Best comment ever

I wanted to post this response to my little Pearl Jam recap, since I think it deserves to be just a little more visible. (I added the links.)

Sarah, perhaps your blog isn’t the ideal place to post this, but I felt compelled to write these thoughts.

Eddie Vedder, what more can be said that hasn’t already been written by better writers than I. Eddie is a master musician, and a master human being. Eddie Vedder wrote the song “No More” for Tomas Young, an Iraq War veteran, my fellow member of Iraq Veterans Against the War and the subject of the documentary film “Body of War”.

Tomas Young survived his 5 days of Army service in Iraq, barely. Riding with 24 other soldiers in an open truck through Sadr City, Iraq in April of 2004, Tomas was shot just above the collar bone and the round exited through his spine at the T-4 level, upper back. Tomas is paralyzed, but Tomas has never given up, and he’s gone on to become an articulate and influential voice against the war in Iraq. In fact, Tomas has been described as one of the hardest working vets against the war, as well as a true hero.

Eddie and Tomas became friends as they worked to put together the music for the compilation album: “Body of War – Songs that Inspired an Iraq War Veteran”, see www.bodyofwar.com. Meeting and becoming friends with Eddie Vedder brought joy and happiness to Tomas Young, and who could possibly be more deserving of joy and happiness in a life filled with pain and permanent disability from service in an unjust war.

Tomas Young’s story continues. He is currently in St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, MO, recovering from a pulmonary embolism and pneumonia, the result of a blood clot that originated in his right arm and was misdiagnosed at the VA. He is slowly recovering from this setback and I know everyone wishes him and his family well.

Sarah, if you possibly can, please try to go see the documentary film “Body of War”, the film about Tomas and how Congress authorized the President to go to war in Iraq. You will undoubtedly be moved to tears by the film as I was, but you will also find that Tomas’ humor, insight and courage are evident throughout. I wish everyone in our country would go see “Body of War” when it’s showing in their area. I believe it is especially important to make the film known to as many people as possible.

Thank you for allowing me to post this comment on your blog. If anyone might wish to reprint my comments, please do so. Oh by the way, I love cats too, couldn’t live without mine.

Mary Ann Schallert, Ocean Shores, WA