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Michael Morgan, Commentary

Special Collections and Archives

Michael Morgan, Commentary

Special Collections and Archives

Michael Morgan, Commentary

Michael W. Morgan, Commentary

Submitted via email, October 9, 2000


To: Kent State University, et al:

My name is Michael W. Morgan & I reside in Indianapolis, Indiana. I was 18 years old when the killing & wounding of the Kent State students occured in 1970 & I was also residing in Indianapolis, Indiana at that period of time. Recently on the radio, as well as on a music channel on cable television, I heard the song by Neil Young which is "Ohio" that he wrote after the killings at Kent State. That song & others in that time frame, bring back many memories. I am 49 years of age, yet it seems like yesterday when the Vietnam War was raging on & the Kent State tragedy took place.

In 1969 a personal friend of mine was killed in action in Vietnam. He was only 18 years old & he had only been in combat approximately 3 weeks. When they brought his body back to Indianapolis for burial, my father attended the funeral with me. My father was a World War II Veteran & I had never attended a military funeral before. I remember well the words of my father when we attended my friend's funeral, words that he had related to me all of my life, regarding dying, "Son, the old must, the young may"! He always wanted me to know that the old must die, but the young may. Indeed my young friend had.

Now as I read & study some of the historical events that have occured since my youth, I oftentimes see these events in a different perspective. Lately I have been researching & learning more about what happened at Kent State in 1970. When I read about these 4 precious students who were "murdered" in my opinion, including the ones who were injured, I remember & apply the aforementioned words of my father (deceased) to these 4 students who were killed & their memories, "The old must, the Young may"!

I later joined the Regular Army(RA) & I don't recall hearing anyone discuss the Kent State incident, however, as I reflect back to that period of time, it seems that most people blamed the students for what happened. I do remember when Lt. Calley was charged in the massacre in Vietnam when he was directly involved in the killing of women & children. Everytime I think about the military, the Kent State killings & the killings by Lt. Calley, they both seem to have been justified all in the name of the military. As an Army veteran, I drop my head in shame regarding these two incidents involving the powerful military of the United States. I love my country & I'm proud to be a Veteran.

In closing, my heart is very saddened as I recall what happened at Kent State & the 4 precious students who were killed & the ones who were injured to include their family & friends. I applaud your website & may the day come when the truth is known about what really happened that deadly day in history. It has been said that "Truth, when pressed down, will rise again" & I believe that. My prayer is that those guardsmen who pulled their triggers will someday come forth & speak the truth !

Thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts.