Remembering Chicago

The Vietnam Era. The class of 67. I turned 18 that year. At the time, too young to vote But not too young for the draft. Some were sent off to Saigon. No. I did not flee to Canada. I went to Chicago. College, marriage, Christian ministry, social work. There is the regular jungle like those in Vietnam. And then there is the other jungle, the asfalt. I served both my Lord and my Country in that asfalt jungle of Chicago. Notwithstanding, Chicago became very dear to my heart. There were some fearful experiences there; like those in the riot of '68, like being robbed one dark night in Lawndale, Cabrini Green, K town, and like being threaten with bodily harm on 43rd street. But the work there and the fond memories that I took away are till now a 'treasure cove'. Like none other that I have ever experienced, the people I met there and how my life was forever shaped from those 7 years spent in Chicago are perhaps what I treasure most.