For a year I lived and worked in a house in Toronto that became a "safe" or "halfway" house for draft resistors. We worked in conjunction with an anti-war group in Buffalo (a border town) who would let us know when someone was "crossing". A lot of the kids who stayed with us on Admiral Rd. were terribly scared and definitely filled with emotional conflicts. Many had grown up in the "my country right or wrong" environment, and although they knew the "war" had more to do with commercial interests than "saving anybody" they still felt that being American meant you were "expected to die for your country" even if your leaders appeared to be insane.

One night we had an amazing incident happen. A full fledged Marine showed up at our door.(dress uniform and everything). You can imagine the chaos, and panic! Some thought that Canada had signed an extradition treaty with the US, and were madly writing letters to their folks..some were even praying.

What had happened was that the "Marine" in question (Kelly) had been to Nam, was promoted to Corporal, had killed (he said) and was returning to the States on a troop ship. An officer (apparently drunk) made some insulting remark, and Kelly slugged him. The officer hit his head on something and almost died. Kelly was imprisoned immediately on returning to the States (Camp Lejeune...I think..this is a long time ago) and was told that he would be serving 7 years in prison when found guilty. Now here's the odd part (to me anyway) Everyday they'd let him out of the stockade to drive a certain kind of large truck (he was the only one who had the proper licence on the base) and everynight he'd return and go back into his cell.

One day he just drove the truck out of the base and kept driving. He must have gotten some information from the extensive "underground railroad" at the time, 'cause he drove across the border at a secret place, and 5 hours later ended up at our door.

In the 3 or 4 months that Kelly spent with us, it was fascinating to watch the interaction between the resistors and the guy who joined up Gung Ho. Sitting around at night, everyone telling their stories was an amazing part of my education. Especialy knowing that by an accident of birth (50 miles north of the American border) I would never have to make that awful decision that so many Americans made. I didn't feel righteous...just very lucky.

Over the years I've heard stories from both vets and resistors about being "spat on". I've never witnessed anything in which each side's passions were so high.

Rick