I enlisted at 17 in 1965 in order to go. But wasn't sent until I reenlisted for it in 1970. Did a 19 month tour. I was 21 when I got there. No regrets at the time. Even so, I too am so glad for things that didn't happen.
Cedar's dad wanted to go. He did his last two years of high school at Pearl Harbor, where his Air Force dad was stationed, and saw a lot of men who were returning from Vietnam. But he was just barely too young to enlist when it ended. My step-father was in the Marines and spent three tours over there, and still has medical and mental-health issues from the experience.
Service was a powerful poet with a better insight to the human condition than most living. Thanks for sharing, Ms. Cedar.
I joined the AF before the end of the Cold War, knowing I was serving the nation and happy to sacrifice. It was the 1st Gulf War that sobered me up. Dying where the US didn't have a dog in the fight wasn't worth it, IMHO.
19 years old I enlisted with the intention of fighting in Vietnam. Now I am so glad that didn't happen.
I enlisted at 17 in 1965 in order to go. But wasn't sent until I reenlisted for it in 1970. Did a 19 month tour. I was 21 when I got there. No regrets at the time. Even so, I too am so glad for things that didn't happen.
Cedar's dad wanted to go. He did his last two years of high school at Pearl Harbor, where his Air Force dad was stationed, and saw a lot of men who were returning from Vietnam. But he was just barely too young to enlist when it ended. My step-father was in the Marines and spent three tours over there, and still has medical and mental-health issues from the experience.
That's a tear-maker for sure. And probably the one forgiveable reason for ending one's own life....
Service was a powerful poet with a better insight to the human condition than most living. Thanks for sharing, Ms. Cedar.
I joined the AF before the end of the Cold War, knowing I was serving the nation and happy to sacrifice. It was the 1st Gulf War that sobered me up. Dying where the US didn't have a dog in the fight wasn't worth it, IMHO.