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War...Good God You All!

By Paul S. Cameron

Recently, I made my annual guest appearance to high school American History classes to share my Vietnam War experience with students. Generally, the students ask me to share specific Vietnam War areas of concern to enhance information they have obtained from the teacher and textbook. For instance, students will inquire about the daily life of an American soldier during their tour of duty in a combat zone, or what was it like living in America during the war years. War…huh…good God y'all,what's it good for? (from Edwin Starr's song, War).With the aid of video clips, photo albums, sketchbook drawings, and letters, I'm able to illustrate to the students with a fairly realistic concept of war. When a living war veteran tells the truth about their experience, students better understand the meaning of war. Most war veterans do not talk about their war experiences for various reasons. This year, an interesting question was posed to me in the classroom. The teacher asked me to make a comparison between the Vietnam War and today's Iraq War. Therefore, my response included the following:

1. American involvement generated by political interests.

2. Escalation during the first five years of involvement.

3. American presidents were from Texas during escalation period.

4. Lack of enough training to meet expectations of the regions and type of warfare.

5. Peace talks seemed ill-fated during both wars.

6. Administration and Congress were at odds about continuing US involvement.

7. Change of military leadership was constant throughout US involvement.

8. Guerrilla or insurgent activity complicated US military success.

9. Regular rotation of troop strength due to length of US involvement.

10. High rate of disabling wounds such as loss of limbs and permanent injuries.

11. American public opinion moved from support to opposition of US involvement.

12. War veterans formed anti-war groups to join the American peace movements.

In previous years, my classroom visits have been almost entirely targeted the war of my generation.

1. Troop strength dependent upon the 'draft.'

2. The Vietnam War was training-jungle oriented.

3. 365-day tour (volunteer extension).

4. Homeland support was lacking (always).

5. News media coverage was minimized.

6. Severely wounded soldiers medically discharged after hospitalization.

7. Females in non-combatant role

8. Soldiers (blood relatives) could not serve in the same unit.

9. Letters only form of contact to/from home.

10. Basic weaponry and equipment.

1. No draft, just enlistments, reserves.

2. The Iraq War is training-desert oriented.

3. 12-18 months and recall.

4. Support for war stronger (at first).

5. News media saturation due to technology.

6. Severely wounded soldiers allowed to discharged after hospitalization return to war zone.

7. Females in combat roles.

8. Relatives serving in same units.

9. Computer email, cell phone, and letters.

10. Technology is highly advanced.

Today, I'm seeing a great deal of concern among my students about a war in their generation. It's time for the heads of state in Washington DC to rethink what's really going down in Iraq and the entire Middle East region. As a member of the Vietnam Veterans Against War (VVAW), I wish to quote Edwin Star from his song, War: