Soldiers coming home, then, Viet Nam

[rimfired]

Welcome Home! And thanks for your service!

 

[Bat Guano]

That's funny--I don't remember LBJ meeting anyone at the airport like Dubya did the other day.

Maybe I missed it.

Nah.

 

[rimfired]

I tried to delete this post because I wound up getting too emotionally involved in a personal experience. I probably just diminished what I attempted to do and that was show what it was like coming home then versus now from my experience. I figured I was being selfish and
self serving so you have the current post. I wish and welcome all veterans of all wars a Welcome Home! And thanks for your service! Thats better. Much.

 

[ltcdoty]

Being a Vietnam vet, I had bitter feelings about the way we all came home. It really bugged me back at the end of the first Gulf War all the parades, and such.

Then it dawned on me while watching a commercial for what ever product where they show the troops walking through an airport, that they way they treat the troops now is a positive legacy from Vietnam.

Maybe the country had a collective guilt trip about the way Vietnam Vets were treated.....but that's neither here nor there....it's how they now treat the grandsons and granddaughter who now serve that's important.

That's part of the Vietnam veterans legacy also.

 

[rimfired]

Works for me Tom. Thanks.

 

[rchance]

I'll second it!

 

[Frailer]

...
That's part of the Vietnam veterans legacy also.

What a great, positive attitude. Thank you.

 

[bennettfam]

I think Tom nailed it. My son is currently in A-stan and enjoys much more support, even from anti-war folks, than he might have if the Vietnam experience had not happened. Let me add my thanks to all the vets also.

 

[deralte]

My first trip back from Vietnam was quite nice. We were the first fighter/bomber outfit to return and we landed at a military installation and were greeted by some general and a whole lot of people. The next trip wasn't so good. I'm certainly glad to see the citizens are now supporting the GIs.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

I encountered no hostility while I served in the Army 1967-1971 and I note when I was in the Reserves 1971-1974 then in ROTC I encountered indifference-I don't recall anyone asking me about experiences. I also found the people of the 3 European countries I visited in 1970-1971-the Federal Republic of Germany, Luxembourg and Denmark-were friendly. In the case of the latter two WWII had ended only 25 years earlier, memories of the Occupation were still fresh, the West Germans only had to see how their East German compatriots lived under the Soviet heel and the Western occupation of West Germany only last 4 years. I don't think the Korean War vets received much of a homecoming either.

 

[ladder13]

I think Tom nailed it. My son is currently in A-stan and enjoys much more support, even from anti-war folks, than he might have if the Vietnam experience had not happened. Let me add my thanks to all the vets also.

I believe if the left thought they could get away with it, history would repeat itself. I don't think Americans today, would put up with the anti-war crowd doing what they did in the late 60's early 70's. We collectively made a huge mistake allowing our returning Vietnam vets to be treated so shabbily.

 

[venomballistics]

Being a Vietnam vet, I had bitter feelings about the way we all came home. It really bugged me back at the end of the first Gulf War all the parades, and such.

Then it dawned on me while watching a commercial for what ever product where they show the troops walking through an airport, that they way they treat the troops now is a positive legacy from Vietnam.

Maybe the country had a collective guilt trip about the way Vietnam Vets were treated.....but that's neither here nor there....it's how they now treat the grandsons and granddaughter who now serve that's important.

That's part of the Vietnam veterans legacy also.

did most of my growing up in the 80's learning from history books that sugar coated the treatment of Nam vets. Even to my young scull full of mush, the candy coating wasnt thick enough to keep the BS flares from flying and thus seek the truth ... which enraged my scull full of mush and got me shipped to the principals office.
after pointing out the text full of pablum ... the principal then produced a photo of himself in a younger year, with his buddy's taken in Saigon.

While Vietnam vets surly have first dibs on the rage to be felt ... you dont corner the market and I swear to all that is good and holy remaining in this world that I will live gut any pinko I catch spitting on a returning soldier.

 

[Rule 303]

I will never let what happened to the Vietnam Veterans returning from Vietnam happen to the Veterans who come home from Iraq and A-stan.

The Greatest Generation did not do well by their sons when they came home from Vietnam.

Rule 303

 

[vytoland]

may the time come soon, when home comings are not necessary.

 

[therevjay]

I don't hold any grudges agaist the hippy/college student types that called me "baby killer" etc. They may have been stupid, but at least they didn't hurt my feelings.

It was "the old farts" that P.O.'d me. "I was in the big one." "We'd have had this over by now." "You punks are sorry excuses for soldiers" etc.etc.

I really enjoyed burning draft cards at the local pub. Freaked them out.

When the guy at the draft board asked why I needed so many replacement cards, and I explained he cracked up laughing.

My nephew (however you spell it) just got back from A-Stan. (Navy/CB's) I'm glad he got a better homecoming.

 

[venomballistics]

I will never let what happened to the Vietnam Veterans returning from Vietnam happen to the Veterans who come home from Iraq and A-stan.

The Greatest Generation did not do well by their sons when they came home from Vietnam.

Rule 303

Ill never let it happen to any vet returning from any conflict save perhaps one against this nations citizenry. Even then I will reserve my judgment till such time as we get there

 

[cballman]

I would like to also thank everyone for their service whether it was during Veit Nam, The Pacific Theater, Europe, and anywhere else that our Goverment has sent our Boys. When I was growing up in the 70s and 80s I never understood what was happening in Veit Nam. I have read a few books that was written about that event. I had never heard any of these stories before but now I understand a whole lot now then I did then. Our Scout troop places flags at our local National Cemetary the Saturday before Memorial day. I know that people see these things on the news and when the President shows up. This past year when we were placing flags there was two funerals. This was a very moving experiance if you have never been to a Veterans Funeral. Sorry for the long rant BUT again I wish to THANK ALL OUR VETERANS.

 

[CH47gunner]

Some people say "get over it".

Nope - I don't think so.

I was 19 when I came back from RVN. Oh yeah, I was very impressionable.

I got it - the government, the military, & the "flavor of the day" population threw me to the wolves.

Maybe some of 'em learned from their mistakes or maybe they feel a bit guilty about how we were treated. Don't much care.

Am I still bitter - I guess you could say that.

 

[Moonman]

Thanks to EVERYONE for your service.

 

[walnutred]

I will never let what happened to the Vietnam Veterans returning from Vietnam happen to the Veterans who come home from Iraq and A-stan.

The Greatest Generation did not do well by their sons when they came home from Vietnam.

Rule 303

I had a brother and a brother-in-law in Vietnam in the 1966-1968 time frame. Don't blame the "Greatest Generation" for how the Vietnam vets were treated on the streets. That abuse was dished out by their contemporaries. Those that managed deferments rather than draft cards.

However if you want to blame the "Greatest Generation" for something look at how the Vietnam Vets were treated when they applied for VA benefits or Veterans Organization membership. Those charges can be properly laid against them, which is a shame.

It was WW1 Vets lobbying Congress that got the WW2 Vets the benefits they enjoyed. When it was time for the WW2 Vets to go to bat for the returning 'Nam Vets they seemingly didn't even try to deliver.