I can tell you why I
did not die in Vietnam, since
that was my war, yours are
much newer and still remembered.
I didn’t die because
I enlisted and was not drafted
so I got to choose and picked
the Air Force, which reduced
the odds of dying significantly.
They would have been higher
if I were an officer, but that
would have required a degree
from the college that was about
to toss me out unless I
agreed to enlist in the military.
I can tell you I only know
two people who did die
in Vietnam, both enlisted
in the Army for reasons
beyond my comprehension.
Vietnam was my war and I
wished that you would never
have your own, but we both
know how wishing, no matter how
heartfelt, often comes to nothing.