Peace, Man

[Gary Blanchard]

I came of age during the height of the Hippie happening; it was quite a time. I remember being in junior high school (I guess they call it middle school now) and seeing a filmstrip about Vietnam. This was the early days of our learning about our involvement. I wondered what I would do if I got drafted. I had been a pacifist ever since I read a biography of Gandhi when I was 10. Well, as I was turning 18, the war was continuing. When I registered with the draft board, I declared myself a conscientious objector.

Those were exciting times. I remember a number of peace marches. We also shared music and good times. There was quite a feeling of community; there was also an optimism and hope that you would not expect seeing what was going on in the world.

As I look back, then look at where we are, I realize that we need to rekindle that same sense of hope, optimism, and community we had back in the day. I am doing what I can with my music to show that nostalgia isn't just looking to the past, but hoping for the future.

Thanks for letting me ramble here, folks. :hippie:

[Buffalo Head '75]

I agree that the sense of community is lacking in all aspects of life. That to me is one of the greatest challenges that humankind faces. The ability to maintain a small, local community that functions in unison with a larger everchanging global community.

[LIBRA]

right on Gary!! I wish I could have lived through that era, maybe I did ;)

[Gary Blanchard]

Maybe you did, indeed.

It was a nice era to be in, but I beleive that we are born when and where we should be. This is just as good an era to be in as we can all work to make it as beautiful and open as the 60's were. The fact that there are so many folks here ready to call themselves hippies makes me feel good about our times. :hippie:

[Java Joe]

Peace Gary,
Thanks for the original post. I'm a few years younger than you and grew up on the West Coast during the 60s.
I was a military brat living on base and remember seeing equipment and men returning all shot up. We used to stop playing when the black sedan came into housing wondering who was moving next because of someone's dad getting killed.
When I lived in Hawaii the second time in '69 a lot of hippies had moved to the islands. Racial tension was tough but the concerts at the band shell on Waikiki were cool.
Like you, I'm glad to see more people willing to be called hippies today. I now live in Maine where it really looks like a lot of old hippies had taken solace in the woods to await the arrival of this generation to mentor and eventually pass the baton too. :hippie:

[Gary Blanchard]

Enjoyed your reply, Joe

I am enjoying being here with so many like-minded folks. Nice to see a variety of generations sharing values and beliefs. Thanks to all who come here.

[crazylegs]

Hi Gary from another "old" hippie. We old hippies never die; we just get farther out.
P&L
C&L