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.