I am a Vietnam combat veteran who was drafted in the spring of 1965, the first draft, when we were called upon to serve our country in the turmoils that were going on at that time.
The latest news articles giving all the accolades to President Jimmy Carter struck a nerve.
In honor of my brothers in arms, all 58,479 of them who gave their lives during the Vietnam conflict so we can live the freedoms that we have today, I must bring up this fact.
On January 21, 1977 our President Jimmy Carter pardoned those draft dodgers, aka cowards, who ran to Canada so they wouldn’t have to serve in the military. Truly a slap in the face to those who were called upon who gave their best to serve and protect our country.
Those who served did so unselfishly for our freedoms, our safety, and our country’s heritage and gave their all. We remember the hardships they faced, the sacrifices they made and for their many different contributions to America’s victories over tyranny and oppression.
Shouldn’t those who had committed that crime of avoiding their duty pay for their disgraceful actions? They got away scot free. They definitely could have faced the courts of our fine nation and paid a term like any other criminal who has to do the time for the crime. It was bad enough that we were yelled at, spit upon, and called “baby killers” that we had to learn that those that ran away got away with it.
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What do you think the families feel that have lost their husbands, sons, fathers, brothers and loved ones. The remembrances and feelings never go away.
To those who went and served, they earned every benefit that they are receiving today.
Those that ran can live with guilt each and every minute with shame for what they did.
They never should have been pardoned.
Gerald Augustine is chaplain, Disabled American Veterans, Chapter #7 Middletown
