A day that changed everything

In six days, the 47th anniversary of the Kent State Massacre will be observed. I reviewed several Internet sites, to gather pictures and accounts of that event. Again, I was reminded of just how much those few seconds of tragedy, and the upheaval that followed, changed America forever.

I think the most insightful thing resulting from that day, was how it was viewed then and now, so differently by various segments of our country’s population. One must first remember, that the incident’s impetus was caused by the tremendous civil strife in the United States of that period, which was a direct result of the Viet Nam War.

In my humble opinion, there are three basic groups of views about that day and that war. The first of these viewpoints was that of what was referred to as the “establishment.” This perspective was held by a multitude of the older generation in America at that time, which included a majority of the parents of the people known as “baby boomers.”

They felt then and many continued to the same way for the rest of their lives, that the Viet Nam War was a just cause that was left unfinished. To them, supporting their country in a time of war was the necessary and right thing to do. Many still feel that the civil unrest at home undermined our war effort.

The second group I categorized includes all of the people who came after that time. Members of this group grew up in a period, when the Viet Nam War and the Kent State Riots, were simply old historical news stories. They look at the events of that day in a very dispassionate way, and have difficulty understanding the tremendous strife that existed within our population.

The third group is that of the generation that has been labeled by history, as the “baby boomers.” It was a group of college student protestors of this age, who became the victims of that day’s tragedy. In the days, weeks, and months, following that incident, millions of that same generation, led our nation, rightly or wrongly, in civil protests that eventually led our nation to end our involvement in the Viet Nam War.

Over the decades since, a significant majority of the older generation of the first group has been lost due to age. Most of them went to their graves believing that our country failed in that war.

The baby boomers, who were so activist in their youth, are now the new establishment generation in America. They have come full circle for the most part, in their views about how our country should deal with foreign conflicts.

Perhaps nothing changed this generation more, than the events of 911. Boomers, who once protested against our involvement in Viet Nam, and our nation’s policies regarding the sending of our armed forces into conflicts in far away locations, now demand that our government seek out and destroy terrorists, wherever they can be found.

As I contemplated the second group of younger people, mostly the children of the boomers, I felt a sense of irony. Following 911, we sent a huge number from this generation, to fight in far away locations. I recently saw a statistic, that American involvement in the Afghanistan war is now the longest conflict in our history. Even longer than the time we spent in Viet Nam.

The irony I feel is a direct result of the total change in the views of boomers, regarding such conflicts. The same generation that felt that they were being unjustly used in an illegal war in Viet Nam, now display few qualms, when it comes to sending the youth of today into protracted far away wars. Regardless of your politics or how you feel about these wars, one must acknowledge the change in sentiments by this boomer generation.

The riots following the Kent State Massacre brought many changes. Some of these are still in place today. One of these was the way we developed our armed forces.

It had been a standard policy for decades in the United States from the time of World War II, through Korea, and eventually Viet Nam, for a mandatory draft. All young men in America were required to register with their local draft board for a classification the day they turned 18. This military conscription system was at the heart of the protests that led to Kent State.

After Viet Nam, the United States closed down the Selective Service Draft System. Since that time we have had what is called an all-volunteer armed forces.

During the Viet Nam era, young men who were not deferred for cause, such as a student deferment, were drafted into the service for a period of two years. The Army and Marine draftees were trained for just shy of a year, sent to Viet Nam for a year, and then released from duty.

There was a great fear among those boomers of that generation, about getting drafted and sent to fight the jungle guerrilla type war they saw on television each night. Some historians believe it was this very inefficient draft system that led directly to the civil unrest of that time.

Today’s armed forces are better trained, equipped and have more experience. Many have had multiple combat assignments in the Middle East conflicts.

If there is any significant issue with this current system, it has to do with our inability to take care of all of these veterans in a proper manner. The Veterans Hospitals and the system as a whole, is over taxed and ill prepared.

Yes, the anniversary of Kent State should give us all pause to think about our men and women in the service. America it seems will never be at a point where we won’t need to send our armed forces overseas to protect us. Every American has a responsibility to know about Kent State, drafts and 911. Freedom always has a cost and each generation has to pay its share.