Reborn America, this is my time

Chapter 113 Responsibilities
Oakland is located on the east coast of San Francisco Bay, across the sea from San Francisco.

Because of the San Francisco Gold Rush, Oakland, with its superior geographical location, has become an important transportation hub in the Bay Area of ​​California since the [-]th century.

In the 50s, the port transportation here was already very developed.In 1869, the railway terminal across the entire America was built here, and it became the most important railway center in California. As a result, there were countless immigrants and laborers, and with the efforts of these people, Oakland also From an ordinary fishing village, it has become a city full of modernization and industrialization.

Although diversity can bring economic prosperity, incompatibility of ideas will lead to countless contradictions. The civil rights movement about black people, the hippie movement about anti-war, and even the world-renowned Black Panther Party are all here. Born and popular in this city.

Under such circumstances, the law and order in Oakland can be said to be the worst in the Bay Area.

And when the energy crisis broke out a few years ago, with the relocation of countless factories, the soaring price of oil, the aggravation of inflation, and the soaring unemployment rate, the living environment here was even worse.

If it wasn't necessary, Ethan would never set foot here, but today...

Under the driving of Thomas, the Ford pickup loaded with [-] boxes of fresh navel oranges slowly drove into the largest and most diverse area in Auckland, Fruit Valley in East Oakland.

Under the twists and turns, a dilapidated community house appeared in front of Ethan.

Although the houses here are still small single-family buildings, there is no lush and refreshing lawn in front of and behind the house, but only bare land and various sundries piled on it.

The wooden fence used to distinguish the territory has been in disrepair for a long time and is dilapidated. The swaying figure and the cracked surface can even give people the illusion that they will fall if touched.

There are also various small flags hanging on the door of some families. It may be because Ethan is not knowledgeable enough, so he can't accurately distinguish the countries represented by the flags, but at the same time he also knows that the flags on each side are the heads of households. Swear and tell, swear who you are, tell your roots.

"Get out of the car." Thomas stopped in front of a two-story wooden house.

Ethan did what he said.

But when he wanted to remove the rain cloth on the rear car and remove the navel oranges from the car, Thomas waved his hand to signal him not to worry, then came to the gate of the wooden house and knocked a few times.

"Who?"

After a while, a deep voice sounded.

"It's me, Thomas Johnson." Thomas let go of his voice and said, "I am Jimmy Jones' brother, and his sister Linda Jones is my wife."

Maybe it was because Thomas said the names of three people in one sentence, so when the voice fell, the inside also fell into a kind of silence of thinking, but it might be that the name Jimmy Jones stimulated the guys inside, so in After the silence, the sound of thumping footsteps suddenly resounded.

Then, with a creak, the door opened.

A figure whose age could not be distinguished came out of the room. He had a dull face and flushed cheeks. He was wearing a washed-out white camouflage uniform. The cuffs and knees were worn away. It was his most valuable possession, but even so it was stained and full of creases.

When this guy saw Thomas, endless joy burst out of his cloudy eyes, he opened his arms to hug him, and said with a big laugh: "Oh—Thomas—it's so great to see you! Haven't we met for a long time? The last time we met was last Christmas? If I remember correctly, you brought me a lot of presents back then!"

"Oh Michael, you have a really good memory." Thomas responded with a smile, "I'm really sorry I haven't been here for so long, because the family is busy, and the orchard cannot be separated from people."

"However, after this batch of navel oranges are all ripe, I will be able to rest and rest again. Then I will definitely come to play with you. Oh, by the way, I brought you navel oranges when I came here today. This year I tasted the first batch of fruits, very sweet..."

"Oh—Thomas—you don't have to, I'm glad you came to see me!"

Thomas didn’t speak, but smiled at Michael.

The guy named Michael opened his mouth, wanting to say something else, but after a long while, he was a little at a loss for words, and turned what he thought in his heart into the simplest word.

"Oh—thank—thank you Thomas—"

Thomas patted each other and accepted the thank you.

When they parted, the gray-haired Michael also cast his eyes on Ethan.

