I had never heard the term, "Thank you for your service," until 2016 from a car salesman. I found it bewildering, had no idea how to respond.
I wanted to say, "Where were you in the 60's?" I didn't ,but it brought back memories of the decade and longer. of the disdain, our general society exhibited for OUR troops.
The draft not discussed, in the tiny redneck town I lived in: it was a given, they call, you go.
2. Kent State: I did not understand?
At the time the general opinion of the National Guard was 'a bunch of slackers' that wanted to avoid the draft.
(Remember, this was before National Guard Units were activated and became real soldiers)
So, when they sent the National Guard my opinion was: Hum, their toy soldiers, but if the kiddo's piss them off, they will fix
bayonets and 'run those kids off.'
I had no idea, these untrained troops, with very limited knowledge of riot control, if any, would be given live ammo.
The news clips I saw were of kids throwing rocks and basically have a good time acting stupid.
Regardless, you do not challenge a group of people with guns. Obviously, the kiddies did not know the guard troops had live ammo.
It was unheard of to give toy soldiers ammo.
When the troops began the killing, I had very little sympathy for the kiddies-Again, you don't piss off a group of men with guns!
I've seen the clips again, many times, like any group confrontation, the facts are difficult to sift out
The kids were stupid, not as stupid as the guys that opened fire, but still very dumb.
Also, the cop that shot the kid with a toy M-16.
The radio call was 'man with a rifle.'
The cop arrived, jumped out of his car and shot the kid. That's acceptable behavior when the call is 'man with a rifle':
you do not have time to distinguish that it is just a youngster with a toy rifle.
The clip of the incident last for, maybe 5 seconds or less. You do not get into a gun fight when you have a pistol and your
opponent has a rifle.
The cop; was indicted, I don't know the results.
These two opinions will be unpopular, but if it were you were there-how would you act?
When you perceive yourself is in danger, you act, you do not try to determine, "What's going on here?"