I Remember, 1968
A small skirmish in a bigger war.41 total reviews
Comment from strandregs
Beautiful and moving, you spin a marvelous yarn, enjoyed reading and remembering the good old days.nothing has changed much I suspect.Z.
reply by the author on 07-Jun-2012
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Beautiful and moving, you spin a marvelous yarn, enjoyed reading and remembering the good old days.nothing has changed much I suspect.Z.
Comment Written 05-Jun-2012
reply by the author on 07-Jun-2012
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Thank you, Z. I'm glad you can still relate. Peace, Lee
Comment from Cumbrianlass
Oh, Lee. This was AMAZING! I want to sit down with you and watch your face as you tell me this story My god. Brutal, crazy. It actually made me angry. I did not know that about tear gas.
This is told in your inimitable style, which I love. 'incendiary as cotton candy' 'Law and order my sit-down place' and so many more.
Hey. I like a man in uniform (cough). I won't make jokes about his night stick.
Well, I might later.
But I can't understand the gorilla mentality of cops sometimes. They go too far, as in this case. I can understand how frightening it must have been.
Glad you made up with your dad.
Great read. You're on sixer rations with me. So here's a smiley face instead of a gold cross. :o)
Av
x
reply by the author on 05-Jun-2012
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Oh, Lee. This was AMAZING! I want to sit down with you and watch your face as you tell me this story My god. Brutal, crazy. It actually made me angry. I did not know that about tear gas.
This is told in your inimitable style, which I love. 'incendiary as cotton candy' 'Law and order my sit-down place' and so many more.
Hey. I like a man in uniform (cough). I won't make jokes about his night stick.
Well, I might later.
But I can't understand the gorilla mentality of cops sometimes. They go too far, as in this case. I can understand how frightening it must have been.
Glad you made up with your dad.
Great read. You're on sixer rations with me. So here's a smiley face instead of a gold cross. :o)
Av
x
Comment Written 05-Jun-2012
reply by the author on 05-Jun-2012
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And thank you again, Av. Cops had a true seige mentality in those days. Between the race riots and the anti-war protests,
the country was at war on the homefront. And at the time, the screening process for cops wasn't very strict. Most of the juvenile deliquents I knew, ended up becoming cops. I'm glad you enjoyed. Peace, Lee
Comment from Scarbrems
I wasn't there. I wasn't even born and even if I had been, it would have been in the wrong country but, thanks to your work re, I've got a glimpse of how it might have been. I like the way you write as your younger self and show us the friction this caused between you and your father. I do wish John lydon of the Sex Pistols could read this, he thinks hippies were complacents who just had fun (he said it on a documentary the other night). I admire you forbeing there and taking a stand.
reply by the author on 05-Jun-2012
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I wasn't there. I wasn't even born and even if I had been, it would have been in the wrong country but, thanks to your work re, I've got a glimpse of how it might have been. I like the way you write as your younger self and show us the friction this caused between you and your father. I do wish John lydon of the Sex Pistols could read this, he thinks hippies were complacents who just had fun (he said it on a documentary the other night). I admire you forbeing there and taking a stand.
Comment Written 05-Jun-2012
reply by the author on 05-Jun-2012
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Thank you again, emsey. John Lydon should know better. Being there was an accident of nature, but my becoming involved was the product of my association with some very enlightened people.
I was lucky to have during such interesting times. Thank you again. Peace, Lee
Comment from Debbiecrosslin
In 1968 I was a mere, 13 year old girl. I was just shy, about 3 years, of being a cool ass hippie protestor. I remember though. How surreal that time was. How it changed everyone. I am somewhat ashamed for not being old enough. I am aware that was not my intent. I wrote to a neighborhood boy who asked me to write him in Nam, he was leaving the next day. I did, but when he came back a year later he was soooo different. I hate war. It reminds me of Vonnegut's quote of cradle to crusade. Not exactly the right quote. Peace my friend. Debbie
reply by the author on 05-Jun-2012
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In 1968 I was a mere, 13 year old girl. I was just shy, about 3 years, of being a cool ass hippie protestor. I remember though. How surreal that time was. How it changed everyone. I am somewhat ashamed for not being old enough. I am aware that was not my intent. I wrote to a neighborhood boy who asked me to write him in Nam, he was leaving the next day. I did, but when he came back a year later he was soooo different. I hate war. It reminds me of Vonnegut's quote of cradle to crusade. Not exactly the right quote. Peace my friend. Debbie
Comment Written 04-Jun-2012
reply by the author on 05-Jun-2012
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Debbie, thank you so much for the galaxy. I know what you mean about war, and Vonnegut's take--I believe he called it The Children's Crusade. It was a terrible time, but a momentous one.
Thanks for a great review. Peace, Lee
Comment from Showboat
Hey Lee,
Whenever I hear someone long for the 'old days' and wax poetic about the sixties and how cool it was I want to hurl? I figure they're either under 25 or have a screw loose.
I lived in Dayton Ohio at that time, Black Panthers all over the place, and can clearly remember National Guardsmen riding up and down the streets with machine guns mounted on the back of their jeeps trying to contain violence and protect the university district where I lived.
