Kimo

> I'm A Proud Veteran

Name: Jim Nick: Kimo Email: kimohart@earthlink.net ICQ: Web Page URL: Birthdate: September 29, 1943 Marital Status: On IRC To: Make New Friends Flirt Status: Meet IRC people in RL: Have & Would Again Occupation: Traveler Hobbies: Computing, Traveling, Reading, many others... Military: US Navy City: Honolulu + Wherever I am... State: Hawaii + All 50 Country: USA Comments: For more information on the Kimo, please check my web site and follow along on my journey or read a brief history below. Go To My Brag Page

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My Brag Page Jim is a retired Navy Chief Hospital Corpsman (1963-1989) and a Vietnam Veteran (11/66-11/67). He has circumnavigated the world and has passed through forty-nine of the fifty States, only missing Maine. As he traveled abroad Jim learned the real meaning of the expression "There's no place like home". He has been away from mainland USA for more than sixteen years only returning twice in that time to visit family. Like many Vietnam Veterans, Jim, to this date, has not fully reintegrated with his immediate family. The time has come to return.

Some people know him as Jim, others know him as Kimo. Kimo = Jim in Hawaiian. As the saying goes... "A rose by any name... is still a rose".

What's It All About?

After serving his country for more than twenty-nine years, including twenty-six years on active duty, Jim wants to see the country he served and wants to meet the people. Beginning on May 1, 1999 Jim will embark on a journey that will take him to all fifty States. Along the way he plans on hugging a million people and asking them to pass the hug on to as many others as possible. Jim also plans on adopting as many people as possible into "The Family of a Million Hugs".

Originally Hugs Across America was going to be a "Hug-A-Vet" type organization until Jim realized, from his months of research, that the families of Veterans need and deserve a focal point for healing as well. "The Wall" at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC provides a focal point for healing for the families of the Veterans listed on The Wall. Veterans who died from wounds received in Vietnam AFTER they returned to the United States are not eligible for listing on The Wall because they did not die "in country" (in Vietnam). The families and friends of Veterans who died after returning also need a focal point for healing. A seed has been planted and a plan is being developed to provide a focal point for that healing. Details will be available in the future.

During his quest Jim plans on talking to family members of Veterans who died after returning to the States to help him to understand their views and to determine what will help them heal. The families who supported their Veterans when they returned from Vietnam deserve a great deal of credit. Family love and support was one of the greatest factors in helping returning Vietnam Veterans to readjust and to assume roles in American society again. Family members and friends are true Veterans in their own right because loving and supporting a Vet had significant impact on their life as well.

In addition to seeing the country and meeting the people Jim plans to visit with families of buddies he was stationed with in Vietnam who did not return or who died shortly after returning. He also hopes to meet with some of the patients that he helped care for in Vietnam and after his return. In time names of people Jim wishes to locate will be posted on this site. Anyone that knows or believes they know the people listed are encouraged to contact Jim via email or pass the information on to the person and ask them to contact Jim if they are willing to meet with him.

It has begun...

The first official hug for Hugs Across America took place in Aiea, Hawaii on April 14, 1999 (click HERE to see the photo!). The participant in the first hug is one of America's greatest heros. Captain Gerald L. Coffee U.S. Navy (Ret.) did Jim and HAA a great honor by participating. A personal biography on Captain Coffee can be viewed HERE.

Captain Coffee is one of the nation's top motivation and inspirational speakers and the author of the book "Beyond Survival: Building on the Hard Times-A POW's Inspiring Story". If you cannot find Captain Coffee's book in a local bookstore please let us know and we will provide ordering information.

Where's It Heading (Geographically)?

After the launch in Honolulu the mainland part of the quest will begin in Seattle in late May or very early June. Beginning in Seattle, the route will take the HugMobile through the following cities/towns. Besides the main route there will be several short side trips along the way to see people that will not be able to meet Jim along his primary route.

MAIN ROUTE Washington -- Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, Vancouver

Oregon -- Portland, Eugene

California -- Sacramento, Oakland, Bakersfield, Los Angeles, Oceanside, San Diego, San Bernadino

Arizona -- Phoenix, Scottsdale, Flagstaff

Nevada -- Las Vegas

From Nevada the direction the route runs will depend largely on the weather. Jim plans on going north in the summer and south in the winter but will eventually get to all fifty states no matter what it takes.

The above route is subject to change depending on how things go. Time wise there is no set schedule at the moment. Once things get rolling, the arrival in planned areas should be able to be determined two to three weeks in advance and, eventually/hopefully, as far as four or five weeks in advance. On occasion, the main route may be interrupted for a few days to enable Jim to fly to other areas when the opportunity arises for Jim to meet with people he really needs to see.

Support of any kind along the way will be heartily welcomed. All support personnel will be adopted into The Family of a Million Hugs. A list of the type of things that will help will be posted on here from time to time. No matter what... please come out for a hug and support Jim in what's sure to be, at times, a very emotional endeavor. The hugs will be free... but to Jim they will be priceless.

Join Hugs Across America

Keep checking this site to follow the Kimo's progress and to find out when HAA will be in your area. When HAA arrives, come out, receive one of the million hugs, and join the family. The Hugs are free, adoption certificates are $10 and t-shirts with the HAA logo will be available for $15. All adoptees will be listed in the book "This Is My Nation-This IS My Family" which will be available after the quest is ended.

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You can email Jim at kimo@hugsacrossamerica.com
NEW! Click HERE to follow the journey on this map! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------