Is there a disconnect between the Korean & Vietnam Veterans & the Gulf/OIF/OEF Veterans?

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 16:45:39 -0500

RP Members is there a true disconnect? If so, how do we bridge the gap between these two disctinct generations of veterans?

This was brought up in a conversation I had with CPT Jack Durish the other day and I would like to get some opinions from both generations on whether you feel there is a disconnect and some ideas on how we can bridge that gap?

Looking for some positive ideas!

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2016 4:49 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 16:49:03 -0500

I think there is probably a disconnect based on the ages of the vets. I have respect for all vets and having respect for all vets will keep us all together. Will there be difference? Yes. But I wouldn't call it a disconnect.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Mar 4 at 2016 4:55 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 16:55:31 -0500

Korea came unfortunately too close to the end of the WWII. People were exhausted by the world conflict and not ready to support a "Police Action". Veterans of the Korean conflict might have settled for a back seat to WWII Vets, but Vietnam seemed to suck all the air out of the room. First its veterans were vilified as "baby killers" and then venerated by the children of hippies who seem genuinely ashamed of their parents' abuse of Vietnam Era Vets. I can well imagine Korean Vets wondering if they're "chopped liver" while all this attention is bestowed on them. Yes, everyone who serves our nation deserves to be honored equally. However, Korean Vets do seem to have been lost in the cracks between two turbulent eras.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2016 4:59 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 16:59:03 -0500

I respect all veterans and like to talk to them. I do feel more comfortable around Vietnam Veterans because of shared experiences. When at events where there are veterans in attendance, I do try to connect with both younger and older veterans.

Response by SFC Josh Billingsley made Mar 4 at 2016 5:02 PM

SFC Josh Billingsley — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 17:02:58 -0500

I think if the VFW and other vet friendly groups like American Legion updated their recruiting tactics and learned to be more social media friendly and generation crossing we would see alot more networking in the veteran community. I rarely ever see vets my age in the VFW hall. And there didn't seem to be a huge outreach to us either. Maybe it's different in other places, but the VFW here is associated with old people. It doesn't have to be an old man's group though.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2016 5:13 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 17:13:13 -0500

COL Mikel J. Burroughs Somewhere I heard the saying, "Every generation has it's war". The Vietnam generation has a difference in experience, in that the public treated them differently than the Gulf War, OIF, OEF.. soldiers were/are treated upon return. This created a bitterness in the Vietnam era veterans. They did not come home to warm welcomes, parades, and the like, they were largely put down and made to feel ashamed or of their service. They gave just as much in their service as the later veterans but instead of being honored for it they were punished for it. That's a tough pill to swallow. I think the difference in how they were treated upon their return has led to the divide. I think recognizing the cause for the divide is a step to finding a way to bridge the gap and create healing.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2016 5:14 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 17:14:09 -0500

At a personal level being a desert storm/ OIF veteran . It seems the Vietnam/ Korean war vets should be held at higher respect because these wars were very different by tactics and technology but regardless we are all veterans and earn that title as such.

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Mar 4 at 2016 5:25 PM

SGT Jerrold Pesz — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 17:25:05 -0500

There has always been somewhat of a disconnect between different generations of vets. I saw that immediately when I first joined the American Legion in 1968. We had people from WWII, Korea, Vietnam and a few of the smaller conflicts and while we got along and worked well together on things like service projects each group tended to hang out with those closest to their own age.

Response by CSM William Payne made Mar 4 at 2016 5:29 PM

CSM William Payne — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 17:29:36 -0500

Yes, just as there is a disconnect between WWII Vets and Vietnam.

Different times, different circumstances, different results and different generations.

World War II was total war with a corresponding total, defined victory. Every war since, with the exception of Desert Storm not so much. Korean and Vietnam Veterans never got the closure and immediately recognition of their sacrifices the Veterans on other wars have received. As someone who's service spanded from Vietnam (1973) to the current conflicts (2014) witnessing the change of attitude has been interesting.

After the victory of Desert Storm the public's demeanor towards the combatants has changed 90 degrees to the good. So it's hard for today's generation of young heroes to relate to what the Korean and Vietnam Veterans went through coming home.

I think there is a definite generational disconnect that you see in American Legions and VFW posts all over the country.

Whenever Veterans get together I always try to emphasize that we all did our job to defend our country the best we could under the circumstances we were presented.

Given that there are less and less of us willing to make that sacrifice, less than 1% of our total population, and the number of our brothers and sisters that are passing on every day, we need to celebrate our service and common experiences that bind us together.

Response by MAJ David Vermillion made Mar 4 at 2016 5:30 PM

MAJ David Vermillion — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 17:30:19 -0500

No veteran was treated like the Vietnam Veteran when he/she came home. The Korean Veteran was simply lost in the crowd and the other veterans received high praise for serving this country. I am thankful we treat veterans with respect now. I hope we never forget the past.

Response by SPC David S. made Mar 4 at 2016 5:49 PM

SPC David S. — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 17:49:46 -0500

There will always be a generational gap despite their similarities. To bridge the gap would require some effort on both sides to figure out how to connect beyond their service. Communication would be complicated by the approach each side uses. A 'Hey hook up with me on Twitter' or 'Send a friend request on Facebook' is not going to connect with a Vietnam vet. Thus is the problem bringing in the OEF/OIF guys into the VFW's . They're connected via social media not hanging engaging in a face to face environment. If the VFW wants these guys to show to the party get on Facebook and buy a couple of X-box's.

Response by Sgt David G Duchesneau made Mar 4 at 2016 6:00 PM

Sgt David G Duchesneau — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 18:00:59 -0500

First off my Brothers and Sisters the Vietnam War , Conflict, or whatever else anyone ever decides to call it, was a Political War and let me attest to you right now, it was War. It was the first time that the Media was allowed to get involved and report what was happening from the so called front lines. Shit, the whole Country was the Front Lines and that so called Media that was doing the reporting most of the time were really out of touch with what was really happening. They exaggerated and made false claims as to what was really going on. Even during TET of 1968 when Walter announced to the World that the VC and NVA had infiltrated, over-ran the Embassy in Saigon. They actually only breached the perimeter but the media exaggerated and made it sound like we got our asses kicked. It was a big mistake letting the media do and say what they did but no one contradicted them. As far as the World was concerned, we were a bunch of dope smoking misfits and thus the media portrayed us as the bad guys and thus the name calling started such as "Baby Killers" and so on. Shit, when I got back to the World, I went to join the VFW and the AL and I was treated as an outcast. No one wanted us around nor did they ever give us a chance to make things right. It really sucked coming back home to the World and it was all because of our Government and the media never making it right with us, the Vietnam Vet. Yes, now things are different and they should be and I for one respect every Veteran who has ever dawned a Military Uniform and Served our Great Country in any capacity! You know, some people say that we lost the Vietnam War. Well, contrary to popular believe, we didn't lose the War. Actually, we never lost a major battle in Vietnam. It was our Government that gave the Order that we withdrew from Vietnam, just like we withdrew from Iraq.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Mar 4 at 2016 7:24 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 19:24:59 -0500

COL Mikel J. Burroughs I suspect there is a separation of interests and familiarity with modern technology between Korean & Vietnam Veterans and the Gulf/OIF/OEF Veterans. Because of triage capabilities and advanced battlefield medical capabilities soldiers and marines and special operators are able to survive and function with wounds and a loss of limbs that nobody survived in earlier wars. The military was slow to develop 24/7 capabilities to get these more recent amputees; but, once they engaged the capabilities and support networks are head and shoulders above what existed before this century [I was recovering from mitral valve repair surgery in March 2003 when OIF amputees were flowing in to Walter Reed Army Medical center.]
The VFW and American Legion war veterans grew up and fought in the eras before 24 hour TV, 3 dimensional video games and touch screen everything. The Gulf War veterans seem to be the bridge between the earlier veterans and those who followed in the wars of this century. Many OEF and OIF veterans are much younger and have young families and are much more tech-savvy. A potential bridge is that the Korean & Vietnam Veterans are grandparents and great grandparents of some of the OEF and OIF veterans. I expect that SFC Josh Billingsley is correct that the VSO like American Legion, DAV and VFW are updating their recruiting tactics and are trying to be relevant to the Veterans who have fought in the most recent warfare.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Mar 4 at 2016 8:29 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 20:29:28 -0500

There will always be differences between veterans of different wars.

Response by SFC Everett Oliver made Mar 4 at 2016 9:04 PM

SFC Everett Oliver — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 21:04:09 -0500

Only if the individual allows it.

Response by SSG John Mendyka made Mar 4 at 2016 11:02 PM

SSG John Mendyka — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 23:02:20 -0500

Ladies and Gentelmen;
I respectfully ask you to bear with me this is a topic near and dear to my heart and on I wrestle with daily. I am a member of two other organizations in my community here in Colorado Springs. One is a fraternal organization in the Catholic Church the other is a HAM radio organization. I have frequented VFWs and American Legions, mostly in the rural town my wife is from and can confidently say with all certainty that if you think this type of disconnect is only applicable to Veterans of the conflicts of the 20th sand 21st century you are sadly mistaken.
My first point is that much like our military service it is all determine by a bell curve. On one extreme end of the bell curve is the welcoming opened armed group of people that are interested in maintaining a balance between old and new. Those that may not know what changes to make but welcome change with opened arms. Mostly they are genuine people of any age. They understand that mostly bridging the gap is having manners, seeking to understand before being understood, living by the golden rule and just being a nice guy. He is the guy that knows how to adapt and overcome without moving from the intent of the organization.
The second extreme end of the bell curve I put into two distinct groups. One is the old curmudgeon. It is the guy that grew up on the Baltimore Catechism and thinks that the spirituality of the Church is all hippie crap; the HAM radio guy that thinks that anyone who didn’t learn Morse code for his license is not worth to operate a radio; the veteran behind the bar who no matter where you served, when you served, what you did you will still never have seen more, done more or suffered thr0ugh more than him as he chain smokes and self-medicates, think of the guy in the VFW hat pushing the young black lady out of the Trump rally. These are the people who would be perfectly content with letting these organizations to die with them. The other side of this coin is the “young punk” who thinks that the old folks in the Church are killing it, or worse yet feel that they need to go back fully to the Latin Mass and Vatican II ruined everything; the kid who thinks that radios are antiquated and that sitting in their Mom’s basement eating hot pockets and learning code and cracking Porn Hubs passwords is the only thing a humans needs to know; or the “operator” who feels that their war was the only war, they have nothing to learn from the older generation who never snorted pre-workout before doing 100,000 burpees and running around the battlefield with a douche looking beard.
Of these two groups, hopefully you will never change the latter and never want to be around the former.
Finally there are the vast majority of people on the bell curve. Those of all generations who want to reach out but have fear in some sense. It’s the younger veteran who is strapped with children, finding a job or in school, unsure of himself after being thrust back into civilian society and really would like to join an organization but doesn’t know where he can fit it in between kids potty training, homework, spending time with a wife and just figuring out life. He wants to share his story, talk to other people who understand his pain and triumphs, certainly not his wife, she doesn’t need to hear about the IEDs, the boredom, the hard times, he wants to talk to someone who has been in his shoes and made the mistakes and can give him sage advice on how he can come through it better. But how, when will he have the time the energy, the paltry funds to pay for that. Where can he get the most bang for his mental, physical emotional, spiritual and fiscal buck? The bad apples have turned him off propped up like vultures on a wire waiting to punch their ticket. An organization like Team Rubicon or Team RWB or the Mission Continues has likeminded people who know where that far off valley in the Hindu Kush is and not only do they drink beer, have a few pieces of eye candy to enjoy but also are doing somethings that are active and tangible for the community that reflect the spirit that he still has burning within him. That is what he needs, what he yearns for, what is reintroducing him into society.
It’s the older generation who has had technology and the shot gun blast of information hit him in the face like a sack of bricks. He can use email, maybe the wife has a Facebook account to keep up with the grandchildren, but he is in his twilight years. Most of what he sees on Fox News doesn’t give him hope for what he doesn’t understand to begin with. He sees our returning Veterans from our most recent conflicts, he is probably a Viet Nam Vet and he knows they will not be treated like he was. He smiles at them, thanks them for their service, maybe buys them a drink, but beyond that he doesn’t know what else to do; no one did it for him.
This is the vast majority of people and as you can see. As in any organization the bad apples always become somewhat of the face of the organization. As right or wrong as it is. Thank God there is not more of them. The good proactive people are always few in number, yet hold the keys to the kingdom in so many ways. Where we can build the bridge is between the vast majority and we can only do that through understanding and education. Honestly, those who have the time the older generation have to do the reaching. I am sorry to say it is not fair. Modern society has strapped today’s young man with a great amount of information access, but a limited amount of tangible time.
Even in the organizations I am a part of getting meeting minutes emailed is like asking for the Holy Grail. Getting a Facebook account up is met with fear and disdain. Fear of change is always the operative words.
We are seeking something fulfilling to ourselves and our families, our communities and healing. Our children and our wives are our world and take up our time and our energy. We desperately want help though and we want to make a difference. We want to have someone we can empathies with, someone to talk to. Our parents learned to bottle things up, we didn’t learn that lesson well. We want quiet place to go to for our homework, a place to help our wife find a job, a place to bitch about civilians a place that does more than bake sales, a place that can take us away for a day and we can say afterward, I built that! We want a place that doesn’t perpetuate a sense of ignorance, where we won’t hear about how bad Barrack Obama is or how great Donald Trump is. We also want it given to us in a medium we can understand. Not some WWII envelope, but an email, a Facebook invite or better yet a phone call or visit with a caring person who wants to help. We want someone to come to us with welcoming us home with open arms, not a parade, but a “Can I help you brother?”, “We aren’t those civilians, we get you and we can help, who is your wife, here is our wife let them talk, where were you down range?” We want a safe and somewhat exclusive place to take our toddlers, like a playground where we can get away from our wife and maybe meet a vet who can empathize with us and give us advice or network. We want to build and to help to make what we fought for better, not just ourselves but the big beautiful world we learned about so far from home. We want to be able to have a reliable person to watch our child and go on a date with our wife. To rekindle our relationship from deployment, after deployment, after deployment, after deployment after deployment…..
As always the most important part is communication. Those kind of bridges will never be forged if we don’t meet somewhere in the middle. Most Viet Nam vets I have met have not been abrasive in fact they have gone out of their way to welcome me home. We can build on that, help us, help us to be better members of our community to improve our fighting position in this great big world.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Mar 5 at 2016 6:27 AM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 05 Mar 2016 06:27:41 -0500

