Since I have lived with war vets most of my life, I would agree that the reasons they served were all very different, depending on which war you're talking about. War changed all of them.

My ex-husband was in Vietnam and was awarded a medal for bravery. He didn't talk about it because he said they handed out metals in Viet Nam like they were prizes in a box of Crackerjacks. Besides, he said, it was more like getting a metal for temporary insanity. He lost faith in America and we moved to Canada in 1974. He still suffers from post traumatic stress syndrome.

My dad was in WWII and he didn't like to talk about it. He told us a few things: he was a machine gunner with two other guys, he served in the South Pacific. Thats about it. He died and when mom moved out of our family home, I was given her old hope chest. Inside I found my dad's uniform which I gave to my brother. I also found a Japanese flag with bullet holes and blood (I was shocked). I gave it to my other brother. I kept the metals and ribbons. I also kept the Western Union telegram telling my mom he'd be home for Christmas. I framed them. Although I hate war, its part of my heritage.

Serving in the military used to be part of being American. How men deal with it afterwards is different for each of them. I actually admire Kerry for speaking out against Vietnam. At least he stayed in the U.S. and protested. Many were so disillusioned they never wanted to be associated with the U.S. again. There's lots of them here in Canada and they're not all draft dodgers, either.

But whenever there is a draft, Canada gets some of the brightest and the best. Its called the brain drain up here.