1968 was a year that had a major impact on me. I was 15 years old when the year started. I was really, really interested in girls, dabbling in mind altering substances, playing sports and listening to rock and roll. I was living in North Long Beach at the time. It was a very conservative, blue collar town. Lot's of low riders and I was seeing junkies and other types of addicts for the first time.
Here are the events of the year as I remember and here is the actual time line that I used to confirm my memories: Invalid Link Removed
These are the memories of a young adult trying to make sense of the world. I am not intentionally making any political statements here. Some of my views have changed and some are the same.
Is there a year or a time frame that had a profound and long lasting affect on you?
1968
I am 15 years old as the year starts
My brother is in the Marines fighting on the ground in Vietnam. Another brother is in the Air Force flying missions over Vietnam
The Tet offensive starts with some of the bloodiest fighting during the war. My brother is Hue when it is overrun by the Vietcong
I can hear my mom pacing all night in the hall outside of my bedroom.
Massive anti-war rallies are taking place. I hear my parents talk about hippie trash.
There are several photos from Vietnam released that still stick in my psyche
Martin Luther King is assassinated in April and I see my mom cry. A conservative older women crying over the death of a black civil rights leader. Race riots break out all across the country
Robert F Kennedy is assassinated in June
In August there are riots at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. I can still see the images on TV with anti war demonstrators chanting “The whole world is watching” Police firing tear gas and wading into groups of demonstrators with clubs. My mom is incensed about the demonstrators and stays glued to the TV. She shouts things like “Look at that, look at that” and “They should all be arrested.” I’m not so sure but I keep quiet.
In August the Soviet Union invades Czechoslovakia with troops and tanks to put an end what some people called the “Prague Spring."
My brother the marine returns from Vietnam there are tears and celebration. He takes me aside and tells me not to go to Vietnam no matter what. He offers to pay my way to Canada if need be.
A priest at our church gives a sermon and refers to our troops in Vietnam as murderers. My brother stands up, gives him the finger and storms out the door.
In October several black American athletes raise their fists when the American National anthem is played during the medal ceremony. My mom is not happy, I think it’s cool, I am sent to my room.
Richard Nixon is elected President in 1968, my parents are happy about it I am not.
In December the U.S. launches the first manned spacecraft to orbit the moon.
Here are the events of the year as I remember and here is the actual time line that I used to confirm my memories: Invalid Link Removed
These are the memories of a young adult trying to make sense of the world. I am not intentionally making any political statements here. Some of my views have changed and some are the same.
Is there a year or a time frame that had a profound and long lasting affect on you?
1968
I am 15 years old as the year starts
My brother is in the Marines fighting on the ground in Vietnam. Another brother is in the Air Force flying missions over Vietnam
The Tet offensive starts with some of the bloodiest fighting during the war. My brother is Hue when it is overrun by the Vietcong
I can hear my mom pacing all night in the hall outside of my bedroom.
Massive anti-war rallies are taking place. I hear my parents talk about hippie trash.
There are several photos from Vietnam released that still stick in my psyche
Martin Luther King is assassinated in April and I see my mom cry. A conservative older women crying over the death of a black civil rights leader. Race riots break out all across the country
Robert F Kennedy is assassinated in June
In August there are riots at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. I can still see the images on TV with anti war demonstrators chanting “The whole world is watching” Police firing tear gas and wading into groups of demonstrators with clubs. My mom is incensed about the demonstrators and stays glued to the TV. She shouts things like “Look at that, look at that” and “They should all be arrested.” I’m not so sure but I keep quiet.
In August the Soviet Union invades Czechoslovakia with troops and tanks to put an end what some people called the “Prague Spring."
My brother the marine returns from Vietnam there are tears and celebration. He takes me aside and tells me not to go to Vietnam no matter what. He offers to pay my way to Canada if need be.
A priest at our church gives a sermon and refers to our troops in Vietnam as murderers. My brother stands up, gives him the finger and storms out the door.
In October several black American athletes raise their fists when the American National anthem is played during the medal ceremony. My mom is not happy, I think it’s cool, I am sent to my room.
Richard Nixon is elected President in 1968, my parents are happy about it I am not.
In December the U.S. launches the first manned spacecraft to orbit the moon.
