I wish to hell that folks would stop using the National Guard as an example of draft dodging during 'Nam time!

Yes, there were rich cats' sons, and I'd name some except that would be beating around The Bush, who joined the Guard because of "pull." But!

Dear old LBJ activated 24,000 reservists and Guardsmen in 1968; of these 10,000 were sent to Vietnam and elsewhere. I bloody well know, since both my brother and I were among them -- and he went to Chu Lai and I went to Korea ("blood relatives in a a combat zone" and all that).

That Guard unit won a second Meritorious Unit citation to go with their first, which was won on Guadacanal. Members also won medals from the Bronze Star with V downwards.

Another unit, of the 151st Infantry from Indiana's Guard, was LRRP -- and they "enjoyed" a shower of "Stars" as well, several being Silver as well as Bronze with V.

My cousin served as a point man with the 9th Division.

Not all of the reservists and Guardsmen came home -- we were lucky, since all who were activated originally came back (although some, like my brother, with healed physical wounds and unhealed psychological ones).

Now, GOD DAMN IT!, knock it off, okay???

There were and are f**koffs in every outfit....