A VERY SAD STORY

[@ScottMoss-b9w]

THANKS FOR HELPING OUT FELLOW AMERICANS MARK! VERY HONORABLE! 🫡 🇺🇸 IVE WATCHED EVERY SHOW YOUVE EVER DONE, AND IM COMING BACK TO CEBU THIS CHRISTMAS! I AM U.S. MILITARY COMBAT FAMILY MEMBER, PACIFIC THEATER. I SALUTE YOU BROTHER! 🫡✈️🏝

[@everymanhasastory]

Sir, Thank you for your service. Its an honor to know you watch my channel. I hope we can meet someday.

[@jamesdeckard3194]

There are the kinda of stories that need to be told to wake people up.

[@brianleonard6885]

God bless you for volunteering .. Keep living and loving and spreading kindness as you are

[@billwilliams9527]

Mark, you're a good man.

[@everymanhasastory]

Thank you 😊

[@scottmaxwell4948]

Thanks very much for your work and role in sharing these stories about life - the lives of men on their journey through their own story. We can always do better - and we need to be reminded of how our wellbeing will always been up to us !

[@MindFusion-ij1xl]

You are the most kind and wise person I have ever encountered.

[@SongsByRich]

When I was active duty in the US Air Force one of our squadron members died while deployed by falling out a window. I was assigned as the duty officer to process his stuff and send it home to his family. The procedure was to send home everything as it was. If he had dirty laundry it was to be sent home dirty. This is because it can comfort loved ones because it still has the scent of the person on it. Seemingly worthless stuff may be worthless or it may contain a valuable memory that someone can hold on to. So just because you thought his belongings were worthless didn't mean his family didn't want them. They probably would want practically anything to remember him by. You did great at trying to help this guy, but maybe could have helped the family a little better by actually collecting up his passport and other belongings and sending it to them. Grieving people want something, ANYTHING to remember their loved one by.

[@tinomanlucu5209]

I agree with you.

[@jerseywalcott6408]

@@SongsByRich Easy for you to say. Sounds like this poor man’s room was a mess and smelled bad. Remember, he is a Volunteer, not an Employee of the State Department. I think and others will agree that he went above and beyond his call to duty. Get real dude.

[@WilliamCrytzer]

Hi Mark, my brother in law died 2021 here in the Philippines. He had gangrene on his toe and the infection spread thru his blood stream and he died. I am surprised this guy is still living. I am heart broken hearing this. You are doing God's work. You are truly an Angel, Mark. I am in tears watching this.

[@everymanhasastory]

That's a warning for everyone. Infections in senior citizens can turn deadly. The hospitals here are good a treatment them but if you don't seek medical treatment you're risking your life

[@EricG7]

Thank You for sharing this It much needed to hear this ! God Bless You , You're a good man for your service to others !

[@ariefraiser140]

This was a very very necessary story. There are a lot of people who view the Philippines as a paradise but this isn't our country and there is no safety net there at all for foreigners. This isn't even a criticism of the Philippines. No one should expect them to support foreigners when the country is a poor country and can't even support their own people. Every foreigner there needs an exit plan.

[@Jrcflordia]

X2

[@Sunrvester]

@@ariefraiser140 So true we add to the social burden of the country if we try to use their limited resources. Always have an exit plan and a fund to leave in an emergency. My plan to be here is partial 6 mo here and 6 mo in the US.

[@razorfingers]

And yet here in the States if you make it into America illegally you're set for life. What a wonderful world huh?

[@acornsucks2111]

Funny, the dems in the USA are allowing millions to invade and giving them checks for 2100 dollars a month, which is more than the average person gets on Social Security.

[@acornsucks2111]

@@razorfingers You nailed it.

[@bernardalvarez491]

I left the Philippines back in 1971 to join the U.S. Navy. The Philippines has changed a lot that I'm used to. Everything you said is true. It's reality there I can't get used to.

[@SimpleMan2466]

Thank you for sharing the story. Very sad situation. He is lucky he has family in the US that were concerned.

