VOL. 17 ISSUE NO. 6   | FEBRUARY 9 – 15, 2011

BY LINDA BENTLEY | FEBRUARY 9, 2011

Lakin’s prison diaries from Leavenworth

Terry Lakin Action Fund keeping the Lakin family afloat and his principles alive


TERRY AND PILI LAKINFT. LEAVENWORTH, Kan. – After Lt. Col. Terrence “Terry” Lakin, a decorated army doctor, was unable to obtain for two years through his chain of command verification of Barack Obama’s eligibility to hold the office of president and commander in chief, he disobeyed orders to deploy to Afghanistan, inviting his own court martial.

Lakin, selected for promotion to colonel, was only interested in upholding his oath as an officer to defend the Constitution.

As a result of being denied any defense during his military trial, Lakin was dismissed from the military with the equivalent of a dishonorable discharge and is now serving a six-month prison sentence at Fort Leavenworth.

It has recently been made official neither Lakin nor his wife Pili, who left her pediatric practice to raise their children, will receive any further compensation or benefits from his military service.

The Terry Lakin Action Fund (TLAF) was started as a family trust fund to provide for the Lakin family’s living expenses, medical expenses and legal fees.

Supporters can make one-time or recurring monthly donations online to help provide for the Lakin family’s needs as he serves his prison term.

The TLAF website states, “Terry is standing up for the nation. He needs the nation’s help.”

Mail donations may also be sent to:
Terry Lakin Action Fund
PO Box 1116
Bel Air, MD 21014

It is estimated the family’s needs are between $12,000 and $15,000 per month through November 2011 to cover lost income, medical insurance and to accrue funds for civilian legal fees for a potential appeal that could last three years or more.

It also includes funds to get Lakin back on track after his scheduled release in June, as his prospects for employment are uncertain at this time.

Pili and her family have been greatly encouraged by the widespread interest in Lakin’s case, thanked everyone for their support and are hopeful people will continue to support Lakin and the issue for which he has sacrificed so much.

Lakin’s case brought high visibility to this issue, as he maintains the Constitution, his oath to protect it and the truth still matter.

Lakin sacrificed his military career, income, retirement and liberty, which has motivated people in numerous states to launch legislative actions to ensure eligibility for any office will never again become an issue in the future.

The TLAF website has been posting prison diary entries from Lakin, who, during phone calls with his family, spends a “considerable amount of time recounting letters sent by his supporters.”

Lakin’s family stated, “These wonderful, personal communications have taken him through many of the most difficult moments. Please continue to write to him frequently.”

On Jan. 9, Lakin wrote, as part of his prison diary, “Yesterday (Saturday) not very eventful – they [days] are now all taking on the same routine and quality.”

Lakin said he’s been reading “The Power,” “The 5000 Year Leap,” the Bible and just finished “House of the Seven Gables” as part of his quest to read the 100 greatest classics while he’s incarcerated.

He commented about a “wonderful quote” on page 56 of “The 5000 Year Leap” by John Adams: “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”

Lakin said the book contained equally powerful quotes from James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and Ben Franklin, which he stated, “certainly, in my opinion, ring true today.”

He said, “[We], as a society, community and family, have shortcomings in fueling the fires for the past few generations.”

Expressing joy at being outside in the afternoon for a run, Lakin wrote, “I think this was my first time outside during daylight! So nice.”

Lakin said the oddity of him as an addition to the cellblock may be over. He said during the first few days it was odd – “new guy, officer, in the news.”

He said, “Now pretty sure many know I’m OK – not fragile, willing to help, be nice, but be able to spar back when called upon. Sparring this week has been friendly. More guys asking me for advice on jobs after getting out. Another indication – more and more inmates and guards calling me ‘sir’ – which they should not do. But the good aspects of military respect are not easily broken or forgotten and I evidently have earned, or begun to earn that respect back.”

On Jan. 11 he wrote, “I received 10 letters yesterday and five today. Several sending checks or cash that the mail clerks take out and deposit to my prisoner’s deposit fund, a non-interest bearing account that is great at taking one’s money, but requires several days and appropriate paperwork and approval from several to gain access to have funds transferred to the phone system.”

He went on to state, “The letters are incredible! There are always several that bring tears – they are so touching. Christmas family photo cards – of families I have never met, saying thanks for your courage and defense of the Constitution – for our children and us. Many retired military confirming the Officer’s Oath needs to be upheld and thanking me for doing that, even a retired Navy JAG officer.”

Lakin said he’s using his free time to greatly expand what he called his “weak knowledge base in history, literature and philosophy, and finding it relates very much to issues of our country.”

On Jan. 13 he said he received 25 letters that day and 25 the day before, including his first piece of “hate mail” from some guy who said he should have “Googled” the “settled issue of eligibility.”

Lakin joked, “[H]ad he only told me that before all this happened! :-)”  

Letters to Lakin should be addressed as follows:
Terrence Lakin #89996
830 Sabalu Road
Fort Leavenworth, KS 66027