35 years ago National Guard troops killed four Vietnam War protestors on the Kent State campus in Ohio.

This post is not about the Vietnam War, nor is it about the brave men and women who fight in wars. It is about the brave men and women who never step on the "battlefield" yet play an important role in ending wars.

During war time, we see at least two types of Patriotism arise. We have the patriots who go off to fight the war. And, we have the patriots who oppose the war. Both types of patriots exhibit courage and love of country. But, there are rarely parades and medals for the latter.

In the Vietnam era, there is no question that the protests helped bring a close to the conflict. Today is a day to remember those who died doing just that and a day to remember the lessons of those events.

Since we are in wartime again, its possible we'll see additional protests if Iraq drags out or other unforeseen events occur. When we see those protests, we'll need to keep in mind that most involved will be law abiding patriots demonstrating their love of country and their support for the troops in order to get them out of a dangerous situation. We'll also need to remember the right to voice that type of patriotism.

During this war, we've had our share of squelching of dissent. We don't need to detail that here. But, luckily, we haven't had anyone killed for dissent. In order to keep the worst from happening we need to look back and remember those patriots who died that May 5 in Ohio for simply showing love of country and for helping to bring our troops home from a dangerous situation.

I have to admit I didn't realize this anniversary until I heard this Crosby Stills Nash and Young song on the radio today:

Tin soldiers and Nixon's comin'.
We're finally on our own.
This summer I hear the drummin'.
Four dead in Ohio.

Gotta get down to it.
Soldiers are cutting us down.
Should have been done long ago.
What if you knew her and
Found her dead on the ground?
How can you run when you know?

Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na.
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na.
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na.
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na.

Gotta get down to it.
Soldiers are cutting us down.
Should have been done long ago.
What if you knew her and
Found her dead on the ground?
How can you run when you know?

Tin soldiers and Nixon's comin'.
We're finally on our own.
This summer I hear the drummin'.
Four dead in Ohio.
Four dead in Ohio.
Four dead in Ohio.
Four dead in Ohio.
Four dead in Ohio.
Four dead in Ohio.
Four dead in Ohio.
Four dead in Ohio.
Four dead in Ohio

..................

Legend has it that as soon as Neil Young heard the news from Ohio he grabbed his guitar and started to write the song. Young played the song for David Crosby and said they should consider recording it at a later time. Crosby insisted they record it right away. So, they called Stephen Stills and Graham Nash and told them to book studio time and they were on their way to LA to record this new song.

The band released it right away, even though their label was already pushing their recently released single "Teach the Children." The song meant so much to the band that they didn't care that it would take away from the marketing of the current hit. To CSNY, the hits never mattered as much as the message. Like much of the music of the day, it spoke directly to an important issue and took it head on. Its a great song. But, I hope we remember the lessons from those who died and hope another song like this never has to be written again.

Here are the names of those who died at Kent State, so that they may not be forgotten:

ALISON KRAUSE

JEFFREY MILLER

SANDRA SCHEUER

WILLIAM SCHROEDER