A Mother’s Despair
As my fres
hman 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.
