Deepdiver

[Spade5]

I had a college deferment but dropped out in 68 so I would get drafted. 60's were a strange time. I could not justify to myself why others should go while I sat on my backside.

I decided being drafted for 2 years was better than joining for 3 and in 69 I got my wish. Like most I got Army and I volunteered for Nam. Now don't go making anything out of that because I was going anyhow. I just wanted to mess with their statistics.

I have told many people that my military service was the best and worst thing that ever happened to me. I only did one tour and it was cut short so I ended up with about 10 months in the bush. If you take out the combat, it was bad enough just being there.

I was one of the lucky ones who came home with no physical damage. I remember walking into the terminal at Houston Intercontinental where my wife was waiting for me and a long hair got into my face cursing me and calling me a baby killer, etc. I went from being proud to have served to being ashamed questioning what I had done. I guess it took about 20 years for me to finally deal with this.

Whenever I see anyone in uniform I try to say hello and thank them for serving. We can never let them be treated the way Viet Nam vets were. If you know someone who has served, just be aware that they are not going to be the same as they were - part of you never comes home.

I'm done preaching.

Thanks for your service. I started into college in the Fall of '71. The student deferments were taken away at that time. I went to see recruiters since I had a low number in the draft lottery, but decided to wait and see what happened and they didn't draft me. I guess I was too young and selfish back then, riding the old Superhawk to school and taking the girls for rides. My brother in law did 2 tours and died from the effects of agent orange (he was a great riding pal and definately truly a brother, sure miss him) No matter what people's views on that war or any other the soldiers deserve great respect. God bless. Shovelmike.

[94flhtcu]

I lost a really cool uncle to cancers possibly caused by agent orange.