I volunteered and served in Vietnam from 1966 through 1968 two long tours. I find myself these 40 years later once again waking in a sweat. I thought the nightmares were finally over. Then Bush invaded Iraq!
I would often see young boys and girls sitting in waiting rooms in the Kingsbridge Veterans Hospital in the NY to get medical exams prior to being shipped out. Then one day I sat across from a young man, all dressed up in his pressed sandy tan camoflage uniform. I looked and looked at him, his young boyish face, oh so young and confident, his clear bright eyes looked directly into this old soldiers eyes with an expression of pride and patriotism. I couldn't hold myself back and spoke out to him. "Shipping out to Iraq, young man?" I said "Yes sir" he responded with a clear tone of respect in his voice for who I represented to him. My Cap emblazoned with the words "Vietnam Combat Veteran" gave me away. I paused for a second then found myself asking him a question only old folks ask young boys who are actually young men. "How old are you my boy?" He politely answered "23, sir". "Good luck" was my reply. I went silent. Then as he rose up and marched off to his destiny it suddenly dawned on me. I felt clamy and cold all over. If it wasn't for my wheelchair I would have fallen to the floor. I had just faced off with the ghost of myself from 40 years ago! I was his exact age when I went to VN I was staring into the mirror of my past. I have not been the same since and the night nightmares have returned. I don't think anyone can hate this war more than those of us who still live the horrors of the last one. We best honor all who are serving in Iraq by ending this horror show. the sooner the better.