July 29, 2004

Street Talk by Justin Petersen

“Would you or have you ever considered joining the military?
(Asked at Safeway Shopping Center)

“I went to the Army Reserves in the Vietnam days. I joined the Reserves while going to college. I went to San Jose State and studied industrial engineering. I worked at FMC for about 24 years after that, making the Bradley’s amongst other things. The interesting thing is that when I joined the reserves, the following couple of months they chose the numbers on TV. My number was the second one chosen, but I had already joined the Reserves. I would have gone to Vietnam for sure. A couple of my buddies went and never came back, so that was a good plan on my part.”

Ron Lew, 60
Blossom Valley
United Defense engineer

“I’m from Russia, so I wouldn’t join the military. But after seeing the Michael Moore movie, “Fahrenheit 911,” it’s scary for parents. Especially when they interview the members of Congress asking them if they’d let their kids join.”

Julia Doller, 28
Alameda, Dental assistant

“No way, absolutely not. Are you nuts? I like living, too.”

Dave Loewith
Almaden Retired

“Yes, I would consider joining the military. I want to help my country in a time of need. Wherever it would help, I would get all my friends who would want to do it and go over there.”

Michael Karabatsos, 12
Almaden Valley
Valley Christian student

“I considered joining the military when I was in high school. I wanted to be a pilot and I figured that would be a good way to learn and fly.”

Patrick Geddef, 35
Almaden Valley
Network engineer

“No, I never considered it. I have two brothers and they were both in the Navy. It was OK for them, but it was never really an option for me.”

Diana Cliver, 50s
Santa Teresa
Office manager