In the Most Holy Name of Allah(God) the Beneficent, the Merciful...

The following text was received in a letter from Darryl J. Brown:

Dear Everett I'm sending you this letter as a follow-up to our conversations via the electronic (E-Mail) and phone. First, thank you brother for having the idea of a wonderful photographic web page documenting in words and photographs this wonderful day. I will try to give you our story as how we got to the Million Man March and Day of Absence. My brother Darryl J. Brown (left side of picture) was randomly critically wounded by a gunshot through his left arm and into his abdominal region by a drive-by shooting in front of his property on June 24, 1995. He was just returning with his children from getting something to eat. He stayed in intensive care unit and the trauma unit for over two months. The chief surgeon who performed the abdominal surgery told the family that Darryl probably should no have survived due to the severity of his wounds. Through much prayer and pain and suffering Darryl survived the gunshot wound with his gall bladder removed, partially cut small and large intestines, massive exterior and interior wounds that only a doctor can explain. These scars (emotional, physical, and psychological) will be with him for life. Despite it all Darryl had the will to fight and survive drove with me from Norfolk Virginia to Washington DC (about 250 miles) to attend the Million Man March and Day of Absence. Because of the severity of his injuries many said we would be well advised to stay home but we had the spirit of NEXT STOP DC. Darryl was limited to the use of a wheelchair because he still at the time had a colostomy bag attached to his waist. We arrived at the Million Man March at &:00 AM October 16, 1995. The display of genuine love and brotherhood tat day was incredible. Despite Darryl being in a wheelchair several brothers offered encouragement, shook hands, offered T-Shirts and sweatshirts, offered their assistance, even brothers yelling out to clear a path so that me and my brother and nephew could get in a better position to view the days events. In a sense we were both weakened because not only was Darryl injured but I was on the seventh day of a seven day fast taking only water, tea, and coffee as instructed by the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan. That's what makes this picture so special to me because most who glance at this picture, would consider all is normal. But in closing what we would say was we all were at the beginning of healing of that while ill-effects our souls. And for that TO GOD BE THE GLORY. Everett thanks for reading these few words.

PS. Update: Darryl is fine now despite scars and is doing all right. He is also a war (Persian Gulf) veteran.

Your brothers,

Darryl J. Brown

Kevin Muhammad

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