Your homecoming from the war

[Ziggy2525]

I tried to join the local VFW about the same time. They told me I didn't serve in a declared war and not eligible. Now that all the WWII guys are passing they are looking for new people. I just laugh and shake my head.

I don't belong. I always thought it was interesting that my 13 months in Korea in 1974 and 1975 are VFW eligible because the Korean War never officially ended, but someone's 1974 and 1975 cold war tour in Germany doesn't count because WWII had an official end.

 

[Drm50]

I'm not presently a member of VFW. I have been in two different posts. We are small rural village but we do have American Legion Post. We are noted as losing the most men per population in RVN. Lots of Vets here from all wars. They brought the wall here once. Back in 80s a guy was pushing to get a VFW post here. He got officials to come in and sign up members, a bunch of us signed up and paid dues. The guy that pushed VFW we voted as Commander. He had a business and was going to lease meeting room to post. Until it got up and running he was going to provide the hall, free. Well when officials came back with our membership cards there was some bad news. The guy we elected as Commander was not eligible for VFW. Seems although he was in Navy during RVn War, he wasn't in the designated combat zone. The Legion has dates of service for membership also. The WW2 guys did all the fighting for Legion and VA stuff. Korean guys are forgotten and RVn guys have not joined in the numbers of WW2 guys. The Legion, VFW and Vietnam Vets are all going to fold if they don't unite and take new members under new regulations. I think anyone that served should be eligible. One organization would be more influential.

 

[walkin jack]

My dad when he came home just said "your home now?" To this day I never really had a heart to heart conversation with him about my time in the navy.

My dad was a B-29 pilot in the old Army Air Corps during WW11. When I came home form Vietnam he never asked me any question. I guess he want to wait for me to initiate that conversation. I never did because I was pretty sure he already had a pretty good idea about it all. I guess I was waiting for him to initiate that conversation.

So it didn't happen but it never was a problem between us. He passed in 2009 at the age of 90. About a year prior to his death I asked him if he had any questions about it or wanted to hear about it.

His answer surprised me. He said he wanted to hear the whole story from the day I got there to the day I set foot on US soil.
And don't leave anything out.

We spent over 2 hour and I didn't leave anything out. I tried to slip some humor in here and there for comic relief. We laughed, we cried and we had moments of silence. During the whole time he never spoke. At the end I asked him if he had any questions and he just paused a bit and then said NO.

We never spoke of it again and he acted afterward like it never happened.

 

[Golddollar]

I I think anyone that served should be eligible.

Eligibility to join the American Legion has recently been expanded greatly. In addition to service during World War I, any veteran who served on active duty for one day on or after December 7, 1941, to present day is now eligible to join the American Legion. And the spouses and descendants of those newly eligible veterans are now eligible to join the appropriate affiliated organizations (Sons of the American Legion and Ladies Auxiliary).

Although World War I ended over 100 years ago, it is still relevant to service organization membership. My qualifying ancestor for allowing me to join the Sons of the American Legion and VFW Auxiliary was my maternal grandfather who served in the Army in France during World War I.

 

[Retired W4]

Let's not forget the Korean War vets. They are truly the unforgotten. Bless them all.

During my recent trips to TN I was honored to be introduced to a Korean War vet and now we are friends. The guy is still pretty lively and we enjoy talking about the Army, some of which had changed and some remains the same. Korea with it's vets are indeed the forgotten ones.

 

[Kinman]

During my recent trips to TN I was honored to be introduced to a Korean War vet and now we are friends. The guy is still pretty lively and we enjoy talking about the Army, some of which had changed and some remains the same. Korea with it's vets are indeed the forgotten ones.

