In Memory of Captain Kevin

Sticky post

Captain Kevin Drue Donnelly

November 14, 1958
August 5, 2000

“Why?  I gave him my Word.”

Kevin

Kevin Drue Donnelly, 23 years old, 1981  (Picture taken by our dad.)

Kevin at 41 yrs old - 1999

Captain Kevin Drue Donnelly, 41 years old, 1999 (wearing cowboy boots)

I met Kevin via the internet in 1998. Actually, I met his brother Pat first. Come to find out, Pat and I were in the same unit in Germany in the Army. Kevin was stationed about 30 minutes away from us. Pat had come to Germany right before I had left, but Kevin had been there most of the same time as I was, 1975-1977. I had read Kevin’s Panama Story and remembered his Chapter 3 because I was in Germany at that same time.

Kevin had Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, as well as kidney problems. He was a Captain in the Army Reserves and cared deeply for our Veterans. His main goal was to help other veterans who needed it. He built this website. I only put in online. Everything on this site is from Kevin’s research. He wanted a website for Veterans with Hepatitis. He wanted a one-stop place for them to find as much info as they could. In our work with vets, we found one of the biggest questions was: How do I get my records, DD214, disability…etc. That is why those instructions are on this site. The pictures were picked out by Kevin. Everything on this site was approved by him before I put it on. Unfortunately, he did not agree with having a survey on here, and he had moved on to a deep field of research, so he asked to be removed from the site. He was so into the research that he just didn’t have time to monitor the site and the message board we had here. This upset me deeply, but I honored his request.

There are people who have spent the past 2 and a half years trying to destroy Kevin’s credibility. Those people have now produced their own Vet site. Most of the info on their site came from this one.

Kevin would call vets from all over the country and try to help them. We recently lost a vet who Kevin helped, Lester Tucker. Kevin was very upset at the loss of Les and felt he had let Les down. I told him that he did all he could, and that he was a huge help to so many vets. I know that there are many vets out there who knew Kevin, or even just got a helping email from him. I hear from these people all the time, and they have nothing but good to say about him.

Kevin was a good man with a HUGE heart. He put others before himself and ignored his health concerns to assist those who came to him for help. His research dug up some very interesting things, and I believe with all my heart that his letter writing and postings have helped bring HCV to the forefront within the VA. I know that when Kevin started this, the VA didn’t do much of anything for infected veterans. I believe that he had a hand, no matter how small, in changing that.

Kevin left a lot of research unfinished. Unfortunately, Kevin’s wife only gave us research dated from 1998. All of the work he did from 1999 and 2000 is gone. Although she had talked about how important that work was, she didn’t see fit to save it or pass it on. This is so unfortunate because Kevin deserves to be honored for the work he did and the time he put into it. He put aside his own illness, and in fact his whole life, in order to help Veterans. Now he will be helping from a different view. Hopefully, by looking down to all of us, he will finally have some peace and be out of pain.

His sister, brothers, and parents are in deep mourning and ask that we honor Kevin by continuing the fight for HCV Awareness, both in the general population as well as the Veteran’s population. They are very proud of Kevin and believe that he is now in the hands of God.

Thank you Kevin, from the bottom of my heart. You made me proud to know you and proud to be a Veteran. I will miss you more than words can say.

Memorial Day 2024: Captain Kevin. A full life before, during, post-Army. He always said he’d do it all again except for …

Captions for each picture have been included in five separate posts [published today, Memorial Day 2024].

This is a salute to my youngest brother.  A salute to all who served, are serving, and to families.

Why?  I gave him my Word.

God Bless,
Kevin’s Sister, Monette

Note:  Below is a picture with the ‘first’ tombstone – as listed by his veteran wife Justine [Tina] Velocci Lomonte, Army veteran.  She included “2nd Lt” and not his correct rank, Captain.

When I saw this picture I phoned Calverton Cemetery.

They well remembered ‘this’ burial, widow, specific details many shared with me.

I stated that Captain Kevin had been denied his rank of ‘Major’ with the letter from the Army arriving the day of his Dalton Funeral Home – afternoon and evening 2-hour viewing.

How do I know?  The widow showed me the “denial of major” letter sticking out of her purse with a tap of her toe, right foot, as it stood [up] in her purse.  Can’t make that or these details up.  No.

Because I had been told about the letter, seen the toe tap on the purse with details.  Plus, this widow raised white legal-sized envelope in the air with her right hand — before placing it back in her purse.

I knew the rank would and could be accurately documented by proper military authorities and not by spouse.

Calverton staff said I needed proof for the correct rank.  No problem.  I thanked each professional.

