42 | JULY 4 • 2024
the lower-economic classes. The draft
has often been cited as a “leveler;”
that is, enlistees will come from all
socio-economic classes. What is your
reaction to this theory?
EG: The draft fed you into the
military, which was the leveler or
melting pot, if you will. Once in the
service everyone was theoretically
equal. No matter one’s color, creed
or background, it came down to
conforming to military standards, so in
that sense, it is a leveler.
The volunteer army doesn’t take
people who don’t want to go, as the
draft did. However, I do know some
people enlisted because their civilian
options were limited. Others may be
recruited because they have highly
desirable skills, not simply because
of socio-economic background. But
once in, what you were in civilian life
doesn’t matter as much.
I also think that, instead of a draft,
what if there was a national service
plan? Young people could serve the
country in so many other ways —
education, conservation, healthcare;
the military could be one option.
This would be a leveler — and would
give young people the chance to
meet other people from different
backgrounds.
MS: Your book tackles a very
emotional, politically fraught subject,
even in 2024, as your interviews
show. But, when completed, how did
writing this book affect you?
EG: It was emotional for me on many
levels. It dredged up unsettling
personal memories and the difficulties
that friends went though. When the
book was finished, I was relieved.
It was the culmination of a long,
arduous journey. The research, the
interviewing, the writing all took time
and work. But in the end, it was all
very satisfying.
The interviews showed me that men
were really upset, angry about the
unjust war. And, I was angry. These
men were opposed to the war, not
specifically to the military. This is a
key point. If you were not opposed to
the war, you went along with the draft
or might treat it as an inconvenience.
If you were opposed, then the draft
— whether you accepted it or took
steps to avoid it — could be a critical
turning point in your life.
The men I interviewed were angry
for being put in this position by our
country. “I cannot be part of this” was
the primary response among those
who went to Canada, who left family
and friends behind, who went to jail
or into hiding. Those who stood up
and said “no” often paid a heavy
price.
The men were not anti-America,
they were not cowards, and they
were not traitors; they were angry
at, and against, the government that
was conducting this war. Especially
after such episodes as the Pentagon
Papers, which demonstrated that
the government had repeatedly —
through several administrations — lied
to us.
MS: In the end, what is the big idea,
the primary message that you hope
readers absorb?
EG: I want readers, especially young
people, to understand why so many
members of my generation said
no to this war; that we have an
obligation to be informed, to take
notice of what our government and
its representatives are doing, and
to be heard. And sometimes we
need to have the courage to make
tough decisions. Sometimes it’s not
a choice, but a duty to do what’s
right even when it’s uncomfortable.
We did that during the Vietnam War.
Sometimes one has to stand up and
be a mensch and say no.
ARTS&LIFE
BOOK REVIEW
continued from page 41
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