Warrior, I dont know what it was like when you came back from Viet Nam, I know what my family has told me and what I have researched in regards to the hostile treatment of our veterans returning. I do not know what year you came back, yet, I can surmise that you had the most awful experience of your life. Several people within my family have recounted this travesty to me and it isnt acceptable now and should have been met with the most overwhelming of force available. However, we both know it was not.

As many VN vets returned they were labeled as child rapists, child murderers, murderers of civilians. It was war. collateral damage is expected. yet, no person throwing the stones was there with any of you. I know that they did happen, but given the vast number of soldiers in country at the time, it was rare.

This is all I ask of you. I do ask for forgiveness for my recent outbursts. I pray you will forgive me.

Yet, We here on our own American soil are fighting a most evil battle. We dont know what they have and how they will react. Yes, you are correct in your assertion that in the heat of the moment, collateral damage will occur, it happened when you were in VN and it has happened in combat since time.

This is what I will ask of you, Look at each situation as if you were the Officers arriving on scene. Do not Judge the actions of the officers based on emotion or the media. LE is working at a deficit in the troops they have available. Apply that to when you were in VN, If you are objective you will come to a reasonable conclusion.

I do not dislike you, yet, I do not like what you have said lately. I just wished that you would put yourself in our shoes, pump the brakes about 50 years and just entertain the thought of how you would react in this day and time.

LE isnt the enemy, we are just trying to stand in the gap between chaos and anarchy and some semblance of order. I do offer my deepest regrets for flying off of the handle last week; Yet, I spend every week trying to help our Veterans and LE maneuver the system to help them get past these traumatic events. I am very passionate about this.

I'm a vet but not a nam vet. My father is the nam vet.

I'm a touch sensitive on that subject being a child watching my father suffer the abuse. I believe I could have handled it better had it been me but to watch the most honorable man I know take it in silence, that hurt. To see him leave a room rather than be asked to stand and be recognized for his service in later years when I too could stand and be recognized still burns. My father has nothing to be ashamed of.

Apology accepted.

BTW, to this day he has refused any recognition, VA benefits and is adamant that no honors be rendered when his time comes.

We were treated like crap when we returned..

Just my two cents...............I can understand your dad leaving a room rather than stand up and be recognized. We learned pretty quickly not to share that information ...especially if you're applying for a job or attending college, or in a mixed social setting.

Times have changed but old lessons that were learned the hard way....remain.

I sure love when I see a VN vet wearing his hat. That's the way I can know, and smile to them and open a door for them, and at least tell them what a beautiful day it is and so nice to see them. I know they are proud of serving , I just like to be able to recognize the ones that have, so I can approach them and offer some encouraging smiles and conversation. Every one of those men loved visiting with me, and I with them.

I especially loved doing that when I visited the Traveling Wall that Heals when the exhibit came to my Montana , to a very close town nearby.

Dave, you are as much of a kind gentleman in your nature, as you are also among the toughest true warriors in battle, that I've ever known.

I'm proud of my dad. Not just for serving. Mother would share with me some of their discussion the night prior to his shipping out. Made me understand better just why she was crying when I left for basic.

He went anyway! That is what makes me proud of my dad.

Having never served, please now that you and those before you are appreciated. My grandfather (WWII - Army) Father in Law (Vietnam - Marines) and Uncle (Desert Storm - Navy) all served, and I know that it took a toll on them in ways I don’t understand.

I would have to imagine that you get a different perspective on life that we civilians cannot always appreciate.

My youngest son graduates high school this year and plans on being a Marine. I couldn’t imagine, as a father, him serving and not being appreciated when he returned.

Thank you to all service veterans. Sincerely.

A friend of mine who was in Nam said when they left that country to return home, they were told not to wear their uniform.

I was in the military, but never was in Nam. All those who were are heroes in my book.

The Viet Nam vets answered their countries call.
Its a real shame their country let them down.

100% Correct.

X3. I thank all of them

Some were dragged kicking and screaming to the inducttion center, some ran away to Canada. I was so Whizzed that those (.....) were later forgiven by the Gov, and allowed to return.

They should have served when called, but its shameful our government fed so many young men into that meat grinder for absolutely no reason.

I honor all Viet Nam vets., despise the cowards that ran to Canada.

50,000 American lives for nothing. The Govt should be ashamed but they are above that.
The hippies disrespecting the vets coming home were the same caliber running the country today.
I know a man that served two tours, flew a chopper and got shot up twice but made it back and became a successful dentist. I also know a man who came back to farm and couldn't help but duck under a tractor when a plane flew over. Everyone handled it differently.

My father and I waved our banner of welcome home , with open arms to the men coming back in the airports. I only wish they all could have seen and enjoyed us welcoming them from everyplace. They are among the greatest men to exist. The epitome of masculine strength and bravery.

I remember watching them coming home on tv. I grew up around a lot of Vietnam Veterans. My grandparents cared for so many. They were part of every family gathering we had. Xmas, New Years, birthdays.

A lot of the men they cared for. Had physical and mental trauma from the war. Some had no family. But they were loved like part of our family. God bless all veterans. Especially our Vietnam vets. Shouldering the stupidity of our country at the time.

