In ancient times, we nurtured our warriors with special care when they returned from epic battles. We brought them to spas at outskirts of cities, and then cooled them down with compassionate concern for long spells, until we determined that it was safe for them to return into communities; unlike modern times when soldiers more often get dumped straight back onto the streets with little or no benefits. Nowadays, many of our country’s valiant veterans are unsupported and homeless or incarcerated at record levels, while perpetually mired in post-traumatic crises. 

As Dennis Kucinich said, “Homelessness and poverty are weapons of mass destruction.”

Men develop with different levels of mettle, but sanity has limitation points for even the bravest of soldiers. Soldiers Heart affected many Civil War Veterans (and their families). In later wars, this became Shell Shock then Battle Fatigue. Now Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is the expression.

During World War II, Gen. George S. Patton was nearly court-martialed after slapping a hospital patient whose conscience was suffering from Soldiers Heart, thinking that he was just a coward. A historically safe place, which soldiers used to convalesce, both physically and psychologically was the Sun Valley Lodge. Many World War II soldiers, who rehabilitated there in its crisp mountain air, became permanently attached to our area -and for good reasons. To this day, some remain as helpful contributors within our community.

What safer place and farther away from war (Mountain Home Air Force Base notwithstanding) could there be for a state-of-the-art rehabilitation center, then the good earth on where Friedman airport currently sits? It’s been reported that if the Friedman family recognizes a significantly suitable cause, then they will consider donating this prime Hailey Real Estate for that concern -if the airport relocates, whereby the site reverts to the family.

Our community leaders should start contemplating constructive ideas about what we might create from this once-in-a-lifetime possibility.

We could transform this airport acreage into something for truly banking on. Besides generous monetary donations from valley benefactors to help establish a healing foundation, this also could be a prime opportunity for us to show how rich we are in spirit, by personally welcoming these recuperating warriors back into our community. To contribute to their continued recovery, we should thank our dedicated veterans for their Herculean efforts by offering them desirable jobs; some perhaps related with support services for the healing center itself.

Moreover, we could construct hundreds of affordable-housing units on the land, along with potential worker-retraining facilities for displaced soldiers to reattach to our community, whereby becoming useful contributors. Some will probably rejuvenate with a broader sense of understanding, developing a desire to become healing practitioners themselves. A ‘Walter Reed West’ center would create bountiful meaningful jobs here, not only for our respected veterans, but also for many of the rest of us suffering from this economic slump. Already established mentoring organizations such as Sun Valley Adaptive Sports and The Advocates could tie in well with such a permanent wellness festival. The College of Southern Idaho could even branch a wing of its burgeoning Twin Falls nursing center up here. 

Perhaps an understanding owner of one of the locally underutilized hot springs could pipe some healing waters into such a splendiferous spa, with government stepping in to help fund construction logistics of the supportive donation. 

The relocated airport itself could even benefit, by becoming a busy transport center for the steady streams of patients, visitors, hospital personnel and supplies.

The hospital could feature Posttraumatic stress disorder therapies like recently advanced Somatic Experiencing, MDMA and Propranolol treatments, as well as other well-proven curative methods, both ancient and newly developed. 

Even if we are somehow fortunate enough to be without war at the future date when our airport shift occurs, Doctors are now seeing that PTSD is a condition that is a normal part of life, which often actually strengthens us. How many times for instance, have you heard someone say about an adverse situation, “I wish it hadn’t happened, but I’m a stronger person for it?” A trauma-stren transformation clinic could assist and focus on numerous variables of this. We should set up feasibility studies in advance, to see what else might be achievable for improving our community in positive ways, if the Friedman family continues to stand by this intention. Let us extend our common senses with high-tech hospital wings, blooming with curative physicians.

You priests and holy leaders who’ve kept so mum and cloistered about our tragic wars, now is the transformative time to harp for fresh miracles. Let us forcefully implore that our newly incoming leaders at the Pentagon redirect its forces into tools that enable the blind to again see, the deaf to hear and the lame to walk. Let us ask for a peaceful turnover of these suppressed cutting-edge technologies, so we may transform our energies to relieve this terrifying violence, which only begets further violence. Let our common senses soften no more. May those in wheelchair pews ascend over foxy TV skies. Demand that your tax barrels of cash handed to war profiteers be flip-flopped to trickle up fair amounts of funds to help our globe spin a little truer, for battle amputees, brain-injured and psychologically traumatized.

Let us hope that our soldiers’ hearts heal well enough in this Idaho land, so they may again walk peacefully on this world we worship, and that through another miracle, diplomacy prevails rather than our wrongly “war shipping” of the good mother earth, with land mines, undepleted uranium and a general malaise to eliminate those who we do not understand.