I had two uncles that were Korean War vets, one a Marine, the other Navy. The Marine was a "runner" that made it back from Choisen, he was Marine Corps to the bone, about the only thing that ever came up from time to time was the fact that we lost a lot of good men, when the comm lines went down the only way to pass information was to literally run it. The Navy man served on the USS Wisconsin and told stories about firing the big guns. They were both quiet about their experiences as older adults and in fact I do not believe any of us talked about the military after I got out, nobody else in the family served after I got out. I just realized I am the last family member to serve on my dad's side.
Another group of guys that came home to a fairly quiet reception were the guys like my dad and father in law that served between WWII and Korea. They were both in the Coast Guard, dad told stories about raggedy Japanese soldiers coming out of the jungles in the P.I.
I'm glad that the V.A. finally gave coverage to the Merchant Seaman that worked on the Murmansk run as well as all of the men and women ferried airplanes.

 

[Badger Matt]

Three quick stories from our Aug '91 homecoming:
- Our resident Romeo was chatting up the barmaid at the airport, but made the mistake of leaving for a restroom break. When he came back she hugged and told him how brave he was to come out as a gay man in the military. If looks could kill, we'd have all been dead...
- So many woman, young and old, wanted to hug and kiss us we designated our resident E-3 as the official hugger.
- Met at the airport by my wife and 18-month-old daughter. Daughter took one look at me and ran away...because apparently Daddy was a lot bigger than the picture on the nightstand she'd kiss g'nite. Would've bothered me more, but I was much more interested in reconnecting with the missus.
Oh yeah, and having our M-16's and GAU-5's as carry-on baggage. Sure didn't happen in '97 and '04.

 

[Murphy's Law]

I experienced two 9 month deployments to the Tokin Gulf back in 1964/65. Still remember signs like "sailors and dogs keep off the grass" and some even worse. Hell, they even hung big sheets off the Golden Gate bridge with all kinds of bad sayings. Not the homecoming I will ever forget or some of the shipmates we lost due to an ordinance explosion. Somewhat ironic now when checking out from a store purchase (getting my military discount) and cashiers saying "thanks for your service". How the times have changed!

 

[ancient-one]

A person that I went to school with served in the Merchant Marines and went through Hell transporting troops and cargo back and forth across the North Atlantic. When I saw him after the war was over he was a total wreck. I felt sorry for him the first time in my life. We shook hands for the first time that I could remember. I don't know what happened to him after that.
You might have noticed I said a person instead of a friend. From our early school years all we had to do to get in a fight was to be close to each other. Our last fight was the summer before I went into the Navy.
The Merchant Mariners definitely need recognition. They served on ships with little or no defense, in freezing, terrible, weather conditions and many times without destroyer escort. I would like to know what their survival ratio was.
To add a little humor to the fight bit, I don't remember our age but I learned a valuable lesson, don't get in a fight when you are on roller skates . We got in an argument, and it was getting heated and before I could get my skates off, he laid one on me. The first part of me that hit the sidewalk was the back of my head and it almost knocked me out.
He got on top of me and my brother who was three and a half years younger than me saved my bacon. He had a rubber gun rifle made out of a one by four that he used as a club and knocked and kept him off of me. .

 

[steelslaver]

My brother, who served a couple deployments on the flight line in the Tonkin Gulf, said they dumped garbage on his carrier as they went underneath the Golden gate bridge.

 

[GRIZZLYBEAR]

Drafted in '63; 2 tours in Nam.....Upon return from Vietnam on my second tour was spat on, called a baby killer.....I punched the Hippie that spat on me in face which knocked him down then put the boots to him.

That cost me a demotion from E-6 to E-4 and sizeable fine.....After the punishment was levied I was asked if I learned anything and my answer, yes thank you, I learned when my ETS rolled around I would toss all my awards, medals, and uniforms in the nearest dumpster.

When someone asks if I am vet I always say no sir...to a fellow Nam Vet its been there, done that. When I hear thanks for your service I usually say too little, too late.

