Wayne Community College - Yearbook (Goldsboro, NC)

Page 127 text:

created part of the basis for your generations need to.rebel against our society. With this knowledge, perhaps your children will never ask ills God dead'Pl I sometimes think much mankind is attempting to work Him to death. You ask my opinion of draft-card burners. I would answer this way. All past wars have been dirty, unfair, immoral, bloody, and second-guess. However, history has shown most of them necessary. If you doubt that our free-enterprise in the United States is worth protecting, if you doubt the principles upon Which this country Was founded -- that we remain free to choose our religion, our individual endeavors, our method of government -- if you doubt that each free individual in this great country should reap awards commensurate only with his won effort, then itls doubtful you belong here. If you doubt that people who govern us should be selected by their desire to allow us to strive for any goal we feel capable of attaining, then itis doubtful you should participate in their selection. If you are not grateful to a country that gave your father the opportunity to work for his family to give you the things youlve had and you do not feel pride enough to fight for your right to continue in this manner, then I assume the blame for your failure to recognize the true value of our birthrights. And I would remind you that your mother will love you no matter what you do because she is a woman. I love you, too, Son; but I also love our country and the principles for which we stand. And if you decide to burn your draft-card, then burn your birth certificate at the same time. From that moment on, I have no son. Letter by: Robert R. Thompson 123