18-year-old Megan Clark joined the Army in 2002. She was trained as a diesel mechanic and sent to Iraq, where she served with honor. After some months, Megan was surprised to discover that, despite having taken precautions, she had become pregnant. The Army had given its female soldiers birth control shots which had been rendered ineffective by the extreme heat of the desert.

After determining that Megan's pregnancy was problematic, the Army transferred her back to Germany where she was worked "to the full extent of her medical profile." After several months of continuing complications, Megan was given a medical discharge and sent her back to the States. At that time the Army encouraged Megan to sign up for the Reserves, which she did.

Back in Kingston, NY, a healthy baby, Alanna, was born on September 9, 2004. Megan was facing redeployment to Iraq as a reservist, but was eventually discharged from the reserves because the Army considered her 80% disabled from deteriorating cartilage in her back and hips.

Megan has been a good mom and has taken care of herself and Alanna with a job and some support from the baby's father (who has never met his child). But now Megan, 22, has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of stomach cancer.

Whether or not the cancer is the result of Megan's exposure to depleted uranium shell casings while on service in Iraq, the Army is giving Megan no support at all. Megan is receiving chemotherapy treatments, which leave her feeling sick and exhausted. She continues to care for her daughter but she is in desperate financial straits since her last job fired her as soon as she was released from the hospital.

As friends of Patti Gibbons, Megan's mom, and her husband Larry Lewis, wonderful artists who contribute much to our community, we are asking those who care about Megan, Alanna, Patti and Larry, as well as those who are outraged by the mistreatment of our brave kids by our government, to join us in contributing what we can to help. Financial donations are most welcome, as are offerings of healthful food and clothing for Alanna. If you cannot manage these gifts, please send Megan and Alanna your prayers or meditations.

Sincerely, Loel Barr and Jonathan Talbot