I write of every week in 1968, Feb. 11-17. I used to be a teenage boy throughout these instances. Identical to many teenage boys in our nation, Vietnam and the draft was at the back of my thoughts — all the time. What occurred that week? It was the deadliest week for U.S. troopers in your entire conflict: 534 got here dwelling in physique luggage and a couple of,547 wounded. There was one other value paid by those that served, and in lots of instances, it didn’t increase it’s an unsightly head till years later: post-traumatic stress dysfunction. Many suffered and undergo nonetheless, some grew to become addicts, some died from addictions, some simply barely make it, some are homeless, and a few dedicated and can commit suicide. That toll won’t ever be actually measured. For these of us who lived by means of these years, it’s by no means forgotten. It formed us and ceaselessly modified us. The presidents of our nation from Truman by means of Nixon failed us, costing hundreds of lives misplaced and destroyed.

At present we’re in a brand new conflict. This time no person will get to keep away from the draft, legally or illegally, or be a “Lucky Son.” This isn’t based mostly on a racist draft, your standing in society, and even your intercourse. The virus simply doesn’t care. Our president, Donald Trump, lead our nation to the largest well being and monetary catastrophe within the final 100 years. We’re dropping on common 6,200 lives every week and numerous others are struggling. Little does it matter to President Trump the value in human life and struggling.

I believed our darkest days had been behind us. I used to be fallacious. As I quick method 70 I see little to encourage me about what we’re leaving for our youngsters and future generations. When ideology and hate win over science and reality, individuals undergo and die. Nothing has modified.

Mike Grove

Belgrade

« Previous

Next »

Associated Tales