The Morning Talking Circle reflects the relaxed conditions around the camp sites lately. It's really good for us to be in one place like this. There is less of a rush and hectic schedule when you don't have to pack up all your gear after breakfast each day. And your thoughts are not scattered... so when Carlos comes around the circle with the 'smudge'... we can easily focus on the committments we have made to ourselves and to this Journey. The Core Team is ready to Walk when the Circle is finished this morning.

The Core Team has completed walking Highway 64 west of Little Rock... near where we are now camped...and today will begin walking on Hwy 70 East of Little Rock. We are planning to have the Memorial Day Weekend 'off' for rest... and with the camp site secured and not having to 'pack up' each day... there is plenty of time for covering the miles across the State of Arkansas. Our Conference isn't scheduled until the 25th... so we can Walk at a more relaxed pace since we are using the camp site as a 'base' instead of moving to a different camp each night. This is a really good idea.. it was a group concensus... but maybe .. since I write this journal... I could take credit for the idea... eh?

While they are out walking... I tried to catch up on this Journal and do some maintenance on the rest of our recording equipment. By doing this... I don't have pictures of the Walkers for today's Journal since I'm not with them. But I do have something to share with you. It's the story of Felicia Siyuja's cap that you may have noticed her wearing in many of the pictures I have taken of her. It's also a lesson in committment... a committment that Felicia personally made. Since she was given the cap... and tells the story to many people as we Journey on this Movement of Wellbriety... she has also been given pins and other symbols that are important to people to attach to the Native Veterans Cap. You can view a close-up picture of this Cap on today's photos. I asked Felicia to share the story with you in her own words:

"I was asked by a 'Mohave' ... Stuart Harper... representing the Colorado River Indian Tribes, to take the Native Veterans Cap to the Wall for him... and for all Veterans. It was an honor... so I gladly accepted... not knowing the full effect that it would have on me and all the Veterans I've come across."

I stopped running for myself in Arizona. Now... all the running and walking I do is for the Veterans. If I hadn't been asked to take the cap to the Wall, I would have turned around halfway through New Mexico. Thank you Veterans."

A special message to Jay - with KIDE Radio in California - "Thank you Jay.. for the coverage you have given to the Wiping of the Tears Journey. It is a joy to talk with you... and we appreciate all of the support you have given to our effort by helping us spread the message of Wellbriety". - Vette