A Face in the Crowd
LEONARD MALZMAN, Vietnam vet, former merchant sailor, carpenter, truck driver, hippie
What years where you in the service? I joined the Navy in 1963 and stayed in until late 1972. When I got out I became a truck driver hippie and went to Woodstock, I'm told. I just remember it being very hot and muddy.
What did you do in Vietnam? I was in a demolition outfit. We primarily blew up tunnels.
Tell me about being a merchant sailor? Merchant sailors work commercial ships like oilers or freighters. Basically, you haul stuff. You go out to sea for four or five months at a time. I'd get sick of it and take a land job, but when the wallet got a little thin I'd go back out for a few months. I made decent money and spent decent money. That lifestyle is not conducive to saving money.
Thoughts on the war with Iraq? I don't know why we're still there. They got Saddam. Why are we still there? To my knowledge they've never had a democracy or really wanted one.
What about Michael Jackson? Whether or not he is a child molester, there's something wrong with his behavior. It's a mental thing. After his first run-in with the law over the same allegations, anyone in their right mind would change their behavior, and he hasn't....
Advice? When all else fails, try God. Don't turn 60 and break your leg.
—Eric England
