Born on the Fourth of July

Ron Kovic, born on the fourth of July, raised in a patriotic family and spoon-fed heroic tales left home to fight the war in Vietnam. Kovic returned from the war with a shattered body, but it took a couple of years for the damage to spread to his mind and spirit. By the time he hit bottom he was a demoralized, spiteful man who sought escape in booze, drugs and Mexican whorehouses. Then he began …

…by helping other people. As a young man, Kovic was influenced by people and Hollywood to think that fighting a war was a heroic, glamorous job. During his time served in the military, Kovic had no decisions to make, he simply followed orders. It wasn’t until Kovic was an embittered and broken spirited man suffering from depression did he finally follow his heart and make his own decision to become a passionate political activist.