Some people are self-serving while some serve others. It is not hard to determine who these people are. One day before Veterans Day I would like to discuss and explain my position on the military draft during the Viet Nam War.
The war was very unpopular on College Campuses during the late 60’s and early 70’s. Many young people demonstrated against America’s involvement in that conflict.
I was drafted in 1966 and joined the Air Force for four years. I spent time in Texas for basic training than a year in Keesler A.F.B., in Biloxi Mississippi, for electronic training and then heavy duty radar repair. I went to school for 6 hrs.every day and study hall each afternoon for two hours. We were not allowed to remove any books because they were classified as Top Secret.
Upon graduation I was assigned to two coastal radar station in Northern California. I spent a lot of time in San Francisco and was in the middle of the anti-war movement. During this time of observation my opinions were formed on the subject of the war and the opposition to it.
I drew a couple of conclusions from my experience. I detest draft dodgers who used school deferments to escape their duties. In my mind these students were just self-serving individuals. I considered many National Guard members also draft dodgers. The Viet Nam Conflict drew its men from a draft and unlike today did not require the use of State National Guardsman in most cases. The National Guard numbers swelled as people of influence tried to find a safe haven for their sons to escape doing their duty. I believe Bush 41 used his influence for his son, Bush 43 to serve in a unit. Records indicate he did not even complete his duty for the required years by not showing up for his final assignment.
A school deferments was used by Bill Clinton to avoid a low draft number. He graduated and received a Rhodes scholarship, to Oxford, to study in England. He promised his draft board, in writing, that upon his return he would join the R.O.T.C. to complete his duty and serve if required. He lied. In fact, he did not even get his degree form Oxford as he returned home early for Law School. I believe they stopped the draft lottery by then. I hate deferments because children of means could use college as an excuse for not serving. I had to quit college for over a year to work on a loading dock in order to purchase reliable transportation and pay for an apartment. I then finished school.
This may surprise some but I do not consider young men who demonstrated their opposition to the war as draft dodgers. If they were willing to burn their draft card and accept the consequences then they earned my respect. They, at least, took a stand for something they believed in. In many ways they helped bring an end to this war. The men who ran to Canada I would say "shame on you". I resent President Carter for giving them amnesty. In my mind they are self-serving cowards. I saved Dick Chaney for last. Not only did he use numerous deferments but actually said he had no time to spend or had no use for this conflict. COWARD!
To the men who did not have the chance to serve, because of health issues or age, I would like to ask you to please stop thanking me for my service. It was just something I did and it's over. I reserve this day to honor wounded service people and their families along with those killed or departed. These are the ones to honor tomorrow so hang your flag and please light it at night or take it down.