The blacks were rioting and by the time it was over, they'd burnt down the entire west end of Dayton. Unbelievable. I don't think there was a black-owned business left standing. Absolutely incredible and I remember it like yesterday.
The weapons are even deadlier today and more intrusive. Ah, progress.
Great essay,
Bet,
Gayle
reply by the author on 05-Jun-2012
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Hey Lee,
Whenever I hear someone long for the 'old days' and wax poetic about the sixties and how cool it was I want to hurl? I figure they're either under 25 or have a screw loose.
I lived in Dayton Ohio at that time, Black Panthers all over the place, and can clearly remember National Guardsmen riding up and down the streets with machine guns mounted on the back of their jeeps trying to contain violence and protect the university district where I lived.
The blacks were rioting and by the time it was over, they'd burnt down the entire west end of Dayton. Unbelievable. I don't think there was a black-owned business left standing. Absolutely incredible and I remember it like yesterday.
The weapons are even deadlier today and more intrusive. Ah, progress.
Great essay,
Bet,
Gayle
Comment Written 04-Jun-2012
reply by the author on 05-Jun-2012
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Thanks, Gayle. Yes, such a turbulent time. Between the Civil Rights movement, and the anti-war movement, there was no place to hide. The turmoil of the sixties changed us all. I'm glad you enjoyed. Peace, Lee
Comment from Val Crisson
I was nineteen in 1968, and I remember the exact moment Bobby Kennedy died. I was in Chicago when Martin Luther Kind was killed, and training to be a Stewardess for United Airlines another vivid moment. I remember we only had ONE black woman in that class, and how deeply it effected her. You have truly brought back some memories may friend, and I thank you. Many feel we were a worthless generation, and probably in some very selfish ways we were. But I don't believe, the world would be the way it is today without that generation for better or worse. Oh! By the way I wound up in a commune in the 70's - a whole other story. Wonderful memoir here.
reply by the author on 05-Jun-2012
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I was nineteen in 1968, and I remember the exact moment Bobby Kennedy died. I was in Chicago when Martin Luther Kind was killed, and training to be a Stewardess for United Airlines another vivid moment. I remember we only had ONE black woman in that class, and how deeply it effected her. You have truly brought back some memories may friend, and I thank you. Many feel we were a worthless generation, and probably in some very selfish ways we were. But I don't believe, the world would be the way it is today without that generation for better or worse. Oh! By the way I wound up in a commune in the 70's - a whole other story. Wonderful memoir here.
Comment Written 04-Jun-2012
reply by the author on 05-Jun-2012
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Thank you, Val, for this very revealing review. Those times influenced all of us, and, I believe, led to some very positive changes. By the way, I ended up in a commune for a time, too.
You weren't in Vermont by any chance? Thank you again. Peace, Lee
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It was my pleasure, Lee. Sorry about rambling on and on, but apparently you motivated me. I was in a commune called Sun at Midday in Olalla, Washington. I keep trying to write about it, but it just all sounds so trite. I can;t seem to bring it to life! This was a great piece.
Comment from bowls
Wow! That was gripping! You tell the story with a very bland tone and that makes it even more stark. I remember those days, but I've never heard about them from this particular point of view. Your opening paragraph is a real attention getter designed to put the reader squarely on your side - and he stays there. The simplicity of your closing paragraph speaks volumes. Thanks for the great read.
reply by the author on 05-Jun-2012
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Wow! That was gripping! You tell the story with a very bland tone and that makes it even more stark. I remember those days, but I've never heard about them from this particular point of view. Your opening paragraph is a real attention getter designed to put the reader squarely on your side - and he stays there. The simplicity of your closing paragraph speaks volumes. Thanks for the great read.
Comment Written 04-Jun-2012
reply by the author on 05-Jun-2012
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Thank you so much, bowls. I'm so glad you can relate to this little snippet of recollection. Peace, Lee
Comment from Judian James
I marched from Selma to Montgomery in 1965, when you were still a boy. That fall, I left for England for my college days but I remember so clearly 1968 and the tragedies of the assassinations and how devastated I felt. It was uncomfortable to be so far away that year. Hell, it was uncomfortable to be an American! Kell, who I did not meet for several more years, was in the thick of it, just as you were, back in the States. The war, the riots ... it was all so terrifying, which you have documented well here
Your style is familiar and intimate. Your repetition was effective. You don't just tell a story ... you create scenes that are so descriptive and real, your readers feel like they were there, wherever it is you choose to take them. Excellent piece of writing, Lee. Sorry to read about your injury and your Dad's disapproval though. Oh, for the record, I don't think you did anything wrong.
p.s. Did you make it to Woodstock in '69??
reply by the author on 05-Jun-2012
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I marched from Selma to Montgomery in 1965, when you were still a boy. That fall, I left for England for my college days but I remember so clearly 1968 and the tragedies of the assassinations and how devastated I felt. It was uncomfortable to be so far away that year. Hell, it was uncomfortable to be an American! Kell, who I did not meet for several more years, was in the thick of it, just as you were, back in the States. The war, the riots ... it was all so terrifying, which you have documented well here
Your style is familiar and intimate. Your repetition was effective. You don't just tell a story ... you create scenes that are so descriptive and real, your readers feel like they were there, wherever it is you choose to take them. Excellent piece of writing, Lee. Sorry to read about your injury and your Dad's disapproval though. Oh, for the record, I don't think you did anything wrong.
p.s. Did you make it to Woodstock in '69??