At first, he thought Ethan was an employee of Thomas. Because he helped pick navel oranges in the afternoon, Ethan was wearing a big leather apron and sleeves on his arms at the moment, but after Michael took a closer look, Those vicissitudes of life could no longer move away from Ethan's body.

"This is—" He raised his finger to Ethan, wanting to get an answer from Thomas.

But before Thomas opened his mouth, he had already expressed his guess.

"Is this Jimmy's son?"

"Yeah." Thomas nodded, "He is Ethan, Ethan Jones."

Before Thomas could finish speaking, the guy named Michael took a step forward.

The bang of stepping on the ground told the excitement in his heart; while the figure that stopped showed the tension in his heart; he raised his arms tremblingly, trying to grab Ethan's shoulders, but Halfway through the lift, they couldn't make an inch of progress; at this moment, it seemed that an invisible wall appeared in front of them, and two worlds were drawn out in a small space.

Seeing this situation, Ethan quietly took a step forward.

Open your arms and hug each other into your arms.

When the tight warmth appeared, Michael's body froze.

In the next second, Ethan said, "Hi, Michael, nice to meet you."

"..."

When the voice falls to the ground, everything goes silent.

Michael raised his hands tremblingly, and pressed Ethan's back stiffly.

After a few mechanical taps, a hoarse voice appeared, "Oh... Ethan..."

"Nice to meet you……"

Those two short sentences seemed to turn on some kind of switch.

After instinctively saying hello, this guy's body also kept shaking.

Ethan didn't move, and there was no curiosity in his heart, he stood there straight.

After a long time, a sob entered his ear.

"Oh Jimmy - I finally met your son -"

"Oh Jimmy - your son has grown taller than you -"

"Oh Jimmy--he's more handsome than you--don't worry, he'll find a wife--"

That's right!

When the name Jimmy Jones appeared, Ethan already knew who the person in front of him was!
He was the comrade in arms of the figure that fell in the Drang Valley!

He is also the brother of the figure who stays in the Drang Valley forever and cannot return home!
When this fact emerged, Ethan Jones also understood what the gift in Thomas's mouth was—it was the last trace left by the father of the original owner of the body!

Perhaps it was because they were making a lot of noise, but it was also possible that there was no feedback from the door for a long time, so when Michael hugged Ethan and kept whimpering, there was a burst of close footsteps.

Following the sound, a middle-aged woman with short hair appeared in front of Ethan.

The woman in the orange dress first cast her eyes on Thomas, and after identifying the identity of the person who came, she immediately nodded in a friendly manner, and then cast a puzzled look at Ethan's position.

When she saw that Michael was hugging a young man choking endlessly, she took a step forward and wanted to ask, but when she saw the face facing her clearly, surprise appeared on the vicissitudes of the face, The whole person seemed to have been struck by lightning and froze there.

This performance also made Thomas move closer to Ethan, patted Michael on the shoulder, and said, "Oh Michael, after crying, do you feel more comfortable?"

"Your wife has been frightened by your actions, so go and hug her..."

Speaking of this, he paused for a moment, and then added, "Ethan is here, he won't go anywhere, you don't have to worry about him running away, you will have a lot of time to talk later."

"Right? Ethan?" Thomas winked at Ethan.

Ethan nodded with a smile, and said softly, "Yes, Michael, I'm here to see you today."

The gentle voice seemed to have a different kind of magic power, making Michael stand upright again.

He pursed his lips and nodded, turned around and went into the room, said a few words in the ear of the middle-aged woman, then raised his finger and pointed at Ethan, the continuous movements made the woman's face flash different. The expressions were dull at first, then shocked, then moved, and finally came to the two of them and simply saluted.

"Good evening, Mr. Johnson."

"Jones... sir... nice to meet you."

"I'm going out to do some shopping..."

The woman's words were a little flustered, and the steps of leaving were a little flustered, but Michael, who had calmed down his emotions, showed a smile and greeted the two of them to enter the room, "Since we're here, let's eat together tonight."

"She went shopping and will be back in a while."

Welcomed by Michael, Ethan followed Thomas into the house. This is the most common simple bungalow in California. It looks like it has two floors, but in fact it only has one and a half floors.

