LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: MANY MEN WERE READY TO SERVE WHEN CALL CAME

To the editor:

I read Kathleen Parker's Aug. 6 column, "Marine: Cheney, Bush unfairly criticized for draft-dodging," and have been so infuriated that I had to reply to that degrading description of our Vietnam vets.

Ms. Parker and her Marine brother apparently were in agreement when they said, "The only ones who served in Vietnam were the poor bastards who were either going to prison -- the judges gave them a choice: go to jail or enlist in the military -- or people who had no other place to go." With those disrespectful thoughts and comments, I'm certain I am not your only offended reader.

I have a vivid recollection of when my husband received a draft notice during the Vietnam conflict. I well remember the letter telling him his lottery number had been selected and he was to report for immediate duty upon arrival at a particular destination in downtown St. Louis on a specific day and time, and he was to be prepared to leave that day for Fort Leonard Wood. He was to have all his financial affairs in order and be ready to travel.

I recollect as though it were yesterday watching my young husband walk out of McDonnell-Douglas carrying his toolbox. Everything seemed to be in slow motion, and nothing was real. The fear and sadness in his eyes were almost more than I could bear as he walked over to our car, got in and sat down. Neither of us spoke. He was scheduled to leave the next morning for inspection and boot camp. Then he would be sent to fight a battle we did not understand. He was like to many thousands of others: He never questioned why he was going, and the thought of draft-dodging was never considered. He had not been given an ultimatum by a judge of going to jail or enlisting in the military, and he did have a place to go. He had a home and a job. I well remember the tears we cried and the prayers we offered while waiting for that dreaded day.

I also had a younger brother who felt compelled to join the military and, unbeknownst to our parents, enlisted in the Army. He and my husband failed the hearing exams. I would be less than honest if I didn't admit that I was relieved that my brother and my husband of less than one year were not going to be sent overseas. But that didn't lessen the sorrow in my heart for all the others who were leaving their families to go fight in a war far away from home. I had classmates, friends and relatives who went to Vietnam. Some of them were blessed to be able to return home, while others gave their lives or were captured and have never been heard from since.

So please, Ms. Parker and your brother, apologize to all those faithful, patriotic folks who answered Uncle Sam's call. I feel so indebted to our military people for standing up and fighting both here and abroad so that people can have their precious freedom.

It seems rather odd that Bill Clinton has been called a draft-dodger (in addition to a multitude of other vile names) because his lottery number was never drawn and he was attending college at the time of the Vietnam War. Yet Dick Cheney was also in law school instead of the military, and Ms. Parker seemed offended at his being labeled a draft-dodger. Why the double standard? And George Wimpy did like many other sons of the rich: He was allowed to join the Guard, keeping him safely distanced from any bloodshed.

Maybe to Ms. Parker and her brother it appeared that "everybody was trying to avoid the draft in those days." And maybe her brother was one of them. But such a broad statement is not only erroneous, but stupid and ignorant on her part. I'm not demeaning those who did dodge the draft, because that's their own problem, and they must deal with their consciences. But I want Ms. Parker to know that my husband and many others can hold their heads up and not be ashamed when asked, "Did you serve in 'Nam?" They can truthfully say, "I was ready to serve my country when the time came. I was available for duty when needed." For this I am truly proud.

LaVERNE SAMPLE

Patton, Mo.