5 Comments
User's avatar
Eli Hollander's avatar

Wonderful colorful personal memoirs of a very strange and tragic time. Thank you Michael

Expand full comment
The Coop Scoop's avatar

Thanks Eli. It also brought me into close contact with the working class guys who would go on to fight in Vietnam, an experience I would not have had otherwise as a UCLA student with a deferment. I learned a lot.

Expand full comment
Lee Rudolph's avatar

So you were, for a time, literally a doughboy?

Expand full comment
Michael Balter's avatar

LOL! Yes, exactly!

Expand full comment
Jessica Dieckman's avatar

Thank you for this thoughtful write up. It’s so important to be willing to have conversations with different people and discuss different ideas. You can’t throw an entire person away who has racist or derogatory opinions. They need more conversations and friendly experiences. That’s what changes hearts and minds.

What great memories from your military service. It’s certainly a very interesting account and point of view. It’s great you have gone back to visit and that the land is protected. I bet the smell of cinnamon rolls brings you back to that time. Very funny about the dough mishap. I am no fan of war at all and appreciate you protesting that. Funny they kept a file on you. I guess you definitely left a lasting impression.

Thanks for sharing and thanks for your service. I appreciate learning about your experience.🇺🇸

Expand full comment