Feeling a Draft

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Old letters, diaries, photographs -- anything that demonstrates a belief that war is unjustifiable -- can be extremely valuable. James began compiling her son's file after taking a photograph of him at an antiwar rally prior to the Gulf War. A handicapped Vietnam veteran limped over to give her a hug and said, 'If my mother had done that for me, I wouldn't be like this now.'

Today, Adam's file contains the photo, poems he wrote as a child, clippings of demonstrations he attended, a letter from a counselor noting how Adam had abstained from summer camp war games, and much more. Advocacy groups like the Center on Conscience & War and the Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors travel around the country to hold workshops on preparing a convincing argument. Their advice is to start compiling information right away and, when it comes time for children to register, have them write 'I am a conscientious objector to war in any form' on their Selective Service cards.

James says she didn't create a file for Adam to push any one political ideology or position, since 'only he will determine what values he will hold tomorrow.' It's a fair bet, though, that his future won't include military service. Adam, now a 22-year-old, studies conflict resolution, attends Peace Day parades, and knows that, if a military draft becomes reality, he's ready to do battle.

TELL ME MORE

Center on Conscience & War
http://www.nisbco.org/

Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors
http://www.objector.org/

Mothers Against the Draft
http://www.mothersagainstthedraft.org/

War Resisters League
http://www.warresisters.org/

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