Reply #25: It's coming, my friend, it's coming

[TayTay]

I remember thinking last fall that if Kerry didn't win that this would signal the growth of the biggest anit-war movement in 30+ years. There are already plans to have massive multi-city protests on March 19th, which is the 2nd anniversary of the start of this abomination.

You know, you bring back memories. When I was just a kid, we would have these big 4th of July parties. We had this big back yard and this crappy above ground swimming pool. My uncle, who lived on the Cambridge/Somerville line would bring over strays he found in the neighborhood. Kids with hard pasts. Anyway, one year he scooped up a bunch of Vietnam vets and brought them over to party with us. Great fun. It being the 4th, we wanted to make loud noises to celebrate the occasion. The Vietnam vets were amused at us stupid-kids and decided to teach us how to make hand-held cannons that would make really loud booms. (It involved used Bud cans that you took the tops and bottoms off of, tapped 'em toegther with duct tape and then lite with lighter fluid. Big damn boom.) My mother was not happy that we were learning how to make explosive devises, but the vets had a blast. I loved those guys.

I think my favorite part of Kerry's '71 testimony is his plea for the vets to be taken care of. I cry each time I see that. So true. He knew first hand what it was like to be dismissed and distrusted by the public when he came home. The public may have learned something about how to respect a veterans service, but the current Pres has not. His treatment of vets is a crime. Oooh, I dislike that man more every day.

You were there when The Wall was dedicated? Wow! That is such an incredibly moving public momument. It just goes right to my heart. And the Vietnam guys deserve that so much. I knew those some of those guys. Their service was every bit as noble as the WWII guys. I was so pleased when they were finally recognized.