A call to read and write stories
Welcome. I am very pleased to announce the publication of CALLED TO SERVE: Stories of Men and Women Confronted by the Vietnam War Draft. After 7 years and 61 interviews, 30 of which are contained in the book, Levellers Press has enthusiastically published the work and it is now available through several sources.
Levellers Press (https://store.collectivecopies.com/store/show/319)
Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/Called-Serve-Stories-Confronted-Vietnam/dp/0981982042/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1307990097&sr=8-1)
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 from the book that appear on this blog. 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. The stories published here will be in one of three categories pertaining to how they were shared and whether or not they were edited. If the story was one of the original 61 interviews I conducted for the book, that will be indicated as well as whether they were edited. If the story was received through the blog itself or an e-mail that will be indicated and it will essentially be published verbatim.
Called to Serve: Stories of Men and Women Confronted by the Vietnam War Draft
I will continue to write posts. You can access them from the sidebar. I am eager to hear your reactions and your thoughts about these and other related topics. The Vietnam War is over, but its reverbations continue and my book has only served to reinforce this notion. The current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are serving to remind us that we are not finished dealing with the mentality that leads us into such wars. I will be addressing issues that are common to the wars in the posts as well as a host of other issues from funding the war and the consequences of our bloated defense budget to the effects of war on those who fight and those who are its victims. Whether it be the recruitment of soldiers, the misconduct of the war, the tragedy of the suffering Iraqis and Afghans, the mistreatment of veterans, etc…,the parallels between Vietnam and these wars as well as the dissimilarities will be examined and I welcome and encourage your responses. It is abundantly clear that we have not learned the lessons of the past. It is our responsibility as free-thinking, compassionate and attentive citizens to call attention to the disastrous policies and actions of the American government and to let the world know that they are not done in our names.
Finally, I will be offering a variety of references – films, books, poetry, articles, interviews, photographs – that provide background, commentary, perspective and knowledge about the Vietnam, Iraq Afghanistan Wars. It is my hope that through increased awareness provided by a wide variety of sources, a greater need and desire to speak out will take hold…
~ Tom Weiner