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Nettie's post on John Prine"s birthday and the mention of the song Flag Decal got me to thinking today about the times in which that song was written and times today and how things have changed so much. I remember when the song came out and how the country was torn in two nearly. It was Us and THEM. THEY were putting the flag decals on in support of the war, WE were wearing peace signs in protest of it. I can vividly remember the terrible arguments my Father and I had over the war, politics, Nixon and my hair. I remember how the group of guys I ran around with broke up one by one as they either got drafted or joined some branch of service that they thought was a safer option. I'm sure if we were a little younger some of us might have ended up in Canada, that just wasn't an option in 66. I rememeber the guys that saw combat and how they were forever changed and not for the better . At least they all came back. I look at things today and realise just how far we have come. My son is about the same age I was at the time, he has a group of friends that reminds me so much of my old group. They are all still together, no axe hanging over their heads. I won't say my son and I don't argue, but it's little stuff like what color I need to outline a flame job of his in or how big of a right rear to put on his race car. I end up spending most of my weekends with these young men. They treat me just like one of the boys. I can't imagine ever going anywhere with my Father or any of my friends Fathers either. They do rag me about my hair though, one calls me Willie Nelson. Oh yea the flag decals. Two days after the trade center tragedy we ALL did a bunch for the guys cars, Greg's car has a three foot long waving one. No division, no US and THEM here The Vietnam era, now there are some good old days that I just don't miss.
-------------------- George Perkins Millington,TN. goatwell@bigriver.net
"I started out with nothing and still have most of it left"
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Great post George. Although I have no children I know exactly where you are coming from. I encourage my friend's kids not to call me mister. Funny that, because when I was a kid and I called an adult by their christian name I got a quick smack over the head. As you say this is still a much better era.
-------------------- Drane Signs Sunshine Coast Nambour, Qld. dranesigns@bigpond.com Downunder "To err is human, but to really foul things up requires a computer" Posts: 965 | From: Nambour, Qld. Australia | Registered: Nov 1998
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George, glad to see you got your hair cut.It is amazing the way these terrible acts have brought the country together. Its a shame it tokk something like this to make it happen. God Bless America and Peace on Earth.
-------------------- Kevin L. Kleinhans Alma Signs (Signs Be Me) Alma, Michigan Posts: 139 | From: Alma, MI USA | Registered: Dec 1999
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George, There was little or no questioning before Vietnam. Now almost everything is questioned and second-guessed. I think we're better for it. Some who protested are waiving flags now. I'm sure that the flip side is true also. And I see some folks protesting, just to be protesting. Like Steven Stills said,..."singing songs and they're carrying sign--- mostly say hooray for my side.."
I saw your name on the auction page of Mid-South racing'site the other day.
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Santo, although Steven Stills was the lead singer in " For what its worth " by Buffalo Springfield the song had little to do with the war in Viet Nam. Those in the group were Steven Stills, Rithie Fury, Neil Young and Dewey martin.
-------------------- HotLines Joey Madden - pinstriping since 1952 'Perfection, its what I look for and what I live for'
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I remember the first time my dad went to thailand. He (well santa back then) got me a kids scroll saw for christmas, the kind that only cuts balsa wood. When he got back on leave, he was sort of ****ed i was making all kinds of peace signs in every shape you could imagine. All my friends had one on a neclace. I was about 10 or 11, really too young to know what was going on over there and all the politics involved, I just thought the peace sign was cool. He called the peace sign "chicken scratchings". I still thought it was a cool symbol.
They quit the draft the year before i turned 18 and he wanted me to join anyway. Well I would have went if i had to, but it was my choice and i didnt enlist. We went thru a lot of arguements about that. I look back now and wished i would have enlisted, I could have done 20 or so easily with the upbringing i had.
Now my son is 18 and we get along pretty decent, better than my Dad and I did. He said he will go if drafted, but like me back then i guess, he doesnt want to enlist. Its his choice right now. I think he is very much more patriotic than i was back then, but its different this time.
Yea, George, its funny how things thru the generations are different but the same. ..............................................
also, I wholeheartedly respect those that were in vietnam, Ive known quite a few and feel for them.
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I have no greater respect than for those that served in either war including vietnam. The stories that soldiers tell about coming home from fighting for their way of life, and getting spit upon and called names, all by americans. Let me tell you, if I had been there when someone did that, they would have been eating pavement. Several local boys here died in vietnam, including one boy from my hometown, ages, ky. Im glad you have such a good relationship with your son George. My boy is ten now, and I hope as he grows older, our relationship will carry on as it is now. I kinda dread them teen years.
-------------------- Maker of fine signs and other creative stuff. Located at 109 N. Cumberland ave. Harlan, Ky. 40831 606-837-0242 Posts: 4172 | From: Ages-Brookside, Ky. Up the Holler... | Registered: Jul 1999
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. At least they all came back. 
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