Tuesday, August 9, 2016
Dear Friends and Family of Ray,
Although known Ray only maybe a decade or so, he shared much of his life with me. (I am Barb Ball's sister in Ky. and a retired counselor/teacher...mostly mental health work.) He was a Christian, a patriot, a dad, and a loyal friend. I asked him to call a dear friend of mine here who was also a Viet Nam vet with no help from the VA but severely disconnected by his PTSD... for over 40 years. Your Ray talked him out of putting away his 9mm one Friday night (at my phone request) and applying for the first time for help. He has 2 purple hearts, eight bronze medals and a flying cross... but had no hope, 4x wives, and children who had nothing to do with him. His heart was broken and his mind was so disconnected from his life. Ray offered him comfort, understanding, and encouraged him to get his benefits which, like Ray, he was so thrilled to think it would give him something to give or leave to his children/grandchildren... not for himself. Last October (2015) the man Ray helped received his first disability benefit and finally secure.
He went from no food, significant weight loss, and a broken heart... to looking forward to seeing his VA counselor. Thank God for Ray's help. He may well have saved a life that night... someone I love no matter how messed up he gets. These guys are such a challenge for the rest of us to understand...even a little bit. Just know that nothing meant more to Ray than you, even if he couldn't show as you needed him to. He could not forgive himself for his shortcomings but we can. I struggle with these things with this lovable talented, skilled friend every day, but I know what's in his heart and it's the same things Ray loved.... his family, his military pride, and his ability to be of use. Know he loved you in ways you'll never see. Or you may. He was one of the good guys.