It takes an open mind to say I got it, that the wars were different.

Response by CPO Tim Dickey made Mar 5 at 2016 7:16 AM

CPO Tim Dickey — Sat, 05 Mar 2016 07:16:56 -0500

COL Mikel J. Burroughs, I go out of my way to engage veterans across generations when I see them. I'm not sure if the disconnect is intentional or unavoidable based on the varied responses I've received for a simple, "Thank you for your service."

Response by CW4 Dan Cady made Mar 5 at 2016 10:11 AM

CW4 Dan Cady — Sat, 05 Mar 2016 10:11:47 -0500

I think there is a gap. Fortuneately, or unfortunately based on your opinion, I bridged part of the gap by being a veteran of the Vietnam through desert conflicts. I know there are many more of us that can step up and build the bridge that the media has propagated. I can listen to and identify with them all. I am also the Service Officer of our local VFW, a AL member and a DAV member. I was shunned in 1972 and hugged in 1991 with a subdued welcome in 2005. All that and I still believe veteran service organizations need to survive and we are responsible for dragging them into this century.

Response by SSG Jesse Cheadle made Mar 5 at 2016 10:51 AM

SSG Jesse Cheadle — Sat, 05 Mar 2016 10:51:47 -0500

Respect! Thats where it all begins. I attend groups with Vietnam, Gulf War and OIF/OEF veterans. I would suspect a pissing match between generations if there is a glitch in a relationship with the other generations. War is hell and those who have seen it never stop seeing. If they never saw combat then there is still a respect for their service. I tell older generations that it is because of them, we have learned basic TTP's that are fundamental to this day. They have also fought for a more fluid separation process for Service Members today. The benefits we enjoy today are a result of their service and others like them. If you see another Veteran, thank them. If they are Vietnam, welcome them home. Some have NEVER heard those words. I have had men cry and hug me because of the respect I bestow onto them. Buy them a meal or pay for their coffee. Simple gestures go a long way. You can make a difference. Try it today and see for yourself.

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Mar 5 at 2016 11:20 AM

SMSgt Thor Merich — Sat, 05 Mar 2016 11:20:32 -0500

Between those who fought, I don't know how much of a disconnect their actually is. War is war and it all sucks. But the culture of the country was different in each of the wars. The Korea war vets were forgotten, the Vietnam vets were despised. The more modern war vets (Gulf, OEF, OIF) I believe were treated better by society.
The tone of country seems to dictate how the vets were treated.

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Mar 5 at 2016 1:57 PM

Capt Tom Brown — Sat, 05 Mar 2016 13:57:15 -0500

I have to say there is a generational gap which results in a disconnect. I have the utmost respect for WWII & Korean War vets, as for vets from any more recent conflict. I have no idea, except what I read in books what they went through and often it seems worse than anything in my limited experience. We do have one thing in common and that is we are all vets and that can serve as the foundation for appreciating what the other generation went through, and to be thankful for what they did.

Response by SSG Leo Bell made Mar 5 at 2016 2:28 PM

SSG Leo Bell — Sat, 05 Mar 2016 14:28:04 -0500

I don't think there is a gap with us, it's just we all served at different times, and in different wars. The military has changed very much since the time of Veitnam, and the Korean War. This two wars were closer together but the main problem was that Korea was still a voluntary army where Americans were proud to serve and the country was behind them. Veitnam was the war where we still fought pretty much the same enemy and when Americans started to dislike the war the military started drafting people. I respect all veterans and I have a soft spot in my heart for the Vietnam vets. The vets of today wars are back to voluntarily, I know veterans today don't join VFW's like we should or the American Legion. I enjoy going to the VA hospital though, I get to hang out with fellow vets and talk to them, get to know them. I like listening to there stories and just like spending time with them. Even at work when I'm at the cash register at work ringing out people the vets usually come in my line because they know I'm at vet and we get to joke around and laugh a little plus we check in each other.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Mar 5 at 2016 2:34 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sat, 05 Mar 2016 14:34:41 -0500

I don't think I have the Magic Bullet for that. Sure it is very similar to the Disconnect between the Korean War Vets and the Vietnam Vets at the end of the Vietnam War. Different Perspectives from a Different Time, Age Differences subtle but significant. In this day of Information and the leaps and bounds we have made there is a vast chasm between me, a Cold War, Prairie Fire/El Dorado Canyon, Desert Storm & Desert Strike Veteran and OEF Veterans. We Use Different Tools, We talk different technical languages, Just thinking of the Tools we use, I use a Lap Top for most everything, My Son in Law an OEF Veteran uses his I-Phone for about the same purpose. I watch You Tube Video's he has made with his Drone flying out of the Front Yard. He even repairs and does the wiring in the damn things, I'm a retired Cryptologic Technician and I'm bloody clueless about the newest technology, I used to be working with the movers and shakers in the Technology Community.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2016 2:36 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 05 Mar 2016 14:36:26 -0500

Of course there is a huge disconnect. We have to remember that during the Korean and Vietnam wars Selective Service was still around. However, the Gulf/OIF/OEF wars are fought by men and women who have volunteered to serve and protect the nation. Therefore, day to day people are not engaged with the military as they were once engaged with the military in the past.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2016 9:01 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 05 Mar 2016 21:01:07 -0500

COL Mikel J. Burroughs, I have always applauded the vets of today. The only disconnect I have seen is the Gulf vets at the VA. They will have to let their guard down if there is ever a connection. They want to be left alone. But, I understand. Even though they have received nice Welcome Home's, which is the way it should be, they are like me when I first started going to the VA. I didn't want to talk to anybody. I just wanted to be left alone. I see most of them have that 1000 yard stare. I have approached several and thank them, and they look at me like I'm crazy. After I returned from Vietnam I felt ashamed to let anyone know I had fought in the Vietnam war. I tried to put it out of my mind. I suspect some of these Gulf vets feel the same way. Hell, if the F'n government wouldn't have allowed news correspondents in the trenches, and not have sent home pictures of the dead and wounded, the firefights, etc. we would have accomplished our mission. Between Johnson and Westmorland, there was so much BS being fed to the public. Hell, Westmoreland sent Johnson false information about body count. He lied about less American KIA, and more enemy KIA than there really was. After the people back here found out the truth about American KIA. they went ballistic. The chicken shit hippies and the ones who ran away to Canada, and even some Vietnam vets, started the slogans about us being baby killers. You know where that came from? It came from the news reporting that an American plane dropped WP and Napalm on a village (PhaPhan Kim Phuc) where the burned kids were running down the road. It was the Vietnamese Air Force who dropped the WP and napalm. It was too late by then. Protesters thought it was a cover up.
I got off the main subject, but we were treated so badly there were more suicides than you could count. It wasn't right.
Now these guys are welcomed home, and there is a gap between us and them? It will take years to bridge that gap. As they get older, they will realize we did them a big favor. The reason they are treated like we should have been treated, is because all of us baby boomers made sure that would never happen again, and it hasn't.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Mar 7 at 2016 9:02 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 09:02:18 -0500

I recall a Mauldin cartoon in the '70s of a grizzled SNCO with hash marks down his sleeve surrounded by civilians in a bar, saying "After WWII I couldn't buy a drink; after Korea I had to buy my own drinks; now everybody just wants to fight."

I can relate to that. Even the WWII vets looked down on us in those days, and for that reason I have never had anything to do with the VFW or any other service organization. It is a deep shame if Viet Nam vets are now treating more recent vets that way today.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2016 9:40 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 09:40:08 -0500

Respectfully, I don't think the majority of veterans from the Korea/Vietnam era feel they ever received the level of support, official and unofficial, we have...they may be right. My father, 505th ABN, NCO, injured in a jump...never received a penny of VA benefits, and has been fighting for them for the better part of the last decade. Meanwhile, his younger co-workers (yes, Dad's still putting in a full day at the job) include some guys getting support for PTSD and other qualifying conditions. Some of those, were only in country for six months to a year, on a FOB, working as aircraft maintainers.

Furthermore, I think that there's a general perception that "we" aren't of the same caliber to begin with. I get into frequent debates with my father, father in law, and fellow Legion members about the level of training more modern service members receive, and how many "support" billets and MOSs we come from. Sometimes, I find this amusing...and sometimes, I give it serious thought. The fact that they fought without the equipment and technology we have today only adds to that perception.

Mostly, I think it's an extension of the general divide that's existed between every generation, but perhaps more-so with the current society. I think it may even be less than overstated to point out that demographically, we aren't the same force either...and some veterans may be concerned about what that means for the future.

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Mar 7 at 2016 2:55 PM

Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 14:55:43 -0500

My take on this is that I look at it like this. I loved my grandfather and my father but because of generational differences I didn’t want to spend every waking hour with them. They didn’t see the world the way I did. They way my grandfather was raised, the way my father was raised, and the way I was raised were totally different. The only common thread with us was our blood. That drew us together and we had a bond that was unbreakable even through death.
I look at WWII, Korean, Vietnam, Cold War, DS/OIF/OEF veterans the same. There are some serious generational gaps with technology in the way we were trained, fought, gear, weapons, tactics etc to the enemies we faced both at home and abroad. Our only common bond our blood, the fact that we have all been through the fire and came out different on the other side is there and it goes all the way back to the revolutionary war.
The way to fix it is to drop the “I served in xxx war mentality” or “my war was rougher than your war” type of mentality and focus on the common bond…we served and we have that in common. The orgs that I have visited have all been smoke filled boozed up bars with BINGO where younger people were told come in we need your money but sit over there because you haven’t earned the right to speak yet. Remove the dang rank structure…we served but we aren’t serving any longer. Older generations dance to big band…younger dance to hip hop. Additionally, the ones I have visited when asked about what they do for the community or veterans in the community, you get a lot of blank stares and a bunch of HMMS and ohhhhhhs then the subject gets changed. They seem like a place of refuge for the veterans away from their families. There doesn’t seem to be family suppers or get togethers for families.
War is war...it is cruel and nasty and people die. We as veterans have all faced that and until we embrace that fact and that there are differences in culture I believe a lot of these orgs will die on the vine.

Response by GySgt William Hardy made Mar 7 at 2016 8:38 PM

GySgt William Hardy — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 20:38:42 -0500

When I was on active duty, the majority of the higher ranking officers and SNCOs were WWII or Korean veterans. By the time I got to Vietnam, I saw no difference or disconnect because those that I dealt with were 100% into the Vietnam War just as we were. By the time I got around to predeployment training before going to Iraq, the younger soldiers I dealt with were behind me and spoke against those that criticized the Vietnam veteran.

This is just my experience. The next guy could have had a complete 180 from me.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Mar 7 at 2016 11:11 PM

COL Charles Williams — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 23:11:38 -0500

COL Mikel J. Burroughs This is my perspective, from my vantage point in the Army (80-13). I felt there was a disconnect, and I feel there is a disconnect. Just random thoughts as to why and then what I think will help...

1. Both Korean War and Vietnam War Veterans seem to have been forgotten, and even scorned, and for no good reason. Like generations before and after, they did what they were asked to do willingly and faithfully. These days, I go out of my way to thank all veterans especially WWII, Korea, and Vietnam Vets.

2. In my lifetime of service, the first time I recall it being thanked as a Soldier for my service, was after Desert Storm. That was a seminal event in my lifetime with regards to Americans appreciating the military. Then, for the first time, it seemed to be in vogue to have yellow ribbons and thank service members.

3. Finally, as stated in other discussions, I have been to places like American Legion, the VFW, and the old guard members don't seem to interested in embracing veterans from the post Vietnam era; Or, at least that is feeling I get when I am around them.

4. Perhaps we are all doomed to think things were harder, and we were harder back in the day. Perhaps the disconnect is really my issue. In 33 years I spent over 36 months in combat, which I know when compared to many in the modern era is laughable. But, compared to previous wars, is a good bit to say the least. As an example... you spent 6 months in the Nam... I spent 15 months in Baghdad...

I can only bridge the gap from my end, by continuing to thank all those that serve/served. I will continue to do that, as every era is different, but service is service, and there are not many of us willing to serve.

"To us, and those like us -- damn few."

Response by MAJ John Smith made Mar 8 at 2016 7:48 AM

MAJ John Smith — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 07:48:45 -0500

I am a vet of both. I believe there will never b a healing,it is just too late. Anytime the military is mentioned on TV it is in connection with Vietnam Nam. I have only one time in many years a mention of Korea. We of the Korean era are not looking for hero status just recognize us as having been there done that. Vietnam Nam was a pure media circus. Disconnect absolutely! 0-4

Response by SSgt Rose Ferguson made Mar 8 at 2016 10:35 AM

SSgt Rose Ferguson — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 10:35:49 -0500

There is a disconnect in several areas. I consider them my brothers but if they don't consider me a sister, I'm not offended and actually respect that. I also tell Vietnam and Korean vets, if it weren't for you, I wouldn't have a country to fight for. But my dad was a Vietnam vet. I hear their welcome home horror stories, activists, etc. Now many Americans and other countries support us and show us honor/respect. They never got that. For PTSD, psychiatrist are bad. It will ruin your future. So most Vietnam and Korean vets wouldn't get needed psych help. Shell shock. Suck it up. So poor guys aren't getting needed help. Plus so much negative stigma put on them at their young ages. To fix this, I honor them for their sacrifices not "service". I thank them for saving USA. Reach out and say thank you. Be selfless. Think of others and the shame they felt because of hateful activists.

Response by SN Chris Cerney made Mar 8 at 2016 10:47 AM

SN Chris Cerney — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 10:47:03 -0500

I am a Vet of Desert Storm/Desert Shield. I feel more of a connection to vets from Vietnam then from OIF/OEF. That's where the disconnect is. I see all kinds of help offered for OIF and OEF but not Storm. Desert Storm and Vietnam Vets are both discovering disabilities that happened during the wars but are just coming out years later. 3 years ago when I went to the VA to see about Gulf War Syndrome I was told that it doesn't exist. I have since taken care of that, but the treatment Storm Vets got and still get is similar to the way our Vietnam Vets were and some still are treated.

Response by LCpl Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2016 10:58 AM

LCpl Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 10:58:58 -0500

At least in th existing veterans organizations there is although the VN vet is closer to the Gulf vet than the Korean vet is to Gulf. America's attitude towards VN and the existing attitude towards the Gulf vet are similar in that they are a minority now-a-days. Many more people than back then do not see veterans today as an "honored" class of citizen. Being a veteran now is not recognized as a positive to employment in many businesses nor is their experience and training. The current administration has demonized and used the veteran in their hope to get gun regulation and laws as possible loose cannons, psychological time bombs, etc. not to mention those who look down on vets and those who never served who don't understand what a vet is. That being said, there is distance between the two classes of veterans and the commonality shared by all vets isn't enough to overcome the distance in all cases.
Those with health issues and where the two generations intermingle the Gulf vet really does appreciate a fellow vet from ANY generation. I mentioned once before that the old Veteran organizations failed in the 70's and 80's to attract the VN vets and welcome them. It's only NOW as the VN vet s getting older that they have more in common with the Korean vet and more by default than design have they occupied the old vet orgs. Just as the riff between the younger VN vet had with the older WWII and Korean vet, the same exist between the younger Gulf vet. I'm at a loss to suggest "how" to get and work together to represent veterans as a whole. There are numerous, but still to few organizations that have bridged the chasm but they are the exception more than the rule.

Response by CWO2 Shelby DuBois made Mar 8 at 2016 11:10 AM

CWO2 Shelby DuBois — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 11:10:13 -0500

People like to slice and dice history to fit whichever story they want told. So leave the wars and conflicts themselves to military historians. To bridge the gap between WW2 and Afhanistan vets you have to concentrate on the servicemen and women who have more in common than what separates them. There seems to be ROE when dealing with each generation. WW2... just talk heroics. Korea...damn shame everyone forgot about it... Viet Nam...you guys were screwed over... Desert Storm..why didn't you guys finish the job?....Iraq... where's the WMD?...Afghanistan...how many deployments?... Who the hell cares but us and our families?.. That common denomonator... US.
We all went to bootcamp or OCS. We all joined for personal reasons. We all pushed aside fear and did that first confidence course. We all fired on the range. We all made racks and learned to dress ourselves without Irish pennants and looked damn fine for inspections. We all griped about the food, the liberty, the guard duty, Officer of the Day, ramp ups to deployments, pack up just to stand down, hurry up and wait, family seps, missing Christmas, missing a funeral, missing a graduation, missing a family, anxiousness for promotion lists, practicing for boards, watching CNN for news before Intel briefs us, broken parts, high tech gear built by lowest bidders, travel, lack of sleep... on and on... There's more that binds us than separates us. I can talk to a WW2 vet with the same ease I can a newbie Guard member. We all can.

Response by Sgt William Coffee made Mar 8 at 2016 11:15 AM

Sgt William Coffee — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 11:15:21 -0500

I was in Vietnam from 19 June 1969 - 16 June 1970. I have met several OEF and OIF veterans and it seems as though they really don't give a rats ass about what we did. What we did was kick some ass without any special computer guided munitions and we did the majority of it in the day because it was really dark at night and we could not see. We as a group created the Vet Centers and special attention to PTSD and TBI. They don't seem to know that or they just don't give a shit. I'm not saying that they should spit shine our boots but it would be nice once in a while to be thanked.

Response by SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint made Mar 8 at 2016 11:24 AM

SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 11:24:20 -0500

I did 36+ year from 1975-2014, both active retirement and GS Retirement. I find few personnel who know about the Korean War. Logistics, intelligence, preparedness, and failures can all be reviewed and prevented. There were personnel who were deployed with dress shoes...those were not helpful for the winter, and frost bite caused casualties. We had a General Officer who could not believe that the US Bazooka could not kill a Soviet made North Korean tank...he went out shot a tank and got captured. I served in Korea for 7 years at different times. I just went back last Oct and wrote a book. I am still learning, but, I think a lot of others will also be learning. Yes, I think there is a gap between the different military generations/wars. What do you think of our lack of intelligence warning and prevention of the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor HI on a Sunday morning...then, 9 years later, in 1950, on a Sunday morning we got surprised by North Korean attack that kicked us down to Pusan and almost into the ocean. Yes, there are lots of lessons we could learn from the Korea War, but few look at it.

Response by FN Charlie Spivey made Mar 8 at 2016 11:29 AM

FN Charlie Spivey — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 11:29:04 -0500

I don't think there is that much disconnect between the Nam vets and Korean Vets. There were simularities, particularly in the "Homecoming" or lack thereof. My Uncle was U.S. Army ret'd. He was wounded on Pork Chop Hill during the Korean War and again in Nam ( He was there when I arrived ). Like he said. In Korea and Nam, you got your orders ( course, with Nam, you had the E&E thing ), you get to you embarkation point and there is a Group. You load up and go. Once in Country at the disembarkation point, you sit around until you are assigned to a unit and off you go. When your time is up, it is back the same way. You get back to the disembarkation point in the States and everybody goes in different directions. Because of those simularities, those two groups could identify with each other, not to mention a common enemy ( Communists ). As a Life Member of the VFW and DAV, I talk to Vets from WWII to the Mideast.

Response by CW2 Geoff Zorger made Mar 8 at 2016 12:36 PM

CW2 Geoff Zorger — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 12:36:16 -0500

For clarification sake, I am a two tour Viet Nam vet, an officer, and served almost ten years, and saw a great deal of combat during my first tour. Thus said my participation seems to always pale when I read of the conditions encountered in Korea, WW ll, As I fast forward to all of the conflicts since Vietnam, I again shudder at what are our troops have been subjected to. Combat is hell. The first firefight, the first CA, The first DO, the first time an lz is overrun......well an nco told me " my cherry was broken". My point is this, I have no disconnect with any veteran of any conflict because we share a bond that few share. We survived and can stand tall another day. I did not choose my war but I am proud of participation and my status as a vet. I salute all vets that have served in any capacity but especially my fellow combat vets. Nope no disconnect here!!

Response by COL Robert Sholly made Mar 8 at 2016 12:49 PM

COL Robert Sholly — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 12:49:22 -0500

As an Army veteran of 35 years and fifteen years as a defense contractor supporting troops in overseas locations, I am of the opinion that there are few gaps between veterans except those lonely hard drinkers in the VFW clubs who choose to set themselves aside from what has been going on in the world outside their club houses. I spent two combat tours in Vietnam as an Infantryman, a few others that had no name or publicity and Desert Shield/Storm. I have supported troops in Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, Croatia, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Rwanda, Zaire, and Uganda, Jordan and a few other places. I am active in military affairs in my home state of Texas and am close to young men and women who currently serve. I have to tell you that the veterans who have gone before these great soldiers have all the respect and affection you can imagine. I give presentations to service organizations and radio audiences on how similar combat operations are between all the wars and conflicts. The Cold War soldiers did their jobs as well and I have never had any indication that they felt a gap, except that one they created when they talk about not having gone to war and wish they had. The young folks I talk to, KNOW that the greetings and respect they get when they return from the Sand Box or wherever, is due to the way we Vietnam and Korean vets were treated on our returns. They are grateful for our efforts and sacrifices and many times want to know how it was different and how it is the same. My book "Young Soldiers Amazing Warriors" is often used as a training text by active duty battalions for small unit tactics and operations. I think if there is a gap between the veterans of our conflicts, it is between individuals who don't recognize the big picture of how our armed forces relate to the challenges of their generations and how, at the bottom of it, are all pretty much the same.

Response by CN Dennis Stender made Mar 8 at 2016 12:54 PM

CN Dennis Stender — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 12:54:48 -0500

I don't think as a whole that there's a disconnect if you follow the timeline of events, every generation followed in the boots of the last, rather the jargon FNG's! The biggest difference is the 24hr news cycle and the diminished capacity of what passes as journalism! My own experience is always take it for face value what is offered,no expectation nor pressure to be something else!

Response by Cpl Jim Hainen made Mar 8 at 2016 1:03 PM

Cpl Jim Hainen — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 13:03:09 -0500

Absolutely. That is why they call it the forgotten war. They still want to call it a police action. As a regular, enlisted marine I many times want to say something but I guess it is just best to keep my mouth shut. But one thing I want to point out is that I volunteered and I swore to defend this country at all costs. I never got shoot at but I was ready if it came to that. I was a Marine from April 1951 to May 1954. Right at the peak of the war. Other vets of post Korea act as their war was the only war at times. In my day it was an honor to enlist and just about everyone did. I don't see that now or in the more recent past. I guess they would not have liked $75.00 a month and buy your own clothes. Jim Hainen, Sgt. 1189639.

Response by SMSgt Paul Docka made Mar 8 at 2016 2:11 PM

SMSgt Paul Docka — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 14:11:27 -0500

Beyond the distinction of being the "newbies" like we (the Nam vets) were with the Korean War and the WWII vets initially, the guys that came after us were brought up in a different world. The majority came from homes with a working mother, that is if they came from a two parent household in the first place. Television and the Internet gave a lot of these guys their perspective on the world and you can't get feedback on your ideas from TV. The internet also allows some anonymity because you can say things without showing your face. I say all this because if we want to bridge the gap, us old guys have to go out of our way to welcome the new guys into our camaraderie. I think we just have a tough time talking to each other.

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Mar 8 at 2016 2:51 PM

CPT Pedro Meza — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 14:51:01 -0500

Due to human beliefs systems there are always disconnects amount veterans of wars/conflicts because each group has a tendency to find identity by first recognizing their accomplishments which can include diminishing the accomplishments of others.

Response by MSG Robert Conrad made Mar 8 at 2016 7:44 PM

MSG Robert Conrad — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 19:44:21 -0500

Most definitely there is a disconnect. It primarily shows itself when you start discussing VA services and services from other organizations. The veterans from the older campaigns feel slighted and have no problem letting everyone know that they feel left out. Even references to Gulf War veterans will bring out hostility. The gap as you describe it is years of internalizing the frustration of a country that has minimized their contribution. I make it a point to ensure I recognize them when ever they are encountered. Unfortunately it is a slow process but the most effective thing we can do is recognize them and then discuss the common hardships we had and the bonds we hold dear with ours brothers by combat.

Response by SFC Malcolm Haugen made Mar 8 at 2016 9:11 PM

SFC Malcolm Haugen — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 21:11:33 -0500

Let's put this bluntly. War is war. Bullies go both direction. Men and women die. That's the basics of all war. A difference, WWII, woodland ans some desert. Korea, woodland and mountainous. DSDS, desert. Somalia, urban warfare. OIF/ OEF, desert and urban warfare. Technology and equipment has changed, the heart of the fighter has not. The reason for the disconnect, we have a distorted view that no other was worse than ours. There has been no war where no one has died. Regardless of your war, we are on the same team.

Response by Sgt John Koliha made Mar 8 at 2016 9:24 PM

Sgt John Koliha — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 21:24:37 -0500

The mere time difference between the current conflicts and the Korea and Vietnam conflicts is GREATER then those conflicts and World War I. Add that to the differences in the perception of the veterans of the differing eras, of course there is a disconnect!

While I am happy for the current veterans and them not having to go through the crap we did, I do not really see the possibility of anything else. While all war is about the same, the other stuff is so different for us and them that there is not enough that we have in common.

Just one more casualty of the Vietnam experience.

Response by SGT Stanley Bass made Mar 8 at 2016 10:48 PM

SGT Stanley Bass — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 22:48:18 -0500

May sound or seem weird but honestly I get along better with Vietnam and Korean War Vets than i do Gulf war vets. That might be because I went to more of their Veteran meetings than I did Gulf war Veteran meetings. Also at the time the Gulf War Veterans really did not go to Veteran Club meetings. I have noticed there are more Gulf war Vets coming around and showing face if you will. As for OIF and OEF Veterans. It is the same as when the Gulf war Vets were first getting out of the military. They may feel they have nothing in common with Gulf war/ Vietnam/Korean war vets. The disconnect Lies with the Commanders of the Veteran organizations getting the Newer Veterans active. When I Retired, the location that I moved to had a great Vietnam Veterans post commander that kept everybody engaged and working together on projects. On the other side however, there are the Vietnam Veterans and Korean war Veterans that want to do things the old school way if you will and wont listen to the younger vets, which causes a lot of the disconnect. Let a lione the Generational gaps

Response by SPC Byron Skinner made Mar 8 at 2016 11:21 PM

SPC Byron Skinner — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 23:21:53 -0500

Sp4 Byron Skinner. Why should their be a connection between Veterans of different wars? That we fought in combat is a rather small part of our lives. If you dwell on your wartime experiences you will go crazy. I go to a Regimental Reunion every year sone 1999 (11th. Armored Calvary Regiment) this year will be the 50th. Anniversary of the Regiment going to Vietnam. I was in the Army's last amphibious landing at Vung Tau when the Regiment's 1st. Squadron went over the beach. Although there was no resistance, the guys (myself) in the first landing craft had a combat load of ammunition. At Reunions we talk very little about the war, we are all friends now and between 1,000 and 2,000 show up at reunions, many with their families. The little conservation there is is usually about guys who have went on to Fiddlers Green the past year and now humorous incidents that took place. Rank and all that has disappeared long ago. At every reunion some of the young troopers from the Regiment come and they are treated like grand children. What happened in war stays there, I doubt if any of you are all that interested in Vietnam, there are few if any areas common of mutual interest. But any of you interested from August 22-28th and you find your self in San Antonio Texas come by the Grand Hyatt on 600 E. Market St and say hi, there is plant of beer and we welcome all of you who have served and are currently serving. This year besides vein out 50th. we are also spotlighting and honoring out Medics from the 37. Medical Co. Any of you at Brook come on over and see some guys who owe their lives to a combat Medic. You work is important.

Response by PO1 Kevin Arnold made Mar 9 at 2016 7:20 AM

PO1 Kevin Arnold — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 07:20:17 -0500

I was on during the Cold War through Afghanistan and there is a difference between each one. For each were for different reasons and areas of the world. The only thing they each have in common is that we were each sent out to do a job. That job was to keep the U.S. safe or at least try to help those that could not protect themselves.

Response by Cpl Jeff Ruffing made Mar 9 at 2016 9:38 AM

Cpl Jeff Ruffing — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 09:38:42 -0500

I remember being at a lounge with my mom and dad, I was in uniform and had a date. I was basking in the attention I was getting. I was approached by this man who rather disgustly said," I'm not a Desert Storm Hero, I'm just a Veitnam Vet." His anger seemed to be directed at me. It was embarrassing. I ordered him a drink and talked o him. I vetted him also. I was trained by Veitnam Vets. I knew the stories and I knew the units. I studied the war on my own. I told the Nam vet that it wasn't my fault I was born later in his life, that this was my war, and Vietnam was his. I was a kid during that time. Had I been of age, I said I would have had my "ass in the grass" with him. I told him I didn't feel like a Hero. I just did my job. We ended on a good note. That statement still haunts me today. I can say I was never I a position that some of the Vietnam Vets were in. I returned to my unit and was transferred to another. ( they didn't want the vets together outside of the war) I walked into a supply office and there was this S/Sgt with his feet up on the desk drinking coffee and he said, " oh I see you have your Spades Playing patch on" referring to my combat patch. This S/Sgt didn't go to Desert Storm, he stayed back. Needless to say, it took every ounce of discipline not to come over the desk and beat the shit out of him. I got jealously and disrespect from those who didn't go, I had one Sgt say all his unit did was send all the fuck ups over to Desrt Storm and Shield. I replied that the fuck ups did a hell of a job then. I was so glad to get out of that unit. I don't speak about the war, other than the few crazy and fun things we did during the long stretches of absolute sheer boredom. Just know this. Had I been of age for WW 2, Korea, Vietnam, or our last one ( I was to old) I would have been there. I work with new combat vets, and I'm the Old Man that they seek out when they want to talk. We have all suffered both in combat, jealous REMFs , media (some worse than others) and PTSD. We need not fight amongst ourselves. We need to support each other. Help each other. It's our Code. It's our Brotherhood. It's our Duty. We have to remember we are United States Veterans, to which we have not been relieved of that duty.

Response by SSgt Jim Gilmore made Mar 9 at 2016 9:59 AM

SSgt Jim Gilmore — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 09:59:02 -0500

The prime differences is that they all involve different generations. There were some who were crossover per se who served in both Korea and Vietnam. The current generation has very few from Vietnam seeing service. I know a couple of guys with 2 stars on the NDSM.

Korea was fought in rough and rugged terrain on the Korean peninsula, Vietnam moved into a jungle environment and ODS/S, OIF & OEF have gone into desert and mountains of SW Asia. The only thing in common is that good men died.

We of the Vietnam era were dumped on by our fellow citizens and our country in general for merely serving let alone surviving and coming home. Were were shunned by our own in service organizations like the American Legion and VFW because ours was not a "real war." It was our generation who suffered the indignities of being shunned and outcast by our country that decided NEVER AGAIN! We assured change so the current generation of war fighters do not have to suffer the same things we endured.

Bridging the gap is a damn hard thing to even fathom. Our wars were different times, different circumstances, different parts of the world. Our only common thread is the uniform. Well maybe a second, we are all fighting to get our due with the VA......

Response by SFC J Fullerton made Mar 9 at 2016 10:07 AM

SFC J Fullerton — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 10:07:10 -0500

Like many others have said, the disconnect is probably more of a generational gap than anything else. Let's face it, age differences matter in a social setting and that is pretty much what VSO's are. Older people are generally more comfortable interacting with people their age, the same way younger people are. With age differences come differences in attitudes, perceptions, values, political views, etc. ect., which all confound the apparent disconnect.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 9 at 2016 12:17 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 12:17:46 -0500

There should be not disconnect, but I continuously see a pee pee measuring contest between the generations. My dad was a Combat Wounded (Combat Infantryman) and Vietnam War Veteran, I got to see (first hand) what some veterans went through. Their plight is much like the younger generation's. No one cares about us nor do they care about the sacrifices we all made.

My only regret with my dad is not being able to tell him, "Welcome Home!" before he passed away in 2010.

My recommendation to all: Lean on each other and ensure your brothers and sisters are taken care of. Do not let them suffer in silence and on their own. Engage them and get to know them.

Response by SSgt Raymond Sirois made Mar 9 at 2016 9:26 PM

SSgt Raymond Sirois — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 21:26:51 -0500

I know there's a disconnect between Gulf/OIF/OEF veterans and Reagan era veterans. I had one Gulf War vet tell me that as a Reagan era veteran my service didn't deserve the respect FROM him that I "owed" TO him.

