Download PDF of this full issue: v12n1.pdf (8.4 MB)

Wheelchair-Bound Nam Vet Cross Country

By Mike Sutton

On a bitter, windy November morning, Mac Inglett, a wheelchair-bound Vietnam vet, waited together with supporters, for a press conference to begin on the steps of the U.S. Capitol building. Max was culminating a cross-country trek, begun in Los Angeles on October 34, to call for legislation designed to prevent another Vietnam-type American military intervention. Specifically, he wants to make sure that U.S. combat troops never again be sent "into an undeclared war, to intervene in another country's internal conflict," and further, that the functions of a military advisor be clearly defined and re-evaluated, and that the number of advisors be limited by law. Such legislation, Max points out, is long overdue: "It is wrong to as America's young men to intervene in someone else's war—we should have learned that lesson from Korea," he stressed.

Max hitch-hiked his way across the country, speaking to numerous groups and making over media contacts. His message was that it is patriotic to work for a reasonable, peaceful American foreign policy. He wants Americans to realize, he said, "that patriotism does not begin or end around a military tour." It is appropriate, he pointed out, "for veterans to take the lead to prevent another Vietnam be educating the people...Our lead must be joined by all citizens." Looking to the work ahead, Max observed, "the only way we are going to win this struggle is to replace apathy with activity and to create unity."

A combat medic with the 1st Cav in Vietnam, Max received the Silver Star, Bronze Star and Air Medal. He was wounded and exposed to Agent Orange. The character of the war quickly became evident." I thought I was defending my country when I enlisted (at age 18)," Max recalls, "until I found out it was a lie—we were being used like puppets to fight a useless war."

Max's reception in Washington was less than he hoped for. There was no meeting with Reagan and his press conference was pre-empted by a Reagan speech. But Max was not discouraged. He still had several appointments with members of Congress, supporters were with him on this cold November day; and if his message was being given short shrift by the media in Reaganville, he had been heard loud and clear in his many other stops across the country.

Mike Sutton
Washington, DC
VVAW