Throughout
my 26 years of
living with HIV/AIDS, from California to Wisconsin
and beyond, I've lost dozen of dear friends
and colleagues to HIV/AIDS. I started this
AIDS awareness Memory
Wall to forever honor their courage. Considering this site is nearly
nine years old, I've since added names on behalf of others who have
unfortunately lost loved ones to AIDS as well. I am beyond honored
and blessed to continue the FIGHT, carrying their memories and
life-lessons close to my heart! 28 years of AIDS is ENOUGH!
I will forever miss my
mako shark fishing trips with my good friend, Steve Feder. (foreground)
FISH ON!
R.I.P. Steve!
There are insufficient words to
describe the incredible loss of my dear friend,
Howard Jacobs. Howard will be forever in my heart. I am eternally
blessed to have know him for 20 years. As a 20 year survivor of AIDS and a
tireless advocate in the fight against AIDS, his courage and life-lessons
inspired me immensely.
R.I.P. Buddy!
That's so beautiful what you did, it brought tears
to see his name remembered! Thank you from my heart and soul!!! Love you Bro!
Love to your family and friends too-especially your gal!!! Take care and keep
the fight moving as you do! A lot of people need you, including ME!!!!
~Mik
Wow...your generous websites
gives people a pretty good
idea of who you are. Thank
you for sharing that with
people. (my bro died of
AIDS after refusing to go
to doctors and then it was
too late).
I am sorry for your struggle.
I am happy for your brains.
I am awed at your "person".
I am glad you have spirituality
and a sense of yourself.
I hope you have all the
love around you that you
put out in the world. I
wanted you to know that
right at this moment there
is someone thinking about
everything you said. Good
rides and good luck and
good feelings to you in
your life.
Elizabeth
The World Health Organization reports that the AIDS
virus is the leading cause of death and disease among women between the ages of
15 and 44
I
totally agree with you Bob!! Compassion seems to be difficult to
come by in some areas of the world. I know I grew up in a very
homophobic part of the country but that made me more determined to
try to do all I could to help with not only HIV/AIDS but any other
injustice I might see. It is not right and I try to do my part!!!
You do awesome work Bob and I admire you so much.
Mr
Bowers. I have
recently viewed
your documentary film,
"The Fire Within".
I was moved
beyond words.
I met you about
5 years ago
at San Diego
State University
and was challenged
and humbled
by your life.
I live my life
in the moment
and often your
powerful existence
reminds me not
to sweat the
small stuff.
Thank you for
all of your
work and guidance.
You are truly
my inspiration.
It's truly an honor and blessing to meet you! I'm completely impressed with you
boldness in your approach to help fight
HIV/AIDS. I watched your video 'The
Fire Within' and was very impressed with your level of honesty.
I've been HIV positive
for 11 years now. I feel I've found some peace throughout the years but I can
tell you honestly I still have to deal with the 'stigma' that this disease has
perpetrated on people who are infected.
Watching you move and reading your site has given me some strength and hope back
that I feel I have somehow lost in my battle with my own personal fight and
struggle with
HIV/AIDS. It's a hard road my friend. But people like you make all the
difference when it comes to
education, learning and most of all 'HOPE.'
May you have a blessed day and week my friend.
Truly,
~P H O E N I X
"Be
kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some
kind of battle."
~Attributed
to both T.H. Thompson and John Watson
Hey
Bob
Hi....You don't know who I am but my name is
Angela and I came across you website, and had to
email you. To see someone such as yourself with such positive
vibes, it's encouraging and I thank you for that. I have lost 2 friends to
AIDS and it is devastating.
I commend you for all your hard work and passion to take your
experiences and educate people. The world needs more people
like you!!!!
peace and much love
Angela
YOU
my special friend, are the finest example of an angel on earth I
have ever found. I'm very proud to be getting to know you and of the
person you are and the commitment you share.
Much Love, Bridgita
Greetings BELOVED IMMORTAL! My words alone could never express the LOVE and
admiration I have for you good sir.
