Al Fletcher

Al's in the hospital, I found out tonight (August 1st). He's been battling liver cancer. I went with Al and another man to a Native American healing sweat where the medicine man spent four days of energy and sweats in an attempt to heal Al. I know Al got a lot out of that, but apparently not enough to beat liver cancer.

Al Fletcher is an interesting man. He sent me a typed autobiography that he wrote several years ago. He was a mustang officer in the Army. For those who don't know, a mustang is an officer who came up through the ranks from Private to, in his case, Captain. He became an Army Ranger and company commander in Vietnam where he served with distinction, getting a Purple Heart and a Silver Star for gallantry in battle.

Al was also one of the leading promoters of the Bamboo Bridge, a healing weekend for combat zone veterans. On those weekends, I've seen Al give all of himself to help bring his fellow vets home from their war. He served for a time as National Coordinator of the Bridge, and he worked tirelessly for and on behalf of veterans, particularly his beloved Vietnam Veterans. He must have been one helluva commander, because I'd follow him to hell and back, knowing that if there was any way to get back, he'd find it and bring every last person with him back, too.

He is a man who is not afraid to cry, with you or for you; whatever he thought was needed. And he is a man strong enough to stand up to anyone for what he believes is right.

Come the next Bamboo Bridge or Vets Journey Home, I'm gonna miss him terribly, and I'm gonna cry for the vets who will be there that they won't have Al with them on their journeys. He is my example of a man of integrity and heart, and even though you never met him, your world is a little better off because of him, and a little worse off with his passing.