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Show The Thunderbird Monday, November 14, 1983 Trading PC aces Letters THIS WEEK BY LARRY BAKER A tale of two very different wars Editors note: Trading Places' is Page 5 Mstlock. SciyS To the editor: all apology IS 111 before the a weekly feature in which members of the campus community are able to share their views on subjects of their choice. Those interested in contributing to this space are urged to contact The Thunderbird. This weeks writer is Larry Baker, SUSCs director of publications, who served in the 5th Special Forces Croup in what was once the Republic of Vietnam. It was a number of factors that last week prompted reflection upon our countrys recent military history. Veterans Day, the aftermath of the Grenadian incursion and the Lebanon tragedy and, curiously, the viewing of First Blood on HBO all served in their amalgamation to evince a sense of sorrow of jealousy, perhaps. It is not easy for Vietnam veterans to avoid at times the aura of the scapegoat, of the victim. The bitterness and recriminations resulting from the many years of scorn and disregard have come into each veteran, it seems, in direct ratio to his (or her) inability to readjust to The World. r First Bloods John Rambo cried about being called a when he returned home from the war. I can recall with pain and sorrow incidents such as that. But then again, I can recall the incongruously r empty feeling I had because I had missed out on all the protest fun. There was little anger. The war I took part in 14 years ago, if it accomplished nothing more, served to instill a bit of ambivalence about myself. I came back in one piece, with just a couple of minor wounds, with no mental or emotional aberrations to speak of, no drug problem, no ingrained desire for gross violence. I guess to use the cliche the Army made a man out of me. But it was a man unwilling to judge the war, even today. However, I empathize greatly with those who have a bit stronger opinion about the war either way. I empathize with those who were damaged. I neither put them down for being bitter nor attack those who sent us there. It just happened, thats all. There was a time afterward, I must admit, when I thought they owed me something. I had a bumper sticker made up with words from the Arlo Guthrie tune I Could Be Singing. Theyre beating on you in Chicago, Theyre picking you up on the Coast, They're knocking you off in Ohio, They like sending you to war the most. r It was a effort to get in on the fun I had missed. But it was a long time before things returned to some degree of normalcy in my life. Indeed, my life was immensely and irrevocably changed. But it was quite a while before I could watch films like The Deerhunter and Apocalypse Now. I can recall that, for years afterward, the sound of a helicopters whump-whum- p imploding on my ears would send wracking chills up my back. And 1 can recall the approximate time when the memories began to fade and it all seemed like a dream or some movie that I saw long ago, far away. As strange and unbelievable as it may seem to the television generation who stereotype Vietnam vets as drugged psychopaths, the experts say that the majority are somewhat like me relatively well adjusted. The unfortunate ones who did not weather their personal strife are the ones who are most often heard about, though. It all points to the ultimate futility and tragedy of that war. And it points to those Americans who were the victims. There were 47,752 who died in battle in Vietnam and there are innumerable others who were endlessly affected by those deaths. There are thousands upon thousands who were wounded in body, mind and spirit. And there are countless others whose lives were somehow further touched by the countrys attitude against them. Somehow, a granite wall in Washington a decade later doesnt mean much. And when it comes down to it, neither does John Rambo saying its time we recognize the vets. Neither will go very far in bringing home to the unfeeling that unless they have walked a click in someone etses boots that theyll never know exactly what its all about, and that the totality oTa mariYsouL dictates how hell respond to any given situation. Some are now like the John Rambos of the world, unable to adjust to a society that trained them to live like savages, then could not understand why they couldnt turn it off. Some are now absolutely secure. And some the remainder are somewhere in between, waiting for peace with honor. Honor is what came to mind when watching the results of the Grenadian fighting. It was an action that for the most part reinstilled Americas pride in its military might and the righteousness of its use. The few thousand who fought and returned were embraced as heroes. They are not begrudged that affection. But it was at the same time heartwarming and galling to see such pride and honor, and it truly brought a sense of sadness when one remembered the comrades who gave their lives on the other side of the world, for no true and known purpose. SUSC, as an institution of higher learning, owes an apology to last Thursdays Convocation speaker, Ms. Gloria Duus. The behavior of the audience was intolerable. Although softspoken, Ms. Duus voice was loud enough to be heard, were it not for the continual sophomoric conversation in the audience. Even more distracting was the ' f an intelligent and sincere speaker was embarrassing and annoying. Since the same behavior has been exhibited to varying degrees at other Convocations, I fear that it well before the Convocation, need to leave for 12 p.m. classes. As if not satisfied with simply being rude, many people paused in the lobby to engage in loud, frivolous conversation rear the open auditorium doors. Such lack of consideration for is the V 11 fc frequent departure of members of the audience throughout the presentation. This reached the proportions of a hiatus well end of RanWance .1 ;. Order of shabby and symptomatic attitudes intellectual Surely we can do environment. better. Dr. Daniel B. Matlock, associate professor of biology k UHmdremat baby-kille- Sf I anti-wa- d 11 y. J L- - ik rj j A . jam fciahTi Rain dance ( - 430 i - S. Main Thanksgiving holiday Spacial Good thru Nov. 31st 1 anti-wa- coat Professionally Dry Cleaned at 14 price present student body card for discount t2rj3Slt E r&? EXtEnd-- Scanners It ELECTRON ICS a phonE goes with the conversation. Communications and Video C.B.s, Scanners, Ham and Business Radios, Cordless Phones and Accessories Installation Sales 1 33 South 100 West (In Rear) P.O. Box 441 Cedar City.. Utah (801) 586-028- 9 2O CL ID o u L- - 20 off Any Cordless Phone orCB purchase with this coupon! Expires n O c"0 O z |