 

[Donn]

Like most guys in-country, going back to "the World" dominated every idle thought and conversation. What you'd do, where you'd go, see about that new car, and, of course, the girl waiting back home. Didn't seem like it would ever happen, but it did finally. Came home in Sept. '70. Dad and my girlfriend met me at the airport, no ugly "baby killer" incidents. It was all I expected,,, for about two days. That's when it dawned on me nothing here had changed. My folks were still bickering about the same stupid things. My kid brother could still be a PITA. My girlfriend's folks still treated me like a high school kid. People were more concerned with the Lions starting quarterback than what was happening a half a world away. At that point, I wished I hadn't come home. Not a death wish, but when I was in-country, my fantasy was still intact.

 

[gunship]

I returned from Vietnam thru Oakland, Ca I think. After landing I got my duffle bag which was open and 5 cartons of cigs gone along with 2 matching Lindy star sapphires. Welcome home. I was lucky enough to get out of the Army, processed out in 4 terrible days and on the way to the airport. Hopped a flight which went LA first for a 2 hour layover. Met 2 of my old pilots going home for R&R and we got spit on by the hippies
which promply landed in the dumpster. Few more stops on the way home and called everything you can imagine then landed in Newark NJ and promptly changed out of unjform.
Welcome Home!!!!

 

[Brian41]

My draft number was 2 in 1972 and after going for my physical and told to go home and wait to be called I decided to get my US citizenship and enlist in the USAF as many of my uncles were Canadian RAF in WWII and after. After basic and tech school I was assigned to a small nuke site in NE Italy as a communicator and spent two years there. Twelve of us AF and about 50 US Army and a good number of Italian AF. Never did launch one but they did run us up to the last moment a few times and a bit stressful. Also blew out my hearing listening to radios howl all night and do get a 10% VA disability for that.
Got orders to Vietnam for the pullout in 1973 but since I was in Germany for a TDY for training they were rescinded and I didn't go.
So in 1975 I come home on a MAC flight wearing my dress blues and a couple hippie punks in JFK airport call me a baby killer and spit on me which I dodged. Coward punks ran off real quick before I could react anymore. I caught a flight to Detroit where my wife and MIL picked me up and came home. Later my Dad who was a WWII Canadian Army vet wanted me to wear my uniform and go to his favorite bar where I'd get free drinks no doubt. I said no and never wore my uniform in public again.
Number of years ago the VFW wanted me to join and said no problem as I served overseas during Vietnam so I applied. They then denied me and *** did you ask me for? So now I belong to the American Legion and DAV which were happy for me to join.
Now when I'm thanked for my service I wonder if those are the same people that protested us back then but tell them thank you for saying that but it was a privilege to serve.

 

[carpriver]

I left Vietnam on 12/13/68. My DROS was for the 15th, I returned to Cam Rhan Bay from the airfield I had been assigned to. I had spent 359 days on TDY from the home unit at Cam Rhan. Long story. I was able to out process in record time. As I barrowed a jeep that was been barrowed, and that had been barrowed by someone else. I finished with personnel and finance, transportation got my MTA. and when and cleared the squadron. As I work in Air transportation I went to the Passenger Terminal and talk to a guy I knew there. There was a commercial aircraft departing at 2100 hrs. I went and changed into my 1505 tans. I could not get a seat on the freedom bird, but my friend got me on a C-141. flew from CRB to Hickman to Travis Ca. There were 12 men on the 141 me and eleven Marines. We went thru customs and walked to the bus stop across from the Passenger Terminal. Didn't wait to long for the bus; the bus went to SF international. That is where the hippies met us yelling and calling us vile names throwing rotten tomato's I got hit and so did a couple of the Marines. A police officer came out of no where and led us into the terminal. he never said a word. I got a flight to Detroit. My uncle came to visit and took me to the VFW to sign up, they said I had not been is a declared war. When I am approached to join now I tell then when I wanted to join you didn't want me Now you need me and I don't want anything to do with your Club. Some of my so called friends from high school were not so friendly.

 

[walkin jack]

Drafted in '63; 2 tours in Nam.....Upon return from Vietnam on my second tour was spat on, called a baby killer.....I punched the Hippie that spat on me in face which knocked him down then put the boots to him.

