born on the fourth of july

What Would MLK Say About Obama’s Drones?

Staff / Truthdig Jul 13, 2012 This week on Truthdig Radio in association with KPFK: Civil rights leader Julian Bond says, "Things are better than they used to be; they're worse than they should be." Also: Tom Cruise, Ron Kovic and Oliver Stone; good news about jobs, and the edge of sports. Dig deeper

Ron Kovic Rallies at Occupy L.A.: ‘This Is the Beginning of a Revolution’

Staff / Truthdig Oct 10, 2011 On Oct. 1, Vietnam veteran, author and activist Ron Kovic gave a throng of Occupy L.A. protesters gathered near Los Angeles' City Hall an enthused boost with this speech, in which he invokes the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr. and serves notice to President Obama by co-opting the president's campaign slogan … (more) Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

In the Presence of My Enemy: A Reflection on War and Forgiveness

Ron Kovic / Truthdig Jan 21, 2011 As this, the 43rd anniversary of my wounding in Vietnam approaches, and I once again try to find meaning in that day and the days which were to follow, my thoughts return to the northern bank of the Cua Viet River on Jan. 20, 1968. It is a day that will change my life forever. In the years that have passed, I have often thought about those days on the intensive care ward and about that young Vietnamese man. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

Raise Your Voices, Protest, Stop These Wars

Ron Kovic / Truthdig Jan 1, 2011 As a former United States Marine Corps infantry sergeant who was shot and paralyzed from the mid-chest down on Jan. 20, 1968, during my second tour of duty in Vietnam, and as someone who has lived with the wounds of that war for over 40 years, I am writing this letter to ask you to join me as we begin a critical new phase in the growing anti-war movement.Change does not come easily, and opposing one's government during a time of war is often very difficult. Dig deeper ( 7 Min. Read )

Arts & Culture

Photo Essay: Ron Kovic Today

Zuade Kaufman / Truthdig Jan 18, 2006 Ron Kovic, the author of "Born on the Fourth of July," the classic personal memoir about the aftermath of the Vietnam War, remains a committed activistPhoto Gallery. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )