Combat training, Military Police School, Lackland Air Force Base. Prone firing position: belly on the ground, legs apart, elbows steadied in the dirt. The M-16’s muzzle is pointed down-range at the target: a human outline. The T. I. barks out: “Keep your shooter’s eye on the front gun-sight, not on the target.” Not on the blurred outline. “Aim at the chest.” I’m doing fine—Marksman, Sharpshooter, Expert. Suddenly my eyesight rises to the target itself. It has a face! My eyes water, the target blurs. He has a face! I realize: In my lifetime I don’t want to hurt anyone.
Jim DeFilippi was raised in Duck Alley. He served during the Vietnam War era, then taught school in Vermont. He’s published more than thirty books. Website: www.amazon/author/jimdefilippi