Viet Nam Vets <3

[paladin06]

Know any Vietnam vets?

this video is moving: (and safe)



http://moments.org/thank-you-for-your-service/



Even if you weren’t there, it’s nice to know things have changed from
the 60s-70s era.

 

[black64]

Thank you for posting that it made my day. served 1966-1968. There sure was no respect for soldiers back then as there is today.

 

[Moparsmitty]

This video says a lot in just a couple of minutes. My brother and I were in the Air Force during the Vietnam war and although I didn't do a tour in country, my brother did. The war changed my brother in many ways. He's doing fine now, but I will never forget what it was like for him when he came back. I'm glad that our troops now are getting the respect and support that they deserve. We owe all of our active service members and veterans for the sacrifices that they made for our country. Never pass up the opportunity to thank a vet for their service.

 

[paladin06]

Thank you both for your service.

 

[Stumper]

Thanks for that video. My two older brothers and I all enlisted and served during the war. They both did tours in country but I lucked out and got sent to Europe. I'm sending them both the video clip. Times sure have changed for the better in support of our troops.

 

[Blackheart]

US Army November 1972 to November 1974, the last draftee in my county, ended up in Germany for most of my tour. No one thanked me at all for my service until recently on Veteran's Day.

 

[Bruzilla]

So many people just don't get how important the Vietnam War was, or how enormous a victory it was. Immediately after WWII, the Soviets attempted to take over Greece and failed. Then they decided Europe would be too hard to gain a foothold in, so they decided to try Asia. The little bit of success they had in Korea led them to believe they could make better gains in this region, and so they went after Vietnam.

Yes, the Soviets ended up taking Vietnam, but the fight they had to put up to get it was an expensive one, and what did they get in return for their investment? A cheap supply of rice and little in the way of natural resources. Worse, they were no better strategically than they had been before. Many people have little or no idea how badly the Vietnam War hurt the Soviets. Because of our efforts in Vietnam, the Soviets had to stop their plans to expand in Asia because they couldn't afford to fight another protracted war that yielded nothing of either material or strategic value.

This is why they invaded Afghanistan in 1979. They didn't invade because they wanted a mountainous country with few natural resources. They invaded because their goal was to take control of the Middle East, but the logistics trail from the Soviet Union to the Middle East would be too long to support and defend given the expected US and NATO response, so they needed Afghanistan as a halfway point where they could adequately support a takeover of the Middle East.

Once they failed in Afghanistan, they turned their attention to the lowest hanging fruit, which was Central America. Cuba was the only place outside of the European continent they had had any real success in, and Cuba was a huge tactical value to them. So in their last gasp at expansionism the Soviets made a play for Central America but by then they were pretty well doomed by their previous failures in Greece, Korea, Vietnam, and Afghanistan. They had won some battles, but had lost too much in treasure and national support to win the war.

So the next time you hear someone saying the Vietnam War was a huge mistake, ask them what they think the world would be like today it it hadn't been fought? Most likely the Asian continent and Japan would have fallen under Soviet control, followed by the Middle East. Then would have come the move into Europe that would certainly have started WWIII and the missiles would have been flying. I think a very valid and strong case can be made that had the Vietnam War not been fought, no one on this planet would be alive today.

 

[69a100]

If you really want or need to thank a Vet. Do so by mouthing off badly to your elected officials to leave my & our Vet benefits alone or they'll be voted out of office! Thanks for your service and support.

 

[Budnicks]

Know any Vietnam vets?

this video is moving: (and safe)

thanks paladin06, that was a great video, It hits home... I always have been disgusted by how our returning Viet Nam vets were treated when coming home from less popular wars like Viet Nam was, the peace & love BS/hippie crap of that era, was just disgusting IMHFO, they deserve so much better... I remember going to the air port in SF at like 10 y/o to see 1 of my Uncles come home for leave & they actually booed him getting off the plane, I was really sad for my Aunt/His wife, that's so disrespectful/un-American, I remember that very well still today, I was completely disgusted/pissed... Then also when we were walking with Uncle John, that was in his Marine/Green Beret uniform, wearing his purple heart even, in Berkeley were his mother, my great Aunt lived & taught at the UC college... He was spit on by some scummy, dirty, draft dodging pos loser pan handlers, getting money for their next daily drug fix, long haired lazy hippies, when we were walking, down the street near the UC Berkeley college, I asked why he didn't kick their a$$, I'm pretty sure he could have too, he just told me to ignore them, they weren't worth the effort, told me not to be like them or he will kick my a$$... great guy later died from some form of injury complications... I miss my Uncle John, RIP Soldier & thanks for you unselfish service...

I actually will try to pay for soldiers meals in restaurants anonymously, tell the servers to thank them for their service to our country... just a way to show your/my thanks

 

[747mopar]

Thanks "really liked the video". My dad was drafted but got lucky and served in Korea but my father in law wasn't as lucky, he was in Artillery and saw plenty of the war. Talking to him and his vet buddies has given me allot of respect (not that I didn't already) for our Vietnam Vets and what they went threw. If I see a Vietnam hat on someone I try and shake they're hand and thank them "can't imagine being treated like **** after coming home from that". I hate hippies and that damn peace sign to this day for that reason "bunch of freakin idiots". My hats off to the Vets

 

[Redhorse719]

I answered the call and was in Vietnam in 67/68. I remember walking through the terminal in uniform when I returned to boo's among other things. Were they booing me or my country's uniform, then I realized those wimps were just making noises, that's all they were capable of.

 

[tallhair]

If you really want or need to thank a Vet. Do so by mouthing off badly to your elected officials to leave my & our Vet benefits alone or they'll be voted out of office! Thanks for your service and support.

Yes please and I concur !

 

[Dennis H]

Good video, but not sure I should have watched it. I clearly remember going to Selective Service to register for the Draft - think it was in 1970. The lottery. My number never came up. Guys I went to school with served, a friend did not return. I know I lived the life-of-Riley while others served. Sometimes on the job I cross paths with a Viet Nam Vet in real distress. While not really guilt, I do know that some of us have all of the benefits - like driving my Mopar anywhere, anytime only because of others who served to make it so.

 

[Herr_Poopschitz]

This may be unpopular, but it's what I know and have grown up w/.

Not everyone who serves/has served is a 'hero', and these blanket labels are bs. My neighbor is a 23 year old brat that 'hurt her back' doing something she won't share...she was an armorer and never left Pendleton...so I'm guessing it was something stupid, as she's pretty stupid. She's shared that her benefit is $1500/month, and I see her flinging her 3 kids around pretty easily. Hero?

Dad still has shrapnel in his cheek that sets off metal detectors. Never received a Purple Heart, doesn't care. One of his buddy's from high school jumped from a helicopter in a non-combat situation and broke his ankle...he not only got a PH, but a medical discharge. They haven't spoken since coming back.

He was drafted in 68...was a Huey mechanic in the 1st Cav, then voluntarily went back after returning to the states and not being able to get a job...and this was in KS...not 'hippie' territory. His second tour he spent as a door gunner.

After encouragement from my uncle who filed paperwork for benefits in 2010 due to the expansion of possible issues related to Agent Orange, Dad's been jumping through the hoops to see what kind of bene's are available. Unfort, that means psych evals, which is bringing a whole bunch of suppressed memories/thoughts back to light. Not a pleasurable experience for him or anyone around him.

Dad always told me that if the draft was reinstated, we were moving to Canada. Based on some of his stories, I can understand why. Would that have made me a draft dodger? I was raised in a household where things weren't so easily dismissed as black or white.

It was **** circumstances that America is still paying for emotionally and financially today.

 

[Chryco69]

Whats up with the leather vest?

 

[Redhorse719]

This may be unpopular, but it's what I know and have grown up w/.

Not everyone who serves/has served is a 'hero', and these blanket labels are bs. My neighbor is a 23 year old brat that 'hurt her back' doing something she won't share...she was an armorer and never left Pendleton...so I'm guessing it was something stupid, as she's pretty stupid. She's shared that her benefit is $1500/month, and I see her flinging her 3 kids around pretty easily. Hero?

