The Vietnam War was rumbling in a distant land across the sea. Sean McBride was about to graduate from high school. He had decided not to attend the university next fall. High school had been much like jail for him.
The marine recruiter swaggered onto the stage of Sean’s high school auditorium. He stood ramrod straight in his dress blues, talking about God and country, invoking the memory of John F. Kennedy, who had said, “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”
The marines had always held special significance for Sean McBride. He had grown up listening to stories about the incredibly brave marines of World War II. The marines were heroes to Sean’s father and to other men Sean looked up to. In Sean’s mind, the marines were legends, bigger than life. They had helped save us from Fascism and tyranny at places like Iwo Jima, Guadalcanal, and Okinawa. Sean realized that it was his destiny to become one of these marines. He knew this meant he would be going to war in Vietnam. He didn’t understand the war and hadn’t even thought about it much. In his youthful enthusiasm and political naïveté, he accepted what he was taught in school and trusted his leaders. Sean was being told by the media that the majority of the American people were in favor of the war in Vietnam. Considerable subtle pressure was being put on him to join the fight. Sean was about to make one of the most important decisions of his life, at a very early age, with virtually no factual information available to him. He would not learn for many years that the American generals in Vietnam had lied to the politicians in Washington and that they in turn had lied to the people. Sean’s father, uncles, indeed, every man he respected and trusted had gone to war.
After school, Sean found his girlfriend, Christy, at cheer-leading practice. He told her he wanted to talk. She offered to give him a ride home in her mother’s car. They stepped outside. It was winter and the ice-cold wind took away their breath. There was a foot of new snow glistening in the lights around the gymnasium, and more falling heavily. Sean and Christy had been going steady for two years. She wore his class ring on her finger wrapped in Angora thread. Christy was a beautiful young girl, petite, with black hair and blue eyes. She was one of the most popular girls in school. They got into the car and drove past the football field and out Highway 139 toward the McBride home.
“I’ve made a decision,” Sean said.
Christy looked at his face, searching.
“I’ve decided to join the marines.”
She was frightened and began to tremble slightly.
“That means you’ll have to go to Vietnam. Sean, I love you. I don’t want you to go away.”
“I love you, too, but this is something I feel I have to do. I don’t understand it really, but I know I’d never be able to live with myself if I didn’t go.”
“It’s not our stupid war,” she said. “We could get married, and you could get a deferment.”
“I won’t; you know that.”
“Yes, I suppose I do. I guess I’ve always known that about you.”
They drove along silently the rest of the way. The heavy snow muffled all sound and made the silence even more difficult.
Christy dropped Sean off in front of his house and left. He walked inside and was greeted by the aroma of food cooking. The dinner table was set, and there was a fire in the living room fireplace.
“Hi, Mom,” Sean said, giving his mother a kiss on the cheek as he grabbed a carrot from the table.
“Was that Christy?”
“Yes. She had to get home.”
“Wake your father and tell Patrick dinner is ready.”
Sean went into the living room and nudged his father awake. He had fallen asleep in his red reclining chair reading the newspaper.
“Dad, dinner’s ready.”
Sean looked around the living room he had helped his father and grandfather build. He was proud of the pine walls and hardwood floors they had worked so hard to build. There were rows of books along one wall, and a picture of the Snake River hung over the sofa. Sean went up the wooden staircase to the bedroom he and his brother shared.
“It’s time for dinner!” he called.
Looking at the bunk beds he and Patrick had slept in since they were small boys, Sean realized for the first time that things would be different now. He was no longer a boy.
The family settled into the kitchen for dinner. They sat at the wooden table covered with a white tablecloth and began to eat the roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetables, fruit, and milk.
“I’ve made a decision,” Sean said. “I want to join the marines.”
Sean’s mother nearly dropped her fork. His father looked shocked, concerned, then proud. Patrick had a puzzled look on his face.
“Why the marines, Son?”
“I want to make a contribution. We’re at war and I think the marines are the best.”
Sean’s mother started to cry. She got up and left the table. Patrick looked even more perplexed.
“I think it’s admirable that you want to do your part, Son, but have you considered the Air Force or the navy?”
“No, I haven’t. I’ve made my choice.”
“Well, Son, if that’s what you want.”