I joined the army at 17 to land in Vietnam at 18, coming home at 19. I look back and wonder, looking at 18-year-olds at this point, how it was plausible. Being issued an m-60 machine gun, claymore mines, hand grenades, c-4 and taught to take lives and save lives on the same battlefield, sometimes all at once. In the extremes of battles, to have the courage and the sense not to kill your own and try not to be killed by your own. The hardest part is keeping your humanity in check and hoping to have some mercy when offered (it didn’t always work).

Many 18 years old, like myself, had to lead soldiers in battle, with many of them much older than ourselves. Their very lives were in the hands of a 18 or 19 year old soldier, the decison to live our die were held in those hands. Most people have no idea what happens in a 18 year old head after a battle. The wounded the dead and the responsiabilty of their life and death is forever. The second quessing like watching a football game never ends. The advice given but not taken makes you wonder the different outcome.

I looking back at being turned down from the VA , tremondous private hospital bills, and wondering is this how it works? I thought having malaria, being wounded , spending a year through hell that a country would at least take care of their own. I was so wrong.

Julus Ceasar knew it best ,a legion of seasoned veterans is worth 4 legions of newly untried ones. Saving the country from a socialist takeover, may, in the end, take these old warriors to battle again. GOD Bless