With a few phone calls and learning about ranks, listings and sharing ‘the sister here’ attempting to have the true rank — I requested assistance how to document from the military direct to military cemetery.  Soldiers and officers corrected the paperwork for the tombstone rank of Captain to Calverton Cemetery, Riverhead.

The tombstone was replaced, taxpayer’s expense, to include correct rank.  And there we have it.  Below.

I often am asked to include this picture because it was just the beginning of a long, unnecessary portrayal of respect to a soldier.  Just the beginning.  And who knew? I was simply a sister seeking to process the facts.  Dad’s advanced cancer had returned.  He and Mom were unable to attend their youngest son’s funeral because of very recent surgery. My siblings chose to stay with Mom and Dad who were both grief-stricken for not being able to attend.

Additionally, the picture is included below because many soldiers and veterans state they like the ‘white circle’ light in this picture.

An angel light, some have asked?  Perhaps.

Yet, important to this Sister is the fact that through detailed time to document a life, his death, and the many attempted lies now – The correct Captain tombstone is now respectful, appropriate and ‘accurate’ for this deceased soldier.

 

 

Captain Kevin, last picture military uniform 5th Picture Memorial Day 2024

Last picture of Captain Kevin Donnelly wearing cowboy boots — last Military attendance — prior to military funeral.

 

Why?  I gave him my Word.


God Bless,
Kevin’s Sister

Captain Kevin; Officer Training 4th Picture Memorial Day 2024

Great day, he said.  Called (on a phone with a cord) to excitedly share about repelling down rocks and assisting many.  A great day.  A great picture.  Yes.

Why?  I gave him my Word.

God Bless,
Kevin’s Sister

Captain Kevin – Officer Training Fort Sam Houston, SA, TX _3rd Picture Memorial Day 2024

A picture says a thousand words, yes? 

 

Why?  I gave him my Word.

God Bless,
Kevin’s Sister

Soldier Kevin: Officially Polishing Shoes, Enjoying A Smoke, Without a Tent 2nd Picture Memorial Day 2024

Army medic/soldier Kevin in Germany, polishing shoes. Best part of his life, he said, was enlisting. He lived three years in a tent outdoors in the field as an Army medic. This was a rare picture, inside. 

Only regret, he always said, was stepping forward to be first.  When?  When military experimentation vaccination came to their tent at 4:30 AM, and they were ordered to line-up. They were told whoever was first would get time off. 

Kevin stepped forward ‘first’ to lead by example — and to get time off. That was what he was angry about when he learned Army had doctored his medical records and shenanigans, which led to his death. Stepping forward to be “first“ was the only anger he held toward Army.  —  Even learning entire troop had been followed with medical records. — Even learning when he was diagnosed years and years later and learned that members of his group had already died, or were dying. Just a couple soldiers were alive.  And they were sick, too. 

The only fact this good soldier was angry about, at 17-years old, was “being first“ to receive experimental vaccination for non-hep. That’s what it was called. “Non-hep.” Good thing he listened to the stern military sentences.

“Keep a copy of everything, including your toilet paper if you can.“ Because he had listened to leaders and officers telling him what to do – this good soldier “kept a copy of everything“ but not the toilet paper. 

The copy of “everything“ opened the window to the tragic path he had already been on, and did not yet know why he was so sick for so long. He and others would know soon, though. 

How?  Because of the constant advice and stern words “keep a copy of everything!“

It is easier to notice your medical records have been ‘doctored’ (he thought that word was a wise choice) by medical personnel when you had the original and different records arrived, via mail.  Different.

        Kevin’s Sister is not quite so charitable as he was with ‘only’ being upset over “being first.“  Not at all. 

        Thank goodness Captain Kevin did listen to “keep a copy of everything.“  These details continue to prove true facts. Especially after marriage to Justine [Tina] Velocci Lomonte. Then, multiple – huge – inaccuracies were attempting to become facts.  The result?  Documentations within the Lindenhurst residence, marriage, and his Army vaccinations — each — necessitated accurate documentations.   Accuracy is the focus.  Still.

Truth isn’t frightening when documented correctly.  Horrifying, yes.  Tragic, oh yes.  Deadly?  Then, yes.

Truth is powerful when you or a member of your family learns that you have been infected with a disease that will kill you, as Captain Kevin was told when diagnosed.  Additionally, our dad, also an Army veteran was infected with hepatitis C.  Not an experimental military vaccination this time.  No.  This infectious disease was gifted via the ‘safe, standard’ blood bank within a hospital. Very different. Yes.  Yet Dad’s Hep C was very different than Captain Kevin’s direct “virulent” injection.  Each different.  Each Army veteran died.  My brother and my dad.  Together – too early.  Too soon.

    And there we have it. 

