Prison is a lonely place, though it can also be a good place to pray, purify the heart, and get closer to God. I've begun to see my sentence as a long retreat. It is a time, too, to renew my hope in the ongoing work for peace. It is also an opportunity to speak out about the School of Americas. Just as the early followers of Jesus could not keep quiet about what they had seen and heard, neither can we.
Prison is also a time for reflection.
And as I look back on my life, I can only give thanks to God for leading me here. I grew up in a small Louisiana town, blessed with loving, hard-working parents. After graduation from the state university in 1962, I became a naval officer and volunteered for shore duty in Vietnam. I believed national and religious leaders who said we had to go to Southeast Asia to fight the spread of communism. Turning point Vietnam proved to be a turning point in my life.