Published: September 06, 2008 12:52 pm            

Extra Milers: Hall family using tragedy to help others

I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death.

They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make.

Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories.

We find comfort in knowing that our lives have been enriched by having shared their love.

Becky Hall and her family are working for positive change for our veterans as they learn to live through their grief over the loss of their son, Eric Hall. Most of Southern Indiana is aware of the Hall’s story of war, illness, pain and death. Becky, her husband, Kevin, and their family and friends are working feverishly to create something positive from their broken hearts.

Becky Hall is a healer. Working as a pediatric physical therapist, she understands the importance of believing children when they say they are hurting. Even when nobody else believes their pain, she believes the parent should.

Becky remembers Eric telling her, “Mom, I am a broken man.” She believed him when he discussed his frustrations, fears and dreadful recurring mental images of war, but felt ill-equipped to truly help Eric find peace.

Eric found peace the only way he knew how and now Becky and Kevin are determined to find acceptable answers to the question on so many returning soldier’s minds: How do I cope?

“We can’t change what happened to Eric; however, we hope to help other families and we are dedicated to that end.” Becky said. She quickly added, “Our returning troops, especially those with hidden injuries — mental injuries — feel as if nobody can possibly understand, and that has to change.”

Our veterans need to know they are not unaccompanied in their healing journey, and Becky is just the fighter to make it happen. Her goal is to give our returning troops a connection — a lifeline. She stresses the need for immediate attention. Even a week (or months, as it is now) waiting for treatment is unacceptable and often times too late.

Becky has established the nonprofit Eric Hall Memorial Fund. Her vision for this Memorial Fund has no bounds. She believes large amounts of money can be raised through fundraisers and grants, with the money being used to make life less complicated for our veterans who are sacrificing their lives for our country.

Becky explained, “This fund will help our veterans — that I am sure.”

The fund is still in the planning stage, although donations are already coming in from various fundraisers. Becky envisions a research facility to study Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, the mental illness suffered by Eric and so many of our war veterans.

With conviction, Becky stated, “It is my dream that this facility would be staffed entirely by veterans, because they understand PTSD.”

Becky also wants to see action to ensure immediate financial assistance is provided to veterans returning from war — funds for college, medical assistance, family expenses, job skills training, etc.

Charlie Shaughnessy, a decorated Vietnam war veteran, found Eric’s body in Florida. He has become a friend to the Hall family and assists with the fundraising efforts. Charlie expressed high praise and admiration for Becky.

“She is dedicated to helping our veterans and she is strong of conviction,” he said. “Morally, Becky has been overwhelmed, as anyone would be in the same circumstances; however, she doesn’t want this to happen to any other brave young man or woman so she is selflessly giving herself to this cause.”

Charlie knows first hand the importance of Becky’s work. With a deepening in his voice, he talked about his own struggle with PTSD. Charlie then added, “Becky Hall wants to make sure this memorial fund accomplishes something great. She is a leader — making Eric’s life one of a poster child to unite mothers of veterans across the country.”

Veterans and their families — within our community and beyond — are already reaching out to Becky for guidance.

“They know I understand and sometimes that is enough,” she explained. She clarified her statement, “It means a lot just to be able to connect with another person who has first-hand knowledge of what PTSD can do to a person, but mostly I just listen.”

Through tireless efforts to create something positive from an enormous loss, Becky and Kevin Hall, along with Charlie Shaughnessy, have become heroes to our veterans and their families. Thank you, Becky, Kevin, and Charlie, for making our world a better place and for being Extra Milers.



Carol A. Dawson is a resident of Jeffersonville and owner of EEO Guidance, Inc. If you have seen or been a part of an act of kindness or know an Extra Miler, please contact her. To submit an Extra Miler, a story, or act of kindness, contact Carol via e-mail: Extra.Milers@newsandtribune. com or mail: THE EXTRA MILERS, The Evening News, 221 Spring Street Jeffersonville, IN 47130-3340.

        

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