I just returned back to my office after had delivering the following letter to the home of Edward Snowden’s father and step-mother: June 11, 2013 Dear Mr. Snowden and Ms. Haberbosch, My name is Christopher Hershman. I live in Emmaus and my professional office is not far from you. It is an old Victorian home converted into professional offices just south of the Wawa and Hunan Springs Restaurant on Brookside Road in Wescosville. Professionally, I am an ordained Lutheran minister and had been involved in either full-time or part-time parish ministry for almost 30 years. For eight years I was pastor of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Fogelsville, which is just a short distance from where you live. Presently, however my work is primarily that of a Psychologist and Marriage and Family Therapist. I have active Pennsylvania licenses in Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy and Professional Counseling. My professional affiliations include Fellow status with the American Association of Pastoral Counselors as well as Clinical Fellow and Approved Supervisor status with the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. I attained a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology degree from Kutztown University, Master of Divinity and Master of Sacred Theology degrees from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia and a Doctor of Ministry in Marriage and Family degree from what is now the Palmer Theological Seminary of Eastern University. I have been working in the mental health field since 1976, was ordained in 1984 and have been in independent practice since 1992. Although I work with most psychological problems, my particular specialties are Christian counseling, marriage and family therapy, including the problems of children and adolescents, people of all ages and their families. You can certainly check out my background if you chose to do so. You will discover that I am who I say that I am. My purpose, however, in contacting you is not to solicit my professional services to you in any possible way, shape or form. Instead, as a patriotic American citizen, this past Sunday evening I was moved to actual tears while watching and listening to the videotape made by your son Edward. My first thoughts were, “This young man truly is a hero and is doing what he believes to be right no matter what the consequences. He is doing the right thing even though he also knows he will be vilified and perhaps even murdered for doing the right thing.” Honestly, I could not possibly hold anyone in higher respect or have more admiration for someone more than that which I have for your son Edward. And as much as I am thankful for his valor, I also was deeply saddened when I read that he knows he may not be able to come home again. My daughter graduated from Emmaus High School on Sunday afternoon. The article about Edward and the video were on the Drudge Report which I read and watched on my iPhone just before my children, my family and I had dinner. During dinner, I told both of my children, as well as other family members - including my 84 year old mother - about what I had learned about your son Edward and I told them that your son is a hero who deserves a medal, not likely the persecution which will happen to him. The present situation in the United States deeply concerns me. Not only is the U.S. Constitution being violated on a daily basis, but the government has gone to extremes with regard to the centralization of power and control over everything. A major factor involving the tyrannical control of the government is the high level of secrecy in which the government intentionally operatives to hide its true motives and purposes from the people. Edward is absolutely correct. The loss of privacy is something which the whole nation must address, not just a relatively small group of government officials. Edward’s observations about the organizational dynamics which discourage questioning the system are absolutely correct as I have learned over 35 years of professional experience as a pastor, psychologist and systemic therapist. The Founding Fathers of our nation would be completely outraged by what is happening today. Sadly, very few people think and act like the Founding Fathers. Corruption and greed seem to have overcome everything. This is why it is so tremendously encouraging to see the same ideals and courage exemplified by the Founding Fathers demonstrated by courageous and highly principled individuals like your son Edward. His actions encourage all of us to stand against the tyranny which would overcome our Liberty and basic rights as American citizens. Edward, therefore becomes a role model for all of us. May we all be as honorable and courageous as Edward has been, as has so powerfully taught each one of us to be by way of his example. As the father of a son but a few years younger than your son (my son is 21, my daughter is 18), I also know this must be a very difficult time for all of you. Surely, you must be deeply concerned for your son Edward’s safety and well-being. We all know that many mean and terrible things will likely be said about him in the coming weeks, months and years. Such things are even being said on the radio as I write this letter to you. Nevertheless, it is my hope that as patriotic Americans like myself and my many friends and colleagues resist and fight against the real traitors and the forces of tyranny in this nation, that one day in the near future it will be safe for your valiant son to return home once again. In the meantime, I want you to know that your son and all of your family are earnestly in my prayers. Further, I offer myself, my counsel and my support to you and your family freely, now and in the time to come. I truly and honestly mean this from the depth of my being and with the highest and most altruistic of motives. I seek no personal gain whatsoever in making this offer, but truly hope I can personally or professionally be of some assistance to Edward, to you and your family. Please do not hesitate to ask. You are also welcome to contact me for any reason. If you need someone to confidentially talk with or consult with or to help you in any other way, remember that I am here available to help and support you. The best way to get in touch with me is through my personal mobile phone, 484-695-5638. In any event, Edward and you, and your family will continue to be in my thoughts and my prayers. May God bless all of you! Thank you very much for your kind consideration of this letter. Respectfully yours, I remain, The Rev. Christopher Hershman, MA, STM, DMin
Posted on: Tue, 11 Jun 2013 20:48:34 +0000
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