[@LifePlusRice]

The reality of wrong choices in the Philippines. Thank you Mark for doing a great worthwhile job with the family for the benefit of all involved . Job well done 👍

[@gregorynelson4061]

Thank you for your service. God bless you

[@everymanhasastory]

Thank you 😊 I like helping people 😊

[@TheRocketrob3]

Very conversational voice and good story telling 😊nice to listen to

[@WarrenRCG]

Sad story and an ever important reminder to always take care of one's self.

[@ragjamrock]

Very sad indeed. This is the same gentleman who was interviewed by Gerard Black back in March. He looked like the picture of health and spoke very well. He had just arrived in the Philippines in late 2023. Thanks for doing what you can to help US citizens, Mark.🏝🇵🇭

[@ragjamrock]

@Finians_Mancave It was titled "I believe I should have been born here." March 21st date. His name is Reggie.

[@soremekun]

@mark thornton @every man has a story Can you please send the interview video he did with Gerard to his sister. I think she would love to see it.

[@davidmanix3592]

It may be a downer of a story, but it is so important for us to know things like this. Some of us could find ourselves in similar circumstances if we are not prudent in our conduct, if we do not keep a tight hand on our wallet, and we do not pay attention to our health.

[@jerseywalcott6408]

Thank you. You are a Good Man and we appreciate your Service.

[@everymanhasastory]

My pleasure. Thank you for watching ☺️

[@MichaelRichard-g4y]

Your videos always make me think .. deep thinking.. your a person who needs more recognition..

[@josiegraham2591]

Americans in the Phil .pls help its other protect each other GOD BLESS

[@karlyap3011]

Good of you to help and share the lesson with us.

[@philomenamagill700]

Mark you are a good man, bless you, love from Australia 🦘

[@01redlightning]

Thanks for helping out Mark. God bless.

[@MisterMitchMM]

Thank you for your volunteer work Mark. All the best. Mitch

[@everymanhasastory]

My pleasure. Helping others makes ne feel like I have a purpose. Any Americans in Dumaguete. Remember I am here for you

[@williamknopic7915]

Thanks for being you Mark. It's people like you that make this world better.

[@everymanhasastory]

Very kind of you to say. Thank you for watching ☺️

[@floribertosousa2251]

Hi Mark. Great 👍 video with a great, but sad real story. You did your best and you helped the best that you could. If it hadn't been for you, that expat would probably would never had been found at all. Thanks Mark and keep up the great work.

[@jeffmelrose9719]

A very sad story my friend. But a good lesson learned to not let things go !

[@joselitodiaz199]

Each Of us Can Make The Most Of The Health We Have. One Day, of Course We Will Die ---- But Not Without First Having Lived And As We Live, We Will Still Shed Tears --- But Will Always Return To a Place Of Peace. Stay Safe and Healthy Sir. God Bless. 🙏

[@libertycan6959]

Very valuable story and will help many men. Thanks for being willing to share and advise 🎉

[@johngimmellie7576]

Thanks to you and other expats who try to help. God Bless you

[@CaldonianDude]

Basic part of your "moving to Philippines plan" should be to have an escape hatch. A ticket home and a couple thousand dollars minimum. You can leave the money with a trusted party (e.g. brother) if you don't trust yourself not to spend it...

[@daveminskip5541]

Great work helping your countrymen in dire situations. I have seen the public hospital in Bayawan, I expected the Dumaguete one to be better, but it sounds like they are both terrible. Infections turn bad fast in the Philippines. Will get my tetanus up to date next time I vacation in Negros Oriental, & try to resist the temptation of riding my wife’s family’s motorcycle’s. You are right about the futility of flying ashes around.😢

[@MichaelPrudhomme-u7x]

I work in the US hospital system. These refusal of care and to self care are tragic. Good on you for trying to help. The lesson I get from this story is a bit broader. Every dude going there to retire needs to think ahead of living will and have a stash of medical emergency funds.

[@chaseroberts3111]

Such a preventable tragedy. If you are even able to reach one man and make them realize being stubborn(which we are all guilty of as we get older) can kill you, you were successful. I watch a lot of vlogs from men in the Philippines, but you are my favorite. I really appreciated you showing your family it was a real treat.

