Comments from Veterans:

I first met John Henry Parker about 4 years ago.  I was the Veterans of Foreign Wars District 17 Commander.  District 17 is the second largest District in the Department of California, reaching from Davis to South Lake Tahoe and encompassing 39 posts (now 32) and nearly 10,000 members. 

John Henry wanted to meet with me and tell me about his "project" that addresses returning Afghanistan and Iraqi veterans who are encountering readjustment problems, some as severe as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  He shared with me his life story.  He is the son of a Korean War Marine (who in hindsight probably suffered from PTSD.)  He was a peace time Marine Veteran who served on Okinawa, a place where I served 3 tours of duty.  His main concern was for his son, who was wounded in Afghanistan while serving with the Army's 10th Mountain Division.  John's concern was for the way he saw his son acting and he did not want his grandchildren to endure the pains he suffered growing up with a man who suffered from PTSD. 

John had developed a program, both hard copy handout and on-line to provide both family members (parents, spouse) and the Veteran him/herself with the tools to make a successful transition back into the civilian world.  The "package" was very extensive and outlined what to look for and where to turn for help.  I had the pleasure of attending one of his workshops held at an American Legion Post in North Sacramento.  There was a crowd in attendance and numerous organizations were on hand to encourage and assist John Henry in getting his program to those who needed it. 

John Henry Parker is one of the most talented men, one of the most sincere, most dedicated I have ever met.  I am a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, C-130 navigator in Southeast Asia,, former squadron commander who enlisted in the Army at 17, went to college on the Vietnam GI Bill, then earned a commission and aeronautical rating in the Air Force.  I served over 31 years and since my retirement in 1995 I have been very active with the VFW and for over 6 years have been a volunteer at the Mather VA Medical Center.  I think I'm a pretty good judge of character and there are none better then John Henry Parker. 

P. Whetzel, Jr., LtCol, USAF (retired)

________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________