Archive for the ‘Overview’ Category

More Talk About an Iraq War Draft

Saturday, August 11th, 2007

As those of you who know me are aware I relish coincidences and synchronicities, but there are occurrences in these realms that even I would prefer not to have happen. Take the fact that I launched my website and blog all about the effects of the Vietnam draft on a generation of Americans on Thursday, August 9th and, bizarrely to be sure, on Saturday, August 11th there is an article in our local newspaper, THE DAILY HAMPSHIRE GAZETTE, entitled “Bush Advisor: Draft is Worth Considering”! The article quotes Army Lt. Gen. Douglas Lute who said in an interview on NPRs “All Things Considered”, “I think it makes sense to certainly consider it…And I can tell you, this has always been an option on the table.” Here’s the website for the rest of his interview:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=12688693
Yes, a draft during Vietnam helped immeasurably to fuel the protest movement in both the civilian and military populations, and yes, our armed services are stretched to near a breaking point, but it is not a draft, but a withdrawal of troops that is needed. Your thoughts?

Tom Weiner

Posted in Overview, Vietnam and Iraq | No Comments »

A Call to Read and Write Stories

Thursday, July 12th, 2007

Welcome. I am very pleased to have the opportunity to share the work with which I have been engaged for the past 4 years – listening to and recording the stories of men and women affected by the Vietnam War Draft. These folks have confided their experiences, their memories of how they felt, thought and acted and the effects that these have had on their subsequent lives.

It is my fervent hope that these stories will inspire you with their honesty, their intimacy and their vivid evocation of the times – the ’60′s and early ’70′s – against which they played out. It is my further hope that some of you who visit will be encouraged to add your own story to those that appear. There are countless others of you who have undergone your own version of this experience whose stories will deepen our awareness of the effects of such a draft during such a war. Having this opportunity along with being able to receive feedback for your words will hopefully encourage you to tell your story.

This is intended to be a work-in-progress. I will be continuing to add the stories I already have in the designated categories in the sidebar. I have many, but the goal is to receive many more. Please re-visit to check out those added by me and, most eagerly, by others who were affected by the draft.

~ Tom Weiner

Quabbin Asian Image

Posted in Overview | 3 Comments »