Another Brick In The Wall
RayzRealm (c) August, 2003
"All in all it's just another brick in the wall"
-Pink Floyd"Come on all of you big strong men,
Uncle Sam needs your help again.
He's got himself in a terrible jam,
way down yonder in Viet Nam.
So put down your books, pick up a gun
We're gonna have a whole lotta fun."
-Country Joe and the FishI'll start by saying that I am an honorable discharged Viet Nam era war veteran. I served in the United States Navy as a carrier based Aviation Electronics Technician from 1967 to 1971. The conflcit in Southeast Asia was at it's zenith, and like countless others, the draft was breathing down by neck. I ate and slept high tech, the Air Force had a waiting list, you had to have political influence to get into The Coast Guard, and basically being a peaceful sort, I could not see myself in the Army or Marines. The Navy came along and offered me a Navy career as an electronics technician, that is, if I could cut the mustard.
My Dad had served during WWII as a Sea Bee, and was part of the landing force in Normandy. My grandfather had been a sailor during WWI. Dad convinced me that the Navy had a long proud tradition that was unique among the armed forces. Most of the friends I had at the time got government deferments, applied for conscientous objector status or just plain skipped town. A few called me a baby killer for deciding to enlist, and spoke to me again.
Shalom, Ray