Are YOU a Viet Nam Veteran?, page 1

I represented David Zeiger at the Dallas Premier of "Sir! No Sir!" this Memorial Day Week-end at a scheduled appearance of 3 showings over 3 days. The theater folks had a microphone where I could address the folks in attendance. The premise was to introduce the film, watch the film with the audience, then after the film, field questions about the film or Radio First Termer. The Dallas Morning News had already mentioned, along with a review, that being a Dallas Native, Dave Rabbit would be in attendance for 3 showings. Anyway, I was totally amazed at the attendance. It was overwhelming. Once I did the show on Friday evening and got to talk with some of the folks who came and interacted with them, it really got into my blood. So Saturday, I did the one I was suppose to do and an additional one as I did on Sunday.

At the end of the 6:15 p.m. showing on Saturday, during the question and answer session, an elderly woman said that she wanted me to pass on to David Zeiger how deeply moved she was about his movie as well as the brave men and women whom the movie portrayed. Then, just as I was about to go to the second question, the lady speaks up and says, and I quote from memory........

"You know, I was and still am an active anti-war activist. My son was a Green Beret in Vietnam and was killed during the Tet Offensive in 1968. I was a single mom and he was my only son. I was so devastated by his death that I had to find a reason, something that I could pin down that I could understand why he died and what he died for. As I learned more and more about the lies of Vietnam, some others and I started and participated in an underground movement to house American GI's who were refusing to go to Vietnam until we could arrange them safe passage to Canada." She continued on with a few stories of some of the GI's that she met during those times. I asked her why she did it. She said, and I quote from memory "I believed then and do now that for every GI I can save from a senseless death, it is a tribute to the memory of my son."

When she got through speaking.... I found myself misty eyed. As I looked around the crowded theater, I saw dozens of others also that were deeply touched at what she said. Then, without warning, a few people began to stand and started applauding. Before I knew it, the entire audience got up on their feet and started applauding this lady, including me.

As people started streaming out of the auditorium, they would pass by her just to shake her hand. I stood there thanking folks for coming but found myself in awe of what was taking place. After the folks streamed out, I escorted her out and continued talking with her. She is an extremely wealthy woman now, is 82 years young and supports financially anonymously, dozens of anti-war causes and organizations. I asked her if I could get a picture of her standing next to the "Sir! No Sir!" Marquee and she said sure. As I was about ready to snap the photo, she lifted her arm and flashed me the peace sign. I shook her hand, gave her a hug and told her how honored I was to meet her. I asked her what her name was. She said, "Just call me Jean". And with that, she and her friends disappeared into the elevators.

From that point on until I sat down at my computer to write this Sunday evening, my life changed. I suddenly realized that although "Sir! No Sir!" depicts those of us that were involved in the anti-war movement, there was another group of individuals who were just as important and just as involved in changing the course of history.... the families.

I am even more passionate now, if that is possible, to bring Radio First Termer Iraq to the troops as quickly as humanly possible. And although I have never done it ever before, I am going to dedicate Radio First Termer Iraq to someone really special.... "Jean" and all the other family members just like her.

PEACE!

Dave

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[edit on 6/5/2006 by Dave Rabbit]