Cal Robertson (Calvin Joseph Robertson)

Dates

• Existence: 1945-12-06    

Biographical note

Cal Robertson was born in Norwich, Connecticut in December 6, 1945. He grew up with his mother in Poquetannuck and Mystic, Connecticut until moving to Groton Long Point with his mother whom he eventually lived with for the majority of his life. Cal attended the University of Connecticut briefly in 1963 before enlisting in the Navy for medical service duty as a corpsman in January of 1964. Cal remained on active duty for two years and did two tours of Vietnam, being stationed in Denang. Cal returned from service and was enlisted until 1970. The affects of the war were difficult for Cal and he began traveling as a migrant laborer and was heavily medicating. After his recovery, Cal dedicated his energy to actively demonstrating or "bearing witness" against war and the weapons manufacturing industries throughout the country. He has been arrested countless times for civil disobediance and activism at the Groton sub base and other facilities throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Cal's peace inspiration came from another Vietnam war vet, George Mizo who suffered from agent orange exposure. Cal remained a close ally to others imprisoned for political beliefs as is demonstrated in the prison correspondance in his collection. Cal has remained an active member of the interfaith peace community in Connecticut and regularly held vigils on what is known as Cal's Corner on West Main Street in Mystic. He was struck by a car in New London in 1990, leading many members of this community to hold the vigil for him until he recovered. Cal continues to advocate and organize for peace in his community in New London.

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