Because it is Veterans Day most of the prisoners are on a"holiday schedule."  In other words, all our school classes and most of the facility's work assignments are cancelled.  I had

to work for about an hour, however, in order to clean my cell  block.

     Then, around 9 o'clock, I could have gone to the "North Complex" area of the prison to attend our annual Veterans Day gathering.

     All the men who are veterans are eligible to go to this event for a time of fellowship.  We get a special breakfast of bagels and coffee which is followed by a lunch meal.  Then we spend the rest of the day watching movies.

     The meals and movies are paid for by the men themselves.  Collections are taken throughout the year for each upcoming Veterans Day as well as for Memorial Day.  But even though I had paid my Veterans Organizations' dues, this time I opted not

to attend.

     My heart wasn't for sitting almost the entire day in a crowded and noisy room.  So after I finished my work assignment, I chose to go into my cell to spend the remainder of my day in prayer, reading, and writing.

     Most of all, I wanted to be in the Lord's presence.  The cry of my heart is for a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.

                                    David Berkowitz

                                    November 11, 2004

(c) 2004  David Berkowitz