[@life2shorty]

Thank you for all you do helping people and their families. God Bless you 🙏🏻

[@leroyybrown]

A very good story that everyone who is considering independent (overseas) travel should take heed of. Something I love about travel is that it sharpens the senses, it fosters a self reliance. Perhaps this is why many people with military backgrounds are natural travellers. When I’m overseas I find that any deficiencies in my planning, strategy or especially “people skills” are revealed. Recently I was in Japan for a couple of weeks vacation and I’m almost 53 years old and I noticed that when my energy levels started to drop (it was 90’s every day and humid) “they” noticed it. When I was energetic people respond positively but when I started to flag or lose energy I could see a change in peoples faces, they could see me getting weaker. What I’m trying to say is “you” need to be able to look after yourself. Even on vacation people can go downhill fast.

[@byroncollier4253]

pretty sad story thanks for sharing

[@Mr_D555]

Sad outcome, thanks for sharing and the help you provide.

[@d9918]

Riding a motorbike in the Philippines has to be one of the riskiest things you can do there.

[@Cowboysfan4ever]

Motorcycle drivers here are crazy. The rules of the highway and ride ways don’t apply to them. They don’t care if they run you off the road or cause an accident for others.

[@neilyounan3241]

Anywhere in SouthEast Asia !!!!

[@amaliahightower]

@@Cowboysfan4ever I’m Pinay/American and grew up in the 🇺🇸. I currently live here 🇵🇭. I get so frustrated with these crazy drivers: Unfortunately they don’t follow the road rules 😢 I hope n pray the 🇵🇭 law enforcement will do something about this.

[@Cowboysfan4ever]

@@amaliahightower the motorcycle drivers are the main reason for traffic backing up and eventually stopping. They will drive into oncoming traffic to skip in front of everyone, which causes the traffic congestion. The police should be writing tickets and 10,000 peso first offense, 20,000 peso for second offense, third offense is the surrendering of the motorcycle and putting it up for sale by the government and all monies received would go into fixing the infrastructure along with any monies from the tickets. Any officer seen not doing his duty should be retrained, and if he fails to do his duty a second time, he loses his job.

[@protegelin]

​@@neilyounan3241are you sure ? In Singapore too ?

[@Busybumblybee]

So sad and preventable, glad that you’re sharing this story Mark, hopeful you will reach people before they get to that stage, if they are heading down that path. What a sad way to loose a loved one.

[@DavidF-c3m]

Great Job Mark ,much respect goes out to U volunteering to look out for expats thru the US Embassy . U did more in one day that alls your trolls do in a year or two ,keep up the wonderful work. Bless U

[@kevinsoundmixer]

Very sad indeed. But it seems like some of the decisions this gentleman made directly contributed to his sad demise. Mark, you're a saint for helping as much as you did. At least you helped connect the man and his daughter again, however briefly. Imagine if you hadn't had been there at all? RIP to the gentleman and many lessons learned for us all.

[@richardholeman8790]

thank you for simply explaining these scenarios,,and broadcasting the truth .

[@David_A.Henderson]

Good man you get points in heaven for this fantastic work!

[@Goodman849]

I was only in Davao for 3 weeks managed to take a trip to the hospital due to an extreme allergic reaction then a week later extreme food poisoning it's been decade since I've been in the hospital before personally it's a very dirty place and motorbike accidents are frequent in the Philippines I'm an extremely healthy and fit person so that has put me off visiting Davao again

[@PeteKiefer]

Important story, important reality check for anyone anywhere. I benefited from listening to this story, sad as it is. Thank you for telling it, and thank you for the work you are doing there. Sincerely, Pete

[@douglasljdunn]

Great share. You did well helping this guy and his family 👏

[@JurassicJerkyAmazon]

Sad story, Mark…usually people who don’t make plans never change their mindset. You could lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink. I hope he enjoyed his last year in the Philippines before things went bad. Cheers from Columbia! 💃🏽🕺🏽🇨🇴

[@dennispasion-ng7ti]

Mark you look dashing with your hat on

[@everymanhasastory]

I've never been called Dashing in my 69 years. Thank you 😊 I am going to print your comment and hang it on my wall

[@simmonds3930]

A sad story, but also very good advice.

