Jeff & Guzzi - I too had little choice; had just dropped out of college (Mar 66) and I knew that the next thing would probably be getting drafted. I figured that the safest course would be to join the Air Force. I trained in computer programming and spent a couple years in Germany and the remainder at Hq. in D.C. As it turned out, it was my first ever full-time job. While my two duty stations were as snug and safe as could be, I had at least volunteered during what for lots of guys was a very perilous time. While some contemporaries now good naturedly rib me for my "chicken choice", at least I went and fulfilled what was at that time an obligation. At the same time, I bear no malice nor do I look down my nose at those who resisted and those who went to Canada. As Vonnegut often pointed out, we were all kids. We did whatever we thought we had to do. Guzzi, my experience with the "Thank you for your service" stuff comes mostly from those considerably younger than us and as far as "where were they?", well most of them weren't even born yet. But that's just me. I don't consider myself a coward for having chosen the safest alternative nor do I consider myself a hero for signing up for what turned out to be a desk job far from any front. I do sometimes tell people that I served in the European Theater of the Vietnam Conflict just to confuse them. I've been an American Legion member for fifty years and I suppose I first joined because it was one of the few places that sold beer in my little town on Sundays. Yesterday our Legion had a nice service complete with an Honor Guard and the High School band at 11 a.m. and complimentary dinner at 6 p.m. I didn't go. I had no stories to share of a comrade who succumbed to a paper cut in the Data Processing shop. As I said once before here on another forum, TYFYS seems to have morphed into today's "Have a nice day", a throwaway comment devoid of any meaning. Like Guzzi "I don't tell them that it irritates me", I just mutter an equally meaningless "thank you"and hope that the conversation turns to something else.
"France really went out of its way to piss Germany off after WW1." And not to downplay whatever it is that the French did in the period, but it wasn't just them. The whole effect of the Versailles Treaty and the failure of the U.S. to ratify the League of Nations went a long way toward making Germany ripe for Hitler and his Reich.
Vonnegut's is an authentic voice on the horrors of total war.But don't overlook his fine satirical science fiction. 'Sirens of Titan' is my favourite. It's a good reminder stay clear of chronosynclastic infundibulums.
Oh your flag decal won't get you into Heaven anymore It's already overcrowded from your dirty little warAnd Jesus don't like killing, no matter what the reasons forAnd your flag decal won't get you into heaven anymore.
Long long ago I was the night porter (cleaning guy) at The Dom on St. Marks Pl in NYC. Start at 2am when the bouncers put the chairs on the tables, sweep and mop floors, clean bathrooms (nasty) and 6 bar stations. I got off when I was done, around 10:30 and drank a large beer stein of Hennessy 5 Star and Coke and walked back to my illegal loft in Alphabet City. I was a favorite with management (Stosh) because I only had the one large drink as opposed to my predecessors who killed a fifth each day.
The War To End All Wars doesn't seem to have worked.
Even reading the lyrics reduces me to tears...
Same here.
Jeff & Guzzi - I too had little choice; had just dropped out of college (Mar 66) and I knew that the next thing would probably be getting drafted. I figured that the safest course would be to join the Air Force. I trained in computer programming and spent a couple years in Germany and the remainder at Hq. in D.C. As it turned out, it was my first ever full-time job. While my two duty stations were as snug and safe as could be, I had at least volunteered during what for lots of guys was a very perilous time. While some contemporaries now good naturedly rib me for my "chicken choice", at least I went and fulfilled what was at that time an obligation. At the same time, I bear no malice nor do I look down my nose at those who resisted and those who went to Canada. As Vonnegut often pointed out, we were all kids. We did whatever we thought we had to do. Guzzi, my experience with the "Thank you for your service" stuff comes mostly from those considerably younger than us and as far as "where were they?", well most of them weren't even born yet. But that's just me. I don't consider myself a coward for having chosen the safest alternative nor do I consider myself a hero for signing up for what turned out to be a desk job far from any front. I do sometimes tell people that I served in the European Theater of the Vietnam Conflict just to confuse them. I've been an American Legion member for fifty years and I suppose I first joined because it was one of the few places that sold beer in my little town on Sundays. Yesterday our Legion had a nice service complete with an Honor Guard and the High School band at 11 a.m. and complimentary dinner at 6 p.m. I didn't go. I had no stories to share of a comrade who succumbed to a paper cut in the Data Processing shop. As I said once before here on another forum, TYFYS seems to have morphed into today's "Have a nice day", a throwaway comment devoid of any meaning. Like Guzzi "I don't tell them that it irritates me", I just mutter an equally meaningless "thank you"and hope that the conversation turns to something else.
"France really went out of its way to piss Germany off after WW1." And not to downplay whatever it is that the French did in the period, but it wasn't just them. The whole effect of the Versailles Treaty and the failure of the U.S. to ratify the League of Nations went a long way toward making Germany ripe for Hitler and his Reich.
God I hope this is snark.
I like the Pogues version of "The Band Played Waltzing Matilda"
https://youtu.be/G6IhLcnyuN0
Vonnegut's is an authentic voice on the horrors of total war.But don't overlook his fine satirical science fiction. 'Sirens of Titan' is my favourite. It's a good reminder stay clear of chronosynclastic infundibulums.
Oh your flag decal won't get you into Heaven anymore It's already overcrowded from your dirty little warAnd Jesus don't like killing, no matter what the reasons forAnd your flag decal won't get you into heaven anymore.
Naked and painted blue indeed
Like they say, the devil can quote scripture.
Oh yeah. That's a great rendition!
Long long ago I was the night porter (cleaning guy) at The Dom on St. Marks Pl in NYC. Start at 2am when the bouncers put the chairs on the tables, sweep and mop floors, clean bathrooms (nasty) and 6 bar stations. I got off when I was done, around 10:30 and drank a large beer stein of Hennessy 5 Star and Coke and walked back to my illegal loft in Alphabet City. I was a favorite with management (Stosh) because I only had the one large drink as opposed to my predecessors who killed a fifth each day.
Thanks for this! I just ordered the book.
It's time to quote Captain Kirk: "We don't have to kill today."
To paraphrase something that was said during the Great War: The end of war will be signaled by a black flare exploding in a midnight sky.
The birds going po-te-weet in the audio clip was a nice touch. Happy Birthday KV up in heaven.
Not when I'm not worthy of it, says the boy who was raised Catholic.
(OK, Thanks!)