Journal of Sacred Work

   When veterans were honored at church I wished I could rise. The Chapman tradition of military service began in 1779 with Constant Chapman (with Washington at Valley Forge) and continued through every generation. It includes my cousin Terry's Navy service and our first cousin Harlan Chapman's* (left) heroism as the first Vietnam POW.

   Harlan, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He passed away May 6 (summary below)**

    I would have entered the military legacy but for a diagnosis at age 19. In 1963 Crohn's Disease could be fatal. My doctor warned, "You'll be lucky to live to 40. Quit college, ditch law school, go home." 

   From 19 to 24, I hid my illness and pretended wellness while pain and isolation cursed my days. Then, the tragic Vietnam War. All Ohio males 18-26 were called for physicals. Part of me wanted to serve. The other part? I was a sick law student with  a pregnant wife. 

   I cruised through my physical until the Army doctor read a letter from my doctor. "Crohn's makes you 4F," he said. "You're out."

   Had illness saved my life? Probably.

   Crohn's causes vulnerability via diseases like Black Water Fever (common in Vietnam) and makes for unreliable soldiers. Attacks trigger "Failure-to-thrive Syndrome."

  But we can be prisoner's of illness as well as war. My cousin was a 7 year prisoner in a hell. Simultaneously, I was a life long prisoner in a different hell. Even in America, I was hospitalized in 1989 and in '99 barely survived a second attack. 

   Gladly, blessings emerged for Harley and me. He lived happily with dear wife, Fran. Even though my disease remains, I just celebrated 25 years in remission. 

   And Crohn's caused something else. Across 7 years in courtrooms and 50 more in hospitals, my suffering fueled a passion to help others through Radical Loving Care.

   A life saved confers on survivors a moral imperative to serve. A reason why I continue that to this day.

   Memorial Day calls for profound thanks to every veteran. They saved our country. 

   Today, we may also honor veterans suffering in illness prisons and the Radical Loving Caregivers that help free them. 

-Erie Chapman

*Click on the following link to learn how Harlan Chapman endured as POW https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfQfYAxZasY&t=3073s

**After bombing a bridge, Harlan was shot down, trapped in mud, and captured. His 7 years of torture (beside Senator McCain) created many heroes. Contrast that with former Commander-in-Chief Trump's statements that McCain and POWs were "not heroes" because, "I like people that weren't captured" and Trump's statements, verified by his Chief of Staff John Kelly, that 1800 soldiers who died in a WW I battle were "suckers"; that dead or captured solders are "losers," and that he refused to be filmed with amputees because "It's not a good look for me." Trump brags about avoiding the draft. His claim? "Bone spurs."