On War and Hairdressing

My humble Veteran’s Day contribution comes from my precious friend Erica Heilman, who produces radio exploring the depths, summits and dusky corners of the human condition.

Over the course of two days, Erica interviewed Vaughn Hood, who was a 118-pound barber when he was drafted into the Vietnam War. In Vaughn’s war, most men didn’t survive their first three-month tour. Many others came home with irreparable trauma.

Vaughn Hood now runs a hair salon in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, with his wife, Bev. What you’ll experience in this interview is an uncommon and honest account of war, trauma, survival and human compassion. Never had I heard anyone talk about the Vietnam War with such simple eloquence. Erica calls it “the story of an extraordinary American life.” So visit Erica’s site, RumbleStrip Vermont, click the link, turn away from the battlefield of your glowing screen. Just listen to Vaughn.