4:30 AM in the fields of Germany outside a tent, young soldiers ordered to “line-up” in their underwear to receive an experimental vaccination.

Captain Kevin’s research documents accurate facts from 1942, the bad Yellow Fever serum in Brazil that was injected. Knowing the serum was not good.  The next year?  U.S. soldiers received the bad serum, 1943. This virus mutates as all viruses do.   This is why truth remains powerful.

  Salute to all soldiers, veterans and to the families who also serve.  Merci.

Why?  I gave him my Word.God Bless,
Kevin’s Sister

Official Enlistment for Soldier Kevin – #1 of 5 Pictures Memorial Day 2024

Pic #1 of 5 – posted Memorial Day, 2024.  Officially Enlisting Army ( — first enlistment needed this recruiter to ‘officially’ bring Army papers …)

Soldier Kevin enlisting, 17-years old. (Originally, this young man who excelled in sports – pole vaulting, track, etc., enlisted without parents’ consent w a form he gave Dad to sign “for sports.”)  Here – the official Army enlistment. Soldier still underage signing enlistment papers which both parents reviewed.  Note: eagle-mother watching.  She did not shed a tear until recruiter left.  Her twin enlisted WWII — underage in the Marines.  The Marine then shipped out to Iwo Jima, Okinowa, Saipan, multiple frontlines – without notice to his family.  Best day of his life, U.S. Marine soldier always said, was the day he was shot multiple times.  Then, he was fed steaks, so his mother would not “see how underweight” he was as he was discharged.  Oh yes.  Soldier Kevin’s mother did not shed a tear until recruiter left the front door.  Then Mom’s tears flowed.  Only then.

Why?  I gave him my Word.

God Bless,
Kevin’s Sister

2023: 23AndCaptainKevin

Does the tail wag the dog?  Or, does a sister patiently continue to collect information, August 5, 2023?

23AndCaptainKevin.  23 FULL years.   The answer?  ‘Yes’ to second question.

More to come.  Promise.

Why?  I gave him my Word.

Kevin’s Sister

Monette Benoit

www.captainkevindonnelly.com

Monette@ARTCS.com

2021 Have Waited 21 Years to Share

You bet I have words, sentences, facts, details to share about Captain Kevin Drue.

I have waited twenty-one years to share some…  Yes.

Twenty-one years tonight I received the phone call, 8/5/00, that changed my life and an entire family.  More to come.

More to come.  I promise.

Why?  I gave him my Word.

Kevin’s Sister

Monette Benoit

www.captainkevindonnelly.com

Monette@ARTCS.com

2001 – 6 Months: Wrong Rank on Tombstone for Captain Kevin Drue Donnelly

Originally posted 3/17/01

www.CaptainKevinDonnelly.com

 

This photograph was sent by Kevin’s sister
for us to remember him. He left us six months ago.
He is gone…but not forgotten.
 

I would like to share with each of you this
‘white light moment, frozen in time.’

And there we have it.  Wrong rank on Captain Kevin Drue Donnelly’s tombstone, forms confirmed to have been completed by widow, Justine Velocci Lomonte Donnelly, RN, army veteran, National Calverton Cemetery, Riverhead, NY.

Captain Kevin Donnelly was denied the rank of ‘Major’ – Kevin told me he knew the denial was coming. 

How do I know?  Tina showed me the letter, removed for a few moments from her purse, the evening of his 2-hour wake, Dalton Funeral Home.  That’s how I know.

And there’s that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

My hopes are that Captain Kevin’s research, his illness, his path, and this picture will assist people who are ill or those dealing with the illness of someone close to them. 

My hopes are that we will comfort those with loved ones – who are gone. Now, I desire to motivate people and to share facts through education that many people do care for each of you. As the sister of someone who died with HCV, I am affected forever.

I am not ashamed of my brother’s illness with Hepatitis C, HCV, or how my brother died.

I will honor my Word that I gave to Kevin.  This message is part of my honor, integrity, his sincerity.

A year ago tonight, Kevin was typing, researching, sharing phone calls and emails with many of you.

            Six months ago tonight, he looked skyward and left us forever.

Tonight, he watches as you read this note.

The picture of Kevin’s ‘resting spot’ reflects a bright white light, over the American flag.

My hope is that this will be viewed as a ‘sign’ to ensure that people should not forget; should remember that when individuals work together, everything … even bright white lights on a tombstone … are possible.

The rank in the tombstone photo with 2nd Lt., sadly, is INCORRECT,

but a new tombstone will accurately reflect Kevin’s correct rank, Captain Kevin Drue Donnellysometime next year.  Paperwork for incorrect rank completed by his widow, Justine [Tina] Velocci Lomonte Donnelly, a veteran.

