John, guys, My comment only concerns my personal attitude.
"You've never lived until you've almost died. For those who have fought for it, life has a flavor the protected will never know."
1st saw that in RVN on the wall at C3, 5th SFG. Dunno who started it.
Until the draft was ended, every male 18-32 had a 6 year obligation. It was a legal requirement which made it a duty.
Nobody wanted to be drafted, WW1, WW2, Korea, VN, or in between.
The vast majority accepted it and soldiered on when called.
Another vast number, myself included, enlisted knowing we were about to be drafted. We got a bit more of a choice. Mine, in 1966, was Airborne Infantry.
The guys who fled to Canada broke the law. Many had been notified to report and took off.
Sweden was a popular dodge as well, Sylvester Stallone was notable for that.
Jimmy Carter pardoned those who chose to break the law.
A guy from my rural home area was one. He has never returned and is not well spoken of today.
I had a friend in 1970, after I got out. He was on his way to jail for refusing induction. He stood his ground and defended his convictions. He did not run away and took the consequences.
I respect that.
Another popular dodge of those times was the National Guard-if you could squeeze in. A very few units got activated, but an anomaly, indeed.
My dad was 506th PIR in Europe.
As a kid I began collecting WW2 stuff including Lugers. Really a lot of vets around, and my buddy and me hounded hell out of them.
At one point a grizzly serious combat guy stated that we would not be so enthusiastic if we had to go get that stuff for ourselves.
He was right. I never took anything off a body and sold most of my collection when I got home.
I kept the weapons and still hunt them, but have few artifacts.
Just my personal take and opinion-I just don't like being thanked for it.
I was on the Legion Firing Party Monday and we fired volleys at 12 local rural cemeteries.
I am proud to be able to help with that.
We buried a friend and Tarawa vet the day before-they are going fast, we goy a 504th PIR guy going next, I fear.
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