A 15-Year-Old Marine

While unwilling to fight in Vietnam, there were thousands who fled to Canada to avoid the draft. While I was serving my country in a different kind of way by working with streets gangs in the war zones of housing projects in the city of Chicago; And while I was just turning 19 and receiving a college deferment from the draft, there was a teenager with a dream of joining the military and becoming a marine. He was a youngster not yet fifteen. He was determined to live out his dream. I think not that he needed to let off steam. Sometimes it's hard to tell what things mean. His dilemma was the fact that he was only 14 years old about to turn 15.* To remedy the situation, he decided to falsify his birth certificate. He managed to succeed in doing so, and after finishing his basic training, he was later sent off to the war in Vietnam. He defended his country before being killed in June of 1969 at age 15. He became the youngest soldier to be (KIA) killed in action for his country. I discovered his story inadvertently while researching other subjects. Prior to a few days ago, I had never heard of him. Now, I shall not fail to honor him. 05262017 Contest, Mid October Standard, Strand *Dan Bullock, Wikipedia