Until the correct tombstone is placed over his casket and until all his research is returned to the HCV community, our goal is to move forward together, united in fighting for those with HCV and for a future where Kevin advocated and worked so hard to assist veterans, and to educate politicians, professionals and us – family members.

Thank you for all your prayers and notes that continue to arrive.

Together, we will make a difference.

I would like this picture to be a witness of a special gift to us from
Kevin ‘himself’.

The ‘white light’ that looks down from that photograph is a testament to
my brother’s strength in life and even in death.”

Monette Benoit

            Proud sister of a Veteran who fought the good fight, died with HCV,

            and one who is still grieving for the lost friendship with her brother.

 

 

1

www.CaptainKevinDonnelly.com

 

2001 – He Was A Brother, a Vet, and He Died Before His Time

Originally published 8/5/01

 

www.CaptainKevinDonnelly.com

 

“He Was A Brother, a Vet, and He Died Before His Time”
Sequel to “The Panama Story,”
by: Kevin Drue Donnelly
www.oocities.com/hepvet

Monette Harrigan
Copyright 2001 Introduction: 

 

This poem and true story is a sequel to “The Panama Story,” written by Kevin Drue Donnelly, Captain, USAR.
My brother’s historical novel “The Panama Story” was written one chapter each evening – after his diagnosis.
This story has been printed in a larger ‘font’ (print), as my brother often commented that people with Hepatitis C, and other illnesses, ‘often’ have difficulties reading … and computer screens can be challenging.  Therefore, a size 18 font was ‘set’ to share this sequel. 
If you want to print my story, you can select a smaller ‘font’ to save paper or you may print this sequel in the larger print.  This is a courtesy that I have extended to you, resulting from my brother’s education and advocacy for others. This poem and true story is what my brother asked “a sister” to share.  This documentation and ‘sharing’ has evolved to include additional events from Kevin’s life.

I am sharing this for my brother, Kevin.I gave him my word.I would not be here, at this path, were it not for Kevin and his dedication to the people and families involved around Hepatitis C, HCV.

There are too many inconsistencies that have been created and shared, especially since Kevin’s death.

This what I desire:
To show the ‘intent’ and the path of Kevin in his work, his life, his research, his death.  I have included events that occurred within his ‘birth’ family and his ‘legal’ (now ‘next-of-kin’) family.

The fact remains that I am left with concerns about Hepatitis C, depression arising from a terminal disease, and about my brother’s research, much which has not been shared with the community and those with whom he worked closely.

My intent is to honor Kevin, although I am concerned for people who knew him during the last chapter of his life, the person that I knew my brother to be was not a saint, nor “fanatical” or a “crazy” person, as some (close to the circle) stated since his death, August 5th, 2000.

I have included personal e-mails, so others could ‘learn’ that my brother once had a bright light within him.

The e-mails I have included in this sequel, are only a fraction of what he shared with his sister and with others, once he was diagnosed with Hep C.

They reflect how his path, his life shifted, many of the shifts, not of his own making.

The tone of his e-mails, the education that grew as his research grew, the anger, frustration, hopelessness… much was shared with me then, and I now humbly, sadly, share with you.

These e-mails reflect who I knew my brother to be.

Others have had the opportunity to judge, some with information, others without, but my intent is to show the person who burned bright, and the person who knew he was fading, and the person that had his memory tarnished far too quickly, right after he died…

I wrote a poem for my brother; my private honor to a younger brother. (Kevin ‘hated’ to be called the ‘baby brother so I will also honor that choice, while he was here with me.)  When I began, I did not intend to share this with anyone.  It began as a sister’s way of sorting out her sorrows, her memories, her pain and her brother’s life and death.

After I wrote my poem, to further honor my brother, I began to insert facts into my poem that occurred – some sad, some oddly strange, some funny. Then his poems and his e-mails were gathered into a sequential form, to further elaborate on this sequel, a tragedy, but an honest, true story of a person who once had high hopes of helping others before he died alone.

The result of my gathering my thoughts, Kevin’s thoughts and the e-mails of those with whom he corresponded, is what follows.

A person who began strong, was frightened, then angered, then lonely. A person then was challenged by a cause.

Once he realized how alone he was, in fact, Kevin narrowed his focus to encompass a wider field.  That ‘narrowing’ meant he made choices.  He made exclusions, he asked questions why he was sick, and he worked to help others, once they learned they were sick with Hep C.

And when he looked up, often, there was still no one there for him to share his work with, a multitude of reasons further propelled Kevin forward.

Kevin then rallied others, he gathered purpose and steam. His e-mails reflect how that path increased, and sadly, they reflect when he became lost again… sinking further and further into the disease that no one seemed to understand at his time.

