November 8,
1967
6:30 PM PST
Marty and Doc are attending the festival at Hill Valley Park. Marty was supposed to speak at 7:15 PM. George, Lorraine, Dave, and Linda were there too. A stage was set up with an American flag with a peace sign in the blue field, along with a bunch of anti-war banners. There was also a North Vietnamese flag for some reason. There was an oil drum with a fire. It was set up with a sign that read, "Put draft cards here." The band Blue Nirvana was playing "Eve of Destruction." There were also cops on the perimeter.
"You can't tell apart the boys from the girls," Reese whispered to Foley.
George, Lorraine, and the kids were joined by Stella and Sam, along with Toby, Sally, Joey, and Ellen.
"Dad!" exclaimed Lorraine. "This is a surprise!"
"Lorraine," Sam said, firmly. "I'm only here because your mother dragged me here. I'll listen to the speeches, but I'm not changing my opinion." Marty looks at his watch. It's a minute before 7.
Carol went up to the podium, addressing the crowd.
"I want to thank everyone for coming this evening," said Carol. "This is a great turnout, and it's exciting to see how many of us there really are!" The crowd cheers.
"Our next speaker, Guru Ahm Dahli Raj, is unfortunately unable to make it," Carol continued. "But he sends his vibrations to all of us for peace. So now, I'd like to introduce a young man who will tell us about his experiences as a draft resister, Marty Tuttle!"
"Great Scott!" exclaimed Doc. "That's you!" Marty steps up to the podium. He's clearly nervous and as he looks over the crowd, he notices a sign that said "War is a Waste of Human Life!"
"Before I get started," Marty started, "I think we should remember that above all, war is a waste of human life. I think it might be appropriate for us to have a moment of silence for those who have lost their lives in Vietnam... on both sides." Marty bowed his head, and the audience followed suit.
"Thank you," Marty continued. "Uh, well, I guess I'm supposed to talk about my travels and experiences... which have been unique, I assure you. Y'know, we're all here to say we're against the war, and that's great. But maybe we oughta take a few moments to figure out what we're for - what's it all about?" He looked into the audience and saw his family, which gave him an inspiration. "For me, the answer is the family. I guess you tend to take your family for granted because you just figure it'll always be there. But if you lose your family, you may never get it back. This I know from experience." He paused for a second.
"War tears families apart," Marty continued, nervously. "physically, mentally, and spiritually. Because of war, some families won't even have a chance to get started. But wars end, politicians come and go, issues change. Only the family remains. That is why there's nothing in life worth risking your family for - not for money, or power, or a career... certainly not for war, or the politics of war. There's a young man here who has mixed feelings about this war. He likes the idea of serving for his country, but at the same time, he feels that this war might not have a purpose. I met his family. They're nice people. And I'm sure that whatever choice he makes in the future, that his family will be there to support him." Toby blushed, knowing that Marty was talking about him.
"When you let politics, or war, or money," Marty concluded, "or anything make you lose sight of your own family - you're killing something in yourself, just like they are killing each other in Vietnam. We can't end the war tonight. But we can put aside our differences, and reaffirm our belief in one thing that is important - our families!"
The audience erupted with enthusiastic cheers and applause. Sam actually had tears in his eyes as the audience applauded. Sam and Stella walked up to Toby.
"If you don't want to serve in this war, that's fine," Stella consoled Toby. "In fact, your father and I don't want you to go."
"That's right! I always thought you can do something better with your life," said Sam. "You're going to college, even if it means we have to help you with everything. You think you can bring up your grades before you graduate?"
Toby looked over at Marty before saying, "Yeah, I think I can."
oooooooooo
"'Outside agitator', huh, Reese?" Officer Foley asked. "I don't see any agitation, do you?"
"No, sir," Officer Reese replied, blushing.
"Hey," Officer Foley called out, as Marty was walking by. "I would like to let you know that we have decided to drop all charges against you. You are now free to go. Happy trails."
"Thank you, Officer," Marty said, gratefully.
"Dismiss the charges," Officer Foley said to Reese, "destroy the records and make sure Mrs. McFly gets her bail money back. If you need me, I'll be home, spending time with my family." Marty hopped on the back of Doc's motorcycle, and "Born to be Wild" plays as they roar off.
0000000000000
"Well, Marty," said Doc. "See you in eighteen years." Doc and Marty embraced, before Marty gets into the Delorean and hits 88 miles per hour.
