Colby-Sawyer College Hosts Local Author and Draft Survivor Tom Weiner
NEW LONDON, N.H., Feb. 13, 2012 — Colby-Sawyer College will host Tom Weiner, author of the heart-breaking Called to Serve: Stories of Men and Women Confronted by the Vietnam War Draft, which includes the rich stories of those who fought and those who, for whatever reason, chose not to. A discussion and book signing will be held on Tuesday, Feb 21 at 7 p.m. in Wheeler Hall, Ware Campus Center. Admission is free, and both students and community members are invited to attend.
In May of 1971, Weiner's life was changed when his birth date was announced via radio broadcast, making him number 114 out of 180 to be drafted for the Vietnam War. Although he failed to pass the physical/mental exam and did not have to directly serve, the draft briefly brushed against his life as he knew it.
Released in May 2011, Weiner's book contains topics focusing on those who served and those who avoided the draft. While Weiner interviewed 61 men and women for the piece, 30 stories actually make it into the published volume. Each piece depicts a unique perspective on the draft; the good, the bad and the ugly are all laid out for readers to see. The preface is written by Vietnam War veteran and anti-war activist Charlie Clements, while the afterword is written by social justice advocate and Unitarian minister Victoria Safford.
To learn more about Weiner, visit Called to Serve.
-Michelle Wakefield and Casey Beranger
Michelle Wakefield and Casey Beranger are members of the Class of 2013 at Colby-Sawyer College in New London, N.H..