He was a person who did not choose this path, suffered with his disease and had his up’s and down’s in life, just like others.  He was a person who was not manic depressive, as some have stated and suggested. 

Though Kevin did receive counseling prior to his illness, earlier in his life, as have so many in this world, the diagnosis of manic depressive was never given to Kevin Drue Donnelly while in his personal life, his counseling sessions, his medical files, nor did the military service in his 24 years of service ever diagnose or classify him as having any psychological disorders.

Those that make misstatements that are not factual, are tarnishing the memory of a young man, 41 years old, who is dead, unable to reply from the grave.

I gave him my word that I would rebuild his library, that I would share, if I could… and I now open you and the world to the possibility of helping people with Hepatitis C – and also for family members who live with ‘their’ diagnosis.

My intent is to share… to let others read and ‘see’ there was once a younger man, unknowing of a Hep C world. A younger man who had hopes and goals.  A young man who then believed he could move the cause forward helping veterans and families with people diagnosed Hep C.

My intent is to share… there was one a young man who believed he could bring ‘light’ to the issues through information, through veterans, through professionals, through the press, through voting, through letter writing.

My intent is to share… there was once a young man who attempted to answer hundreds and hundreds of e-mails arriving from a global world, helping others, before he became so ill.

My intent is to share… there was once a young man who typed with a pencil in each hand; who once helped to build a website for veterans and ‘their’ families to concisely learn how and where to access information from the VA, the military and other sources.

There was once a young man who began to lose his battles, unknown to many, until very ill and very alone, he died, an older man at 41, believing he had no hope for a future.

My intent is to share… so that if one person will ever avoid any chapter of what I have experienced, as a sister, then my job will have been well done.

My intent is to share… I know that many have benefited as I have grieved, as I have shared ‘when’ and where I could,’ gathering facts, listening to inconsistencies.

I now ask you to open your heart and your mind and to know that my brother, Kevin, was a young man, a veteran, who died far too young, with too many ignorances (sic), too many prejudices, and one who died alone, suddenly, late … in the darkness, August 4th, 2000, at 41 years of age.

Some people will be hurt by my ‘sharing.’
But I hope and believe that in time, each will see the larger, bigger picture here. 

The issue here is:
There were wise choices, good choices, analyzed and researched choices, emotional choices, and yes, bad choices.

A sister’s sharing necessitates ‘sharing’ that Kevin had a “falling out” his with parents and members within his birth family, choosing his wife and stepchildren, when no choice was needed.

Kevin’s parents were very hurt by seven years of distance. His father and mother did try to ‘reach out’ to Kevin.

Sadly, Kevin made his choice, a choice that hurt others and created ‘hidden’ scars, to this day. And that choice, to keep a distance between he and his ‘birth’ family until his diagnosis, was a choice Kevin made.

Kevin wanted to spend time, his energy, with his second wife and her family.  Before his diagnosis, he repeatedly said:  “This is how I want to spend time.  This is how I want to spend my life. I can make a difference with this family here now…”

After his diagnosis with HCV, then Kevin reached out and back.

But as his work and research became so important to him within his world, with the time he knew he had, Kevin chose veterans and people with Hep C and ‘their’ families.  That time included time ‘for’ his parents, but still he made  choices to help others with his time and energies.

This fact must be shared if I am to ‘share’ with others. During the last chapter(s) of his life, Kevin made choices. Those choices are documented by family, ‘legal’ next-of-kin and by strangers.

To not address those choices here, would be a disservice to Kevin’s parents, who live with regrets and moments that are missing within their son’s life and memorials – a life and a time that others benefited from…

The death in a family, I have found, has also become the death ‘of’ a family.  The core of Kevin’s birth family has been shattered by inconsistencies, inaccuracies, facts, actions of others, and of ourselves.

If one person can avoid pain that we have thus far been through, then Kevin’s death was not in vain.

If one family can learn from our experience, then Kevin’s death was not in vain.

If one person with Hep C and their family can avoid our path, then my sharing will have made our pain ‘not in vain,’ as it should be with Kevin’s death.

Something positive must come from Kevin’s work and this tragedy. 

Already there has been proof of this honest sharing… there will be more, and Kevin’s family will have helped others ‘sharing’ their pain and their loss. 

This must be so.

Perhaps one day, the possibility of a brother who asked his sister while saluting in the street, the last night she saw him, if he could be buried within Arlington Cemetery – perhaps one day, that possibility will become open.

Left hand over his heart, the other in full salute, he said good-bye to his sister, asking her not to cry ­- both aware this would be the last time each saw the other.

Arlington Cemetery has not been a reality to date.
Perhaps – one day.