Because the second floor is an attic for rest only.

After entering through the front door, the first thing you see is an independent living room, next to the living room is a half-enclosed kitchen, and further forward is the dining room connected with the kitchen.

Although this layout looks very cramped, it is very cozy. The walls of the living room are covered with countless photos. After a simple scan, one of them caught Ethan's attention because it was a group photo. The lower right corner The date of filming is shown as June 1965.

And when Ethan stood still and stared at the photo, nostalgia flooded Michael's face.

"This is a photo of the assembly. The one on the left in the middle of the second row is Jimmy."

"We are the third pilot unit of the Army's Air Cavalry Division. We were officially formed on April 1964, 4 at Fort Benning, Georgia. At the beginning, our banner was the 22rd Brigade of the 11th Air Assault Division, but there was no It was fully staffed, and after it was fully staffed on June 3, 1965, it was changed to the 6rd Brigade of the 25st Cavalry Division, and went to Southeast Asia on September 1 of that year..."

Under Michael's narration, a tragic movie appeared in front of Ethan.

On September 1965, 9, a group of them set off from South Carolina;
On October 1965, 10, they barely arrived in Southeast Asia and participated in the operation that day;
Then, on November 1965, 11, the life-and-death battle began.

The intensive arrangement leaves them no time to familiarize themselves with everything there!
Although this kind of thing is normal for soldiers, quickly adapting to everything in an unfamiliar environment is a method they must master, because only in this way can they ensure that they can survive in the cruel environment, but...they Not an ordinary army!They are air mechanized troops!

"MFxxk!"

"At that time, they simply told us about the situation, sent a few maps, and had no other information, and then asked us to parachute there!"

"How do we know where the terrain is steep when we're flying through the sky?"

"How do we know where there might be an ambush when we're flying through the sky?"

"When the ground troops have not arrived, every time the helicopter lands in the air, it is a desperate effort!"

"Anyone who has served in the army knows that airborne in an unfamiliar environment is like fighting blindfolded!"

"So, when our 2nd Battalion marched in a hurry according to the requirements of the above, we, who were not familiar with the terrain, were ambushed by the enemy! More than 100 brothers died on the spot because we didn't take precautions!"

"Ethan, if it wasn't for your father to bring people to cover us... we might all stay there!"

"But even if we come back...your father...he...he...uh—"

A painful wail came out of Michael's mouth.

The dozens-year-old squatted on the ground, hugged his knees with his hands, and buried his head deeply.

Ethan didn't know what to say in this situation.

He could only squat down and pat the opponent's back.

At the same time, he also remembered the scene when he met Spielberg's father last year.

After learning that his father died on the battlefield, the old man walked away tremblingly.

Because for these guys who have experienced war, war is war, and he will never be a commendatory term, it will only be a derogatory term, regardless of winning or losing.

If you lose the fight, you will not only lose your life and reap the trauma, but also bear the infamy.

Winning the battle seems to have reaped glory, but which of the medals worn on the body is not stained with blood?

Only those guys who are extremely selfish and indifferent to the bottom of their bones can accept all this calmly!
All beings who are powerless to resist...

Most of them live their lives with pain!

Perhaps time can be a good medicine, making them full of strength when facing the public, but time can never cut off life and death. When night falls, who can guarantee that they will forget their fallen comrades in arms?

While Michael was wailing, the middle-aged woman who ran out earlier came back.

There were two large paper bags in her arms, and it was obvious at a glance that she had bought them specially at a nearby supermarket.

At the same time, several figures appeared at the gate.

Their age ranges from 30 to 50 years old.

The vicissitudes of time are all written on their faces.

After seeing Thomas, they all greeted him excitedly, and greeted him happily, and when Thomas stepped aside to show Ethan squatting there...

"Like...it's really too similar..." A guy from the uncle generation said.

"His eyes are exactly the same as Jimmy's!" Another person also nodded.

"Are you Ethan Jones?" Someone even asked directly.

As for this kind of question, Ethan, who didn't know what to say, simply nodded.

In the next second, sobs burst out one after another, making their eyes red...

