Watching CNNs The 60s. I remember it all to well. Growing up in the 50s and 60s was a defining moment in our American history. As Charles Dickens said, It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way – in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only. Asked which I liked better, then or now, Id have to say, Im so grateful that Im still here to remember that I was a part of that ever changing time in our history. From the discovery of America (1492), each generation has had its Ah ha Moments, its time of The best and the worst. Isnt that what defines America? In the 60s families were just getting on their feet. World War !! was long gone, Korea was settled down, people were getting good jobs, going to school and falling in love. Almost every household had one car, a black and white TV and knew their neighbors intimately well. Why we didnt ever know that cigarette smoking caused lung cancer (at least they hadnt yet told us) and air-plain glue was the drug of choice (crazy). You were either a Greaser or Colegent and almost everybody went to church, even confession on Saturday afternoons. The 60s were so much different from today. Under the leadership of John F. Kennedy, America was being redefined from the living room, to the moon, to the music studio to the classroom. America was moving forward and never to look back. What impacted or effected me most during the 60s was the assassination of President Kennedy, Dr King, Malcolm X and Robert Kennedy. There wasnt a dry eye on the planet, it was a very challenging time for every man, woman and child, it seemed like youd just catch your breath from one situation and BAM another came along. I even remember in the 50s while in grade school (grammar school) having Air-raid drills and having to hide under our desks. The 60s brought us beyond that and started out promising. Who knew what would happen as the years would come? But they would prove to be anything but boring. (1968) Then at 18, I received a letter from the government that made me an offer that I just couldnt refuse (literally), it would change my life forever; either Id serve my country in a senseless war (Vietnam) or go to prison for being a coward. On December 25, 1968 (Christmas Eve) an astronaut in space would read from The Book of Genesis to all the world (today someone would be offended), 90 days later I thought I was in hell as I went from the security of an Italian mothers kitchen to the separation of family, friends (The guys), my high-school sweetheart and community to the uncertainty and insecurity of something I had only seen on black and white television on Huntly Brinkley News called war. Talk about trauma? The 60s was a time in American history that would redefine our values (or loss thereof), our morals (or loss thereof), music, medicine and madness. I remember thinking one night all alone and afraid while on a flight (Prop plane) to Japan to meet up with a ship which would take me to Vietnam about the American Indian standing on the side of the road having trash thrown at his feet and seeing the tear roll down his cheek. No, America and I would never be the same again. And who in there right mind would have ever thought Id end up a pastor?!?! I really thought I would be playing with Bruce Springsteen on a stage somewhere singing Born in the USA. God bless America and may the next generation bring us further from evil and closer to God. I speak EVERY blessing of God over each of you. -I love you America!!! - m a r t i
Posted on: Sat, 26 Jul 2014 03:40:06 +0000