Let me clear here, once again, about where I stand on war and all it stands for. I oppose it. I have spent my life after my tour in Viet Nam being very active in opposing it.

But I will not "chill" when some whiney ass hole denigrates those who made different choices. I have stated, and will state again, that I respect those fought against the war as much as those who fought in it.

So I will say what I feel. And I'll do my best not to hold back *BG*. Spaw, Bobert, DougR, CarolC, Katlaughing, Justa Picker, and many others have different views on how this subject can be approached. I respect those views, and Spaw you are SOOOOO right - it does take both sides to change this craziness, and expect the same respect for my views and choices.

I love this place and the people in it - it has helped more than any of you will ever know to be able to come to a table and discuss, and cuss, the bent up pieces of my life that evolved from serving in Viet Nam.

I choose to be proud of my service - I'll be damned if I'll be ashamed of the ideology I took to the war and my participation in it under those same auspices.

Bless you all on this Memorial Day -

Say a prayer for those who are far away

And most likely in harm's way

Right or wrong they go believing their service will help others.

Steve