The Americans Who Left

[purrmaid]

1. I grew up Republican

I was taught that the objectors were traitors and cowards. It took years to unlearn that. Not until I had retired from the Army did I change my mind. Vietnam was an illegal war of choice. The Americans who left had more courage than those who went off to kill brown people who had never done them any wrong (to paraphrase the great Muhammed Ali).

We did revolting things to the Vietnamese and our own military, just so rich Americans could get richer. Posturing politicians did their best we were really fighting for our own freedom.

I still honor the heroes of war: those who saved their comrades, flew missions of mercy, those who came back lost and broken and disappeared into our uncaring world.

Thank you to all who served, and did not serve, who made me see the truth.