40 years ago this month, my parents laid out their action plan in the event of an invasion of Cuba.  My father would stay behind at his engineering job in Los Angeles; my mother would drive 2000+ miles away, taking me, a toddler, and my 3 week-old sister with her to the perceived safety of remote north country.  My father would catch up later, under certain conditions.

It was that close -- they had to plan this out, in spite of the new baby and toddler in the household.  Perhaps because of the new baby and toddler in the household.

My parents hoped only for an invasion at worst, and not deployment of nuclear weapons.  Their plan might fail disastrously if nukes were used; Los Angeles would not be a safe location, and their plan might literally blow up before my mother could flee.

40 years ago this week, events were set in motion that caused many other Americans the same concerns: what would they do if the sum of their fears came to pass?

(16 October 62, 40 years ago today was especially key, based on transcripts and former Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara’s recent recounting at JFK Library in Boston, 01 October 02.)

My parents mentioned this episode from their early married lives a number of times while I was growing up; it never seemed like a big deal to me as a child.  Don’t all parents have things about which they might overreact?  And don’t all parents prudently plan alternatives for disasters?  No big deal, just puff-n-stuff, I thought.

A couple years ago I watched the movie “Thirteen Days”.  In spite of my realization that this movie was a dramatic depiction of events, I was shocked, by how close we actually came, that this country had peered over the brink and into the maw; amazed at how much intestinal fortitude was required not to give in and launch an assault, surprised at just how cool those heads were that prevailed.

We gave this portion of history a passing glance when I was in school, what surely must be one of the most important crises in our nation’s history.  How was this so?  I’m fairly well read; how had I missed how big this was, how had I been this naïve about our past?

And how the hell was it that my folks didn’t just pack up and blow town for the north country? 

This was a helluva lot bigger deal than I’d ever imagined as a child.  Other pieces have fallen into place that helped me realize the magnitude of this historic event.  My father understood exactly what was transpiring 40 years ago, having served in the Armed Forces doing intelligence work.  Growing up, I didn’t understand the knowledge to which he was privy then; frankly, I’m only now understanding the full scope.

It’s a good day to call my folks, to ask what their plan looked like 40 years ago.  I suspect it looks an awful lot like the one my husband and I have discussed a number of times since the Gulf War in 1991 and before Y2K.  While I don’t like for one moment the fact that we even have to have a plan, I’m glad for someone to consult with some experience in planning.  Glad and thankful they and I are both here to plan again.

A grim and thankful “happy anniversary” to you all.  Let’s get together and compare notes in another 40 years.

10:35:24 AM    comment []