I'm sorry, but I don't agree with a draft. During the 60's (I was a little boy at the time), I lost a best friend, and too many friends older brothers.

My school had sponsored a Vietnam supporters program. We chose a friend overseas and had a metal bracelet clamped on our wrist. The bracelet had our friend's Service number and name stamped on it. We were encouraged to write them. My guy's name was Pvt. John Patterson.

We began a letter writing campaign. I got alot of letters and photos from him. It was cool, I was 12, he was 18. I thought of him like a big brother!

After a while the letters slowed. Then I got one written on the back of a Hershey bar wrapper. He said he wasn't doing well and he was scared. He couldn't tell me where he was.

Then the letters stopped. I wrote and wrote, but no answer. Then I got a letter from the Armory where I had my bracelet clamped on. It told me to come down and have the bracelet removed as Pvt. Patterson was KIA.

I think I cried for 3 days, then went down and had my last link to John cut off. The folks at the Armory gave me his folks address, and I shared my letters with them. I also sent them my cut bracelet.

I never want to see an 18 year old kid who has so much to live for, forced into a life and death situation again!

I'm sorry if my views offend anybody, but I value life!

==Mike==