LOVE and BLESSINGS to you my Angel of Good
Cheer! - Bert
A
bicycle is now being lead down a center
path. It is without a rider. But in a larger sense, it is
without many riders. It is without your friends, and
my friends. It is without our lovers, our
brothers, our sisters. It is without
AIDS Riders who
have joined us on AIDS Rides past. It is without over 500,000 Americans
who have died of
AIDS. We represent them with quilts. We represent them with memorial
services. We represent them with
photographs,
of the memories we share together on
this earth. But now they belong to the ages.
And today, today we represent
them with the sweat off our backs, with
the muscles in our legs, the breath
in our lungs. The stamina to conquer
hills, and wind, rain, and adversity.
Today we represent them with
courage, with dignity, with the grace
and strength of HEROES. This
bike
has no rider, but our bikes will.
Today we represent life gone
by, with life still here. More beautiful
than any cast in bronze, or carved in
granite. And it says we will never forget.
We will never give up.
We will never
give up. WE WILL NEVER GIVE UP. As long as we live, we will never
give up.
It is surreal at best
to be posting these photos. The above photos of Casey, Clay and
me, were taken around 1988. This was a
bicycle fundraiser for
AIDS, before they had formalized "AIDS Rides" as they do now. I'm
saddened beyond words that Casey and Clay lost their valiant fight
with AIDS. Clay was my closest friend, confidant and my best man.
R.I.P. Angels!
"See you on the other side!"
I just wanted to
thank you so much for coming in and speaking to our class.
You really inspired me to do something with my life. Your
stories really touched me and made anything seem possible.
The way you keep battling really made me remember that
there really are good people in the world. I would just want
you to know that after you came, you became my hero. The way
you deal with your life is amazing. I honestly don't' think
I could go through my life like you do, I would give up. If
everyone had the will power you had, nothing bad would
happen in the world. I admire that instead of feeling sorry
for yourself, you stand up and teach kids like me what it is
like. I would like you to know that right when I got home
from school that day, I told my parents all about the
greatest man I have ever seen. Now every day before I go to
bed, I say a special prayer just for you. So, thank you for
inspiring me to live life to the fullest like you do. Thank
you again for coming in and talking to our class.
Sincerely,
Danny A.
In loving memory of
Timothy Alan Luebeck
May 9, 1959 to October 3, 1994
It's so great to hear
from you. I'm incredibly
glad I met you this
summer. You are such
a strong, inspiring,
amazing individual and
my life is forever better
because I know you.
Love, Amy
"A
Journey of Hope is a
book that everyone should
have the opportunity
to read. It embodies
the spirit of giving,
compassion, caring and
hope in a time of great
apathy surrounding the
disease. It gives an
intimate, powerful and
honest perspective of
just how deeply
HIV
and AIDS have impacted
our youth and families
in America. The Journey
of Hope profoundly moved
me. Then, having had
the privilege to serve
as a counselor for Camp
Heartland this summer,
I shed even more tears
having witnessed first
hand, the raw and un
describable beauty and
magic of Camp Heartland.
I too had the distinct
honor to meet the author
who is one of the most
remarkable and inspiring
men I have ever met.
His passion and commitment
to our youth affected
or infected by HIV is
truly unparalleled.
Mr. Willenson has graciously
given you a personal
gift, the opportunity
to experience a glimpse
of the beauty, love
and spirit that the
children of Camp Heartland
possess and those that
are fortunate enough
to serve with them."
~Da Pirate
You know you have my
support brother. Thank you, it is I who am honored to
know you. Keep up the great work and never give up,
never surrender ay mate. Stay strong brother.
~Mic S.
We are right with you
Bob...we can and will win this war !!!
~Bob S.
Thank you soooo much for
your Amazing work...rock on my friend!
~ Guillermo S.
You are my total
inspiration for all the work that I have done, am doing,
and am continuing on to do. NEVER FALTER,
NEVER
SURRENDER!
~ Lee B.
I can truly say when I
read Your page it gives me Hope, And makes me feel great
knowing that there is a HERO named Bob Bowers our there
fighting for everyone...God Bless You Bob. Pirate on Me
Mate.
~ Fred
I
found out that
my friend Steve
Meyer passed
away on Friday
night, peacefully.
I can't tell
you how shocked
I am and how
greatly he will
be missed by
me and countless
others. This
hand is in his
honor and to
remember all
he did to tirelessly
educate others
about HIV/AIDS
and other social
issues.
