I get it. Though I wasn't a veteran I learned a lot from my brother in law and his friends. Funny you refer to steep pot. I wrote the following blues song from words a letter my brother in law sent home to his parents:
Vietnam Soldier
Show no alarm if carries a weapon to dinner
Don’t over stare if he looks much thinner.
Chorus: Turn on your light because the kid is coming home
If offered a chair but looks for a steel pot,
be calm and pay no notice if he twitches a lot.
Chorus: Turn on your light because the kid is coming home
If he pours gravy on his desert and mixes peaches with Seagram’s VO
If he eats with his fingers, just let it go.
Chorus: Turn on your light because the kid is coming home
Beneath that tanned and rugged exterior all told,
Lives the only thing left of value, his heart of gold.
Chorus: Turn on your light because the kid is coming home
Henry, I turned 18 in January 1965 when the big draft call went out. I entered college full time, so theoretically I would've received a deferment, but that didn't sit well with me. I refused to cooperate with the Selective Service System on moral and ethical grounds--especially the Nuremburg Decision. I was instantly classed as a "Delinquent" subject to 10 years hard labor at Leavenworth Military Prison and a $10,000 fine. I fully supported the military in principle, but was totally opposed to American hegemony and unjust "wars." In the end the government decided that I was more trouble than I was worth and rejected me. Without having to "dodge," I left the U.S. in early '71, sailing into the sunset to discover unridden waves. I've been an avid lifelong surfer just as you. I can't comment directly on U.S. politics because I don't know enough about it. However, I feel I'm on solid ground in judging that we're in big mess. On my Aboard Ron Substack Newsletter I try to ease my existential angst with gallows humor and a totally irreverent approach to life's challenges.
Found it interesting the picture of troop jammed side to side brought back memories.
We had steel pots and few had anything close to today's flack jackets.
Couple of years back went to Monterrey and could not sleep. Turns out I was used to Ft. Ord and a training unit. After I figured it out there was no night fire, or flares I went to sleep.
If you are on SB side see you at the SB Cemetery..... standing tall and looking good.
Thank you Henry for all that you and Jerry do to support the military and veterans.
My dad signed up for the Air Force and flew medical transport planes in Battle of the Bulge and other areas in Europe and North Africa. Thankfully, he returned safely home, or I would not have been born. He stayed in the Air Force Reserves until retirement. He was my inspiration to join the Army Reserves.
And thank you for all you've done and continued support. Glad you're part of SBCVF. :)
I get it. Though I wasn't a veteran I learned a lot from my brother in law and his friends. Funny you refer to steep pot. I wrote the following blues song from words a letter my brother in law sent home to his parents:
Vietnam Soldier
Show no alarm if carries a weapon to dinner
Don’t over stare if he looks much thinner.
Chorus: Turn on your light because the kid is coming home
If offered a chair but looks for a steel pot,
be calm and pay no notice if he twitches a lot.
Chorus: Turn on your light because the kid is coming home
If he pours gravy on his desert and mixes peaches with Seagram’s VO
If he eats with his fingers, just let it go.
Chorus: Turn on your light because the kid is coming home
Beneath that tanned and rugged exterior all told,
Lives the only thing left of value, his heart of gold.
Chorus: Turn on your light because the kid is coming home
Henry, I turned 18 in January 1965 when the big draft call went out. I entered college full time, so theoretically I would've received a deferment, but that didn't sit well with me. I refused to cooperate with the Selective Service System on moral and ethical grounds--especially the Nuremburg Decision. I was instantly classed as a "Delinquent" subject to 10 years hard labor at Leavenworth Military Prison and a $10,000 fine. I fully supported the military in principle, but was totally opposed to American hegemony and unjust "wars." In the end the government decided that I was more trouble than I was worth and rejected me. Without having to "dodge," I left the U.S. in early '71, sailing into the sunset to discover unridden waves. I've been an avid lifelong surfer just as you. I can't comment directly on U.S. politics because I don't know enough about it. However, I feel I'm on solid ground in judging that we're in big mess. On my Aboard Ron Substack Newsletter I try to ease my existential angst with gallows humor and a totally irreverent approach to life's challenges.
Found it interesting the picture of troop jammed side to side brought back memories.
We had steel pots and few had anything close to today's flack jackets.
Couple of years back went to Monterrey and could not sleep. Turns out I was used to Ft. Ord and a training unit. After I figured it out there was no night fire, or flares I went to sleep.
If you are on SB side see you at the SB Cemetery..... standing tall and looking good.
Thank you Henry for all that you and Jerry do to support the military and veterans.
My dad signed up for the Air Force and flew medical transport planes in Battle of the Bulge and other areas in Europe and North Africa. Thankfully, he returned safely home, or I would not have been born. He stayed in the Air Force Reserves until retirement. He was my inspiration to join the Army Reserves.