I was asked to leave and was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army. The draft board asked me to accept a Conscientious Objector status. I did not accept that status nor did I take a medical deferment for having collapsed lungs - something that had occurred to me during that time. In good conscientious, like Martin Luther King had said, "I had to act."

I felt that I could not ask other men to go to prison if I would not suffer the ultimate consequences of opposing the United States government's bad policy and their horrible war.

Humans must stop bad government and bad business policies as well as practices.

MS: What prompted you to call into WVLK-AM's talk shows and share your thoughts?

DP: Years ago, I noticed talk shows on the radio as well as the newspapers printing letters and op-ed pieces. Communicating opinions is a means to reach others.

Sharing my thoughts began with letters and then with Sound Off 630, just before national news on TV. Locally, there was also the Dale Wright show in the early afternoon. Both hosts allowed callers to express their opinions. At the time, Sound Off was the most-popular show on radio with WAKY's Bill Crisp moving to Lexington to host the afternoon slot.

I helped both shows book guests, especially for Bill Crisp. I got him guests from both the right and the left. American Atheist Madeline O'Hara was overwhelmingly popular as a guest and the most stimulating at prompting callers. This was because she fired up the religious folks upset with her atheism.

I like hearing all educated opinions and some uneducated ones, especially if there is a chance to express thoughts or other ideas.

WVLK began talk shows with Jack Pattie and later Al Smith, and then Sue Wylie. I have continued the tradition of them allowing me to share my opinions.

The airwaves are actually the public's. I urge people to use them and get to know and even challenge the thinking of callers, listeners, guests, and hosts. Show your courage to inform others and show this form of "freedom of speech."

MS: What prompted you to adopt/foster the children you have?

DP: I have always been interested in children. I even wanted to be a teacher and filled in for a second grade teacher who - because of surgery - was out for a number of weeks. I trust kids more than I do adults though I have seen lots of kids learn to lie from the example of adults.

The truth may be that I am still a big kid. If so, I hope to be one until I die.

Wanting the security of being financially comfortable meant I waited for my dream to come true far longer than I wanted. More kids could have come into my home much earlier if I had been financially secure earlier. There are so many kids needing protection, security and support after coming from abusive and neglectful homes. Taking care of abused and neglected kids has been an amazing experience.

Many adults need to wait much, much longer to be parents and parenting education for the 28-year-long "job" is vastly needed. While 18 is the age of legal responsibility, the real age for independence is nearly 28.

I wish I weren't alone now since parenting is a 24/7 job. With the experience of 65 foster girls and boys in my home, the state has placed some severely difficult kids in my care. I loved them. I am sorry, however, that as a single dad I couldn't help those special kids more. These kids deserve better than what they've had!

Another one of Pratt's causes is to gather gently used suitcases, luggage, and backpacks for foster and adoptive children. A 2013 article in the Herald-Leader says Pratt started collecting the used belongings after seeing foster children throw their belongings into garbage bags and the like and thinking they needed something more personal.

Like most of things Pratt gets involved in, collecting used luggage was not a passing fad. Last October, he delivered luggage to Whitesburg. He took another load to Eastern Kentucky in mid-July and, last week, delivered some to far Western Kentucky.

If you would like to donate luggage, you can leave it on Pratt's front porch at 210 Walton Avenue or call him at (859) 552-2235.