We all have touchstone moments in our lives, events that affect and shape us and that we carry from our youthful past till the day we die. That defines the term epoch, even if the tragic circumstance occurred at a distance. The shootings at Kent State University on May 4, 1970, “four dead in Ohio” and another nine wounded, is one of my moments.

Monday was the 50th anniversary. For years I had planned to be there. I was there on the 25th anniversary in 1995.

In May 1970 I was 15 and very unaware, wrapped up in basketball and uncertain about girls. The Vietnam War had been a constant nigh...