Long before rubber bullets….

        A Jersey heroin addict decided to make his family proud by risking death in Vietnam rather than from eventual overdose. So he joined our army which made him a medic with plenty of access to drugs.  Oops. 

       One night Army loaded raw troops up to post on corners in one 'hood (where he used to buy his drugs) to ¿quell riots.  Handed them rifles, but no ammo.

       He offered to stand his corner, but without their empty gun. Unarmed.

       Army threatened charges for refusal to obey their stupid, dangerous order to be an empty threat/target thus endangering lives.

        Remember, medic training isn’t cheap or for stupid folk. 

                                    #

      Never charged, he lived, served, and was honorably discharged later.  (p.s. they loved his ability to calm disturbed “crazy” troops in hospital and to shoot drugs into difficult veins.) 

                                     #

       We have rubber bullets now and more tech. But, deciding what orders  not to follow still takes brains and some personal courage.

      I hope our troops who now occupy the City of Angels do not kill anyone who lives there……..including my #1 daughter or #2 grandson.   

     May this old real riot/real war memory from my dead soldier inspire courage that saves lives by refusing illegal orders.