Movers and shakers heed this clarion call. Please come together with equally powerful ideas for the potentially soon to be changed vast ground where Friedman airport now abounds.

With the sunny climate, fresh air and clean water natural to this valley, enhanced by the numerous enlightened compassionate people who flourish here, our community could set a new standard for positive rehabilitation by improving on some of the shortcomings now plaguing Walter Reed Veteran’s hospital and hand our modern troopers the deserved special treatment, most have earned.

I ask that our community leaders strongly consider holding a feasibility study, in the near future, to see if this idea or similar ones, such as Tom Iselin’s grand idea for a Paralympics Center hold enough water to transform soldier’s widow tears into flowing fountains fronting a first class “Friedman Memorial Trauma-Stren Conversion Center.”

After all, what should be more important than proper treatment for our wounded warriors who have patriotically served, even if some of these battles were fought for misguided reasons?

It’s disheartening to see factories that churn out the most hellacious waste in the world plop down into Idaho lava fields, set up high-paying jobs, and then become integrated into the area via churches, spirited Little League ball teams and 4-H clubs.

When something dreadful occurs at a nuclear site, often our culture covers it up. Whistleblowers are terrified of repercussions, being shunned by society and worse. Few want to be known as killing the goose with the golden eggs, even if they are speckled with plutonium.

Three years ago, right before Christmas, there was a news splash at the Los Alamos, New Mexico laboratory. Five workers were exposed to the highly carcinogenic PU-239. It took several days before this information came out to the public. Then it was through the Project on Government Oversight that co-workers coughed this up to, rather than their own trusted government and contractor.

Ironically, of all the of jobs I’ve labored on, the rules insisted that every accident, no matter how small, be reported - even if it’s a cut from a piece of paper as tiny and insignificant as America’s Constitution. It’s not right that our best men juggling the most dangerous element under the sun should be skittish about reporting disasters that hold far-reaching ramifications. After all, would not the open reporting of near catastrophes aid in preventing similar events?

The same season as the 2005 New Alamos incident, some Department of Energy spokespersons drove over to Sun Valley, claiming they care about the environment and their grandchildren. If this is true, then they should invite aspiring scientists to join a contest designing foolproof double blind whistle-blower systems. A Rube Goldberg category could be included to generate interest among innovative high schoolers who (for the past eight years) have had more open dialogues than the highest levels of our own government. Unlike the exposed workers whose health benefits will likely be terminated once they are let go, the winner could receive a lifetime POGO magazine subscription.

Recent reports show that Idahoans overall seat-belt use has dropped to barely three out of four, with Southeast Idaho lowest at 62 percent. Interestingly, the seat belt usage rate in Washington is over 96% while in Oregon it’s at 95%.  

The primary reason for this difference is not that Oregon and Washington travelers are more enlightened, but that they will receive stiffer fines than Idahoans will. Caught Beltless in Seattle renders a $124 fine; while Oregon’s penalty is $90, however, Idahoans (above 18) only get lightly wrist-slapped for a measly ten bucks – or the equivalent of a small can of gas. 

Of all the safety features added to passenger vehicles in the past 50 years, safety belts account for more than half the lives saved in passenger crashes. If we cannot improve this basic safety routine on our own, perhaps some of us really do need Big Brother’s powerful influence to make us tighten our belts properly.

 In this land already lanced by legendary Larry Craig laugh-abouts, more Idahoans should buckle up and stay buckled up, before we become the butt of even crueler thinning the herd, Darwin award level jokes.

 When you hear about Camp Rainbow Gold, you may hear about silly skits around campfires. You might hear about a child catching their first fish or discovering the Big Dipper in the night sky. Maybe you learn about how volunteers come together for a week each year to help 85 children shrug the stress of living with cancer. No matter the story, you hear – and feel – what happens when people come together to enjoy nature and friendship, to let kids be kids.

But there’s more to Camp Rainbow Gold.

What started as 15 campers has grown to 85. What started as a week has grown into a year-round program that supports and fosters children who have been diagnosed with cancer and their families. Camp Rainbow Gold is an oncology camp, a sibling camp and a family camp.  It’s a hockey night, a football night, a ski day, a teen support group and a college scholarship program. Camp Rainbow Gold is inspiration and unity. Camp Rainbow Gold is a celebration of life.

As the decades progressed and the bonds between Camp Rainbow Gold and the community strengthened, the need for family services and year-round programs became evident. Simply put, one week just wasn’t enough. Just like the children, parents also need a break from the rigors of a cancer diagnosis. Siblings often feel pushed aside and also need validation and encouragement. A Junior Counselor program has grown over the years to provide a natural transition for campers and others who have turned 18 and still want to be a part of the Camp Rainbow Gold family. The original vision has transcended to a year-round program to include camps for siblings and families as well as other support and events throughout the year.

