The year was 1967, and the United States was in a vicious, deadly war against North Vietnam-a war in which political leaders lied to the American people. President Johnson commandeered the American youth, extracting them from their homes and their communities so they could fight a perpetual war he had no strategy or mettle to win.I was one of those American youth whose life changed overnight. When I joined the US Navy, I was sucked up in the vortex of deceit surrounding this trumped-up war. I served three combat deployments on the USS Hancock (CVA-19) aircraft carrier. It was a time of danger, affliction, toil, and stolen years. It was also a time of heartbreak, as I was painfully separated from Sandra, the love of my life and my future.By the grace of God, I returned home. But 58,318 of our finest soldiers, airmen, and sailors came back in body bags. And like most of those who returned home, I still carry the mental and physical scars that still linger on today.This is my story.