Although my trucking experiences included driving through and around Chicago on its interstate network, the last time I actually set foot in Chicago was on a liberty weekend from the Great Lakes Naval Training Center thirty-seven miles north of Chicago. What I remember of that weekend is a blur, a result of 57 years in the past and an extremely active alcohol addiction. But, I subsequently endured a captain’s mast and base restriction; so I must assume that I had fun.

The year was 1968. Is there anybody out there who’s old enough to remember 1968? The Democratic convention, the riots, the VietNam war protests, the TV screens night after night informing America of the mounting death toll and the horror of the jungles and rice paddies. This social unrest culminated in the shooting death of four protesting students and wounding of nine at Kent State University by members of the National Guard on May 4, 1970. In 1974 a federal court dropped all charges against the national guardsmen.

There will be a military presence in Chicago as Trump federalizes the streets of Chicago ostensibly to rid those streets of crime. It is seen by many as another overstep of Presidential powers in the direction of authoritarian rule. Indeed, Trump has indicated that this is his goal.

Why do I care? I am 78 years old, have seen more of this life than I deserve and anticipate a peaceful transition to the next. So, why should I care?

I have among my vintage family photos a black and white snapshot of my father, Paul, and his 3 brothers, my uncles, standing shoulder to shoulder in Grandpa’s front yard. They are proudly dressed in military uniform. It was around the years of the Second World War. They served their country unselfishly, sacrificing health and welfare for the sake of something unique in world politics. They supported the idea of democracy, were willing to die for that ideal.

I did also, took an oath to defend this nation and the Constitution it upholds, to protect it against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Physically that would be difficult today, but mentally….hell yeah, bring it on. You want to trash talk my country, bring it on. You want to divest me of my Constitutional rights….better bring your guns and army. My father and uncles are undoubtedly doing flips in their graves witnessing the shenanigans happening today.

It is my duty to expose and renounce any move by any person to make my country a dictatorship. For that I would die. After Trump, the names will be different, but the selfish, egocentric motives will continue. It is my prayer that my forefathers did not serve their country in vain.