Response by SPC Franklin McKown made Mar 10 at 2016 2:31 AM

SPC Franklin McKown — Thu, 10 Mar 2016 02:31:38 -0500

I always thought as a Vet ,Desert Storm was not enough to join the club.
I looked UP to the experiences and horrors of those who preceded me I am AMAZED at what they did.
If THEY think I'm good enough,that is all I need. I SURE as hell know they are

Response by SSgt Robert Kitchens made Mar 10 at 2016 4:40 PM

SSgt Robert Kitchens — Thu, 10 Mar 2016 16:40:35 -0500

Those of us in the first Gulf War feel 100% (my opinion) out of touch and neglected. No one cares about all the problems (medically) we came home with because our Damn government still says the there's nothing wrong with us. I pull back when I see some of the horrific injuries from Iraq and Afghanistan. Makes me almost ashamed of my problems because their injuries are so visible. And the VA makes sure that you are aware that you are somehow wasting their time.

Response by CW3(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2016 10:12 AM

CW3(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Mar 2016 10:12:19 -0500

If tgere is a disconnect, i dont think its between thos who fought in those wars. I dont really know much about the vietnam or korean war for that matter, but from what i see, the disconnect is from society. The way vietnam vets were treated by a lot, if not most was absolutely terrible. First people who didnt go through what you did spit on you treat you like crap. As where people of today, seem to be more accepting and on the side of the soldier. They both seem like political wars to me though. I have my theories.

Response by MSgt Robert Pellam made Mar 11 at 2016 11:28 AM

MSgt Robert Pellam — Fri, 11 Mar 2016 11:28:18 -0500

There is a disconnect. Sadly it is hard to understand each others point of view because of the massive cultural distances that have occurred between all the wars. How do you put yourself in the others shoes when you don't even know how it was to live at that time? I think the problem comes from trying to think or imagine yourself in each others position, instead of excepting that the experiences were different. Look for the commonalities instead of the differences, which is hard. My Dad is a Vietnam Vet. We have many similarities, when we talk experiences, but we have many differences too. We all seem to have a bit of a chip on your shoulder. When talking with other vets, it helps to remove that chip and become humble. But that is Very Very hard to do. How do you bridge the gap, I honestly don't know. Both sides have to agree the other is equal. Find a commonality would be my biggest advice, and go from there.

Response by 1SG Cameron M. Wesson made Mar 11 at 2016 7:39 PM

1SG Cameron M. Wesson — Fri, 11 Mar 2016 19:39:27 -0500

COL Mikel J. Burroughs and Rally Point Team,

I scratched my head a little with the question… because at first blush I was like, “of course!”
I then took a step back from the regular thoughts and asked myself the follow on question of “why?” and more importantly what COL Burroughs asks, “How do we bridge the gap?”

To that question here my 2 cent answer.

How do we “bridge the gap”? We bridge it buy offering each other mutual respect and trust. We bridge it by not falling into these little games of minimizing the contribution of one generation over another. We bridge it by opening our minds to the fact that every person that has faithfully served in uniform… whatever uniform… in whatever branch… in whatever capacity…. Is a member of the family of the less that 1% ers! They are our Brother/Sister! And that their respective contribution was no less… than what I/we contributed.

When we start living by, and offering, the Respect (the “R” in the Army Values) to each member… we begin to “Bridge the Gap”.

Our military family generationally needs to simply accept that each of our experiences (times, perspective, culture, people, etc…) are different. That difference changes our outlook and just because something was one way ten years ago… last conflict… this theater… that theater… branch… (you get the idea)… it doesn’t make them the “sole truth” for everyone. Just like combat… today's… fight is not like yesterdays…. Much less twenty years ago.
I have observed that there is a tendency in a few posts to “spotlight” how “my/their” war/conflict/police action/counter insurgency… pick the flavor… was different. My immediate response is… of course they were! My experience in Central America in the 80s, were different than my experience in the Balkans in the 90s and 00s, and was different that my experience in SWA in the 90s and then in 00s. Times change as do the experiences we face.

What I’m submitting is that we need to be receptive to each other. Let’s not play the “one-up-manship” game I see… or worse yet… minimizing anthers vets experience. We can begin to bridge the gap then…. And when you realize that yes… you didn’t experience what the other Vet did… even while you may/or may not be able to relate… don’t minimize. That just breeds the animosity and resentment… and further widens the gap.

I have read many forum posts, some on Rally Point which is sad, where Vet’s minimize the service of other vets.

REALLY!?!?

Sometimes it’s a Vietnam vet, sometimes it’s a Korean Vet, and sometimes it’s an OIF/OEF Vet against another OIF/OEF Vet because they were in a different “sector/zone”… and worse yet is when a “war” vet minimize the contribution of another Vet that hasn’t been to theater. I just can’t fathom this… and have little respect for those use this method of engagement.

Maybe…. Just maybe… if we “respect” each other and “trust” that when we offer our “opinion” on a subject… we can be “engage” in a thoughtful exchange… then maybe we can begin to bridge the gap.

Well… that’s my 2 cents.

Peace/Out

Response by SPC Harold Bustamante made Mar 12 at 2016 12:14 AM

SPC Harold Bustamante — Sat, 12 Mar 2016 00:14:54 -0500

yeah Korea and Vietnam was hard core and hella lot more casualties..duh.. that was crazy warfare and respect. warfare these days is nothing compared with back up supportive fire power and technology. but at end of the day a firefight is a firefight with whomever. the politics seem to be the same.. they are manipulated towards and against the innocent..

Response by SFC Ernest Thurston made Mar 16 at 2016 11:36 AM

SFC Ernest Thurston — Wed, 16 Mar 2016 11:36:27 -0400

I don't think there is a disconnect based on the conflict that people served in. I think it's more of an age thing. A generation gap. Even on active duty you don't find an eighteen year old troop hanging out with a forty year old. (of course some of that is rank based) For me there is no problem. I served from Vietnam to Bosnia. I may not be able to completely relate to the combat experiences of troops today but a soldier is a soldier. Just by looking at the comments and interactions here on Rally Point there seems to be a good exchange across all ages, times of service and genders of soldiers. Heck, I remember sitting down in a gasthaus with an old WWII German soldier and we had a lot in common.

Response by CW2 Fred Baker made Mar 22 at 2016 1:35 PM

CW2 Fred Baker — Tue, 22 Mar 2016 13:35:19 -0400

There is a disconnect only in that, as we get older, we forget being without family, witnessing the horrors of war and the faith and trust that each has in the other. Korean War veterans were treated with a general apathy. This in itself was indeed wrong, but not as humiliating as being made to feel less than honorable. As a Vietnam veteran, I and so many others remember only the way we were treated when we returned and the lack of support from the older vets. For that reason, we made it a mission never to let one generation abandon another. I have been approached by many of today's young vets who were very thankful to us for that. We were the best of our generation and they are the best of theirs. Being a veteran is a great honor and with that honor comes a responsibility. No country can long exist if it forgets or mistreats its veterans. It is our duty now to remind everyone of that simple fact.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Mar 26 at 2016 11:30 AM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Sat, 26 Mar 2016 11:30:14 -0400

I've conversed with many vets of different times, never had a problem. If all parties are open minded, tend to remember we are all in the "Brotherhood of Arms" then I don't see the problem.
I can guess there are "chips" still being carried from past experiences, but just remember that a vet from another time isn't the one who caused the problem.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Mar 26 at 2016 1:15 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 26 Mar 2016 13:15:27 -0400

I have sulked over this question for a few minutes, trying to wrap my head around the question: What makes a war veteran? In reality it takes a totality of war experiences to make a veteran to include experiences upon redeployment and how the war ended. We are driven to win and not winning puts something in our persona. I don't know what it is, but I know its in there.

Wars are different, therefore, it is incumbent for me to find experience commonalities for comparative uses. Who is better than the military to use common operating pictures? You might not agree with me but for sanity and simplicity I will use METT-TC or Mission, Enemy, Terrain and Weather, Troops, Time Available, Civilian considerations. Maybe some of you can help me with these veterans:
1. WWII

2. Korean

3. Vietnam

4. Desert Storm: Let the first generation of Star Wars begin, and our conventional military rocks!

5. Afghanistan: We were winning and let up. There military is a paper tiger, government is corrupt, and the population has divided loyalties.

6. Iraq: When we left ISIS filled the void. Now the military is willing to fight and die. The population is tired of ISIS. If we armed the Shia militia and trained for a month, I bet Mosul would fall to the militia with SF help.

Response by SPC Brandon Hamilton made Mar 29 at 2016 4:49 PM

SPC Brandon Hamilton — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 16:49:21 -0400

Just a difference in Theater-Gaps.

Response by SFC Louis Willhauck, MSM, JSCM, and ARCOM made Mar 30 at 2016 11:21 AM

SFC Louis Willhauck, MSM, JSCM, and ARCOM — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 11:21:05 -0400

If there is it is sad. But unfortunately like anything else there are a few.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Mar 30 at 2016 11:52 AM

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 11:52:44 -0400

COL Mikel J. Burroughs as long as technology advances there will always be a disconnect between warriors of different generations. The older generation will believe that the younger generation has it much easier than they did, and the younger generation will look at the older generation as being out of touch. This is human nature. Since I am a big fan of We Were Soldiers, I will use the battle in the Ia Drang Valley as an example. Imagine dropping soldiers with modern gear into that situation. Starting with the simplest thing food and water. MREs are more compact than the canned rations of the time, and they can be heated safer without fire. We have hydration bladders allowing soldiers to carry more water in a less cumbersome manner onto the battle field. Next the protective gear is better developed, and while still not impervious, it would provide better protection than they had. Communications equipment has improved steadily over the years. Nothing is impervious to battle damage, but the odds of maintaining a line of communication are better with the modern equipment. Finally support. Modern technology allows for better aiming of artillery allowing for better fire support. CAS imagine the boost in morale when those soldiers pinned under enemy fire see the A-10, Apache, and Cobras firing up their missiles, rockets and guns. With all of these differences, the same battle is going to be a completely different experience for each generation.

If you want real evidence of this, look at the differences between World War I and World War II in Europe. Those wars were separated by twenty years. The way in which battles were fought completely changed due to technology. Air Superiority was a novelty in WWI, but a necessity in WWII. It doesn't mean that one generation of warriors is better than another, it simply means that even when they have common ground, the landscape of that common ground is vastly different based on time.

The first step to bridging the gap is understanding why it exists. The real problem is that the one thing that is common among all who have faced combat is loss. Every unit that has gone into battle for extended periods of time has lost unit members. Friends, Battle Buddies, Comrades, Brothers in arms. The problem arises in that every single human deals with that in a different way. Another way to bridge the gap is to embrace the differences in the experience. Take the discussions in specific directions get those soldiers from different generations talking about what tools they had to perform the job at hand. If you want the ultimate ice breaker, get em talking about chow. No matter how many advances the technology makes, the one thing that never seems to be found is a good way to give healthy, tasty, hot meals to those in the field. Once they have that foundation, then you build on it.

Response by Kim Bolen RN CCM ACM made Mar 30 at 2016 12:03 PM

Kim Bolen RN CCM ACM — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 12:03:44 -0400

Sir, I am only an outsider looking in and I can clearly see a divide. However, there seems to be a true disconnect with more than these generations. It appears, not only with branches and era's, if you will. This younger generation of warriors from OIF forward to today are still very traumatized. I do see the Vietnam era veterans reaching out to the younger, but not the later, Korean war or WWII much anymore. It appears the later is lost to the younger veteran. They still require conversation and reach out. The Bridge will come with strong leadership,building strong teams, made up of the best and the brightest; such as yourself, asking the right questions, the solution will come with continues honest effort. This is just a tip from "Your Aunt Kim", according to this civilian~You are the best that american has or had to offer, you all answered that call, when others did/could not. You are a band of brothers and sisters, with a culture all your own.Change it one person at a time, and yes it does start with you. Within yourselves lies the answer as to how you build that bridge. Just please do not stop reaching out and communicating your needs and experiences, as you stand on tall shoulders! And the lessons from your elder's are priceless!

