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Post-War Is Still Hell
The Vietnam war ended nearly 50 years ago. When I was in college in the mid-1980s, veterans suffered physical and emotional wounds that were still intense. They felt forgotten, tagged as “losers” of an unwinnable war. I vividly recall witnessing two different set of emotions first hand in completely diverse locations.
I’ve written about my experiences being cast in several musicals while in high school. I also attempted a few dramatic roles. But when I didn’t get chosen or wasn’t especially attuned to the production, I volunteered my services as an usher.
This was especially true at Levels, a youth center in Great Neck for seventh grade through college age students. The high school wasn’t going to let a bunch of teenagers perform a night of Monty Python sketches. Levels was more than willing to host our endeavor.
For the next few years, my writing partner Jon Aubrey and I crafted two comedy shows each year (watch some of our bits on YouTube). In between, we were involved in other productions at Levels, including the wartime classic Mister Roberts. Jon auditioned and received a role, but I was splitting my free time working at the college newspaper and radio station, so I was relegated…
