Tom Harkin’s letter to the editor about President Johnson’s military draft attempts to reverse history in two crucial respects.

First, it was Johnson, rather than Goldwater, who asserted that a vote for Goldwater would be to escalate the Vietnam War and lead to the draft of thousands. At the time, I was in the service flying fighter interceptors. Defense of my homeland from nuclear attacks and checking Soviet expansion were the orders of the day.

Johnson’s fear mongering helped him win, and then he promptly did what he claimed Goldwater would do — escalate the war and draft more than one million men.

Kerry and Harkin suggest that Bush will reinstate the draft while promising a 40,000 troop increase in the army and a more aggressive stance toward Iran and North Korea. Their policy is a sure prescription for a draft.

Bush is committed to the volunteer military and to Iraq, providing for its own security. Our Navy and Air Force accomplished their Iraq missions. Afghanistan and Iraq are on the road to democracy with their leaders’ weapons of mass destruction ambitions stymied. Pakistan stopped their atom bomb developer from selling copies. Libya has surrendered its weapons of mass destruction.

Harkin’s second reversal of history is his claim that Bush avoided the draft. This is equally false — I flew the F-102 fighter interceptor with Bush’s squadron from October 1970 until April 1971.

Flying interceptors like the single person, single engine, supersonic F-102 involved inherent dangers, even if no combat ensued.

Four members from the interceptor squadrons in which I served died in accidents. Two of them were good friends of mine and ISU alumni. Bush’s records during the four years he flew showed that he was a skillful and active participant in this dangerous and demanding mission. My observations during the six months that I was there confirm records.

Bush protected our country in the cockpit of a fighter interceptor against Soviet threats. He has, and will, protect us without a draft as president.

John Baty

Alumnus

Ames