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THERE IS NO GRAVITY– THE WORLD SUCKS. via

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For our soldiers in Vietnam, something so honest and everyday as a lighter became a powerful token of pre-war life, and a way to express their frustration, fears, and loathing over the war. These young men were sent into Charlie’s jungle to fight an invisible enemy, over a conflict that many didn’t trust or understand– and about the only items they could take with them from civilian life were a wristwatch and a lighter. The Zippo became a symbol of their souls.

The often dark and powerful haiku-like sayings and mottos engraved on the side of the old chrome Zippo’s often reflected themes of delusion, death, drugs, or sex. It was a way for the soldier’s to express who they were, and how they felt. Many were like tattoos not worn on the body, but carried in a pocket. The old Zippo’s live on today as American folk art, and a haunting reminder of a confusing and painful time for the men who were there, and our country as a whole.

Zippo got behind the movement with their massive marketing team, and flooded the PX’s with their lighters to ensure they were easily in the hands of any soldier who wanted one. You could pick one up for a little over a buck and have it engraved by a local vietnam “jeweler” for about fifty cents. The Zippo’s also became like currency– a soldier could barter their prized lighter for just about anything– a night on the town, or the company of a woman.

“Zippo’s” were ironically also the handle given to the Naval river patrol boats carrying nasty napalm flame-throwers used to light-up anything deemed suspicious or threatening along the dense riverbank. There is something mythical, primal and powerful about fire that has always captured a man’s soul– whether it’s a lighter, a campfire, or waging war.

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BEING IN THE ARMY IS LIKE USING A RUBBER– IT GIVES YOU A FEELING OF SECURITY WHILE YOU’RE GETTING FUCKED. via

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I LOVE THE FUCKING ARMY– AND THE ARMY LOVES FUCKING ME. via

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FIGHTING FOR PEACE IS LIKE SCREWING FOR VIRGINITY. via

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EAT YOUR HEART OUT. via

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WHEN I DIE, I’LL GO TO HEAVEN– BECAUSE I’VE SPENT MY TIME IN HELL. via

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BEING IN THE ARMY IS LIKE USING A RUBBER– IT GIVES YOU A FEELING OF SECURITY WHILE YOU’RE GETTING FUCKED.

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LIVE BY CHANCE, DRUNKARD BY CHOICE, KILL BY PROFESSION. via

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WE ARE THE UNWILLING, LED BY THE UNQUALIFIED, DOING THE UNNECESSARY, FOR THE UNGRATEFUL. via

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MAKE LOVE, NOT WAR via

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DEATH IS MY BUSINESS– AND BUSINESS HAS BEEN GOOD. via

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GOIN’ HUNTIN’ FOR CHARLIE. via

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YEA THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH, I WILL FEAR NO EVIL– FOR I AM THE EVILEST SON OF A BITCH IN THE VALLEY. via

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Zippo’s Vietnam lighter gallery

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