Response by SFC Wade W. made Mar 30 at 2016 12:24 PM

SFC Wade W. — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 12:24:15 -0400

To me it is a disconnect of our own creation. Comparing which wars were worse is pure BS. Comparing casualty rates, how many enemy there were, famous battles, etc is stupid. Better technology has allowed us to decrease casualties, not the severity of the war. Let's just respect each other for what we did, we served.

Response by SGT Roberto Mendoza-Diaz made Mar 30 at 2016 12:37 PM

SGT Roberto Mendoza-Diaz — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 12:37:12 -0400

Never heard of any disconnect of that kind.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 30 at 2016 1:13 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 13:13:40 -0400

i think yes vietnam vets came home got nothing but spit on, we both fought for a cause they might have been drafted we volunteered it dont matter

Response by TSgt Dawn Premock made Mar 30 at 2016 2:12 PM

TSgt Dawn Premock — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 14:12:37 -0400

Personally, I feel part of the problem is how you were raised. I was raised in a small town and the we respected the veterans. We learned about the military history. Time's have changed and it's a shame. I believe in my brothers and sisters in arms, no matter what branch and no matter what time you served.

Response by PO1 Robert Fast made Mar 30 at 2016 3:42 PM

PO1 Robert Fast — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 15:42:45 -0400

Different wars, same nightmare, if I had to answer for one specific example I would say that how the horrors are dealt with is what differentiates the two. In the modern warfare stance, through the 70s warfighters believe in sucking it up and dealing with it and while the atrocities in warfare are in fact the same just a different face that is not the case in our military since then. Now before I get brutalized here this is a GENERALIZATION, I know my military family has the resolve and fire but you must admit the strength of our beloved nation overall has diminished in many ways and I personally believe it is all attributed to political correctness. I do have examples of what I am speaking for a time when someone is ready for the long stories.

Response by SGT Paul Mackay made Apr 14 at 2016 8:55 PM

SGT Paul Mackay — Thu, 14 Apr 2016 20:55:41 -0400

somewhat different wars differant times

Response by SGT Paul Mackay made Apr 16 at 2016 7:58 PM

SGT Paul Mackay — Sat, 16 Apr 2016 19:58:40 -0400

yes

Response by Maj Marty Hogan made Apr 17 at 2016 9:27 AM

Maj Marty Hogan — Sun, 17 Apr 2016 09:27:13 -0400

COL Mikel J. Burroughs Short and sweet- yes. We honored a Korean War vet from the Forgotten War last year at an event I have directed the past 5 years. Conversation was interesting to say the least. The disconnect is more geared to generational gaps however. Miscommunication between generations and we just don't get the history interject on either of these wars like WWI/II etc. Sadly that was the feeling of the country at that time- we were not saving the world as we had in previous wars...society seemed to feel we were further a political agenda. That might be simplifying it to much, but that is how I have always perceived it.

Response by Sgt Donald Chalfy made Apr 20 at 2016 7:18 PM

Sgt Donald Chalfy — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 19:18:27 -0400

I do believe there is a disconnect between Korea and Vietnam Vets and Gulf/OIF/OEF Veterans, but I don't believe there needn't be. A very wise and respected Marine, Col. Robert J. Modrzejewski, USMC Ret. (Col. Mojo), MOH recipient, made a few speeches to the (then) Infantry Training School graduates at Camp Pendleton during the early 1980s. I vividly recall him stating that since the birth of the United States, our county has not gone more than 20 years without becoming embroiled in an armed conflict or war of some sort. To this day, history has proven him correct.

I believe the factors that play into this have to do with age disparity, current political landscape past and present, generational differences (this is not a bash on Millenials, so please, stand down), technology and education. Because the Korean and Vietnam wars were not a clear victory for the United States, South Korea, and South Vietnam, I think all of us can agree that those conflicts have not been paid adequate attention to with regard to public popularity and taught factually at the high school level. I was in high school for 76-79, so it was still very new and raw for us. I have another point of view. Korea and Vietnam were not our wars. They were Korea and Vietnam's war. We became involved in the name of democracy versus communism, however, they were not OUR war and significantly different than the two World Wars. But, we were still sent over to aid our allies and to do what we do -- win. Korea and Vietnam were not OUR wars to win, but there we were, fighting anyway. U.S. Forces won more battles and skirmishes in each conflict then our foe, and I maintain that it is the South Koreans and South Vietnamese that lost those wars, and the American politicians that lost those wars regarding America's involvement. The afore mentioned lost the war, not our troops. As far as I am concerned, if the politicians pulling the general's strings were shoved in a closet and locked in for the duration, American forces would have prevailed. That said, our troops were and are winners. Then, their was the war at home between 1968-1970. The closest America has come to a modern hot civil war since the Civil War. With that, we achieved a major disconnect that has never been fully resolved.

Their will always be strife between the generations, the younger separating and finding their own way in life from the older generations. This is as natural and child rearing and the milestone behavior of a young child realizing they are their own individual entity for their parents. Older generations have had a history of holding fast, being resistant to change, as evidenced in the 1960s-1970s. Today's young service member is not the same as the generation that proceeded them, nor should they be expected to. That is counterintuitive to the evolution of technology and innovation. That said, rigid, rigorous standards must still be adhered to in our Armed Forces or we will degenerate into an ineffective, impotent Army of mush.

We must always remember that those of us who chose to serve and are still serving share a bond of brother and sisterhood that transcends time and place. In the end, although we choose to serve for our own motivations and goals, we are still serving for the greater good (realizing some may disagree). Within a war, battles are won and lost. Land is taken, lost and retaken. The methods change, but the result is the same. We either win or lose. More importantly, we offered ourselves as a living sacrifice for something bigger than ourselves and thus, we are united and should bear this in mind in how we perceive Veterans of other conflicts. We didn't choose the war, but we fought it and that puts us all on equal footing.

Response by CPL Valerie Clark made May 3 at 2016 11:20 PM

CPL Valerie Clark — Tue, 03 May 2016 23:20:29 -0400

yes

Response by 1SG Billye Jackson made Jun 3 at 2016 11:37 AM

1SG Billye Jackson — Fri, 03 Jun 2016 11:37:47 -0400

Is there a Disconnect between WWI, Korea,Vietnam and Middle East Wars, Yes, But the reason is the very big Difference in the Wars. Starting with all of the Meddle East Veterans are there of their own accord, in that they are Volunteers,at this Point I will say so was I,both for the Army and Vietnam.
The one Big thing that keeps us apart is that all Vet’s of WWII Korea and Meddle East Think that we Vietnam Vets Lost Our War, I hate the term Our war because no War is Our War but falls on the Powers that starts It. We are just the Tools of War. If you take a Look at the Facts we never lost a Major Battle in Nam ,NEVER. What we did Louse was the Support of the American People,and that was because of the News and the Twist they put on their Reports.
The Meddle Est Vets are always talking about Bad it was . Lets start with KIA and WIA. In the Meddle East from 1990 to 2012 ( best figures I can Find) there were 7448 KIA and 11770 WIA.
In Vietnam we had 58219 KIA and 153356 WIA,today you see all the Amputees and Head Trauma on TV from the Gulf/OIF/OEF, while in Nam most of these men would have Died in Place.
The Enemy: in Meddle East the Enemy was Surrendering in Whole Units at first Contact. The VC/NVA never Surrendered, Of course they never fought ether unless everything was in there Favor, But even then they always come out on Lousing End of it.
Living Condition are a whole other thing, In Gulf/OIF/OEF they went out during the Day,to the best of my knowledge,and returned to Safe Zones(if there is such a thing in War Zone). I remember once I was talking to my Brother in Iraq on Skype while he was watching a UT Game on TV in his A/C BEQ setting in his Recliner. When we ended or talk he told me he was going to Bugger King for Dinner. In Nam we spent 3 to 4 weeks in the Bush, spent our nights in NDP’s in the Middle of the Jungle.
None of the Middle East Vets in my Family,there were 5 of them, Complains to me about how Bad it was for them because I will not let them Cry without Calling them on it. I will also say I think I was able to deal with what I did and saw because I stayed in the Army with the Men and Women with whom I Shared so Much.
Now I should have said this at the start,but better late then Never, I have Nothing but the Utmost RESPECT for all Vets who served with HONOR,and will stand Shoulder to Shoulder with them.

Response by MSG Jay Jackson made Jun 4 at 2016 4:10 PM

MSG Jay Jackson — Sat, 04 Jun 2016 16:10:46 -0400

I have never felt the disconnect when I have met these older veterans. And I am afraid that as the days march on they are fewer and fewer of them. One day my friends it will be our turn to PCS to the big base in the sky. So lets fix a disconnect if it is there by shaking a hand, buying a beer or going to the VA for few hours and sayin hi or how you doing? As vets we owe it to one another to care for one another regardless of what war we fought in.

Response by CW2 Shawn Stevenson made Jun 4 at 2016 10:15 PM

CW2 Shawn Stevenson — Sat, 04 Jun 2016 22:15:43 -0400

I speak to both scenarios daily. Many OIF/OEF veterans are ashamed to talk about their problems which seriously understates their need for treatment. Many Vietnam brothers underestimate their issues and are afraid to submit claims or seek treatment. So many of these honorable men think they do not deserve it; they are the most deserving. There is a great strength in them that they can share because you know as well as I that they did not have the support our brothers and sisters have today.

Response by LTC Jesse Edwards made Jun 17 at 2016 11:47 AM

LTC Jesse Edwards — Fri, 17 Jun 2016 11:47:19 -0400

Based on the difficulty getting the younger generation interested in joining the American Legion and the VFW, yes.

Response by SFC Randy Purham made Jun 17 at 2016 12:36 PM

SFC Randy Purham — Fri, 17 Jun 2016 12:36:07 -0400

I think so. Mainly because of the age gap and the disconnect of continual service between family members. Most of the modern day vets father's likely didn't serve, but the grandparents did. Sparking the gap of relatability. Just my opinion.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Jun 17 at 2016 4:18 PM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Fri, 17 Jun 2016 16:18:04 -0400

There definitely is a gap and part of that gap is just the way they were treated on their return home. Some get treated as heroes and others get treated as baby killing monsters. We see it even today as the general public has become disillusioned with almost 2 decades of armed conflict, we've got plenty of examples of the public turning on us. This tends to make some people bitter about their military service while others retain their fond memories.

The best way to bridge the gap is through resources like RallyPoint where we can open up a friendly dialogue with each other. I'm a relatively new blood Marine, but being connected to other veterans on RallyPoint gives me perspectives from the other generations and other services.

Response by 1stSgt John Sims made Jun 17 at 2016 8:31 PM

1stSgt John Sims — Fri, 17 Jun 2016 20:31:25 -0400

This is a broad stoke question with too much volatility. A great topic, but one that tends to separate veterans when they should stand as one. Every generation has struggles that others will never understand. I am a war veteran of the U.S. Military, that should be enough for you...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2016 11:10 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Jun 2016 23:10:32 -0400

I don't believe there is a disconnect between any generation of Veterans. We are just simply different with age.

I actually enjoy the company and talking to WW2, Korea, and Vietnam Veterans more than I do my own generation of Veterans!

I've said it many times, but I really favor Vietnam Vets. Since our country didn't support them like they have EVERY other generation of Vereran, all they had were each other. I'll always have a soft spot for my Vietnam Vererans!

I was actually at Lowes the other day and a retired MSG from the Vietnam era started talking to me. I was actually surprised when he ask me, "what do the current Soldiers think about Vietnam Veterans?". I told him that we love them! Lol. Every generation of Veterans has our bad apples, but I've never heard anyone not have support for our veterans from past wars.