That cost me a demotion from E-6 to E-4 and sizeable fine.....After the punishment was levied I was asked if I learned anything and my answer, yes thank you, I learned when my ETS rolled around I would toss all my awards, medals, and uniforms in the nearest dumpster.

When someone asks if I am vet I always say no sir...to a fellow Nam Vet its been there, done that. When I hear thanks for your service I usually say too little, too late.

I think that is deplorable! There is a terrible element loose in our society these days and I believe is began during and as a result of the Vietnam war.

NO ONE who ever put on the uniform and served honorably deserves to be treated like that. I don't care if he came home with a chest full of medals or spent his tour peeling potatoes. we all did was we were told to do. We deserve to be treated better than that.

I was there and back way before all that got started. I'm not sure what my reaction would have been if anyone did that to me. It might depend upon whether or not I had a weapon on me.

I believe you had every right morally if not legally to do just what you did. Perhaps a reprimand but a reduction in rank by 2 stripes is crazy. It sends a dangerous and counter productive message.That we have a right to go to a squalid hell hole and risk our lives but we don't have the right to stand up for our own dignity.

It hurts my heart that that happened to you. But I am glad you made it back and I hope you will accept my sincere thanks for your service. You are one of the good guys. Don't ever let any one tell you different!

 

[Rolex28]

I returned from Vietnam 12/66. Do not recall any incidents other than no-one talked to me, on flight from California to Mass. Then the first time anyone said "Thank-you for your service" was about 15 years go when I visited the Vietnam Memorial in Washington. I didn't enlist for thank you's; I just like to say thank you to my fellow vets.

THANKS for YOUR SERVICE!!!

 

[Greyman50]

Flew out of Than Son Nhut to Alaska end of 72. Left Vietnam was around 100 degrees, 2 feet of snow on the ground and maybe 30 degrees ,we were in khakis in Alaska. We walked about 1/8 mile to terminal. Inside were 2 stuffed bears about 8- 10 feet tall, all I remember. Landed in LAX, into reception for shave and get khaki's pressed. Walking through terminal some guy in a long raincoat comes up and asks if I wanted to buy a watch, opens his coat and there were 50+ watches pinned to insides. Told him where to go. Few hippies outside but kept away by LEO's. Flew home to Va. where wife and new son, and my parents picked me up from airport.
These days many say, " thank you for your service", always thak them but want to ask, where was that years ago?

 

[walkin jack]

Like most guys in-country, going back to "the World" dominated every idle thought and conversation. What you'd do, where you'd go, see about that new car, and, of course, the girl waiting back home. Didn't seem like it would ever happen, but it did finally. Came home in Sept. '70. Dad and my girlfriend met me at the airport, no ugly "baby killer" incidents. It was all I expected,,, for about two days. That's when it dawned on me nothing here had changed. My folks were still bickering about the same stupid things. My kid brother could still be a PITA. My girlfriend's folks still treated me like a high school kid. People were more concerned with the Lions starting quarterback than what was happening a half a world away. At that point, I wished I hadn't come home. Not a death wish, but when I was in-country, my fantasy was still intact.

Your post reminds me of a quote from Gus to Laurie, from the movie Lonesome Dove, as he tried to comfort her about her obsession to go to San Francisco: Words to the affect that if you obsess about one thing and only one thing, it's apt to turn out a disappointment.

I'm sure your story is not uncommon among returning vets.

 

[Old Arkansawyer]

I am supposing because I was Navy, 69-73, I never had bad or even an
unpleasant experience. Flew into Travis AFB, picked up my car at the
Oakland shipyard and proceeded to hit all the wineries from Napa to
Bakersfield. Of course this was mid June 73 and the war had wound
down and I was not in I uniform.
I am not a joiner to speak of, so no VFW, American Leagon etc. I did
Try to get medical benefits 11 years ago and was told I had waited to
long and made to much money and to many assets.
Broken promises, treaties by the U.S. so I was not surprised.