Lee Guiding: A Maine Guide to Helping U.S. Veterans with PTSD

By Dustin Graham Gilbert

Lee Guiding takes you on an adventure in Maine and its outdoors. First, Lee must find a way to guide veterans with PTSD. Next, he must find a way to help those veterans. Lee Guiding details Maine's pristine natural environment, takes the reader fishing, and brings about a Mainer's way of aiding those with PTSD.

Dustin Graham Gi

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dustin Graham Gilbert
• Release date: Apr 9, 2021
• ISBN: 9781954168732

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LEE

GUIDING

A MAINE GUIDE TO HELPING U.S. VETERANS WITH PTSD

DUSTIN GRAHAM GILBERT

Lee Guiding

Copyright © 2021 by Dustin Graham Gilbert

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

ISBN

978-1-954168-74-9 (Paperback)

978-1-954168-73-2 (eBook)

I dedicate this book to all long-time Mainers, Veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan war, all who love fishing, the outdoors and the simple life--and also, my late grandfather, Leighton Charles Gilbert. I miss you Grandpa—I wrote this book for you.

Table of Contents

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

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10

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26

1

Leonard finished the wrap on his last Grey Ghost for the afternoon. Everyone he knew called him ‘Lee’ for short. He like the shortened version because he sort of looked up to the Boston Red Sox pitcher Bill Lee of the 70’s as a role model. The nick-name ‘Lee’ was given to him by his father as the name Leonard was his mother’s choice. His father’s nick-name also carried over to his future friends and acquaintances. Lee just stuck with people more than Leonard so he called himself that in introductions as well. Overall, Lee was his preferred name on all documents too. His mail, unless formal government documents, usually used the name Lee as well. That’s why the newest government document caught his eye—it used the name Leonard.

Lee had just walked into the kitchen where on the small cabinetry island he noticed the government document. It was from the Game Warden Service.

Lee was a Maine Guide and any changes to laws surrounding them were sent by the Warden Service. Usually it was just about changes in the state hunting or fishing laws but this letter was different. It did not have sections or abbreviations similar to law-book sections like usual. It was just a simple half-page letter.

Lee looked at the top of the page and saw his full name. Then he looked to the very bottom to see the writer of the letter. It was from the Chief of the Warden Service.

The letter read:

To the honorable Master Maine Guide,

You are being sought out by an exploratory State of Maine House of Representatives committee in the State of Maine Congressional building to offer an opinion on a new Veteran’s Affairs program. The program is for sufferers of PTSD due to the Iraq or Afghanistan War to be served by a Maine Guide to heal their disorder through the Maine woods and waters. It is put forth by the honorable Governor and now requires an exploratory committee hearing from Congressmen and women as well as a selected amount of Maine Guides.

Due to your standing as a Master Maine Guide we hereby commission you to give your opinion on the matter and answer any other questions by the committee. You are one of 35 guides to be commissioned.

The dates of the hearings by the exploratory committee are Tuesday, February 4th to Thursday, February 6th. The decision to put the bill to the House will be up to the House Speaker beginning Friday, February 7th. Your testimony, if given, will be documented and put in report form for the House Representatives and possibly the Senate to read and base their vote on.

We hope to see you in Augusta and wish for you to give us a call at [phone] to tell the Warden Service if you will attend.

Thank you for reading and we hope you understand this honor by giving your thoughts from Feb. 4th to the 6th.

Sincerely,

Chief Warden Stephen Roanoke

Lee was taken aback. Never had he received a letter outlining such a bill and never had he been commissioned to give an opinion to the state Congress. Lee tended to keep his politics between his wife and closest friend, Herb.

He turned the sheet of paper containing the letter over and realized the damn thing had been notarized. Unbelievable, he thought. This is something else, he muttered to himself. Marty! he called out for his wife. You can’t believe what I got in the mail!

Marty was short for Martha. She gained the nick-name from Lee when they were dating back in the mid 70’s. She was a newly greying haired woman who did not care to color her hair. She found age as an attribute and testimony of ones wisdom. Marty reminded Lee of that when she did not wear makeup or return from the salon with a new hair color. Lee was one who loved the new colors in a woman’s hair in the sports magazine’s ads for men’s hygiene products. The women were always leaning up on the men smelling them or running their fingers through their hair. He noticed the women’s hair would have streaks of blonde or brown, even red on some occasions. He longed for fresh loving deeply but Marty was over it—as in sex. She was 59 now with Lee just having turned 60. Sex along wasn’t just what Lee wanted. He was looking for something else fresh in life, with the new turn in age. Marty was hanging on to her working and professional life in the school as an English teacher as well as a crafts instructor.

Oh, I saw that Warden Service letter! Marty returned from the living room.

