hmTv at HMTC Podcasts Ep 462: The Fog of War and Humanity with Richard Acritelli and guest Clarence F Simpson P1 on hmTv
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The Fog of War and Humanity – Episode 462
Host: Richard Acritelli | Guest: Clarence F. Simpson (Part 1)
In this opening chapter of a powerful conversation, Richard Acritelli sits down with Vietnam War veteran Clarence F. Simpson to explore the life experiences that shaped the soldier long before he ever put on a uniform.
Clarence reflects on his childhood growing up in Harlem during the 1950s, sharing vivid memories of neighborhood life, summer fire hydrants, stickball, and a tight-knit community where kids built their own fun from almost nothing. His story then shifts to a dramatic change when his family moved to rural Manorville on Long Island, where he helped his father build their home by hand. Through chores, discipline, and responsibility, he learned lessons about work ethic, family bonds, and resilience that would later prove invaluable.
The conversation also captures a defining moment for an entire generation. After attending Suffolk Community College, Clarence received his Selective Service draft notice in 1965. He describes the shock of opening the official envelope, attempts to enlist on his own terms, and the realization that his life path had suddenly changed. From Fort Hamilton to Fort Dix and then Fort Lewis, Washington, he entered the Army alongside other young men who would become lifelong brothers.
Part 1 focuses on the human side of military service before combat ever begins. Clarence explains how camaraderie formed immediately among recruits, how families supported one another, and how a mysterious Green Beret accurately predicted their deployment to Vietnam before they even believed the war was real.
This episode sets the emotional foundation for the journey ahead, reminding listeners that every veteran’s story starts with an ordinary young person, a family, and a community, before history calls them into extraordinary circumstances.