Posted by Barbara Klink on March 04, 2001 at 06:30:07:
Can somebody please help me with information where I can send/have published an apology to a Vietnam Veteran.
In 1985, I met a man in the University of Massachusetts cafeteria where I was an exchange student for the fall/winter term. I was then 26 and the first time in the U.S. This man of whom I can recall next to nothing except he wanted to stay in touch and that he had a farm in Cape Cod, with horses, was both fascinating and intimidating to me. I didn't return his repeated calls because I was just too overwhelmed with the challenges of a very different life and because I didn't want to hurt him by telling him I was afraid of his pain and didn't dare to connect with him. Many years later, at the age of 42 (I guess he was around that age in 1985), I was suddenly overwhelmed with pain for my inadequate and somewhat cruel response to this situation. If understandable for a young Swiss woman, it has been causing me feelings of guilt, shame and compassion ever since. I would really like to come to terms with this sad story and to stretch out my hand, saying I'm truly sorry and apologize. I don't even know if he is still alive of course. Yet wherever he may be I'm confident my message will reach his soul and spirit.
I hope whoever reads this will help me to find my way to a forum where chances are good that he or some friend will read my text. As I said I'm Swiss and therefore don't even know what AI is. Maybe I'm completely wrong here, technically. Please reply with helpful information. Thanks a lot!!
Let me finish by saying that I feel much compassion for all Vietnam Veterans. The suffering of this misterious man from my past represents, to some extent, all of you to me. God bless you.
Barbara