Dinner in the slums was relatively simple. Even though Michael's wife went to do some shopping, what ended up on the table was nothing more than ordinary things like scrambled eggs, fried pork chops, macaroni, and spaghetti.

The dining environment was even worse, because some people came one after another, so the already small restaurant was packed to the brim, but even so, everyone still had a good time eating.

There is no other reason, it is purely happy.

During the meal, the group who calmed down also chatted. It wasn't until then that Ethan knew that the First Cavalry Division these people belonged to had participated in almost all major battles.

They were present in all Tet Offensives and Invasions except Drang Valley.

And as the only American division-level unit that fought in all four battlefields in the entire war, they received a lot of feedback on medals, but unfortunately——

"What's the use of these things!"

A man hammered the table angrily, and said: "After we returned to China, our serial number was canceled directly! The higher-ups asked us to report back to the original army, and then we encountered a discharge notice!"

"They say the war is over, the troops are full, and there is no room for us!"

"Oh! Sxxt!"

"These all special codes are excuses!"

"They're crazy about trying to cover it up!"

"They just want to appease the dissatisfaction of the domestic people!"

"They just want to shut those insulting mouths!"

"And we—"

"Those of us who actually went to the battlefield!"

"People who really need to care!"

"But they treat it as garbage and throw it away at will!"

"We can only stay in this kind of place now! We're trying to survive!"

When this unhappiness appeared, Ben was still reminiscing about the past scene and fell silent for a moment.

Michael's home was also overwhelmed by a lingering cloud.

And Ethan also understood what they said.

To sum it up in one word -

Discrimination.

Just like Ethan’s previous life, as portrayed in countless Hollywood movies, after experiencing hardships and giving their lives, what Vietnam Veterans get is not flowers and applause, nor comfort and care, but America’s support from top to bottom. unfair treatment.

They have no social status.

They are also not easy to find a job.

The bullying suffered by Rambo in "First Blood" is the most real situation.

There are many reasons for this situation, but in the final analysis it is still the well-known two words——

lost.

As for things that cannot be changed by a single human being...

All one can do is helplessness.

And when this painful wail appeared, Thomas immediately changed the subject, saying that he had brought a carload of navel oranges, and when everyone went back later, they must remove a box one by one.

Although this kind of interruption seemed rather blunt, everyone present understood that Thomas had no malice, so they thanked Thomas, and at the same time felt deeply about Thomas' character.

Only then did Ethan know that when these veterans returned to California, they had found him, and since then, Thomas has kept in touch with them...

"Thomas, why didn't you tell me about these things before?"

At nine o'clock in the evening, Thomas and Ethan got up to say goodbye. On the way back, Ethan asked, "If I remember correctly, this should be the first time I've met them."

When these veterans said that they had looked for Ethan when they left the army in [-], Ethan searched his memory directly, and the result he got was...

No.

He doesn't remember the incident.

Or in other words, the original owner of the body has no memory of this.

"Simple, because they don't want to bother you."

Thomas smiled while driving: "After they got in touch with me, they asked me about your situation, and at that time you just got the job of Mirov, so I told them that you are living now. It’s very good, although it’s not very obedient, but at least it will go out to make money.”

"When they learned all this, they put away their thoughts of meeting you, because they were afraid that their appearance would affect you, and they were afraid that your company would expel you directly after knowing your background. No way, who let the anti-war voices at that time have reached the GC of public opinion?"

"As the son of a comrade-in-arms, you finally stabilized, so they will be relieved."

After hearing these words, Ethan remained silent.

Staring out of the window flickeringly, the rapidly retreating world made him smile and shake his head.

Even if he doesn't have a deep relationship with these people, he can clearly feel the deep love from these people.

"so……"

"Thomas, are they the gifts you mentioned earlier?"

After a while, Ethan asked again.

And his words made Thomas sigh.

Slow down, turn on the double flashing lights, and pull over to the side.

After pulling the handbrake, Thomas turned sideways and looked at Ethan.

"Ethan, although my next words may sound harsh, you have to believe that I have absolutely no malice... Your father's comrades-in-arms are indeed the most precious treasure your father left you."

"none of them."

