[Leica] Did a Single Photograph or Two Stop the War In Viet Nam?

[abridge at dcn.org (Adam Bridge)]

On 5/12/04 <keith@wbalaw.com (Keith R. Wessel)> thoughtfully wrote: 

>I was #57.  I was on the road taking photographs and did not have an address
>because I was staying in hotels, etc.. As such, letters scheduling my
>physicals were returned and ultimately the draft ended.

I was a #34 in the first year. I enlisted in the Navy figuring it was better to
get some good training in exchange for time rather than slog around in jungles
and be shot at. I just changed the venue in which I'd be shot at and the
lethality of what a "hit" might mean. 

As it worked out my enlistment physical was my draft physical...just us guys
sitting on the Group W bench....shouting KILL KILL KILL.

Ultimately I served seven years, did fascinating duty about which I'm absolutely
sure our missions contributed to the security of the West. Unfortunately the
life of submarine nuclear-trained enlisted folks, especially reactor operators,
wasn't really happy. We were short of people, worked LONG hours in a
zero-defects program (100 work weeks were common in port, I got to rest when we
went to sea which really got to my wife), and there wasn't any sign that it
would end very soon.

I got a fabulous education, met some amazing people (including a WWII medal of
honor winner from the submarine service) who are still friends, took pictures
through the periscope (no Leica content, alas) of some "interesting" things, and
have a collection of sea stories...which I'll spare you. <grin>

So the draft changed my life - for the better. BUT I understand those who had
serious qualms about the war and who chose to find ways not to serve. I never
got all indignant over Clinton. Now the guys who are currently sending our
soldiers and sailors and airmen out to get shot at, and who ducked service: THEM
I have a problem with. 

Adam Bridge