Opinion

Of Thee I Weep, of Thee I Rage

Ron Kovic / Truthdig Jul 1, 2026 The author of “Born on the Fourth of July” reflects on the country’s 250th Independence Day. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

The Great Con of American Patriotism

Robert Scheer / Truthdig Feb 8, 2019 In conversation with Robert Scheer, veterans Ron Kovic and Maj. Danny Sjursen trace the United States' violent trajectory since the Vietnam War. Dig deeper ( 24 Min. Read )

Bruce Springsteen Reads His Foreword to ‘Born on the Fourth of July’ (Audio)

Staff / Truthdig Jul 5, 2017 Listen to Bruce Springsteen read his new foreword for the 40th anniversary edition of Ron Kovic's "Born on the Fourth of July," and hear the first chapter of the classic memoir. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Oliver Stone on Interviewing Putin, Documenting Snowden and Making Controversial Choices

Staff / Truthdig May 6, 2017 "I never did a movie because it was good for my career," the director tells Truthdig Editor in Chief Robert Scheer in a hard-hitting conversation about filmmaking, America's military exploits, Russia and other topics. (Transcript added.) Dig deeper ( 25 Min. Read )

A Conversation About War and Peace With Ron Kovic, Robert Scheer and Chris Hedges

KiMi Robinson / Truthdig Oct 19, 2016 The author of “Born on the Fourth of July” met with the Truthdig journalists at the University of Southern California on Oct. 18 to talk about his latest book, “Hurricane Street,” and how he became a peace activist. Truthdig broadcast the discussion live on Facebook. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Fighting for Peace on ‘Hurricane Street’

Ron Kovic / Truthdig Aug 6, 2016 This impassioned, timely memoir about the American Veterans Movement picks up where author Ron Kovic's "Born on the Fourth of July" left off. Dig deeper ( 7 Min. Read )

Comments of the Week: Know Your History

Staff / Truthdig Jul 6, 2016 The week that included the country's birthday brought to Truthdig's comment boards a host of history lessons and discussions that ranged far beyond the material taught in schools. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Happy Birthday to Ron Kovic, Born on the Fourth of July

Staff / Truthdig Jul 4, 2016 Independence Day is the birthday of the author and anti-war activist, who is also a friend and contributor to Truthdig. Today, we look back on our week with Kovic and the kind words he had for his friend Bruce Springsteen in 2009. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Ron Kovic Questions Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump’s ‘Need to Go to War’

Staff / Truthdig Jul 1, 2016 "What are you going to do, send troops to Syria? What’s going to be the result of that?" asks the Vietnam War veteran and activist. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Ron Kovic on the Continuing Struggle of Veterans (Audio and Transcript)

BLANK Feb 20, 2016 Truthdig Editor in Chief Robert Scheer speaks with the Vietnam veteran, author and peace activist about what has changed and what hasn’t since his time in combat. Dig deeper ( 21 Min. Read )

Ron Kovic Reality-Checks TV’s Chickenhawks

Staff / Truthdig Feb 17, 2015 The "Born on the Fourth of July" author, being interviewed by Truthdig Editor Robert Scheer at the veterans hospital in Long Beach, Calif., notes that any TV pundit who calls for war is "not the one who's going to get hit by a bullet." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Speaking Truth on the Fifth of July

Alexander Reed Kelly / Truthdig Aug 20, 2012 "Why it is so hard to tell the truth today?" I asked Vietnam veteran and anti-war hero Ron Kovic one summer night over drinks in midtown Manhattan. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )