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Joseph Cowan, Vietnam veteran
Palo Alto, CA, Santa Clara
I was so idealistic. I joined for the very highest of reasons. Patriotism sounds foolish
now...expressed by some wild eyed zealot out to
"kill commies for Christ". And I joined the Marine Corps certain that in this branch of service, I would be able to contribute the most. I was a radio operator, either relaying messages that some
officer directed me to...or sending stuff out on my on. Even though I had heard Bob Dylan songs
over there, I figured out, by myself, that the war was so very stupid and wasteful. When I got out of the service, I felt like I had to compensate for
having participating in that war. I joined the VVAW and marched against the war, here and in the May Day parade in Paris. Then I joined up with AIM
in the takeover at Wounded Knee, still trying to do some kind of penance for Viet Nam. Guilt and Shame
replaced Pride and Patriotism for so many years.
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