“When a child is diagnosed with cancer, it has a major impact on the entire family, physically, emotionally and financially,” said Childhood and Family Services Director, Elizabeth Lizberg. “Parents will often have to quit their jobs and mortgage their homes in order to have the time and financial means to support their child during treatment.” The stress and emotion of having a sick child can also affect siblings and other family members, often leaving them feeling left out, upset and even angry.

The camps are held each summer north of Ketchum at Camp Perkins and Cathedral Pines.  This past summer Family Camp hosted 17 families, Sibling Camp had 43 campers and Oncology Camp had 85 campers.  Camp Rainbow Gold is at capacity for the oncology camp.   “One of the most exciting changes on the horizon is that in 2010 there will be two weeks of oncology camp” says Lizberg.  “We want to reach more children so we’re adding another week of camp.  The first week will be younger kids and junior counselors and the second week will be ages 13 through 17.  By 2010 there will be about 60 children at each week of camp.” 

The other programs are showing as much success with the college scholarship fund awarding twelve, $5,000 scholarships and a great turn out of 120 children and families to the Halloween party.  The newest program Survivors Supporting Survivors support group for teens has been developed by young adult cancer survivors that have been involved with Camp Rainbow Gold for many years.  They understand that being a teen is difficult but being a teen diagnosed with cancer is even tougher. The first Wednesday, each month, an informal get together lets teen’s ages 13-18 talk about issues, have some fun, discuss the challenges and receive support from those who understand better than anyone.

“We couldn’t have done this without this valley,” Kris Cronin said.  “It really is a charity of the valley.”  Rob Cronin agrees.  “This is a feather in the cap of the Wood River Valley.” Kris and Rob have been volunteers for Camp Rainbow Gold for over eight years.

Upcoming opportunities:

Purchase a raffle ticket for $20 for a chance at winning a trip to Tampa including two tickets to the Super Bowl game.  Drawing is on December 31, 2008 and you do not need to be present to win.  The winning ticket wins a trip to Tampa that includes 3 night hotel stay starting on January 30^th, 2 airline tickets from Boise to Tampa and 2 tickets to the Super Bowl game.  All other costs and expenses are the responsibility of the winner. Tickets are being sold at Zou 75 in Hailey, Sun Valley Brokers in Ketchum and Panache in Sun Valley or call 208-422-0176.

7^th Annual Share Your Heart Ball is on February 28, 2009 at the Sun Valley Inn Limelight Room.  Tickets cost $175 each and there are opportunities to sponsorship or donate to the live and silent auction available. 

Camp Rainbow Gold also graciously accepts in-kind donations and cash donations. For a “wish list,” visit the Web site at www.camprainbowgold.org.

For more information or to volunteer or to be a camper at Camp Rainbow Gold, call (208) 422-0176 or go to the Web site at: www.camprainbowgold.org or send an e-mail to camp.rainbowgold@cancer.org

September 21st commemorates the 100th anniversary of Dr Alois Alzheimer’s description of the devistating neurological disorder that now bears his name. Alzheimer’ s Disease affects over 4.5 million Americans and as more baby boomers reach there senior years that number is expected to triple by 2020. Add to this number those other family members affected and it is evident that the country is faced with a medical crisis that will severely strain government and private interest’s ability to manage existing and projected resources . Medicare and Medicaid programs will be overwehlmed. While some progress has been made, a cure still eludes medical reaschers. More needs to be done. On October 21st the Idaho chapter of The Alzheimer’s Association is holding the Valley’s first annual Memory Walk and I invite all who read this blog to participate. My wife Christina and I have been named honorary chairpersons for this year’s walk and are dedicated to bringing greater awarenes of Alzheimer’s and to raise funds for the Idaho Chapter of the American Alzheimer’s Association. Some of you may remmember Christina, she served on the Ketchum City Council for three terms, until she had to resign her seat prematurly in June of 2005 because the effects of Alzheimer’s Disease. While in office she did her best to promote affordable housing when it was still a bad word. She spearheaded the building of the Atkinson’s Park building, the skatepark, the outdoor ice rink at the park , the free Ketchum Alive Tonight concerts, and is most proud of her last vote for the YMCA. Throughout her tenure she tried to best serve her community and leave it a better place. This October 21st all of you out there who have had children participate in Atkinson’s Park programs or kicked back and enjoyed an evening at Ketchum Alive Tonight, or are one of the lucky few who live in affordable housing, have an opportunity to thank Christina by walking with us and by helping to raise funds to help combat Alzheimer’s. We need volunteers to help. If you’re interested contact Bob Thompson at KECH radio, Tha Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Idaho at 208-384-1788, or respond to this blog and I’ll get the information to you. Remember, October 21st, the First Annual Memory Walk. Your support is badly needed.