This is the coin my Grandpa gave to me at a very young age, a souvenir that tells the story of how immigration laws adapted. 
In March 1966, my grandfather was drafted into the Vietnam War. My grandfather made many attempts to have his draft denied, but he wasn't able to. He was sent off to base training camp, leaving his family and school behind. He has trouble talking about it, so lots of information wasn't shared. But he faced lots of challenges, such as discrimination. He also faced other challenges, such as the combat itself. The combat was fought in jungle terrain, making it very difficult to distinguish friend from foe. The climate was also a huge factor, such as intense heat.
Today, my Grandfather has a really hard time talking about the subject and now struggles with PTSD. After the war, many draftees were diagnosed with mental health issues, and more attention should be brought to the struggles people face mentally. My Grandpa is one of the most caring people and has shaped how I am as a person. He has encouraged my positive outlook on life and my hard work ethic. He is a great example of what being an American means, which is to have a sense of pride and always think of the ways you can find the positive in bad situations.
I inherited this coin at a very early age. But it’s more than just a coin. It's a reminder of how we should be more appreciative of the opportunities we have today. This contributes to the true meaning of being an American, even if it comes with serving duties.

– EH

Relationship:  Grandchild of im/migrant Grandchild of im/migrant