Dad still has shrapnel in his cheek that sets off metal detectors. Never received a Purple Heart, doesn't care. One of his buddy's from high school jumped from a helicopter in a non-combat situation and broke his ankle...he not only got a PH, but a medical discharge. They haven't spoken since coming back.

He was drafted in 68...was a Huey mechanic in the 1st Cav, then voluntarily went back after returning to the states and not being able to get a job...and this was in KS...not 'hippie' territory. His second tour he spent as a door gunner.

After encouragement from my uncle who filed paperwork for benefits in 2010 due to the expansion of possible issues related to Agent Orange, Dad's been jumping through the hoops to see what kind of bene's are available. Unfort, that means psych evals, which is bringing a whole bunch of suppressed memories/thoughts back to light. Not a pleasurable experience for him or anyone around him.

Dad always told me that if the draft was reinstated, we were moving to Canada. Based on some of his stories, I can understand why. Would that have made me a draft dodger? I was raised in a household where things weren't so easily dismissed as black or white.

It was **** circumstances that America is still paying for emotionally and financially today.[/QUOTE


A Veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve, is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America", for an amount of "up to and including my life."

That is honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it.

Author Unknown

And that is my definition of a "Hero"

 

[Stumper]

Thanks Redhorse, I was ready to post something similar. While the true heros are no doubt those who fought in combat roles there are countless others who support them and help them get their jobs done and come home safely. These troops are important for not only for what they do, but as you point out can be sent to battle at moments notice. Everyone's primary MOS was 11B (Army) no matter what job you were doing.
People that have never served can not grasp sometimes the fine line that often separates the rear and front lines or peace / war time service.

 

[paladin06]

One does not have to experience combat to be a hero. It does not matter about front or rear support, which no longer exist, just the fact that they stood on they wore the uniform and stood on freedoms wall, makes them a hero.

 

[Herr_Poopschitz]

A Veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve, is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America", for an amount of "up to and including my life."

That is honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it.

Author Unknown

And that is my definition of a "Hero"

That quote shares a very narrow viewpoint. EVERYONE I know personally who has served in Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, and Afghanistan (including those I know stationed at the AFB here in town) disagrees w/ the 'hero' moniker that has become so overused. Maybe there's more humility w/ those I know? It's certainly a dilution of the word, which is a shame. It should be taken as a case-by-case basis and not given universally - it does a major disservice to those who actually deserve the label.

 

[Finallygotmine]

That quote shares a very narrow viewpoint. EVERYONE I know personally who has served in Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, and Afghanistan (including those I know stationed at the AFB here in town) disagrees w/ the 'hero' moniker that has become so overused. Maybe there's more humility w/ those I know? It's certainly a dilution of the word, which is a shame. It should be taken as a case-by-case basis and not given universally - it does a major disservice to those who actually deserve the label.

I kinda agree with this. Not everyone in the military is "honorable" The military being as big as it is, is a microcosm of our society, good and bad. You never hear of all the assaults, robberies and other crime on a military base because it's all kept in house. It's why the military uses direct deposit. Too many young privates running around with their first paycheck in cash leaving the e-club and getting mugged right on base....by your own "brethren" no less. Lots of guys scamming the unsuspecting.

I was never in combat, but, I was in units that would have been there, had the sh*t hit the fan. There is a difference in mentality from the "front line" volunteers and the "rear guard" folks. I'm not saying that they are any less important, but there is a difference between a Marine sniper getting killed in action and some admin guy getting crushed by a box of forms. Both tragic, however, I would impart the word "hero" to only one of them.

When I was in 29 Palms, I took liberty out in Palm Springs with some guys. While we were there doing some shopping, two of these scumbags told the older woman clerk that they were in the Beirut barracks when it was attacked and 241 Marines lost their lives. Just to get a 10% discount on some clothes. Later when I was in Jump School, I actually met a Recon Marine Corporal who WAS in the barracks and was blown out of the 3rd story window.
Now, you decide who should get the "hero" moniker.

So, yeah, not as black and white of a subject as most of us might think it is. And, I tend to agree that the blanket hero worship we put on EVERY individual who serves is going too far.
I guess as Americans we like our issues black and white, right or wrong.

I guess we are getting the leadership of our country that we deserve.


OOO-RAH