If your on Xwitter

“Remember the fallen” is a great follow

A bunch of farm boys where I grew up went to Vietnam and a few worked with my father and stayed with our family. I believe a farming community was more compassionate/understanding of what the young men went through. I had a lot of respect for the guys that served.

That was actually just short of 60,000 lives lost.

My uncle was a Marine in Vietnam, did 2 tours and is one of the nicest, and most humble persons you will ever meet.

Always wondered how he made it over there with his temperament until one day we came upon a couple guys breaking into the neighbors house. Never before or since have I seen someone change like that, never will forget his eyes
...Those thieves were taken down fast & terrified in the process.

Terrified me just witnessing it at 15 yrs old, Lol.

Much respect to the VN Vets, they went through hades for us.

Got taught real quick when I came home from VN., grow your hair long with beard and dissappear from your military ways, looks, and beliefs. Was tough getting a good job, for a few years. They all wanted job applications, hard to hide where you had been for 3 yrs. Tried college lasted 1/2 semester. Was called baby killer 1 time, only and that cost me money. Dad bailed me out on that and judge , took pity, and got a slap on the wrist. I came out of the closet 15 yrs. ago Viet Nam Vets Of America KC., Mo. helped me come out of that closet. Wear my VN vet hat, use the VA facility, and walk tall and proud. Those people today who called me baby killer, and trated vets, badly, can't and won't look me eye to eye.

I had two brothers in Vietnam. I was eight years old at the time...67-68. I've never heard either mention anyone giving them a hard time on their return. My oldest brother flew just shy of 1,000 missions as a doorgunner/crew chief on a Huey. He turned 79 this month and flies a USMC flag in his yard to this day. They were both USMC.

I never went but was in Reserve unit. Lots of classmates went. In rural NC nobody mistreated a vet. Must be an urban thing.

I got a low number on the 1969 draft lottery. I got drafted not long after Kent State so you can imagine the BS those of us in the military took during those times. Far too much crap to relate here but it was not good going or coming and after as well. Yes many fault the hippies and yes they were problematic, but to me they were at least straight up and open, and not looking sideways, at one. Yes there were 1 million leaving the military in about 3 years, lot of young men not testing out a semester or two of college as now the war was over, so there were a lot of people making finding work harder and as some said the non veterans did not have the stigma of a unpopular war on their backs, or many wondering if you were still using all the drugs you must have used over there and this in many ways took months, years and even decades to shake off. When one saw how the deck was stacked against you, you just girded up and climbed the hill. One did not alway use the best methods but if you were going at it alone it was better then sitting on one's butt and feeling sorry for your self.
Even with all the BS we experienced, I would rather be a beraided Nam vet than a more recent vet that gets all sorts of parades and accolades, because when I look at their rates of addiction, alcoholism, domestic abuse, suicide I will take getting spit on any day. What is it about our culture that causes that many in the primes of their lives to want to check out? I think how service men and wom,en are treated is a lot more about the healthiness of our society then it is the policies and activities of our service mena nd women.

Bryce

I did 2 tours in Vietnam, USMC. I will tell you that each of us handle it differently today. I'm not sure if it is done differently now but when I was in (1965 t0 1969) we could fly home reduced rate in the United States if wearing our military uniform. When I returned home in 1968, we were granted the discount if we chose to NOT wear our uniform. In short, we were not welcomed home. A group of us who landed at El Toro, CA. talked it over. NONE of us and I repeat NONE wore our civilian clothes. To be ashamed to wear them would have been a discredit to those who never made it home. When we walked into LA international airport we walked tall and proud. The protesters were there but left us alone. A bus load of angry Marines would have made their day real bad. Those friends on this forum who know me will attest that I choose to talk very little about my experiences as mot Vets feel the same way. When it became fashionable for people to stop me and thank me for my service (I wear my Marine Corps Vietnam hat) I was taken aback at first. I guess I had a negative attitude of now you thank me but when I came home you hated me. Now I take it differently. I'm grateful when people stop me and thank me. Maybe the chip on my shoulder fell off. So please, if you see a Vietnam vet do thank him. Just my 2 cents worth.

Semper Fi Gary !

Problem was not too many rural airports to fly into

Maddog 47, After reading your post, brought back some deep memories. I also wore my uniform, when I got back to the world. Had my spit shined jump boots, Ranger beret, blue grunt ribbon, and my badges. I had brothers, cousins, who were in country, before I. Only got through half, 2nd tour. I came out of Oakland, then Denver on to KC., then home. People really avoid me, I didn't really care, I had survived, and returned, wounded as my oldest brother. I had 7 months , still to serve. Then everyone 6 months plus, were sent to Germany. Was angry as all h&ll, but when I landed in Frankfort, and on to Bamburg, for border duty was treated great. Had lots of questions, what it was like over there. Even got another LRRP, come in to the unit I got aassigned to. First Sergent, even let us bunk to getter and have our own room. Told the company, I was in, at morning formation, we were from the hot country, and If we were seen walking around the compound with our hands in our pockets, to basicaaly go bleep bleep. I'm also grateful, when people say now Thank You for your service, every vet I see I say welcome home Brother, and welcome home to you Maddog47