Steve Pearce: “I recognize the sacrifices of their family. In 1967, I won the lottery. As a result of winning the draft lottery, I went…”

“I recognize the sacrifices of their family. In 1967, I won the lottery. As a result of winning the draft lottery, I went for 3 rac{1}{2} years into Vietnam, from the period of 1971 to 1974. I watched personally as a political discussion devolved into disrespect and disregard for what our troops were doing there: the insults, the spitting on, the disrespect that was given to our troops that emanated from a political discussion. I hope that political discussion does not take the same road now; for even today when I see those Vietnam veterans who were disregarded so much on their return, their simple greeting is, welcome home, brother; and it is done with tears in the eyes of people who faced death every day. I served at that time without regard for who my Commander in Chief was as far as a politician, but instead, of the duty that I was called to perform. I think our young men and women today are doing the same thing. I respect the sacrifices that their families make; I respect the sacrifices that they themselves make.”