40 years ago today, one of the saddest events in our history of a Nation occurred. Members of the Ohio Army National Guard opened fire on a group of Kent State University students, killing four and wounding nine, one who was paralyzed from the chest down.
Students had gathered in a commons area of the campus to protest the United States invasion of Cambodia. Many students and teachers were concerned about being drafted to fight in a war that they strongly opposed.
Varying accounts exist as to why the guardsmen fired their weapons, but the fact remains that 77 Ohio Army National Guard troops from A company, Troop G, fixed bayonets on their weapons and began an advance to disperse the crowd. At some point for what ever reason, the troops faced the crowd of students and fired. 29 of the 77 guardsmen claimed to have fired their weapons, using a total of 67 bullets. The shooting was over in 13 seconds.
One hero of the day was a geology professor Glenn Frank, who pleaded with the students to leave the commons and not give in to violent escalation. He is quoted as saying: "I don't care whether you've never listened to anyone before in your lives. I am begging you right now. If you don't disperse right now, they're going to move in, and it can only be a slaughter. Would you please listen to me? Jesus Christ I don't want to be a part of this." Within twenty minutes the students left the area, the dead and wounded were recovered, and the Guard left the scene. The Nation was forever changed that day.
Once again we have people protesting for what they believe in, but we can never forget the lesson of Kent State 40 years ago. We should not fight ourselves.
Old Chief Sends,
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