Ron Kovic Today

Kovic, author of the reissued classic “Born on the Fourth of July,” takes a rolling constitutional in his home neighborhood of Redondo Beach. (Zuade Kaufman / Truthdig)

With this specially equipped van, Kovic, a paraplegic veteran of the Vietnam War, has freedom of mobility as he moves from one set of wheels to another. (Zuade Kaufman / Truthdig)

Kovic, who remains active in the peace movement, receives a large volume of mail in his continuing quest to send a message of hope to those caught up in the latest war. (Zuade Kaufman / Truthdig)

Kovic says the war that made him an invalid also gave him his great purpose in life–being a peace activist who speaks out against the senselessness of war. (Zuade Kaufman / Truthdig)

For a Rolling Stone centerfold, shot by Annie Leibovitz in July, 1973, Kovic was photographed at the Santa Monica waterfront. He’s actually in a puddle. (Zuade Kaufman / Truthdig)

Kovic says the war that made him an invalid also gave him his great purpose in life–being a peace activist who speaks out against the senselessness of war. (Zuade Kaufman /Truthdig)