[@blackwoodrichmore4531]

That man did not value his own life. He was a fool. Given the infection in his leg, it's likely that the bacteria spread via his bloodstream to all the major organs in his body, at which point they would have shut down. Probably in much the same way that bacterial pneumonia will kill a person. Tropical Philippines is the sort of climate that bacteria thrives in. If you get injured, seek immediate medical treatment. It's that simple. 👨‍⚕️🏥🩺💊

[@Gaza-vu6gl]

I visited a friend in Angeles City as she had a stroke. Went to the public hospital to visit. I think I’ve become traumatised I kid you not. The conditions I can’t describe fully. Cats walking around and the cockroaches my god the conditions 😢 I know it’s the Philippines but the chances are that if admitted you will become more ill which has become the case with my friend. Your right her husband had to go and buy the medications and come back into the hospital with them and so on. Your a good man Mark Thankyou for helping the family

[@everymanhasastory]

Thank you for watching and for your kind words

[@tinmanrobby]

The World's in a bad place. And you know it's bad for some Patriots (from anywhere) when they are being treated so bad by their birthplace, that they flee to the Philippines for a new beginning. When a citizen of that particular Country is treated so badly for where they were born, worse than the one's coming in, that they have to flee or migrate somewhere else to survive or be free.... The World needs to heal. I do understand. Kinda hurts my heart for the Peoples of this World. It shouldn't be like this for us. We're not the problem, but it affects us. Good man Mark, thanks dude.

[@oncall21]

You are a good and honorable man Mark! This is a tragic situation and my thoughts go out to this man's family. Thanks for sharing!

[@everymanhasastory]

Thank you Adrian 😊

[@kingmaafa120]

Thank you bro

[@RussellCox-l6j]

Specialist told me they don’t amputate toes bc most families can’t afford hospital costs. They do half a leg instead bc family can’t afford a further complication years later.

[@everymanhasastory]

Really? That's terrible. Thank you for watching and for sharing this information 😀

[@kbentch]

Thanks for posting this! A needed wake-up call for those who need it!

[@garyt7232]

What a sad tale. God bless you for trying to help. Best wishes to you, Jen, and Rogan.

[@kevinhunter3412]

Salamat Mark for your assistance & your information on all your KZbin vids.!

[@everymanhasastory]

Thank you for watching ☺️

[@davidpuente1368]

Don’t apologize, these stories need to be told, all the vlogs talk about how great everything is overseas 😅

[@daleszabo5032]

Very good information. What we all need to hear. Thank you.

[@Chaz1962]

These sorts of reality checks are vital to hear.

[@markfire1923]

No Expat should be driving motor cycle in the SE Asia, just to be safe, unless you are an experianced rider.

[@nicholascherry5962]

Thanks for not forgetting about the Brothers. Good looking out Bro Edit: I would've the same for you Po :)

[@everymanhasastory]

Thank you for watching and for taking the time to comment 😀

[@robertpiekarski6115]

Thanks for your service Mark. What a sad story! I’m guessing that he was dealing with depression as well. Here they don’t talk much about depression. I think it’s considered a 1st world problem…

[@aaronprince6706]

MARK. IT'S GOOD THAT YOU WERE ABLE TO REACH OUT AND GIVE A HELPING HAND TO THAT POOR GUY BEFORE HE PAST ON.. SOME TIMES THAT'S ALL WE CAN DO, AND YOU DID YOUR BEST.. I ENJOY WATCHING YOUR CHANNEL. KEEP UP YOUR GOOD WORK.

[@ernestconnell8087]

Sad story, but a good one to tell 👍

[@concepciondental7953]

You call that gangrene. If he allowed his toe to be amputated, gangrene would not have reached his whole leg and possibly his upper torso.

[@joshuahanson5233]

Very sad! Also going out of your way to send his belongings back would cost more than it’s worth. You did more than asked for, may he RIP.

