Humor Offers Balance in Tough Times

Many Vietnam veterans will attest to a dark humor among troups, as a coping mechanism for the trauma of war. Today, TOP sometimes relies on humor in a very serious business.

With a global economic crisis effecting us all, today's post suggests the importance of humor as a stabilizer throughout tough times.

Often, office visitors, supporters and trip participants are pleasantly surprised when we bring humor into the mix. One trip participant labeled it "the F-word"--Fun. When initially introduced to TOP, the veteran stuttered saying the word, "Fun." After two TOP trips, "fun" is easy to say.

Over the years, we have had supporters with the foresight to see the value of including humor. For example, many of you know "Far Side" cartoonist Gary Larson. TOP has amassed a diverse library. Much of the library references the Vietnam War, country and culture. Many books were sent courtesy of the authors and publishers. Some books and articles are from Education Program participants who accompanied TOP on trips. Our collection includes poetry and art inspired by war and its after-effects.

There is a book in our library some may scratch their heads over and ask, "How does this fit in with TOP?" To which we reply, "TOP very much needs what this book suggests." The book is one of Gary Larson's Far Side Gallery series sent as a gift. It is appropriate and needed in our office.

Throughout trips and operations, TOP strives to keep a sense of humor in a serious business. What we do is often very "heavy." We keep office and trip balance with occasional humor. Participants may be surprised to hear jokes, participate in light-hearted trip contests, as well as have some fun (there's that "f-word" again) throughout the trip experience. With the tears also comes laughter.

Occasionally, when the going gets tough, the TOP office picks up Gary Larson's book and takes a break. We thank Gary for his gift of laughter. His occasional dark leanings remind us of our war time, when humor helped us emotionally survive. Without it, the seriousness and heaviness of what we do can be all-consuming.

Sometimes we make fun of ourselves. The logo on the pen I used, during an interview with Arizona Daily Star Reporter Carol Ann Alaimo, brought smiles to her and the newspaper's photographer. The pen was one of many gifted to TOP by Xanax for office use and humanitarian educational projects. (Many TOP supplies and humanitarian goods are given by generous companies.) The ironic connection of the pen brought a dark light to serious subject matter. To help stay anxiety generated in the work we do, TOP reaches for our Xanax pens.

Another reflection of TOP's sense of humor was a charicature drawn by one of TOP's trip Vietnam veterans, Wally Woolfenden. After years of TOP leadership, trip members began calling me "Mama Duck"--likened to the duck mother ensuring all ducklings return home safely. Wally captured my ex-Marine trip leadership essence with his cartoon characture, labeled in Vietnamese "Me Vit Mai," or in English, "Mama Duck." The charicature symbolizes seriousness & fun as needed balance related to the nature of what TOP does. Today's light-hearted flavored post is dedicated to our supporters, whom we recognize that now, more than ever, your TOP monetary gifts are a labor of love. We commend our supporter's wisdom--understanding that financial donations are especially necessary during challenging economic times. TOP and those we help cannot exist on love alone. At a time, when many cut extras from their budgets, we are grateful for our friends who continue to make TOP Vietnam Veterans a budget priority. Thank you for not lumping TOP with budgetary "extras" or extravagance. TOP is sometimes a life-sustaining necessity for those we help. We consider your monetary gifts a sacrifice you make. Please know how grateful TOP is for you, especially now.