Lee gathered the letter’s envelope in order to tell the news only to see his disability check from the Federal Government underneath. Lee had broken his back in a fall from a ladder while repairing a door on a barn’s hay-loft in Gardiner. He briefly worked as a construction laborer in his late teens only to go on his own with Herb in 1975 at the age of 20. Herb was his best friend since middle school and from Maranacook as well.

Lee walked into the living room and handed the letter to Marty. He always had her read any letter he received as he liked to refer to her as his secretary. The two still had much love but in a companion sort of way. Basically though, he wanted her opinion on almost everything. He wanted to be sure every decision he made was the right one. Marty, after all, was the reason he received disability. Lee would come home from work with a very sore frame once the rehab on the broken back was complete. The time out of work for recovery was tough on their finances but even more on Lee’s body. He only exercised at work and rehab was simply to get his flexibility back after surgery. Marty convinced Lee that receiving disability was for people with much pain like him.

Oh my, Marty said after reading the letter. This is quite a big deal—for you and the state. I wonder how many soldiers they have? It could be a costly program.

Lee had not thought of the cost. I gotta call Herb, Lee said as he shook his head. He was so struck by the letter he didn’t know what to think.

Lee quickly went to the portable land-line phone and dialed Herb’s number. He waited for Herb to pick up. It was just 5:45 pm. He must be up but is he home yet? Lee thought. Must be, seeing how it’s dark out.

Hello, Herb answered. Herb was short for Herbert; his last name. His full name was George Herbert.

Hey, Herb. It’s Lee. You’ll never believe this... Lee replied leading into his story.

Oh boy, I can tell you got something good now, Herb said.

Oh, you bet.

After explaining the contents of the letter Herb said, Whoa, that could be one of the best programs I’ve ever heard of. You being a guide could be busy for the whole year. Especially since you are a Master guide in hunting and fishing.

You know, I didn’t think of that. I kind of only thought of the character I might pick up as a client. You know, will they be alright and safe to be alone with? Lee said.

Well, from what I know a lotta those kids returning home are committing suicide. At least they were but with the war in Afghanistan going on still, they still are coming home from war and with PTSD at that. The change in environment is just too shocking. Most of them want to go back as well, as soon as they return home. Herb was right on stump. Ya know, I bet you’d be good with one of those kids, Lee.

Ayup. I hear ya. I just don’t know what to say about the whole thing at the hearing, ya know? I don’t know what they want out of us guides, Lee said.

Well probably what the hell you’re gonna charge! Herb exclaimed.

Oh shit, that’s right. Marty told me it could be a costly thing. I bet they’ll want a discount.

Yeah, well if ya ask me it should be a volunteer program. State’s got enough debt as it is. The governor has done a lot to solve things, Herb said.

Oh, come on. It’s for the Vets! Lee defended.

Yeah, it is. You’re right, but how much would the program cost?

Dunno but I think I like it. It’s for a good cause and it’d get me to work. It’s hard enough being disabled and all.

Herb huffed. Hard on you!? Think about me with shit-for-brains workin’ next to me. That kid, he’s still learning how to measure and use a tape-measure let alone use a caulking-gun!

Lee chuckled. Yeah, well, I’m retired and only a guide now. Master Maine Guide at that! I gotta tie flies to make ends meet, too!

Yeah. If I had the time I’d do it too but one of us has to work.

Tying flies is work, believe me. I get done with that and I’m tired, Lee said.

Ayup, Herb replied.

Ayup, Lee returned.

Well, I dunno, I say you go up there and see what the fuss is all about, Herb stated.

Ayup, I plan on it. I’d like to get the clients to tell ya the truth. I just don’t know what to do about how they are, ya know? I don’t know what to expect for a client.

Oh, I’d expect some fine men...

And women, Lee butted in.

And women, Herb corrected. And I’d just expect them to be looking for some peace and solitude. You know those cock-suckin terrorists don’t let them have one good night of rest with all them mortars and all.

That was Iraq, Herb.

Oh anyhow I bet those kids still don’t get a good nights rest over there. Look at that movie ‘Hornet’s Nest’! You ever seen that?! They don’t sleep for christ’s sake. The movie is a documentary on the war in Afghanistan. There were battles captured on film and no footage of much sleep!

Ayup (yes or yeah). I hear ya Herb. I’ll check it out. Marty just thinks it’s gonna cost a lot. Maybe I should come down on my rate a bit for the cause.

Ayup, I think ya ought to, Lee. It’s for the Vets.

Ayup, Lee replied. For the Vets I’ll cut it by a third.

That’s fair.

Ayup. Twenty-bucks an hour.

Oh shit, I say fifteen or the measure may not pass. Ya gotta think that price will get brought up in the meeting.

Man, fifty-percent. That’s half the thirty-bucks I charge. I’m the lowest priced Master Maine Guide around too.

Well its gotta be somebody! Herb exclaimed.

Yeah, I hear ya. I don’t do much more than tie flies and sell ‘em to the trading posts. Still gettin’ about a buck and a half a fly.

That’s it?! Herb reacted.

Yep, that’s it. It’s not bad when you can do ten in forty minutes. Heck, sometimes I do ten in twenty-five minutes depending on the pattern! Lee defended over the phone. Just then Marty hollered to quiet down!. She was watching the news. Alright Herb, I gotta go. I’ll catch ya latah (later).

Okay, Lee. ‘Til next time.

Bye now, Lee finished.

Bub-bye.

Lee clicked the phone off and hung it on the wall-charger hook-up. What a conversation, he thought. Every conversation between the two either dealt with business or the outdoors. Lee still counseled Herb on the construction business when not discussing a hunting or fishing trip. Lee still fished and hunted. Not even his back would slow him down in those two areas. The two sports did have him sitting for a while, which is hard on his back, but that’s why he always kept his Aleve on him. It worked for about seventy-five percent of the pain but not the entirety of it.

The day was January 22nd so Lee’s testimony was not needed for a little while. What would occur at the hearing stayed on his mind though. Such a stir up hadn’t occurred in Lee’s life since he started guiding.

2

The twelve days came and went fast as usual in Lee’s AARP days. Lee could always be heard saying time travels faster than a ruttin’ buck smelling a hot doe. It was his very own description of what the speed of time was like. It came to his mind the morning of the hearing.

Two days before the hearing the Patriots also won the Super Bowl. Lee thought back to when he was eleven years old listening to Super Bowl I on the radio. His family never bought a tv until 1970 when he was sixteen. That day was a day he would never forget first watching ‘I Love Lucy’ and ‘The Andy Griffeth Show’.

Lee’s next thought went to what he would say in front of the committee. He was surely in support of the bill but also wanted to recommend all guides discount their rates for the sake of making the program come alive. He knew he also wanted to recommend a volunteer program if the measure did not pass. Such a volunteer based program would not need a bill to enact, he wanted to say.

After about a twenty-five minute drive from his house in Maranacook to the dome in Augusta he found a spot to park the GMC 1500 Sierra pick-up truck. It had its minor rust but for an ‘04 it was doing well considering the winters Maine has. Lee also had a tarped-in garage for it that kept the snow off.

He walked up the steps to the Congressional building for the first time since high school when the class of ‘73 visited on their Senior trip. He and Herb spent most of that day debating on whether or not the Governor should receive secret service protection. A teacher finally asked them to simply enjoy the day and agree to disagree. What a long time ago it was, Lee thought. He missed those days where money was hardly an issue. High school was the first years he hung out with Marty meeting her when he had had hardly swung a hammer.

Lee opened the door to the Congressional building and immediately noticed a buzz about the place. His flannel long sleeve shirt he considered dressy but it did not stand against some of the suits walking around.

He looked to an older gentleman wearing a suit and asked where he could find the room the VA’s hearing was in. The man told him it was in room 3C—a large conference room. Lee said ‘thanks’ and began down the direction the man had pointed him. Eventually he got to a large wooden door with a metal plate that said 3C on it. He opened it and walked into a large room with carpet floors and high ceilings. He was then greeted by a man in a suit. Sir, what is your name? the middle-aged man with parted brown hair asked.

My name is Leonard Kingsley, Lee replied.

The man looked down his sheet and made a mark on it. Okay, I’ve got you down as one of our guides testifying here today.

Yes, Lee said.

If you could, please find a chair behind that table. You will be in our pool of guides for questioning the committe or taking questions. Do you have anything in mind you’d like to say to the committee already?

Well, I guess my most important statement would be that I feel if not passed the VA should make the program a volunteer type of thing. You know, where the guides could volunteer their time to fostering a PTSD patient.

The man smiled and said he understood. He gave Lee a notecard and golf-pencil to write down statements or questions. Lee then found a seat right about in the middle of the pool of chairs. There were several other men, but a few women, occupying seats around himself. You all guides? he said as he looked around.

One guy nodded and another woman in an athletic sports coat said ‘yes’. Lee figured she must be some sort of hiking or watercraft guide. Another man sitting just behind Lee asked what type of activities Lee guided.

Ah, hunting and fishing. I am a Master Maine guide.

The man who asked replied, And one to be proud of. I am only a hunting guide. I do Bear trips with hounds, the stout fella remarked.

I don’t bait or have dogs so I just do Moose trips in my camp’s area—or Deer trips around my house. Boy, I tell ya what, Deer in Maine are tough to come by. The clients won’t stay still or stay off their damn phones, Lee exclaimed.

I hear ya. I bet you like the fishing though.

Lee