My whole entire life was dictated, as it has turned out, by the draft number I had. So, on Feb. 7, 67 I joined the USNR. 2 years later I dropped out of my 3rd year of college to go on required active duty which at that time was 2 years.
Fortunately, though I got very close to Vietnam (on board a Navy ship), I never set foot in country.
With that historical perspective, I can say I agree with you about the “fleeting foreign policy”...........great statement.
However, I disagree with you that Vietnam era vets like me should go out and actively attempt to persuade young men or women not to serve their country. As one near 70 vet, I can say categorically that serving my country is, after my 2 successful kids, my most proud accomplishment and I’m so glad I did serve.
How would your loved ones feel if you died in-country and 20 years later our government was making nice with the same people you had fought against? Especially if they drafted you?
I’m not recommending anyone dissuades young people from enlisting; I was describing one person’s reaction to phone calls raising money for those who did - and had a worse experience than you (disabled vets). Young people have now had every warning; in my lifetime it was the reversal concerning Saddam Hussein (who we cheered and armed in the 1980s, then attacked a few years later). Saddam’s troops were killing US troops with weapons WE HAD GIVEN THEM.
I’m glad you came through your experience in one piece.