Kent State, April, 1970, one of our nation’s soldiers had just killed one of our own.
Her arms are raised, a young 14 year old runaway from Florida, who was not protesting the war, just in the wrong place at the most awful time. She unknowingly became part of history, and significantly helped end the war early. The US was invading Cambodia, expanding the war. John Filo, the student photographer, won a Pulitzer for this photo. He is now head of photography for CBS. What about Mary Ann Vecchio?
It is quite a story, and brings to mind the George Floyd case of today.
But back on May 4, 1970, this event had a profound effect on me. A bunch of us in the fraternity house, pharmacy school, and faculty decided we would strike, protest, and make a stand against the war. It was a day I will always remember, because it felt so important, and so necessary.
Such a sad memory.