Since Kevin wanted his story, “The Panama Story” to be shared for all veterans, all family members and all people affected by Hepatitis C, donations have never been requested.

Kevin wanted vets and their families to have access to information that was not tainted by money given for vitamins, cleanings, detoxers, medications, etc.

A database had to be developed where veterans and families could, anonymously, research this debilitating and quiet terminal disease.  The origins of the beginning of the Hepatitis virus became important to Kevin – after he realized how alone he was.

The medical community did not understand the Hep C ‘disorder’ or educate Kevin on this illness.

He sat in front of a doctor’s desk, a physician outside the Veterans Administration flipping through his file, to inform Kevin Drue Donnelly “You have Hepatitis C. You have one to two years to live, and you’re not a candidate for a transplant.”  Then the doctor wished Kevin “Happy Holidays,” on December 21, 1997.

Kevin’s quest to determine how he was infected began after phone calls were not returned, inquiries were not addressed, and he was repeatedly informed that “either you engaged in homosexual activities, intravenous drug use  or you did …” to have obtained the Hepatitis virus. 

Additionally, he received this information in writing, mailed to his residence, 742 Hancock Place, Lindenhurst, N.Y.

As Kevin began to trace his military medical history, comparing it to what VA records reflected, he found disturbing differences.  Data had been inserted, facts changed and omitted. This further launched his research into the origins of his terminal diagnosis at 39 years of age.

Kevin and others learned that his troop had received the “precursor to the Hepatitis B vaccine infected with gamma gobulin… that did not work.  They were guinea pigs. 

His entire base was infected with ‘B’ and now they have ‘C.’  Their ‘B’ mutated to ‘C.’  The troop was quarantined in the hospital… then discharged when a local (Germany) clinic was needed.”

During Kevin’s research, other veterans began to reach out.  Their stories were uncannily similar to Kevin’s.  Many had, in fact, served their country. 

Many had, in fact, become ill during the service to their country.  Many were now, in fact, dying after a prolonged illness – some 20 – 25 years with a diagnosis not shared with servicemen and woman.  A diagnosis each was now, possibly, sharing with their spouses and children.

Since the numbers for people diagnosed within the U. S. and around the world with Hepatitis C are fluid and changing, exact numbers will continue to change as facts are shared.  The numbers are predicted to increase, and with no cure for this terminal illness, you will be affected.

Currently, the Centers for Disease Control, CDC, does not include Hepatitis C as a disease.  The VA, Veterans Administration, which controls military records, does not share their Hepatitis statistics and internal numbers.

Many of the drug companies are vested heavily in large amounts of money to treat Hepatitis C.  A cure may be shared, one day.

But questions need to be asked now of elected officials, the media and journalists.  TV stations that are owned by large corporations – many have ties to drug companies.

One could begin by asking:
Why is a news story that currently affects over 5 million, not being shared on news programs?

AIDS, HIV, was officially declared a disease in the U.S. on June 5th, 2001.  One should ask:
How many years did the medical profession know about this disease, and why did so many suffer until June 5th, 2001 until it was declared a ‘disease’?

I am a sister.  My brother became ill with Hepatitis C, HCV.  He suffered with Hep C.  He died, alone, helping others with Hep C.  He was not a saint, nor was he a hero to some.

He was my brother, and I gave him my Word.

My goal is to help you to share facts and myths of Hepatitis C within your kitchen and within your living room.

Women throughout history have altered the course of events.

If each person who reads this story were to voluntarily donate $2.00 to advance and educate the public, the course of this horrible disease would be altered. Families would be affected.  Veterans would be assisted.

Since the number of 5 million, does not include veterans (men and women), does not include prisoners (many released on early parole), does not include homeless, does not include people in rest homes who received transplants prior to 1992, the number of 5 million, sadly, will expand.

Hep C is now called “The Silent Epidemic.”

How can something be ‘silent’ when 5 million are affected; millions more will live with family members who are afflicted?  And those numbers do not accurately reflect people currently diagnosed, and those who do not yet know?

David Crosby of Cosby, Stills, Nash and Young, has Hepatitis C.  He was given a liver transplant in 1994.  Did his celebrity (and money) status help to receive a transplant?  I’m not wise enough to know that answer. 

Yet, I ask: How many others need medical attention that they do not receive?

Did you know that there is a Hepatitis G?  The disease is a virus; it changes.  Money should be used to educate children, teens, professionals, retired populations, the medical community, nurses, veterans, mothers, sisters, brothers, spouses.  The list is endless.

I ask that you share this poem with others.  Please share with others.

There are many choices and many venues where you may choose to give back, to assist others and their families.

Please consider giving a donation to the Hospice Foundation, www.hospice.com.

