I lived in Upstate New York during the 1960's and '70's.
My family was getting ready to move to Monroe, New York from Suffern (NY).
Monroe is near one of the main highways (17W) that lead to the promised land of music.
I remember seeing the cars and vans with hippies, girls, guitars and peace signs on their way to Bethel where the three days of music was being held.
I was only 12 years old at the time, but a lover of Rock and Roll.
Being a kid, my favorite group was the Monkees, but I was aware of the Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix, Janis and most of the others who would play at Woodstock.
It was a great time to grow up in.
Society was going through changes that were never seen before.
Instead of listening to those in charge, we asked why and then said why not.
We became the new generation of Americans that John F. Kennedy spoke about in 1961.
We were loving it.
We were free.
We had fun and yes, we made mistakes, but the world was turned upside down.
We wanted more.
Women rose up.
So did blacks.
We dared say no to war.
Deep inside, we all knew we were right.
The music kept it all going.
This was the Woodstock people were looking for and found.
Then it became a real happening in a small town in New York.
I felt the impact years later when I would visit the site.
The people still come.
They never forgot what happened there.
Those born too late for Woodstock still feel as though they were there.
It was more than an event.
It touched our lives and became a part of it.
It was three days (really four) of peace, music, love and whatever you wanted it to be.
Those few days have lasted a long time, because Woodstock is still in our hearts.
Peace.

George Vreeland Hill