"Your father exchanged his life for their continuation. They are grateful to your father from the bottom of their hearts, and this kind of gratitude is something that countless money cannot buy."

"My child, I don't know how you view me, or how you view my father's employment theory. I don't know whether you are happy or disgusted, but I want to tell you..."

"On the surface, you provide jobs to the society in exchange for some voting rights. This is a transaction, but in fact, the term transaction does not deserve to describe this relationship at all."

"Voting rights are just the simplest and most superficial manifestation of the whole relationship."

"The really important thing is to let those people feel that they are not following the wrong people."

"Only when they feel that the people they follow can give them a better life and meet their corresponding needs will they listen to your ideas and follow your suggestions."

"They will only vote with you if they trust you from the bottom of their hearts."

"Although on the surface, what you pay is money, but in fact, what you really pay is more. For example, you have to let them see hope! Hope for a better life!"

"This invisible and intangible thing is what you really need to pay for!"

"Perhaps in many cases, this hope can be solved with money."

"Like, they want a secure life, and you provide them with a secure job."

"But more often than not, that hope is not easy to resolve."

"Because when you decide to take them forward, what you bear is not your own life alone, but the family of all those who trust you!"

"That's a responsibility!"

"When you decide to take this path, whether you want it or not, whether you want it from the bottom of your heart or not, you have to keep the same face and go on forever until the end of your life!"

"So... now you should be able to understand what your father left you, right?"

"Only the continuation of life can be exchanged for unconditional trust!"

"This kind of unconditionality helps you remove all obstacles in the process of building trust!"

"This kind of unconditionality can also tolerate all your mistakes when you make mistakes in the future!"

"Your father wiped out all the tests of humanity with his life!"

"This is the most precious thing!"

At this point, Thomas stopped.

And Ethan...

A knowing smile bloomed on his face.

He understood what Thomas meant.

What Thomas wants to say is that bringing a better life to a group of people is a long-term and difficult thing. This kind of thing has no end, and can only keep running hard until the end of life.

In this case, only a life-saving friendship can be exchanged for a short rest on the way to run.

And this kind of thing is for Ethan...

He was actually mentally prepared.

In his opinion, the vision of "bringing a better life to some people" is just a slim version of MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN. When the slogan is shouted...

Then there is no way out.

Although he may not be able to pay 100 million people in his life and lead them to live a better life, he can still afford a dozen or twenty people.

Not to mention, these people can be regarded as their relatives.

Although he loves money and is eager to earn more, if some of them can live better because of his help, that would be the best thing for him.

And this is actually the greatest value of money... right?

Additional feedback along the way...

He admits.

He wants it too.

"Thomas, thank you."

Ethan smiled and said, "You probably wanted to hire them a long time ago, right?"

"But they were afraid of affecting me, so they didn't accept it."

"And in this case, you can still visit them every year..."

"You are indeed a good man."

Thomas was taken aback by such an evaluation.

Then he smiled and unbuttoned his seat belt.

"Get out of the car!" He waved his hand.

"What?" Ethan was puzzled by this move.

"You drive! I'm exhausted!" Thomas wanted to change seats with Ethan, "There are still more than 50 miles to go home, and it will take an hour to drive, you drive!"

Hearing these words, Ethan smiled and shook his head, "Okay—"

He accepted the 'drudgery'.

　PS1, to answer a question, the identity of a regional member is very important. Take the Bundesrat as an example. There are a total of 96 seats, which are distributed evenly to 13 states. Each state can have two senators. In this case Under normal circumstances, if a person wants to run for election, if he cannot first become a representative of his own state, he will basically not be elected.Take Guan Hai as an example. In 98, he entered the Illinois State Assembly as a member of the Hyde Park District in Chicago's No.02 District. In 04, he ran for the Illinois Senator with this identity. This is the most orthodox way to advance to the U.S. senator running as an Illinois legislator, regardless of background.And Los Gatos in the article is a constituency in California, and that city had only 70 permanent residents in the 1s, so a thousand votes does not determine the life or death of a congressman, but their own father Yes, because that's the ticket to the state legislature.

　　PS2, it's out at night, and I can't squeeze it out.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)