Born and raised in the Los Angeles area during the 1950s and 60s, Lew Sitzer developed a curiosity to know more about the world. As a casualty of the civil rights movement, Lew’s graduate professor suggested that he join the “International Voluntary Service” and go to another part of the world to help an underdeveloped country. This experience was supposed to provide some quiet times to reflect on Lew’s past experiences in Mississippi. Well, it didn’t. He was placed in a remote village in Laos, Vietnam.
As you would expect, Lew witnessed many of the tragedies of war. After an accidental bombing at the village that he lived in, Lew decided that he didn’t want to be a martyr to the Vietnam War and came home. Once home, he received his draft notice to fight in Vietnam.
Lew’s realized wisdom is; War is, in most cases, not worth it.” He recognizes that our influence on one another includes taking care of ourselves and each other. Caring starts in the communities where we live and extends beyond.