I recently returned this past Monday night, April 12, 2010, from spending the week in Washington D.C., with members of BAChome (Bring Abducted Children Home).  The left-behind parents of this growing and very electrifying organization has been working tirelessly to recover, not just their children but other children wrongfully and illegally kidnapped to Japan by their non-custodial parent or by a parent that has violated their court order in an attempt to alienate the child-parent bond.  What is unique about BAChome is that they are quick to put aside ego, pride, individual perspective for the greater good, the stolen children and voiceless parent who cannot speak for themselves at the federal level. 

My week began by enjoying a wonderful lunch at Corner Bakery Café in our nation’s capitol.  As many of you know, I cannot pass a great breakfast or lunch meal at a CBC.  After eating and taking a picture of myself in front of the North lawn of the Whitehouse, I hopped on the Orange line Metro to Virginia.  I soon met by Douglass Berg, a left-behind parent and activist for children and left-parent’s rights. 

I had spoken many times to Douglass leading up to the event that weekend.  Douglass was as friendly in person as I had imagined.  Later that night another parent was picked up at the airport and after I nice dinner, we went back to Douglass’s house. 

Douglass has turned his bottom section of his house into what can only be described as BAChome central.  Like many members of BAChome, Douglass has given an immeasurable amount of time and money to get BAChome up and running.  Douglass has purchased a book binding machine and printer to make high quality case study and factual books for the public, State Department and legislators.  Each book contains a number of actual cases, along with the faces that are victims of this horrid crime, parental child abduction. 

Over the week, BAChome met with the State Department, Japanese officials, Senator’s office staff and had three protests.  Among the members in attendance was Chris Savoie (the father arrested last October while trying to recover his stolen children), Paul Toland, Douglass Berg, William Lake, and other members of BAChome.  The Bring Sean Home foundation (www.bringseanhome.org) had a large number of volunteers and me, as a former abducted child, was humbled by their outreach and support. 

6,000 fliers were handed out at the Cherry Blossom Festival and I shot over three hours of footage of BAChome in action.  I have to say, I am deeply honored to have worked with BAChome, Bring Sean Home and the countless volunteers over this past weekend.  I found new and dear friends who have my absolute support and friendship.  I will also be working and pushing every aspect of BAChome in all me endeavors from here on.  If you have not joined an organization, I would ask you to reach out to BAChome (Click here) and get involved.  BAChome may have its roots in American-Japan abduction, but as time goes you will see them take on a much needed and larger role for not only left-behind parents but the innocent children throughout the world.