Phyllis Beck also worked closely with Kevin Donnelly.

You may choose to give of your time, you may choose to share kind acts with another, you may choose to make a monetary donation.

You also have the right to choose to do nothing.  If you choose ‘nothing’, God’s speed to you and your family members.

Too many have suffered.  Unfortunately, you will know someone.  The numbers speak too loudly.

General MacArthur said:  “Old soldiers never die.  They just fade away.  This 41-year old soldier died, suffered for years, before his sudden death.  Captain Kevin Drue Donnelly never had a chance to fade away.

And my hope and prayer is that someone in your family will be spared the terminal diagnosis that a sister and her family struggled to witness… during Kevin’s illness and long after his death.
Sincerely,
Kevin’s Sister.
“Why?  I gave him my word.”

“The Panama Story” originally was written as a short story.   

Kevin sent this story to less than a handful of people.  He sent it to his sister Sunday, March 29th, 1998, with the note:

“Since you have worked so hard to assist others, I have written a bedtime story for you to dream about.  O.K., now your story!  Here are your milk and cookies, (Kevin hands over a warms plate of homemade oatmeal-raisin cookies and a small chilled glass of milk with a napkin)…

You are teleported back to:  PREFACE:
Time: Turn of the Century (1898)
Place: Washington, D.C.
Person: Colonel Teddy Roosevelt, Jr.

“Your vision of America is not complete yet.  You have returned from Cuba, where the US charged up Kittle Mt. (actually, History says San Juan Hill, but that is not true).  Your ‘rough riders’, a group of rich kids that you grew up with on Long Island are now your military subordinates on horseback …”

The short original ‘Panama’ story ended with:
“Once the ‘story’ was explained to the Congressman’s aide, a new sense of urgency developed.  She was upset to hear that 1/2 of all VA patients are HCV positive.  Also that some prisons have almost 80% infection rates. … Five minutes after hanging up with her, a government van turned around in front of house.  There are no federal facilities around. All information is instantly sent by Kevin to 3-4 different places.”

Kevin then awakes from his dream:
“Oh, well, fortunately it is only a story!  Otherwise it would have sinister overtones. Kevin tippy-toes out with milk and cookies.  :-! ”

Kevin Drue Donnelly’s short story was photocopied, rapidly shared with many, many people. It was left in Veterans Administration offices, hospitals, military offices. It was ‘appeared’ in clinics, homes, businesses. As the story grew to be shared around the world, Kevin was repeatedly asked to expand his story.

Kevin’s ‘story’ evolved to 20 chapters, ending with an epilogue. He even emailed a chapter in the late hours on Easter Sunday, 1998.

He said, “Veterans and people afflicted with Hepatitis waited in rooms alone … they are waiting to receive the next chapter, and I’m not going to disappoint them.”

He ended 20 chapters of “The Panama Story” with a footnote:  “A story written after 90 days of research, from
1 Jan, 1998 to 31 March, 1998 by Kevin Drue Donnelly (diagnosed 12/21/97).”

When ‘a sister’ received the 16th chapter, she kiddingly wrote him, “What?  Are you writing ‘War and Peace…?’” And she continued to promised to fulfill his wishes, his request that the Hepatitis C research, the study, the advocacy, the education would continue after his death.

Sadly, a sister now writes honoring his last wishes, remembering a brother with whom she laughed, loved and had ‘sibling’ skirmishes. She continues to hold many, many personal memories.

Kevin had asked two things of his sister.

First he asked that she maintain his library of research. He was still unsure where the facts, data would lead him, but he wanted assurance that material would be stored, filed and shared.

His concerns began as he amassed computer information.  He backed up files, made copies, shared with a handful of people.  Later, his concerns grew to include the fear that his work would never be shared with others, would be destroyed, lost forever.

He asked his sister to promise to keep his work. That was the only promise he ever requested, waiting for a verbal response.

A sister is now trying to honor that promise since the computer he worked on, has not be shared with others, the Hepatitis community and/or family – one year to his death.  Some have even been told that the computer is blank, all his work has been removed from the hard drive.

Kevin’s wife will not share his listserve, the hard drive or computer.

Offers have been made to purchase Kevin’s material and/or the actual computer with funds from within the Hepatitis community.  The computer remains with Kevin’s wife, no computerized information has ever been shared with others within the Hepatitis community, to date.

To honor that promise, a sister reopened Kevin’s e-mail:  KEVINDCPT@prodigy.net. (now closed by prodigy) 

Email may be returned now to: Monette@ARTCS.com

Prodigy corporate headquarters has been an invaluable support, assisting a sister to open his e-mail.

This was a noble request from Kevin, to recreate the library that he was sure, predicted with others, would vanish after his death.  Sadly, he was accurate.

