Page 48 - Abraham Lincoln Hearse Narrative

NINTH PROGRESS UPDATE AUGUST 2015 – VIVIANA’S VOICE
you Katie Spindell!) who contributed to

the success of this huge undertaking
that made history and altered lives.
Active military personnel
experience, in a profound way, that
sense of belonging, of being part of
something larger than oneself. Then
when they return to civilian life, that
feeling is often replaced by a sense of
not belonging, of not being needed and
often of being lost. This project gave our
veterans back that sense of being needed
Meeting reenactors and tourists on the parade route. and appreciated.
Off camera to Left is Charles Ellsworth, Brian Butler
gives water to his service dog Jack. Similarly, those of us that live
with veterans with PTSD or carry

our own PTSD, often feel apart from
mainstream life. There is a sense that something is different, but identifying the symptoms,
understanding them and adjusting to them is a lifelong process. Many family members were
able to meet up with us in Springfield, including our daughter Cara and our son-in-law Noah,
my cousin Bebe and her partner Cliff. We family members also benefited in our own enhanced
sense of belonging. I did not know until it had developed, that I had been longing for a sense
of “tribe.”
The building of the Lincoln Hearse and the incredible trip to Springfield bonded us
in ways that have permanently changed us all.
Transformed, we continue working together,
sharing regular get-togethers and supporting
each other. We are moving forward on this
exciting journey called life and hoping to share
our blessings with new veterans that can benefit
from our Veterans Program. We are stronger, more
capable and extremely grateful for everyone who
helped make this amazing experience possible.
~ Viviana Hollenbeck

The healing of our warriors trickles down
to include family. Logan Olufsen (L) &
Bryan Drury (R) enjoy a quiet time together
on our travels.

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