I Was A Pre-teen McCarthyist

At Harold Edward's Elementary you pay respect to Our God, 
Our Flag, Our Military.
In grade 3 I had a written composition about the global 
threat of communism.
And I was the luckiest 8-year old McCarthyist of 1979:
I spent spring break on the flight line of a base in the 
Carolinas- the U.S. version of my dad had signed us in.
And 12 years later, the Gatling I'd touched that was 
strapped to the nose of a U.S.A.-10,
separated flesh from bone and honed its skills on "lesser 
humans".
And thus confirmed the suspicions earned in the 7 years 
preceding about the lies I was told and if the truth be 
known,
I'm probably better off believing (well, they said I'm 
better off believing... somehowbetter off believing).
But how could they do this to me?
Born head first and brought up ankle deep.
And maybe you're a lot like me- identified for 14 years 
without a choice.
Terrified the morning you woke up and realized that if and 
when you jump ship,
you either swim for shore or drown. Don't let the fuckers 
drag you down.