Posted on 05/29/2023 5:11:05 AM PDT by Rummyfan
From Fall 1967 to Spring 1968, for no obvious reason, a 12th-grade football hero extended warmth and tolerance to a flyspeck of an 8th grader in the halls of Petersburg High School. I was the flyspeck. The football hero was Tommy Warren, who would graduate in June, enter the U.S. Marines, attain the rank of private first class, and die in Quang Nam province, South Vietnam, five months after I last saw him. My recollection (perhaps imperfect) is that of a somber voice (probably Principal Ed Betts) announcing his death over the loudspeaker, followed by anguished faces in the hallway.
The year before, Tommy would regularly hold court in the school’s front hallway, surrounded mostly by his fellow athletes, cheerleaders, and others with those things that grant status in a high school. Somehow, I, a diminutive, decidedly non-athletic bookworm, ended up as a regular in these sessions. I don’t remember how that began, and I have no idea why Tommy made me feel welcome in that assemblage, even as he regularly rolled his eyes at my prattling.
I was precociously aware of politics and policy and was among those who greeted Vice President Hubert Humphrey that year when he arrived to campaign for president in our small town. I was also quite aware that I would be of draft age in the not-too-distant future. Hence, I was well-versed in the debates over the Vietnam War. But until November 1968, it was all an abstraction—written words and Walter Cronkite. Tommy’s death made it tangible, palpable, and raw.
Since moving to the Washington, DC, area in 2007, I’ve made it a point every few years to visit Tommy’s name on the great and quiet monument on the Mall. I always utter aloud a few words to thank him for his generosity...
(Excerpt) Read more at graboyes.substack.com ...
I recall a few of those heroes from my high school years...Fall 1966 to Spring 1969. Brave souls lost in another one of America’s lost, worthless wars. The anti-war crowd had it right.
And, we’ve learned nothing.
I look at all the men who have died in the world wars and everything since then. I look at today and think what for?
We would have been better served by having them alive productive and fecund.
May God hold and bless the fallen of our nation. Amen
“I always utter aloud a few words to thank him for his generosity...“
St Raymond cemetery in The Bronx seems to have more than their share of guys like this buried there. It’s almost shocking how many. Last time I was there a few weeks ago I walked down, randomly, row 9 in St Anthony section and it was one stone after another, late sixties. Humbling shocking experience. I think there was an MOH in there somewhere. Might have been that row. I’ve seen six or seven over the years.
> Brave souls lost in another one of America’s lost, worthless wars. <
The Founders wisely gave Congress, and not the president, the power to declare war. But since the end of WW II Congress has shirked its responsibility. Instead they pass open-ended resolutions and authorizations. It’s disgraceful.
If it is so critical to go to war, vote to declare war. Otherwise no war.
> The anti-war crowd had it right. <
Cassius Clay refused to be drafted for Vietnam. “I ain’t got no quarrel with those Vietcong,” he said. He said nothing disrespectful about those who served. He just did not see a good reason for the war.
The older I get, the more I think he was correct.
Clay was determined 4F much earlier for being illiterate. After, because he was so visible, they ginned up the charges that got him into trouble.
beautifully done. i’m also remembering a ‘Tommy’ - Capt Thomas Jay Hayes IV, killed 4/17/68 in Vietnam after rescuing several of his wounded comrades. may they all rest in peace and glory. amen.
Many died because they shelled our own troops. Many died because of the Black Tar Heroin from the CIA—Laos. CodeTalkers had one person designed to Kill them if they were endangered of being captured because they were well-trained to use their native language to protect troops. Some because of prejudice. Many died because of Hanoi Jane and John Kerry’s ilk.
A very haunting story and song.
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