Mike L Chapla Book order (chronological)

The late 60s and early 70s were chaotic times marked by the raging Vietnam War and the assassinations of the Kennedy brothers, both of which have been extensively documented. Lee Harvey Oswald and Sirhan Sirhan were seen as patsies in these events. The military-industrial complex, warned of by President Eisenhower, was shaping policies that profited at the expense of young lives. Many college students, including the author, sought to maintain their 2S (student) draft status, while others either fled to Canada or protested in the streets. Upon graduation, the loss of student deferment forced a difficult choice: wait to be drafted or escape to Canada, neither of which was appealing. The National Guard emerged as a viable option for those willing to defend their homeland but hesitant to engage in foreign conflict. This new National Guard was a mix of seasoned lifers and recent graduates, a combination that sometimes led to unexpected camaraderie. This narrative does not cast blame; each individual faced unique dilemmas and made choices based on personal reasons. It honors the over 58,000 who sacrificed their lives and the countless others who returned forever changed. The story is fictional, with any resemblance to actual persons being coincidental.