thedrifter
12-10-05, 06:20 AM
’Angels’ lift up ailing Marine
By Kathy Uek / Daily News Staff
Saturday, December 10, 2005 - Updated: 12:55 AM EST
Karl believes in miracles. He didn’t always. But he always believed in patriotism.
In 1970, he joined the U.S. Marines and fought in Vietnam. From bases like An-Hoa, Hill 37 and Hill 65 -- places found on military maps -- Karl and his fellow Marines went on ambushes and search-and-destroy missions.
To more easily find the enemy, the military had sprayed Agent Orange, a powerful herbicide and toxic defoliant marked with an orange band around the drum.
"But that was 35 years ago," said Karl. "No one knew what the word meant and no one knew where they sprayed."
At the end of that year, the radio operator returned home. Diagnosed with post-traumatic stress syndrome, Karl found it difficult to fit in.
"After living like an animal for about a year, I couldn’t get back to normal life," Karl said.
Drugs and alcohol helped him escape. He turned to rehab after which he worked for minimal wages and paid his bills until 18 months ago when doctors diagnosed him with throat cancer.
He lived at the Huntington House while going through chemotherapy and radiation at the Veterans Hospital in Jamaica Plain. Unable to work, bills at home, like rent, mounted. The proud Marine couldn’t tell anyone.
Then angels appeared. That’s what Karl calls the MetroWest Marine Corps League and Natick Elks.
While enjoying a game of Bingo and dinner provided by the Natick Elks and Mike Almeida, owner of Tastefully Done in Natick, Karl met a new friend, Cheryl Griffin, who only recently began volunteering at the Elks.
"She kind of adopted me," said the now 55-year-old Karl. "I’m proud I’ll admit and I don’t like to let people know my problems, but somehow Cheryl got me relaxed and talking. I told her how distraught I was over my bills, that I was destitute and thought I would lose my apartment."
Griffin, a Holliston resident, reported Karl’s financial standing to her husband, Warren, who was on his way to a membership meeting with the MetroWest Marine Corps League. At the meeting, Warren Griffin explained Karl’s plight. The league added up Karl’s bills and voted to write a check for $1,200 to cover them. The money came from fund raising the league has done since it established a detachment in 2000.
Around since 1923, the Marine Corps League helps veterans with claims such as this. They hold community events and sponsor events for Marines, like Karl, to get together and share their past and present experiences.
"With the brotherhood of support, we help each other," said Warren Griffin.
The next day Cheryl drove to Lowell to give Karl the check.
"I was jumping for joy to put it mildly," Karl said recently. "I was almost on the verge of tears. It was truly a miracle. I had nowhere to turn."
Paul Carew, a veterans claims agent, MetroWest Marine Corps League member and chairman of the board of MetroWest Outreach Center, also found a new home for Karl at a Hospice Veterans Home.
"I would never have known about this house," said Karl. "They (the MetroWest Marine Corps League) are the ones who basically got me in there. I tell you somebody’s looking after me. I was so far down on my luck. It was really desperate times, but now it’s working out."
While Karl, wearing his trademark beat up Red Sox baseball cap, prepares to move, he also waits for the results of a disability compensation claim for Agent Orange.
And as the holidays approach, Karl is at peace.
"I have a good feeling because I have wonderful people behind me," he said. "Without Cheryl, Warren and Paul, I don’t know what I would have done. I would have been homeless and on the streets."
Ellie
By Kathy Uek / Daily News Staff
Saturday, December 10, 2005 - Updated: 12:55 AM EST
Karl believes in miracles. He didn’t always. But he always believed in patriotism.
In 1970, he joined the U.S. Marines and fought in Vietnam. From bases like An-Hoa, Hill 37 and Hill 65 -- places found on military maps -- Karl and his fellow Marines went on ambushes and search-and-destroy missions.
To more easily find the enemy, the military had sprayed Agent Orange, a powerful herbicide and toxic defoliant marked with an orange band around the drum.
"But that was 35 years ago," said Karl. "No one knew what the word meant and no one knew where they sprayed."
At the end of that year, the radio operator returned home. Diagnosed with post-traumatic stress syndrome, Karl found it difficult to fit in.
"After living like an animal for about a year, I couldn’t get back to normal life," Karl said.
Drugs and alcohol helped him escape. He turned to rehab after which he worked for minimal wages and paid his bills until 18 months ago when doctors diagnosed him with throat cancer.
He lived at the Huntington House while going through chemotherapy and radiation at the Veterans Hospital in Jamaica Plain. Unable to work, bills at home, like rent, mounted. The proud Marine couldn’t tell anyone.
Then angels appeared. That’s what Karl calls the MetroWest Marine Corps League and Natick Elks.
While enjoying a game of Bingo and dinner provided by the Natick Elks and Mike Almeida, owner of Tastefully Done in Natick, Karl met a new friend, Cheryl Griffin, who only recently began volunteering at the Elks.
"She kind of adopted me," said the now 55-year-old Karl. "I’m proud I’ll admit and I don’t like to let people know my problems, but somehow Cheryl got me relaxed and talking. I told her how distraught I was over my bills, that I was destitute and thought I would lose my apartment."
Griffin, a Holliston resident, reported Karl’s financial standing to her husband, Warren, who was on his way to a membership meeting with the MetroWest Marine Corps League. At the meeting, Warren Griffin explained Karl’s plight. The league added up Karl’s bills and voted to write a check for $1,200 to cover them. The money came from fund raising the league has done since it established a detachment in 2000.
Around since 1923, the Marine Corps League helps veterans with claims such as this. They hold community events and sponsor events for Marines, like Karl, to get together and share their past and present experiences.
"With the brotherhood of support, we help each other," said Warren Griffin.
The next day Cheryl drove to Lowell to give Karl the check.
"I was jumping for joy to put it mildly," Karl said recently. "I was almost on the verge of tears. It was truly a miracle. I had nowhere to turn."
Paul Carew, a veterans claims agent, MetroWest Marine Corps League member and chairman of the board of MetroWest Outreach Center, also found a new home for Karl at a Hospice Veterans Home.
"I would never have known about this house," said Karl. "They (the MetroWest Marine Corps League) are the ones who basically got me in there. I tell you somebody’s looking after me. I was so far down on my luck. It was really desperate times, but now it’s working out."
While Karl, wearing his trademark beat up Red Sox baseball cap, prepares to move, he also waits for the results of a disability compensation claim for Agent Orange.
And as the holidays approach, Karl is at peace.
"I have a good feeling because I have wonderful people behind me," he said. "Without Cheryl, Warren and Paul, I don’t know what I would have done. I would have been homeless and on the streets."
Ellie