Thank you all for your service!

Response by SFC David Xanten made Jun 21 at 2016 8:24 AM

SFC David Xanten — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 08:24:25 -0400

I don't think so, not in the real sense at least. The Korean War vets are in their eighties and nineties and they have more in common , age wise with the Vietnam vets who are in their 60's and 70's Some served in both wars and can relate with each other. On the other hand the wars that started the gulf war and then 9-11 are totally different in the sense the men and women are so much younger, better equipment but have to go back and forth between the States and war, it gets under the skin and causes, with reason, PTSD in a lot of cases. I think all of us are pretty brave for what we had to endure during combat duty but each war has been different in so many ways, it is hard to relate.

Response by PV2 Glen Lewis made Jun 23 at 2016 4:39 PM

PV2 Glen Lewis — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 16:39:43 -0400

I think so, most of it by the welcome or not veterans came back to. I don't know how Korean veterans were received when they came home but while I was never deployed I had two very hostile and personal encounters while in uniform. I didn't have the disconnect with Korea that it seems others did because my 1st stepfather was a marine who committed suicide as I've been given to understand due to the experiences he had while there. Other than that I rarely heard of the Korean war.

Response by Sgt Tom Cunnally made Jul 14 at 2016 7:57 PM

Sgt Tom Cunnally — Thu, 14 Jul 2016 19:57:44 -0400

Is there a disconnect between the Korean & Vietnam Veterans and the Gulf/OIF/OEF Veterans?

Yes I think Korean and Vietnam Veterans were poorly treated by our country. They did not receive very good care at the VA when they came home from war. And some cities in CA, San Francisco, Berkeley, and Oakland were actually hostile to Military personnel in uniform. I witnessed this first hand on several occasions by two groups Act Up and Code Pink.

But from what I was told after Desert Storm our country changed 180 degrees in their attitude towards the military. I saw guys in uniform being cheered in airports in Boston and Los Angeles recently while 30 years ago that would never have happened.

Response by MSgt Mark Bucher made Apr 29 at 2017 12:22 PM

MSgt Mark Bucher — Sat, 29 Apr 2017 12:22:13 -0400

BI don't think so, at least it hasn't been my experience that there is. The respect and brotherhood we have transcends the generational difference.

Response by Cpl Gabriel F. made May 1 at 2017 1:39 AM

Cpl Gabriel F. — Mon, 01 May 2017 01:39:53 -0400

Observed Veterans that fought in the beginning of war oppose those that fought on the backside. As all Veterans know the same happened between Veterans of a different war. Veterans for the most part are proud of their service. When push comes to shove Veterans grumble then close ranks.
What must count at this point is no Veteran be left out in the coming times. Never Again Will One Generation of Veterans Leave Behind Another Generation of Veterans.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2017 2:22 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 May 2017 02:22:56 -0400

It really sure if the bridge can ever be gapped Sir. You have to take the reality from each war. One had greater loss then the other. Both had powerful unpredictable at the time enemies! Weapons and methods were different. War isn't always just war. Every veteran no matter from what era will always feel they had it harder because of whatever reason.
We have more cases of ptsd because child hood discipline is more laxed since our parents and grandparents. So those that hardl saw the rod if you will growing up, were not mentally prepared for the trauma of 3rd world countries that still practice sever child disciplines.
This is a hard question to answer COL Mikel J. Burroughs. Thank you for sharing though.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made May 1 at 2017 8:39 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Mon, 01 May 2017 08:39:25 -0400

There is a disconnect in many groups. Korea was glossed over by the public, hence the " forgotten war", overshadowed by WW2. Vietnam was a bitter political war, and the public would not separate the war from the Warriors. I have heard too many times from older vets about the 100 hrs war being a drop in bucket vs. their service. They also have a tendency to look down on OIF/OEF, cause of few large battles. They are happy to sit in the VFW, smoking and drinking, they are tired and don't want to do much. DS,OIF, OEF, are younger, have families,and want to work in the community, and feel unwanted in the traditional vet groups, hence all the new sandbox groups.it isn't this way in many VFW. But enough to make it hard for them to recruit the younger Veterans. IT SHOULD NOT BE THIS WAY! WAR IS WAR,LOSS OF BROTHERS AND SISTERS HURTS REGARDLESS, 100 HRS,1 YEAR 4 YEARS ETC!

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2017 8:44 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 May 2017 08:44:29 -0400

I don't think there is more than the expected Generation Gap. Different clothing, music, and social habits. This is just a result of society changing. At the basic level of being fellow Veterans I think that bond remains the same. It is based on shared sacrifice and service and doesn't seem to change. The rules have changed but the outcome is the same.

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made May 1 at 2017 9:23 AM

SSgt Boyd Herrst — Mon, 01 May 2017 09:23:54 -0400

If there is I haven't noticed it much... some of my Vietnam comrades that laughed at Desert Storm being eligible for the Veterans of Foreign Wars have met their maker and are not around to grumble like the Korea Vets did with Us 'Nam Vets.. and only a few WW Ii Vets left and I hardly see them unless it's at a funeral for one of the WW II Comrades. We've a smattering of Panama Vets, a few Kosovo Vets.. I'm just happy to have these young guys an gals around ... never know when my number might be called.. I don't initiate war talk .. i contribute.. but don't start it..
we usually talk About getting our program projects going asking for help, offering it..
and some sports ragging... talk about the
Some of the fake stuff in war movies..

Response by Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2017 9:46 AM

Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 May 2017 09:46:13 -0400

I never realized that there was a Disconnect between the generations of soldiers. I KNOW there was a disconnect between the Government & the Soldiers. A friend of mine was a Tank commander in WWII in N Africa with Patton & Cicily & up thru Italy. When the My Lai incident Erupted, my friend sent LBJ a letter stating that if Calley was to stand Trial, then Every WWII veteran Should be Tried also. WHY ? Because WAR is 'HELL' Not a picnic ! If Our country is sending its teenagers to fight a political Enemy do NOT be surprised if people are Killed. 'o'bama's administration did EVERYTHING it could so that American Military personnel would be Killed in AFG with No recourse by the rediculous roe that 'it' imposed on OUR soldiers there ! This situation Must be rectified if The United States of America is continue as a 'Force for Right' in the present age !!! GOD Bless America & EVERY single member of its Military that is Defending her !!!

Response by MSG James Hughs made May 1 at 2017 10:28 AM

MSG James Hughs — Mon, 01 May 2017 10:28:50 -0400

FIRST....If you are in service to your country and someone is trying to kill you and you must kill them....IT IS WAR even if Congress did not say it was....
SECOND .... We form our opinions based on our life experiences....I have NEVER seen a "gap" between veterans of various WARS
While working as a fireman....I never had to find out where Walter slept if he followed me on night watch. All I had to do is slowly walk down the middle aisle of the barracks in the dark. Walter who had been a machine gunner in WW II would sit up in bed. His nerves were shot by his WW II experiences and the slightest noise would jar him awake.
I never have to worry about being late for an early morning appointment .....Because of night sweats and nightmares....I never sleep past 0300. It is get up or lay there staring at the ceiling.
Is there a gap between the WW II soldier that froze his butt fighting Germans in Europe and the Marine who sweated his ass in the jungles of the Pacific fighting the Japanese..... Is there a disconnect between the 101 st paratrooper being shot at as he dangled from the church steeple in Europe and the Ranger hanging in the air above Pointe Salines in Grenada as 50 cal bullets rip the air around him.
Is there a disconnect between the veteran of "Frozen Chosen" and "Sweat of TET"..... I think not.
Civilians who were not there may make a distinction.... may consider a "difference".... but those of us who paid the price.....suffer the wounds both external and internal.....do not see the difference..... at least I DO NOT

Response by Sgt John H. made May 1 at 2017 11:22 AM

Sgt John H. — Mon, 01 May 2017 11:22:43 -0400

The disconnect is not a Service related issue. I believe it is a difference in generations. We need, as older men, to understand the differences in the way our younger generations have experienced the world as compared to what we experienced. How many times have you heard your self saying "I just don't understand the younger generation" ? We just need to communicate and talk. We have a great deal of commonalities but our world was different. This is a great place to talk, share and COMMUNICATE.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2017 12:53 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 May 2017 12:53:16 -0400

The only disconnect that I'm aware of is an age difference, and possibly the different 'type' of conditions of the battlefield we all fought on. Bridging those gaps, in my opinion, would be to try to understand that although the differences in the battles we fought, we must understand each handles our wars differently. Whose was the worst or best conditions? I would say the Korean War was the worst. But so was Vietnam. Communication with all of our differences can help us all understand - bridging that gap.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made May 1 at 2017 12:56 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Mon, 01 May 2017 12:56:13 -0400

I would say yes, there is a disconnect between these areas of veterans

Response by SGT Tim Fridley made May 1 at 2017 1:19 PM

SGT Tim Fridley — Mon, 01 May 2017 13:19:51 -0400

Speaking for myself here being a ODS/ Gulf Wat Vet. I have not seen a true disconnect with the Korean or Nam Vets I have Cousins and other family that were in these wars and yes no matter what you call them they were wars in any sense of the word. I always show respect for these Vets and understand there is a vast difference in the political climate between My era and theirs which makes me respect them even more as I was never spat on or called baby killer and such. Can only say that those Brothers and Sisters that served in Nam and Korea are to me true Bad a**es.

Response by LCpl Donald Faucett made May 1 at 2017 2:21 PM

LCpl Donald Faucett — Mon, 01 May 2017 14:21:33 -0400

Huge difference. Terrains, population attitudes, weather, and resources to name a few

Response by MSgt James "Buck" Buchanan made May 1 at 2017 7:56 PM

MSgt James "Buck" Buchanan — Mon, 01 May 2017 19:56:45 -0400

There are many disconnects, but I think the root cause is that except for WWII (excluding 9/11) we have never felt truly under attack. Pearl Harbor galvanized our culture to defend our borders and defeat any who would try to invade. Since then there has been no event, except for the short-lived response to 9/11, to glue us together against a common enemy. During the Cold War there was a modicum of understanding by everyone, although once the draft ended and many have had no desire to serve, that understanding of a "mental" enemy has gone by the wayside. The lack of a draft today probably plays a part, perhaps causing the "all-volunteer force" to feel a slight bit elitist, whereas the majority of troops who served in Viet Nam faced and answered the draft. The atmosphere within the country during the Viet Nam conflict caused many, including veterans from an earlier era, to turn a cold shoulder to those who served. While the uniform does bind us all, there are many emotional and other personal factors that interfere with a united front from our veteran community. Beginning with Korea and the resulting DMZ we have not fought any war since WWII to a conclusion that would declare us a winner. We started to after 9/11, but that quickly devolved into what might be described as skirmish action instead of full-scale "we're here to beat you and we will". This may seem like a ramble, but I'll conclude by saying that until there is cohesion within our borders we will always have differences between the generations who serve.

Response by PFC Jim Mills made May 1 at 2017 8:11 PM

PFC Jim Mills — Mon, 01 May 2017 20:11:41 -0400

Your veteran brothers will never treat you or any other veteran that way ! I were my Hats and ribbons and any service patch with pride and I dare someone to say something to me or any other veteran!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2017 9:44 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 May 2017 09:44:38 -0400

After we returned from Iraq we got a chance to meet with the Vietnam Vets that were in our unit (1-506th IN) in Vietnam. It was a great time for both groups. We swapped war stories and talked about what the whole experience was like. Boredom, fear, anger, feelings of "why are we here", etc. It was amazing how much our experiences were similar. I remember telling them how I felt that what I went through didn't compare to what they went through and was surprised when several of them said they felt the same way about us. The experience was eye-opening. So if there is a disconnect between the generations, my advice is to get them together and talk about the experiences. The wars might have been fought in different places and with different technology, but if you've read much military history (from the soldiers perspective) you'll see that a Revolutionary War veteran and an Iraq veteran have a lot more in common than you might realize.