If each person who received information, research and personal e-mails would ‘hit’ their reply key, they can now send Kevin’s e-mail back to a library that will be rebuilt.

The biggest obstacle is: sadly, many people that Kevin wrote to and assisted, have died.  Others are in the later stages of their terminal illness and battles with Hepatitis C.

When Kevin was doing much of his work, people were ashamed of their diagnosis with Hep C. There was shame, and many that wrote and worked with my brother, did not want others to know they had Hep C or were working behind the scenes to advance the research and advocacy.

The loss of Kevin’s listserve and his work, is tragic in that millions of people would benefit from the ‘facts and truth.’

If you have someone in your family who had Hepatitis C within the years 1998 and 2000, and/or worked in the military, medical and/or political communities, you may very well have e-mail on your computers from my brother.

You may hold vital information to rebuild Kevin Drue Donnelly’s library, the only request that he insisted, repeatedly, upon having a verbal reply from his sister.

A sister worked to honor his second request, “to listen.”

He did not ask her to promise, only asked her to listen, if she could, if she would. He was adamant that specific events would occur. He had predictions that sent chills down the spine of a sister, her husband and others. Sadly, he was far too accurate.

After the funeral, she listened, stunned. She listened to people, to his ‘legal’ family, next-of-kin, to people at the funeral, to strangers, to detectives, military personnel, funeral employees, people asking to remain anonymous as they shared detailed information.

She sat, listening, stunned. And, yes, she began to have nightmares from his predictions, the listening, the computer that hasn’t been shared, the lies, inaccuracies, the incredible events that began to occur in her life …

To help her sort the details, inconsistencies, misstatements, she began to document the events – to find sense of her world, listening after Kevin’s time. She shared events as they occurred, asking people ‘please remember this …  in case anything happens  …’ as she moved forward.

She spoke to veterans, professionals, stewardesses, strangers, legal advisers, kind adults, young adults.

She struggled to piece together words, to share sentences, to share ‘the’ truth.

The reasoning that arose originally was that if she could share with a stranger, perhaps they could share wisdom, comforting words, a smile so needed – her own birth family, stunned and shocked.  Kevin’s ‘legal’ family so removed …

Veterans came forward to warn her of their fears. 

Employees who worked with the federal government (and ex-employees) warned her. Strangers came forward to warn a sister: “Be careful.  Be very careful… you don’t know what you’re up against.” Odd and strange events began to occur in her life.

Those moments, those memories, remarks that were shared by professionals and strangers, is what helped to create the ability to listen intently, then to rebuild.

She permitted each day to mourn a brother, to gather information to share his work that’s not been shared and to listen.

One person wisely said, “Mourn your brother, honor your brother, never forget, never forget, move forward.”

One day while going through some of Kevin’s papers from his early research, a sister viewed one piece of paper among the few. 

One resume listed “COMMENT” at the end of page two.  “Have a flair for getting things done, like a challenge and am willing to work hard.”

As she photocopied his papers to share with others to have others storing copies of work, she saw ‘comment,’ threw her back laughing.

A young man working at the store with the photocopier, came over; a sister pointed to this sentence. He had watched ‘a sister’ stand in front of the machine for hours, and now he threw his head back laughing.

Yes, “flair” could only have been written by her brother.

Youth and enthusiasm, a true commitment to the future.  Another milestone to move forward, another sign to continue battles so many had already lost.  She continued to copy papers, head down, smile on her face.  Her brother had come back within that one brief moment…

Kevin Drue Donnelly’s time is over, but his gifts to others, the painful truth for others (family, friends and strangers), his legacy begins.

He never wanted to be a hero.

He created many goals: to continue his career in the military, continue backpacking, visit Alaska, to raise a family, not all in that order.
None of those goals will ever be fulfilled.

A new time, perhaps an epoch, a new life without Kevin began – sadly, for some, before he departed this world forever, the late evening of August 4th, 2000.

Thus, shall this sharing become a new beginning –
sharing ‘truth,’  per Kevin’s wishes, to help others where Kevin could not.

“Why?  I gave him my word.”

A sequel to this sequel has already been written to contain information that was not timely, not wise or permissible to share.

That story is already with others … as we wait … for the beginning of a new beginning that includes sharing, truth and no more waiting.

“Why?  I gave him my word.”

The time is now 2001.
A ‘sister’ now shares with each of you:

“Here are your milk and cookies, (Monette Benoit hands over a warm plate of homemade oatmeal-raisin cookies and a small chilled glass of milk with a napkin)…


YOU are now teleported back in time to a world near Kevin’s diagnosis with Hepatitis C…

 

1www.CaptainKevinDonnelly.com

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