this;

Sometimes I (Dan) would follow the monks into the jungle.  I was in military gear and carrying a gun and They (the Monks) would just walk on by and go into the jungle and sometimes I would follow them.  The monks would pray, chant and engage in practices and rituals.  I had no idea what their practice was all about but I do know that a peace would come over me.  One day one monk placed this medal around my neck and said be safe.

 I was gifted with this medal and I have always been curious about the teacher, saint or guru on this metal.  Can anyone out there read this and tell me about this medal?



It seems like the mystery is solved.
Luang Pu Thuat
 
หลวงปู่ทวด
also known as Luang Pu Thuad, Luang Por Tuad, Luang Phu Tuad, and various other spellings.
He is a revered Buddhist monk who lived in Siam. He is said to have performed miracles.



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