Response by SSgt Boyd Welch made May 2 at 2017 10:37 AM

SSgt Boyd Welch — Tue, 02 May 2017 10:37:44 -0400

My Dad and uncles all fought in World War II. I was proud to serve in their footsteps. Although my time in Southeast Asia was short because of the conflict winding down, I was shocked at the treatment I received after coming back through Travis AFB and going on to fly home from LAX. People in the airports would get up and move when they saw me in uniform. They made their children sit closer. I remember thinking "This is what I served for?". I then enlisted in the Air Force. I did explore joining a veterans organization but was largely ignored by the older guys telling great stories of Salerno and other places. They didn't want new members. Those who came back from Vietnam, wanted to ensure that no other generation of service was treated the way we were. That's why when I hear younger members of the services complain about people recognizing them and thanking them for their service, it re-enforces that there is a disconnect....

Response by SSgt Boyd Welch made May 2 at 2017 10:57 AM

SSgt Boyd Welch — Tue, 02 May 2017 10:57:51 -0400

I have already posted but I wanted to add this. I've been to a lot of Memorial Day and Veterans Day activities in my life but the one event that meant the most to me was in 1993, I attended a large church conference in Louisiana. It happened to be on July 04th. As we were sitting there they began asking veterans to stand as the conflict was named off. They went through each one skipping over the Vietnam conflict. I looked at my wife and thought "Hell we've been crapped on again". And then the speaker asked all the vets to sit. He then asked for every veteran of the Southeast Asia war whether having served in Vietnam, Thailand or Cambodia/Laos to stand. He then stated that when we came home there were no parades, no joyful appreciative throngs of people. No recognition, only shameful treatment from people who should have known better. He then said "well today is YOUR day and this is YOUR parade." He had us all come down to the front (about 40-50 of us). The entire conference passed by shaking our hands and saying thank you. My wife saw me cry for the first time but I wasn't ashamed. As people returned to their seats they picked up a chant of "Welcome Home". I think that was a turning point for me.......

Response by COL Charles Williams made May 2 at 2017 11:40 PM

COL Charles Williams — Tue, 02 May 2017 23:40:15 -0400

Yes, but I think I already said yes...

Response by PO1 Jack Howell made May 2 at 2017 11:50 PM

PO1 Jack Howell — Tue, 02 May 2017 23:50:26 -0400

To some extent yes, because the attitudes about each conflict were different. However, there's a an understanding among veterans because we've all had to go through some kind of hardship related to the conflicts we were involved in.

Response by SPC Greg Carr made May 3 at 2017 9:42 PM

SPC Greg Carr — Wed, 03 May 2017 21:42:50 -0400

I see a lot of people calling the Gulf War the only clear victory since WWII.

I actually disagree to an extent. Yes, Saddam was defeated with minimal military and civilian casualties, which is awesome. However, the post-war politics were handled terribly and resulted in the 2nd invasion. Bush went on international television and encouraged the Iraqis to rise up against Saddam, then abandoned those who did. Stormin' Norman allowed the Iraqis to use armed helicopters against the revolutionaries. We totally ostracized the Iraqis who supported us and set ourselves up for a volcano of contempt and anger in the 2nd invasion.

PBS Frontline has a great, thorough documentary on the Gulf War: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUMAyiI0TPA

Response by SPC Kenneth Meredith made May 4 at 2017 1:20 PM

SPC Kenneth Meredith — Thu, 04 May 2017 13:20:04 -0400

In my experience I have not found any disconnect when connection is desired. Although our times, places, and situations differ, there are still things that are universally connectable with veterans from all eras. Especially true for combat Veterans. It is all in the manner in which you wish to connect. If done with the right level of respect and open mind to that particular Veterans experience then there is always something to connect on.

Response by MSG Kevin Elliott made May 4 at 2017 9:28 PM

MSG Kevin Elliott — Thu, 04 May 2017 21:28:13 -0400

First, I have to say it depends on if you are talking about individuals or organizations. I have seen first hand, the 187th Regimental Association (Rakkasans) with roots in the 11th Airborne of WWII, has members from all of the wars discussed on this thread and from peace-time participation. I think the members realized that younger soldiers had to be invited into the organization and embraced, or the membership would eventually die off. I have seen older veterans and young soldiers just back from war, share a drink, a story, and a laugh or possibly a salute to fallen comrades. The Active Brigade supported the Regimental Organization at both events on/near Ft. Campbell and at the "Snow-bird" conferences, if allowed by optempo.
I also remember the young soldiers joining my unit in Germany after Grenada and how they were looked at by Vietnam Vets in the unit. There were a lot of comments and dirty looks about their CIBs and combat patches. I saw the same derision by Vietnam Vets towards soldiers who served in South Korea when they were authorized combat patches.

Response by CPT James Burkholder made May 18 at 2017 1:28 PM

CPT James Burkholder — Thu, 18 May 2017 13:28:43 -0400

Rather than us vets worrying about what kind of a war each of us engaged in, the more important thing, for me, is the relationship between brothers who have fought and served. As an RVN vet, in civilian life many years later, I was flying out on business and nearby my plane was a group of guys returning from the Gulf War. I went over and struck up a conversation, thanking them for their service and that they made it back. The kid asked whether I was a vet and upon hearing I was in VN, he proceeded to give me a button he had cut off an enemy officers uniform. This is as precious to me as any medal/ribbon I got when on duty. We're all brothers.

Response by SSgt James Connolly made May 18 at 2017 3:11 PM

SSgt James Connolly — Thu, 18 May 2017 15:11:52 -0400

We all look for answers, we did not have PC's and most still don't, the ones we brought into this world are the same ones that we spoiled their fathers and they did the same. Not all but the majority want to know what are you going to give me. We can't promise anything, a lot of work and nothing comes free.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2017 3:42 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 May 2017 15:42:06 -0400

In my humble opinion, I do not believe there is a disconnect, in fact I believe that although as well articulated previous comments here, the social and economical reality of our Country was different among the 3 wars. However, there are so many of us on active duty or reserve engaged in over a decade of combat, which makes our respect for Veterans from Vietnam (in particular) extremely elevated, sensitizing the rest of our Country to bring the recognition and respect which is long due to our brothers and sisters who fought in Vietnam. We are all one, "Veterans of War"

Response by TSgt Kenneth Ellis made May 18 at 2017 4:47 PM

TSgt Kenneth Ellis — Thu, 18 May 2017 16:47:16 -0400

I thought that the disconnect would be with WWII verterans.

Response by CPT James Burkholder made May 18 at 2017 5:41 PM

CPT James Burkholder — Thu, 18 May 2017 17:41:27 -0400

I understand the question and concern and posted earlier about an experience I had but have thought more about the question. Whether as a vet you were drafted to WWII, Korea or VN or whether he/she enlisted out of a sense of patriotism or maybe just wanted a career, or in the Gulf, Libia, Afghanistan, and all the other "wars" in between the men and women served it matters not. Whether one slogged it out in Europe when Patton led the Third Army or hit the beach on D-Day or whether you froze your ass off in a Korean winter or got foot rot in Vietnam, everyone suffered. Whether you had to worry about drinking enough in the deserts of the middle east to be able to piss and tote all the high-tech stuff in addition to your basic gear doesn't make you any better or less than the guy in Europe in 1943 and even though he was a part of the "Greatest Generation" your generation of soldiers is equal, especially since the politicians wouldn't let anyone finish the job since 1945.

Response by PO3 Christopher Jonah Nelson made May 18 at 2017 6:33 PM

PO3 Christopher Jonah Nelson — Thu, 18 May 2017 18:33:37 -0400

There is definitely a disconnect. For the most part, the veterans I've interacted with who served in the Vietnam era were people who work for the Dept. of Veteran's Affairs (physicians and staff, etc.). In many cases, they're very professional up front, but you can see the contempt they have for this generation. The best VA providers I've ever had were the ones who never served but have respect for the military and the worst were the ones who did serve. Middle of the road would be the ones who didn't respect and didn't serve.

Outside of the VA, I've looked in to at least four different veteran's organisations including similar to VFW and American Legion, but the chapters I saw were mostly just drinking buddies in small towns who were not interested in letting anybody else in to their group regardless of when they served or where.

Response by SPC Clifford Poris made May 19 at 2017 7:51 AM

SPC Clifford Poris — Fri, 19 May 2017 07:51:31 -0400

I was raised by my parents to respect all men in uniform, and all the veterans of all wars. When I returned from Viet Nam I was cursed and spat at by the hippies, and disrespected by the WWII and Korean War veterans. I have been able to reconnect with the menI served with thanks to the internet and social media. I have the deepest respect for my younger veterans we all faced the enemy, we all lost friends, we all bled red blood. War is what it is. We served our time in hell.

Response by Cpl Gregory Hajder made May 19 at 2017 8:02 AM

Cpl Gregory Hajder — Fri, 19 May 2017 08:02:46 -0400

I enlisted righ at the onset of operation deserd storm. The Marines of today are as far removed from me as I was to those few Marines who were of the Vietnam war when I first got in.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Apr 24 at 2018 6:01 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 18:01:37 -0400

Sir there is only a gap if we let it. The gap is why all the old Vet groups are having membership troubles and so many new groups are cropping up. 1. We all served- some fought for a year (SVN) some fought for 100hrs (GF1) and some fought multiple deployments or years (WWII)- how long, how much should pale beside the "We served when others didn't" Death, bullets, bombs etc- are the damn same regardless how long you see them. Burying friends- ditto. Every time a hear a SVN vet spout off about combat for a year compared to the "new pups" I ask him if that means his service doesn't count against his Dads in WWII ( who nay have served 3 yrs). It has a tendency to make them think twice.

Response by SFC Tom Jones made Apr 24 at 2019 11:42 PM

SFC Tom Jones — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 23:42:40 -0400

I really don't think that there is a disconnect with what we veterans went through, or should I say this when I was stationed in West Berlin people really didn't know that there was a wall around that city, But we were all in the same Army but there was more pride being stationed in Berlin then in West Germany, I think it is the same with the other vets, Korean vets had it very rough very cold winter, and here again people didn't want us fighting another war for something that most people didn't understand or even wanted to understand, During Desert Storm Americans thought that was how the rest of the wars would be fought, I can remember when 9-11 happen the day after there wasn't a car or building that didn't have the flag flying, 6 months later you couldn't find one. So here we go with the media cause that is what most people pay attention too. So during Desert Storm our Brig commander would not let the press interview anyone and they rode in his tank and Humvee that way no one could see the damage and the killings we did. So the bottom line is that all of us have our demons to deal with. Bottom line is this WE ALL BLEED RED, NONE OF US EVER QUESTIONED WHAT RACE WE WERE ON THE FRONT LINE WE ALL FOUGHT FOR WHAT WE BELIEVED IN AMEN!

Response by SPC Kurt Hesselden made Dec 8 at 2019 10:15 PM

SPC Kurt Hesselden — Sun, 08 Dec 2019 22:15:09 -0500

I can't speak for the Korean Vets, but as a Vietnam Vet I sense no disconnect with the Gulf Vets. There are just so many similarities in the 2 theaters. Both dealt with insurgents, both dealt with unfriendly distrusting populations and insurgents hiding in the population so you didn't know who to trust. From the car driving up to a checkpoint or a child walking past a patrol the dangers were the same The theater difference of jungle/rice paddy to sand and mountains geographically I don't think matters that much to guys that were trained for the terrain they would deploy to. We all walked our patrols with the same thought in mind to get safe back home. I am in awe of the gulf vets with the multiple tours demanded of them. That would not have worked in Vietnam with a largely inducted force. So for me, no conflict, they've both seen and done things they wish they hadn't and are stronger men because of it. I'll give any Vet a thumbs up if I run across him.