Archive for month: September, 2015

 

 

Over the course of these few past week is have, been investigation  the personal letters of Senator Harlod Bizz Johnson. The importance that these journals bring  are very significant, and shows the mind set of the average every day citizen felt towards the war efforts in the early 70’s late 60 ‘s of the  cold war.

Through out the cold war many  politician had their ideas of the spread democracy and the way it’s influences should be  spread.  Senator Harlod Bizz Johnson back round showed hoed his former employment shaped his way of thinking later in his career:  Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and also serves he served on the Budget, Foreign Relations, and Commerce, Science and Transportation committee. http://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/biography

The justification  that this document gives is one of a western idea, of how  manifest destiny effects lower income countries and that the  idea of  capitalism  and the inevitable success that it brings tromps over the methods of the  idealism of socialism

As my freshman year began, my professors at CSU Channel Islands gave me the honor to read some letters citizens sent to congressmen either for or against the Vietnam War. Some letters were of people agreeing to continue the war while others were of families pleading that they wanted their family members back.

Among the numerous letters I read, there was one in particular that really caught my attention. It was from a lady named Betty Wellengak pleading she wanted her son back. She wrote, “Killing in the name of peace does not make anyone less dead.” That quote intrigued me because a lot of lives were going to be lost during the war. Even if it was to defend the nation or make “peace” a lot of lives were going to be lost and they wouldn’t be able to be replaced.

Another thing that caught my attention was how she pleaded for every mothers’ sons to get sent back home. Her despair was not just for her but also to the other mothers who were in her situation.

Vietnam not only had an effect on the people involved but everyone around them. The family of the soldiers went through an emotional toll along side their sons and loved ones. Not only did they have to stay home and wait to find out if their family was going to come back, and if they did were they going to be intact. They also saw the effects the war had on the economy while the war in Vietnam was happening. They saw the hope in the family’s fall, watched President Nixon go back and forth on weather to retreat and bring the soldiers home.

In this letter you meet a gentlemen named John Jaekel fed up with what is going on around him.  He wants to know if the economy has a plan to rehabilitate the soldiers returning home. They spent so much money on the war finding the resources to fight, and to win, and no concern for the well being of the humans in control of them.

Even in present day society this is still a major concern to every vet who has fought in war. Many vets receive the physical needs when returning home but in my opinion the biggest concern should be the psychological damage caused by war. Psychological damage  done to our vets should be the main concern to military when our troops come home. Many of our soldiers suffer from PTSD, it doesn’t only effect them but there family and friends. Just as in the 70’s this is not an issue that many family think about when the send them of to war.

The economy is mostly impacted by the war and the cost it takes to go to battle. Just as John this is a concern to every american who is anti-war. So all in all we need to redirect our focus and our droller on the health of our soldiers.

My name is Raul Perez and I’m from Downey California. I graduated from Warren High School, where I was actively involved in many organizations and sports at my school. I’ve ran Track and Cross Country for all four years and played a bit of baseball. Although baseball was and still is my main sport I stuck with running and I’m blessed to say it was a really great decision. While I was running, my cross country had won the CIF Division 1 title marking both the first time the school had ever received a Division 1 title as well as the team. I am currently enrolled as a Environmental Science and Resource Management major and I do not plan on switching majors anytime soon.

I love the environment and just nature in general. I’m more of the outdoors type I just like to be outside and explore the world around me. Whether it’s playing sports, out hiking, being at the beach or just being outside and hanging out with friends I do it all, I rarely like being indoors. With my Environmental major I plan on becoming an Environmental Lawyer were I would then hope to make a difference in some aspect in the world. I know no one man can change the world, but my main goal is to just preserve the world long enough for my kids and my kid’s kids to live happy lives. I am currently the first in my family to go to college, so this experience is as new to me as it is for everyone else within my family.

I have three brothers back at home two of which are way too young to even understand where I am at, so its kinda hard being away from them at times. Coming to Channel Islands has been a big step you can say, although I’m not too far from home I do get a little homesick every now and then. I am excited to be here at CI and be apart of the SURF program with all of you amazing people. I’m ready to just take on this year and let life take me on its’ journey, because I know for certain it will be great.