Here I sit a regional airport in the state of Virginia, my whirlwind, 3000 mile, Thanksgiving adventure is drawing to a close. If nothing else this trip was an experience that shall not be easily forgotten. After spending the holiday with family, I then stayed the night with some old friends...who in the short time I was with them showed just why we all have been friends for so long. And for that and for them I am eternally grateful. Their family sent me on my way with some excellent turkey sandwiches and some wonderful prayers and blessings.
About 10 hours, 2 planes, and one shuttle bus later I finally arrived at my destination. I settled in and went to sleep and the next morning I awoke to truly begin my adventure in the former capitol city of Virginia. I first attended an amazing church, not too unlike the one at home in Central Oregon. The pastor and the church goers created a warm and very welcoming environment, the Pastor even e-mailed me a thank you note for attending later that same night.
After the service I then set out to explore the history of this city and its importance to the foundation of our country. I walked the streets of Gen. Washington, passed by the home of mayor Wythe. Listened to the incredible singing and preaching of the Mr. Reverend Moses. I listened to generals plan for battle, and heard one of the best quotes I have heard in a long time. They were discussing leadership and response to a question about the measure of a man's life. One general gave this response:
"A man is not measured by his mistakes, but rather by how he reacts to those mistakes."
I then continued in my journey only to witness an amazing reading of the Declaration of Independence and was amazed at how true those words written so long ago still ring powerfully true today. When suddenly we were interrupted by this man:
That's right, the original American villain, the hero turned traitor, Benedict Arnold stormed in to announce the takeover by the Redcoats. He was met with much disdain, loudly booed and hissed the entire time he was before us. What I found so amazing were the words this man spoke. Here he was a traitor and a turncoat, a former hero of the Continental Army. Yet, he spoke with eloquence making valid points of ill treatment of soldiers who return from the battlefield to the general public...words that honestly still ring true today...words that I would love for the people responsible for picketing outside of Walter Reed Medical Hospital and the ones who picket the funerals of those who gave all, and for people like the ones who deface the memorials dedicated to the ones who did not come home, those people should be forced to listen to his words...and how the ill treatment and disdain for soldiers upon their return do affect them in so many ways most people would never understand. I think it was put best by someone who said: "For those who fought for it freedom has a flavor the protected will never know."
My journey continued the next day with a job audition. Honestly, this was one of the longest and most draining auditions I have been involved with to this day...however, it was personally one of the most rewarding experiences I have had in a long, long time. It would be too hard to put that entire experience into words, but just let me say I feel confident that I left everything I had to give on that stage floor. The decision is now in the hands of the men and women who observed and ran that audition. However, I firmly believe no matter what they decide God has a perfect plan for my life...even greater than I could ever imagine, and that if this is the job He has for me I know it is a job I could do, without question...something I would have never known had I not had the support of dear family and friends in making the last minute arrangements to make this journey...for that I am very thankful and know I will never look back on this time in my life only to say..."What if?"
Oregon here I come.
In an amazing twist of events I will be on a major road trip this coming weekend. This week I have been asked by a Professional Christain Theatre in Tennessee to submit an audition tape for a role they would like me to play...and while I was working on the audition tape for that job, I recieved two callback requests yesterday...one from a Shakespeare Theatre on the East Coast, and the other at a major living history site in Virginia. Both places wanted me to fly out and audition at their locations this coming week. After some thought and prayer, I have decided to pass on the 5-month Shakespeare gig, however, come Saturday I will be on my way for my audition in Virginia on Monday. I am looking forward to this opportunity and I am going to trust that no matter what happens it is all in God's hands anyway. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
SSgt. David P. Spears, "Chief of Smoke"25th ID, 2nd/9th Artillery, "BattleKings"
As most of you are probably aware this weekend is Veteran's Day. In more recent history I have tried to spend every Veteran's Day and when I can afford it Memorial Day in Washington, D.C. to pay honor and tribute to my grandfather (pictured above) and all the men and women past and present in the United States Armed Forces. Unfortunately recent events and well just life and in general has prevented me from traveling to D.C. for this year's events. Several of my family members, however, have been able to make it there for this week's events. What makes it sting a little for me is that this year is the 25th Anniversary of the Vietnam Memorial Wall being erected their in D.C. The event will be ongoing for most of this week, they actually started reading the names of each of the 58,000 plus names of the men and women listed on that wall yesterday at 4pm EST time. It will take four days to read that list name by name out loud, reader's will be starting at 5am each day and read until midnight each day until all the names have been read. According to my mother and sister who are there already, yesterday my good friend and retired Veteran, Hank Cramer
had the honor of being the first to read. Like my grandfather, both Hank and his dad have served with the 25th Infantry Division. Hank's dad is considered to be the very first casuality of the Vietnam War. Although, 25 years ago that was not the case and therefore only on the Traveling Wall Memorial will you see Hank Cramer's father listed first on the wall. Like Hank, my mom, sister, father, and so many of my dear Veteran's who are all there my heart longs to be in D.C. with them. And while that is not possible for me this year I will be holding them all dear to my heart and in my own special way pay tribute to each and everyone of them, including my granddad. Please take time to watch the videos and take some time to thank a Veteran and be sure to welcome them home, no matter how many days, weeks, months, or years they have made it home.
So Steve-o is out...out of Central Oregon. As of this coming Thursday night I will no longer be a resident of anywhere. I have been officially kicked out by the landlady making me homeless. Still haven't found work yet, so this Vet's Day Weekend I will be in H-town watching the place for the family. Then after that who knows...hope to come back to Bend after the weekend and do some parking lot and couch jumping if possible, not sure what's next for me. I gotta find some work somewhere and once that happens than I will find a more permanent place to live. Stuff is crazy right now but there are lessons and better things to come out of all of this. Thanks to you all! Peace, and I am out!!
Well still no job offers yet and what worse that means still no leads on a place to live. Funny how not having a job is so closely linked to not having the ability to find a place to live. Portia and I just got home from yet another jaunt through town. Can I just say I love this town? Cause I do. We walked from park to park along the Deschutes River, we started before sundown and ended right at sunset. It was a chilly day but it was clear skies so it wasn't all that bad and it made for a beautiful walk back to the car as the sunset behind the Cascade Mountains. I love being able to see the sun set behind Mt. Bachelor, Broken Top, 3-finger Jack, and the 3 Sisters, especially now that they all have a covering of snow upon them. And although it looks as if Portia and I will be moving all our stuff into storage and staying in the KIA until I can find a job and a place to live, we will still be able to enjoy our walks on the Deschutes River Trail and enjoy a few more wonderful sunsets!
That's right, the original American villain, the hero turned traitor, Benedict Arnold stormed in to announce the takeover by the Redcoats. He was met with much disdain, loudly booed and hissed the entire time he was before us. What I found so amazing were the words this man spoke. Here he was a traitor and a turncoat, a former hero of the Continental Army. Yet, he spoke with eloquence making valid points of ill treatment of soldiers who return from the battlefield to the general public...words that honestly still ring true today...words that I would love for the people responsible for picketing outside of Walter Reed Medical Hospital and the ones who picket the funerals of those who gave all, and for people like the ones who deface the memorials dedicated to the ones who did not come home, those people should be forced to listen to his words...and how the ill treatment and disdain for soldiers upon their return do affect them in so many ways most people would never understand. I think it was put best by someone who said: "For those who fought for it freedom has a flavor the protected will never know."
