I was born in the summer of 1969, in New London,CT, near the Naval Base in Groton, CT.

My father graduated from Rutgers University and was married to my mom in the summer of 1966. He enlisted in the Navy in 1967. Concerning Vietnam, he knew he would be better off to voluntarily enlist in the Navy for 4 years, and most likely serve stateside, than to take the chance of being drafted and be sent overseas. He served stateside. He trained people to fight in submarines. He knew in his heart that he was white, educated, and privileged, and I think he had survivor’s guilt until the day he died at the age of 72, though he never spoke of it.

When I was 3 years old, maybe 4 at the most, I kept hearing and seeing things on tv about this ‘Vietnam thing’, whatever that was. I curiously asked my dad, at such a young age, “What is this Vietnam thing I keep hearing of?” My dad said, “It is a war’. He explained to me what war was in simple terms. I then asked, and I remember this as clear as a bell,”Does America always win the wars we’ve been in?” ….. He hung his head. I had never seen him look genuinely sad before. He said to me, “Vietnam was a war where everyone lost.” At the age of 3 or 4, my little mind thought, “What a terrible, horrible, waste of time and people’s lives!”

I grew up quickly the day my Dad and I had that conversation.

Young children listen, and comprehend more than we think. They are paying attention. Being born at this time in history has shaped me into who I am today. If war is waged for any other reason than to assure the survival of the human race, it is a nonsensical waste of life. God Bless the people who didn’t return from Vietnam, those who are forever struggling with the scars that remain both inside and outside, the families who suffered from loss and the agonizing mental anguish that war inflicts, AND GOD PLEASE GRANT US THE WISDOM TO LEARN FROM, AND AVOID THE GREATEST MISTAKES IN HISTORY.

I grew up quickly the day my Dad and I had that conversation. It has made me stronger, and I can continue to remind generations coming into the world that, the USA is the greatest, most powerful country in the world. Power demands responsibility.

I’m proud of my dad. His father (my grandfather), was a Navy WWII vet. He had his back broken in half in the Mediterranean. He survived until he was 87.

Vietnam was so confusing but my father stepped up because it was the right thing to do, as a Patriot, just like his dad. We can’t have anymore wars we here there are no winners. If our country has no more Patriotism, we shall fall. No one is going to want to protect this country with their life if we keep starting nonsensical,unjustified, conflicts.

My fundamental beliefs were shaped by witnessing Vietnam at a very young age. No matter what, I’ll show up to fight if called upon, no questions asked, for this great country of ours, if necessary. This is the effect that Vietnam had on me, being born right in the middle of these insane, turbulent times.

Children do not need to be worrying about war. I, along with many others my age, had no chance to be sheltered from this ugly reality that was going on in the world. It was shoved down our throats the minute we gained our ability to have thoughts, to remember, and have self awareness.

This is a story told for the purpose of letting people know that EVERYONE was affected permanently by the War in Vietnam, even 3 and 4 year old children! Just ask me! I was traumatized by being aware of facts I didn’t have the ability to comprehend. War affects everyone. EVERYONE!!!!!

Peace, please!!!

Sincerely, Kimberly Spule