[@lwrgbr]

thx for the story, you are a good person to do what you were able to do.

[@hades996]

From all the stories I have heard, riding a motorbike seems to be by far the most dangerous thing you can do in South East Asia.

[@ShawnVanNinja]

So much for a good Philippino wife. Probably given him the bare minimum so she can keep cashing the checks. If she was smart, she would have done more, kept him alive, and kept getting his money 💰 now she is probably looking for the next American walking paycheck

[@jackjack8390]

Good story. This is the reality that people try to avoid.

[@silverfox2957]

You did your best mark.

[@sheehanannie]

That was a sad story. That was so kind of you to help.

[@sstritmatter2158]

Sounds like he didn’t feel he had a lot to live for. Sad. I can se a family paying $2K for his ashes, it’s important for closure and to have a place for him at the family plot. Anyway, you did a great service over and above for the family and this guy.

[@stackfire9601]

I'm over being sad for people that choose their own path. What's sad is when someone does something terrible to another.

[@marriedtoafilipinachannel]

Very sad story Mark. Thank you for helping.

[@mmirafuentess1990]

Thanks for sharing Mark. RIP, Sir.

[@TropicalTodd]

I unfortunately see this in the USA. I’ve had vets come into the VA hospital with wet gangrene of the foot and osteomyelitis in the bone with not much support network and severe neglect. However at least once they get to the va life saving treatment can be given but in the Philippines I just don’t see them having the resources.

[@everymanhasastory]

You're right. I have seen patients in LA dumped on the street by ambulances from the hospital

[@LeonardMarlin]

I agree 💯 we as Americans have a duty to protect the ones we love here in the Philippines. We live an upper middle class lifestyle that said we always every month put money in our medical emergency fund. To have the money to pay the hospital bill. I have pacific cross health insurance costing me $1,800 dollars a year. I bought a burial plot to plant my remains after I die. I keep a notebook with all my user names and passwords with my final instructions for my sister in law to carry out not my wife. I do not want my wife to have to deal with anything but having to grieve at my passing. I planned everything out leaving nothing to chance for my wife and family to deal with.

[@daviddarden1915]

Mark, great advice. I think us AMERICA 🇺🇸 citizens really need to avoid the alcohol 🍸 especially as we get older in the Philippines. It inhibits our brains 🧠. Also cigarettes 🚬 and of course drugs. The Philippines 🇵🇭 can be paradise or you could have drama. I believe for the most part being blessed with a great Filipina will keep you on point 👉. I agree, medical, financial issues, you must plan to return to America 🇺🇸. Or really plan things in the Philippines 🇵🇭. Thank you for this sad advisory story Mark.

[@kn-qz7by]

God bless you for your efforts to help him, Mark.

[@everymanhasastory]

Thank you 😊

[@lakecityransom]

Really admirable what you do for people over there.

[@Brad1237202]

Thanks for sharing Mark.

[@skateorbri]

A lot of us watch your channel because we daydream about leaving our current messed up situation and the grass seems greener over there.

[@everymanhasastory]

That's an interesting question. I don't know the answer

[@everymanhasastory]

It is greener but you can't leave your common sense behind

[@skateorbri]

@@everymanhasastory well I’m not far away here in little Philippines (Oahu) and wanted to ask you: Do they fight and argue and stay up all night banging and breaking things like they do here in my neighborhood in Hawaii? I think the meth issue has a little to do with it but it’s really bad in some neighborhoods here. Yesterday was really bad for being a neighbor and I was thinking about taking g what I have and going somewhere more family friendly with good intentions people. Anyways, thanks for your videos man I’m 55 and got a while I guess.

[@L4P-Monk]

Hey Mark. Hope you are doing well. That was a very sad story. I’ve been traveling the Philippines and Thailand since 2021. I’ve never needed a car or motorbike. That’s western thinking and I gave that up some time ago. The thing is… the girl and house and blah blah blah doesn’t have to be the dream. When I broke away from that idea. That’s when I felt free and my life became better. I’m doing the things I love. Bet.

