Hiroshima Peaches

Lester Daily is a hefty man in his mid-80s, complete with thick glasses, simple Velcro shoes, a retired veteran hat and sweatpants. Exactly how many of us may picture an aging veteran who served in the military during the 40s. Years after the United States dropped the bomb on Hiroshima, our government wanted to go in and photograph the effects it had on the people, geography and structures. It was a volunteer request and nobody in Lester's regiment agreed to do so. At that point in time, we knew the radioactive remains would have lasting long-term effects, but weren't sure exactly how.

Lester stepped up to the plate and volunteered to be transported in on train, from Tokyo. He explained to us how ravaged the city and surrounding area looked, even years after. Stated he felt horrible for the Japanese people and believed it was possibly the worst thing the United States has ever done. He speaks of it all nonchalantly though, as if it were a trip to Richmond. I guess that must happen once you've been telling a story for 65 years.

Lester now sells peaches in a small town in Virginia, called Sperryville. Absolutely delicious peaches. He hands out sliced samples to every individual who walks by, because he knows they won't be able to resist buying some once their taste buds get ahold of one. I sure couldn't. I was going to buy a peach, regardless of the price. With each peach purchase, one also gets a little more of his story.

Decades after his time in Hiroshima, Lester has had numerous pains in his knees and other joints, which naturally happen as the years go by. Searching out help, he was kicked out of a hospital because his bill exceeded $19,000 and because veterans can be exempt from medical coverage if the individual had even a possibility of encountering radioactive materials during their time served. It baffles me to hear that our government won't cover the individuals in which it has put at the highest risk. It seems to me that they should be receiving exactly the level of treatment in which they need. It all seemed like an exaggerated veteran's tale until he showed us his exact discharge papers and reasoning from the hospital.

Welfare (which I'm not opposed to at all in reasonable amounts) recipients receive an average annual salary of $50,000 and $60,000 in Massachusetts and Hawaii, respectively. That's $24 and $27 per hour, again respectively. 167% the median income in Hawaii. Yet our government refuses to help pay the bill and provide care to a veteran who volunteered to go to Hiroshima for it. Seems absolutely insane to me. It was very easy to find sympathy for such a man, but we personally didn't have a way to help him. I guess we could have bought another peach, but it would have had to go on top of the pizza we both chose to devour. The devouring was timed right before our departure to ascend one of the hardest climbs on our trip. The ascent to Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park.