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Honored Contributor
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I dated a man who admitted to me that he had been drafted and his unit was sent to Hawaii for "holding" before being sent to Viet Nam. On the day his unit was flown to war, he managed to take a plane back to NJ, went straight to Fort Dix and turned himself in. After a hearing, he was given a desk job where he completed his tour of duty. Every soldier in his unit was killed within the first month.

I know how I felt upon hearing this. How do you feel?

Formerly Ford1224
We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Elie Wiesel 1986
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How do I feel? Sad for everyone who died and curious both about how he managed to get a ticket to fly to NJ and what was said in the hearing at Fort Dix.

At least one person of that group lived.

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I don't think all men are cut out to go to war. I knew many friends from when they were kids who were really messed up after returning from Viet Nam. they are now senior citizens and are still messed up in the head. Good for him that he figured out a way to stay alive. I am fundamentally against war or killing of any sort . I'm glad my Dh was an only child and the sole support of his widowed mother so he was exempted from the draft.
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On 1/21/2014 Free2be said:

How do I feel? Sad for everyone who died and curious both about how he managed to get a ticket to fly to NJ and what was said in the hearing at Fort Dix.

At least one person of that group lived.

My sentiments too.

My mom (who would be about 90 if she were still alive) was one of the very first anti-war protestors in our neighborhood back in the 60's. I was out marching with her as soon as she would let me.

One of my cousins was MIA - shot down over Cambodia - his body was never found, although he had told us he would take the cynanide capsule in the cockpit if he was ever shot down, so we knew he was gone, just never knew the exact circumstances. Another cousin made it back home safely - but he was the first of our relatives to agree with my mom!

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I feel....like it's a fabricated story.

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That he was one very fortunate man.
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On 1/21/2014 happy housewife said: I don't think all men are cut out to go to war. I knew many friends from when they were kids who were really messed up after returning from Viet Nam. they are now senior citizens and are still messed up in the head. Good for him that he figured out a way to stay alive. I am fundamentally against war or killing of any sort . I'm glad my Dh was an only child and the sole support of his widowed mother so he was exempted from the draft.


Well said and I agree.

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I think, IMO, that it is just that, a story.{#emotions_dlg.confused1}

mm

"Cats are like potato chips, you can never have just one".
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We never know do we.......until we walk in someone else's shoes. I can't judge this man nor would I want to. All I would say is I am sorry so many perished during not only the Vietnam War but all wars as well.

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Times were different then with the draft.