Comment Written 04-Jun-2012
reply by the author on 05-Jun-2012
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Jude, I envy you the Selma march. I think I'm the only person my age who admits not being at Woodstock. I was pitched in a life and death battle with the Draft Board over my Conscientious Objector status at the time. Dad had had an occupational deferment during WWII, and he was ashamed of it, so when his son became a 'draft dodger', well... I'm glad you could relate to this. Tell Kell, 'right on, man!' Peace (see? the vestiges remain), Lee
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I was seventeen when I went to Selma, flown out of Hartford on a small private plane with a local group of Civil Rights Activists.
It's an experience I will never forget. I didn't make Woodstock either. I was overdue with my first son and couldn't chance the trip (thank God I didn't think it would be cool to give birth in the mud at Woodstock, right?)
Comment from JeffreyStone
A greatwrite, Lee, as always, poignant and beautiful.
I remember 1968. I was serving as a Maintenance Repair Officer, putting landing craft back in shape for the fight in Vietnam after they had been blown up with our crewmen on board. I remember, not too long afterwards, when Jane Fonda turned traitor and had her picture taken on the antiaircraft guns that shot down John McCain and others. I remember 1972 and 1973, when I did my tour in Vietnam. We despised guys like you and would have cracked your head ourselves, given the chance.
No hard feelings now that it is over. That is just the way it was. We had a job to do; we thought we were protecting the assholes who were protesting in Hartford.
I am happy we both can state our point of view freely in this country. I happen to believe the guys at the firing endof the guns, not only in the Vietnam war, but all the others had a hell of lot more to asssure that right than Abbie Hoffman and the others who spit in the faces of the returning warriers.
Man, that must have been a good piece you wrote. because it lit my fire. If I could give you a six I would, but the system won't allow it right now.
Best Regards,
Jeffrey
reply by the author on 05-Jun-2012
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A greatwrite, Lee, as always, poignant and beautiful.
I remember 1968. I was serving as a Maintenance Repair Officer, putting landing craft back in shape for the fight in Vietnam after they had been blown up with our crewmen on board. I remember, not too long afterwards, when Jane Fonda turned traitor and had her picture taken on the antiaircraft guns that shot down John McCain and others. I remember 1972 and 1973, when I did my tour in Vietnam. We despised guys like you and would have cracked your head ourselves, given the chance.
No hard feelings now that it is over. That is just the way it was. We had a job to do; we thought we were protecting the assholes who were protesting in Hartford.
I am happy we both can state our point of view freely in this country. I happen to believe the guys at the firing endof the guns, not only in the Vietnam war, but all the others had a hell of lot more to asssure that right than Abbie Hoffman and the others who spit in the faces of the returning warriers.
Man, that must have been a good piece you wrote. because it lit my fire. If I could give you a six I would, but the system won't allow it right now.
Best Regards,
Jeffrey
Comment Written 04-Jun-2012
reply by the author on 05-Jun-2012
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Jeffrey, I've been putting off responding to your review. My piece feels awfully whiney in lieu of your service. Just for the record, I never did any of the spitting on the returning vets. Many had been my friends. Some still were. Maybe I'll write about that aspect someday. I'm glad, too, that we can both acknowledge our experiences with out rancor. Thank you, Jeffrey. Peace, Lee
Comment from sibhus
Ja, I remember it too. Sitting at home watching the nightly news and actually being stunnned that the rioting was happening in Chicago, only a hundrede miles away, and not some for off foriegn company. The heated conversations about how the rioting was going to result in choas and the break down of law and enforcement resulting in mass waves of maurading people fleeing from the city. That seemed to be on everyone's mind back then, that order was about to break down causing hungary people to flee the city in search of food. All the small towns around Chicago would be overwhelmed be people trying to fllee the anarchy of the city Same thing when King and Kennedy were shot, there was this fear that totally anarchy was just moments away. Good stuff there Lee,
reply by the author on 04-Jun-2012
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Ja, I remember it too. Sitting at home watching the nightly news and actually being stunnned that the rioting was happening in Chicago, only a hundrede miles away, and not some for off foriegn company. The heated conversations about how the rioting was going to result in choas and the break down of law and enforcement resulting in mass waves of maurading people fleeing from the city. That seemed to be on everyone's mind back then, that order was about to break down causing hungary people to flee the city in search of food. All the small towns around Chicago would be overwhelmed be people trying to fllee the anarchy of the city Same thing when King and Kennedy were shot, there was this fear that totally anarchy was just moments away. Good stuff there Lee,
Comment Written 04-Jun-2012
reply by the author on 04-Jun-2012
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Thank you, sibhus, and good to hear from you. Such a time of chaos. Te peace movement, the Civil Rights Movement, no wonder people would consider fleeing the cities. I'm glad you enjoyed, man. Peace, Lee
