Linnea Miller wrote: <<My husband is a veteran of the Vietnam conflict, having been "selected" a few years out of high school in the mid-'60's. He doesn't talk much about his participation, but I know this has affected his life and attitudes sometimes in surprising ways. He did his duty & served - which many young Americans at the time neglected to do. This was a significant conflict, one which tore at the heart of our nation as had not been experienced since the Civil War. We continue to honor the veterans of this militaty action to help them bring closure to the effects of their experiences during their service to our country. We must always remember that we *continue* to have our freedoms due to the participation of these many people who served our country, too many of them giving the ultimate sacrifice.>> I respect your husband and the others who did what they felt was right and served in Vietnam. I also respect the significance of Veteran's Day as a remembrance for those who have died in the cause of war, as a reminder of the tremendous destruction that humanity can bring upon itself. However it is necessary to understand that many who "neglected to serve" did so in accordance to their conscience, and were acting upon many of the principles our PA Dutch ancestors would have valued as well. I have heard the horor stories of how the Vietnam experience has affected the lives of US soldiers, and it's not a pretty picture. Although I empathize with the pain the war has caused, I see nothing positive in our involvement in Vietnam. It is a myth to believe that this war, or the Korean war, or the Persian Gulf war have helped to preserve our "freedoms". Any war, no matter, how it is justified, is wrong because it devalues human life to the point that it seems necessary to kill. For me Veteran's Day is a time of mourning, not a time to celebrate victory. Darvin L. Martin Lancaster, Pa. dlmartin@redrose.net ==== PENNA-DUTCH Mailing List ==== Visit other PDL listmember webpages. Links are Located at http://members.aol.com/PennaDutch/pdlurl.html