Today I Learned

He said why he enlisted—basically as a kid—but also said his musical talent saved his life. He became a Marine musician and didn’t go into combat. Even 30-40 years later, he still carries his survivor’s guilt and has played Taps at thousands of funerals, in part, I imagine to “combat” that.

My dad had a student deferment, but his best friend enlisted right out of high school, and was killed in Vietnam shortly after Basic Training. Dad kept his friend’s letters and pictures his whole life and even in his 70s would cry easily when discussing it.