Marines posed with flag resembling Nazi SS logo in Afghanistan

[amandabeech]

38. Your're not alone.

My Dad, a WWII vet, was in his 40s when I was born. Most of friends' fathers were Korean vets.

I recently had dinner with the Salutatorian of my small rural high school. We were in the same class in mandatory U.S. history our junior year of high school.

My friend's dad is a Korean vet.

One of my uncles past away fairly recently, and I was remarking on his WWII service. He was a radioman and tailgunner in a bomber in the Pacific.

My friend said something to the effect of, "Gee, I guess a lot of guys must have tried to dodge the draft in WWII." I told her that there were very few draft dodgers after we were attacked at Pearl Harbor, and those few were shamed for years and years after. She was surprised.

My Dad and another uncle were both 1st class petty officers in the navy. My Dad's rating was aviation metalsmith, 1st class, if that means anything to any vets in the crowd.