[@JamesParnell-o9m]

Good job Mark your a blessing.

[@macscotty9997]

Often in the course of life, people realize that they are responsible for decisions they have made. This is harsh reality!

[@kingmaafa120]

Say it again 👍

[@murphthesurf3409]

I think some people at a certain age, reach a point where they lose the desire to go on and just as soon have something that is otherwise curable, run its course. Nevertheless, it was a great kindness on your part to involve yourself in his situation and assist him and his family as best you were able.

[@everymanhasastory]

Thank you for watching and for your kind words

[@scottramey4443]

Possessions may be useless to others but important to a daughter

[@Wolff13]

Is she willing to pay for the shipment back to the U.S.?

[@acornsucks2111]

This guy actually had a daughter that cared for him. Many don't have that. Going to live in a third world country with no money because you want to get laid. This is what it comes to.

[@sshlubb243]

You're doing God's work sir...I know the man's family aappreciated your efforts even though the man passed away...

[@everymanhasastory]

Thank you 😊 I like to help people

[@johnkovac4436]

God bless your work ! Keep up tough work

[@IaintTheHerb]

I learn a lot from the downer stories. Don't mind them at all. 👍

[@rammay9383]

Well done mark lucky you do what you do 👌👌

[@williamdavis7753]

The bottom line is, you need to be prepared. Whether at home or traveling abroad. I’ve learned when I’m traveling abroad to always have on me a first aid kit, just in case I encounter any kind of scrapes or small cuts. When I was in the Philippines this year, it was pouring rain and I was .getting out of a tricycle. There was a motorcycle park really close to it and as I stepped out, I cut my leg on some part of the motorcycle. Fortunately, I had antiseptic wipes and triple antibiotic ointment, I cleaned my wound, put the ointment on and covered it with the bandage and I was OK. There is bacteria in foreign countries that our bodies are not accustomed to, and they can wreak havoc on our bodies and if infection sets in can reek havoc on our bodies and possibly kill us. A Motorcycle accident is a totally different thing, make sure you have plenty of insurance and the let doctors do their thing.

[@everymanhasastory]

Thank you for watching and for taking the time to share your thoughts 😊 I agree with you 💯

[@homebasebelgium359]

That's a very valuable job you are doing there as a volunteer, Mark! Probably not the most pleasant one as all these guys you are helping are in some sort of trouble, but I'm sure it's very rewarding at the end of the day.

[@jigyjigy2749]

God Bless you MARK for what you have done.

[@Bighand4]

You are doing a wonderful job! What happened to the widow?

[@garykinard7553]

I haven't watched you in a year or more, but this is a great story and I think you are spot on. I was in several accidents in the jungle in Thailand, Malaysia, Laos. And all I could get to were public hospitals. I had to pay, but they were all decent. The Philippines must be a shit hole. Cut my leg with a machete clearing a tree that was blocking the road on a mountain and literally was carried in holding my leg shut. Fixed me right up. In Colombia fell coming down a mountain climb and shattered my wrist. Same thing there. Nice public hospital. And decent price for titaniam plate . I have in my will to be creamed and ashes thrown in the dirt..haha. And have a good friend that will make sure it happens. Not sure about the Philippines but in the Thailand area cremation sites are in every temple. And cheap.

[@rafaelcastillo2636]

That’s a sad story. Unfortunately, the reality of living alone. Maraming Salamat for sharing. RIP Reggie

[@stevencaseymiller8376]

We really send our best and brightest to the Philippines.

[@nood5712]

As Americans we fear bankruptcy as soon as we think of emergency room. Thousands die in America avoiding hospitals. No reason to die in Philippine. Emergency room is cheaper than 3 star hotel room.

[@everymanhasastory]

Agreed 👍

[@Mestinon]

I actually filed and successfully completed chapter 13 bankruptcy. And it wasn’t because of the emergency room. You can pay the bill over time on tiny tiny tiny payments. I think my mother was paying like $15 per month. Death is always worse than bankruptcy.

[@nood5712]

@@Mestinon somehow the words successfully and bankruptcy should not be used in the same sentence.