Several things strike me about this thread.

First, it was the beginning of a very close friendship between Mick and I. I'd been on the 'Cat only a few months and was hesitant about being any more open than I was, but it was a lot to say at that point in time. What's most important is that it was enough for Mick and I to gain respect for each other and talk about wounds that never heal. Its no secret around here that we are good friends. This is where it began.

Second, I was impressed at the broad spectrum of experiences related here. Not every experience was represented, but the cross section was certainly there. And yes, Shambles, I agree with your statement regarding this thread.

Last, I let a friend read it who is a high school government teacher and he asked he could have a copy. I said no. This was a very personal thread and I would want permission from everyone on it before I gave it to anyone. But we discussed something else which I've thought about since. If you took this and a few other experiences and put them into a one act "Tableau" style one act play, with music, and using the real words written here.........I have a vision of this that's hard to explain. Anyway, it would be an excellent way of teaching the time period to future generations.