Retired Army Sargeant and Vietnam War veteran Lonnie Coffman needs your help. He was apprehended in Washington DC during the January 6th March on the Capitol and has been held without bond or trial for 218 days. For many of those months he was held in solitary confinement despite nonviolent charges, and denied necessary medical attention. His constitutional rights to fair and speedy trial, fair punishment and due process have been grossly violated. The political persecution of our veterans by this government needs to end! Please take a minute to read his story below. If you can support Lonnie and his family with donations or prayers, nothing is too small, and all is deeply appreciated. God bless you.
A message from Lonnie Coffman:
When I departed from the hills and valleys of north Alabama in early January for Washington, DC I certainly did not expect that I would be spending my 71st birthday, which was January 17, in the jail that has the reputation for being the worst jail in all of the United States. But here I am now and going on 8 months in this DC disaster.
I didn't commit any violence. I didn't break anything and I came all by myself, but they have got me charged with about 15 misdemeanors and 2 felonies. They have quarantined me twice and put me on suicide watch once. The way they treat you on suicide watch, at least for me, is enough to make you think even more seriously about it. I am on several medications, one is an antidepressant that I have been on for a few years. The Veterans Administration put me on it, but it took about 4 months for these DC medical people to get the dosage right and they cannot seem to get the meds to us on time.
I spent almost 10 years in the Army (Sgt), a year of that in Vietnam, and even they were not as disorganized as this place. Writing about Vietnam brings back memories of the hippies and how much they hated us and how they spat on some of us and called us baby killers. Enough of that.
I must get back home and get back in the VA health care system. I am looking at likely having to have two more surgeries shortly, but I don't want to have them here because of the quality of care you get. My family has not been able to respond to my financial needs and the other inmates here from January 6 have responded just like family and I love and appreciate them so very much. Thank you for any support you provide. The money will be put to good use.
My life is in shambles since this fiasco started and the funds will help me put my life back together. Your thoughts and prayers are very much appreciated as well. God bless all of you. Lonnie