The Day The War Came Home Reflection

   I would like to start this blog entry by giving a quick story. A Chemistry teacher at my High School here in Laconia attended Kent State University and graduated with his Masters in 1975. He was there during the shootings. I remember his story and how he remembers bullets going over his head. I sent him a message and he replied to me telling me that he will try to send me a document explaining his full story so I can share with all of you.

    My reaction to the video is very mixed. Because I can relate to someone who was already there I have a greater appreciation for it. I found the whole video very insightful and interesting.

   The part that struck me the most was how the guards moved and trapped themselves. It was called a "strategic mistake". Another powerful moment in the documentary was when they began to talk about "The Huddle". This was a where a group of groundsmen got into a circle and discussed the situation. Many feel like there is a conspiracy with this. People feel like the groundsman picked who they wanted singled out. In defense, a guardsman who was there claimed it to be false. He confirmed that they just were discussing how they got into this situation.

   The last thing I would like to talk about is the situation on Blanket Hill. The guards were returning to the ROTC building. People began to cheer thinking it was done. As the guards got to the crest of the hill, a guardsman was hit by concrete. Guys in the lead began to lower their weapon. The students then began to gesture back. The word "fire" was given. Some of the guardsman that talk about it now and say that they feel it was meant to be "hold fire". A guardsman shot within milliseconds, more followed. Many fired as warning shots. Hundreds fell on the ground. One man was remembered saying "Shoot me Mother******". This continued for some seconds.

   The most interesting information is that in 13 seconds, 67 bullets were fired. Many were injured but four were killed. We will never forget Jeffrey Miller, Sandra Lee Scheuer, Bill Scrhroeder and Allison Krause.

   I will let you know when I get the story from my former teacher.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Growing more knowledge

   I know this isn't exactly directly about a specific topic but I would like the chance to reflect upon yesterday's class discussion as a whole. The assignment was to find a primary source dating back to the Vietnam War.


    I thought it was very interesting listening to every one's sources. They ranged from personal interviews, to speeches, to newspaper articles from the time. It was awesome to hear what everyone learned from the article.


   An overwhelming amount of the class had interviews and articles of people and things that were unsure about the war. Many people really had no idea why or who they were even fighting. "They didn't really attack us or do anything to us." This was a very popular thought by many of those involved in the Vietnam War.


   I chose an article from the Wellsboro Gazette. It was dated November 16, 1967. In the article, I found it interesting that a senator to the state would send in his opinions and make certain columns about his views. At the time, he was giving his full pledged support behind the President to invade Vietnam. I feel like a lot of people really did not support the idea. In the columns, the Senator tried to give reasons why it would be best to support the war efforts. A lot of the reasons consisted of our soldier's current safety.


    As I thought about the Vietnam War yesterday I remembered Charles Stoots. "Chuck" was they  only grandfather I really had. Both of my grandfathers died when I was young. My grandma from Florida and Chuck met in 2000. Every year going to Florida I would see Chuck and we would always do things together. I always remember fishing, driving around with him in his nice cars, and of course even doing some work with him.


   On February 22, 2008 Chuck was honored by U.S. Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite and the State of Florida. Chuck was an active member of the United States Army from 1955 through 1980, with the Bronze Star Medal, Good Conduct Medal & Clasp Silver 1 Loop, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal & Bronze Star Attachment and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon w/Device.


   I remember this past April going down and him showing me his medals and talking about them. He was so proud and honored. I was very proud of him as well. I remember I had an early flight so I stayed up all night. I did not say bye to Chuck when I left because it was so early. About a month later, on May 29, Chuck had passed away to random sickness. I will never forget Chuck. I love and miss him dearly. He is a war hero for me and the first Veteran I think of.

Veteran's Day : The Reason Why We Should Thank Someone

   The truth is many people take for granted the rights we have as American Citizens. On Veteran's Day, most of the students are just excited that we do not have school. I am guilty of this as well.

   There are many reasons why we should remember and thank a Veteran on Veteran's Day.The reason we get to vote is because we have had people who fight and die for these rights. For over 200 years, we have had citizens sacrifice life and allow the rest of us to enjoy the freedoms we have. Thanking a Veteran is just something you can't do enough. You don't think of thanking your parents for creating you. If you say "thank you" to them, it seems so insufficient.

 

   Veterans like to have people listen to them. It shows them that we care about their service to our country for us. The stories are very interesting as well. They have experienced things that we have never been able to experience and probably won't.

 

   Another way to show your support for veterans is to fly an American flag.

Nothing makes a veteran happier than seeing the flag in the sky. A lot of businesses will fly the flag but not always. There are also ceremonies and memorials for these people. This makes them feel honored and good about themselves; as they should. I know back home we have a parade and everyone shows up downtown for the ceremony. You actually learn a lot.

 

   While we enjoy our day off tomorrow, make sure you thank a Veteran for their service.

 

 

MLK Jr. vs MX

   The discussion about Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. is quite interesting. Two men, both with certain dreams and goals, but a completely different way of life.
  
   Growing up, Malcolm X lived in an underprivileged home. He taught himself. He never received a lot of schooling. He eventually became great through his own intelligence and determination. Malcolm X was born in a neighborhood where there was a lot of fear and anger. His house was burnt down by the Ku Klux Klan. This eventually resulted in the murder of his father. After this happened, his mother had a breakdown causing the family to break up. Through his life, he grew up and was forced by a hatred and desire for payback.

   Martin Luther King Jr. was raised in a better environment. Growing up in Atlanta, his family had established their family name. In his house, education, security, and safety was provided. There was no reason to feel a strong hatred for whites as in the case of Malcom X.

   Both men are very important in the Civil Rights movement. King held a positive attitude and believed that through peaceful demonstrations and arguments, blacks would be able to achieve equality. Malcom X held memories from his childhood. He grew up angry and believed that equality was impossible because whites have no moral principles.
  
   Through this, King continued to feel that black and white people should be united and live in peace. Malcolm X promoted nationalist and separatist doctrines. He felt that revolution and force could only attain peace in society.

   After Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on December 3, 1955, the Black community of Montgomery planned a boycott of the buses. They selected Martin Luther King Jr, to be the chair. After just over a year, the plan worked and buses were integrated.

   After his family's break up, Malcolm got involved in bad street life. He was arrested and sent to jail. In jail he met Elijah Muhammad, the leader of the Nation of Islam in America. Through this time, Malcolm became the most effective leader. He established chapters throughout the country. This nation advocated self-defense and wanted complete independence of Black America.

   The government started to protect Martin Luther King Jr. It was easier and safer to deal with him. The government eventually stopped protecting King after he opposed the Vietnam War. There were problems in society and a huge battle. 

   King and Malcolm, were eventually assassinated. Both at the age of 39. Malcolm died first in New York of 1965. Martin Luther King Jr. was killed in Memphis of 1968. 

   Both wee not very different from each other. They had a goal of equality. Though their ways of achieving this goal differed greatly. They were on the same path trying to establish the true meaning of America.

Source: http://www.cyberlearning-world.com/nhhs/project/1998/xandking.htm