Vietnam Veterans: how did you feel after you fought in Vietnam; and in general were not honored/respected?

SPC Margaret Higgins — Sat, 31 Oct 2015 08:34:28 -0400

Response by MAJ David Vermillion made Oct 31 at 2015 9:09 AM

MAJ David Vermillion — Sat, 31 Oct 2015 09:09:03 -0400

Sadly to say that being disrespected, disowned and dishonor hurts to this day. But, I am very happy that we honor our military today. It was my peers at home during that era who need to look at themselves in the mirror and be thankful to those who served our country, because a lot of them avoided it.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Oct 31 at 2015 9:10 AM

CPT Jack Durish — Sat, 31 Oct 2015 09:10:31 -0400

Have you ever walked away from a job left undone? That's how it felt. I applied to return but the Army had had enough of me and I was RIF'd.

Fortunately, I wasn't abused. I had assigned to Hawaii where relations between the civilian and military communities were good. I suspect that I would have ended up in jail had I been assigned somewhere in CONUS and someone acted disrespectfully towards me or any other service member in my immediate environs.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Oct 31 at 2015 12:26 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Sat, 31 Oct 2015 12:26:56 -0400

It set my attitude towards hippies/liberals for the rest of my life; we live in different worlds and pray to different Gods. Their scorn doesn't bother me because I use it to judge their intelligence and character and consider the source.

It is important to bear in mind that it was not everyone that disparaged us; the traditional society still honored our service.

The only thing that hurt was to have VFW types treat us like we were baby-killers and not worthy to be in their ranks; those were fellow servicemen. I am not in any service organizations as a result, and do not intend to be in the future.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2015 4:33 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 31 Oct 2015 16:33:59 -0400

I wore my uniform when I went to the airport because I was able to fly military standby with a 50% discount, and wearing the uniform was a requirement. When I returned from Vietnam, I had a bad experience at LAX, and a few other places. I was angry for many years, but times have changed for the better.

Response by Sgt David G Duchesneau made Oct 31 at 2015 5:34 PM

Sgt David G Duchesneau — Sat, 31 Oct 2015 17:34:44 -0400

I served two tours in Vietnam, Northern I Corps, Quang Tri Province, on the DMZ , In Laos, Cam Lo, Con Thien, Dong Ha, Da Nang and the surrounding areas as a Combat Marine. I served my Country with pride, honor and dignity, just like all of us did, and I followed orders and did what I was told to do. When I got back home and landed at LAX I was proud Marine, a Sergeant in Uniform and I was greeted by an ungrateful Nation. I was treated like a criminal and with cold shoulders. I got spit on by this hippy bitch and called all kinds of nasty names including "baby killer." How did I feel? I felt like I was an outcast, like I was the enemy and I was pissed beyond belief. I had the biggest resentment and I thought everyone was an asshole. I started hating people in general and I can honestly tell you that I hated all those long haired, dope smoking, raggedy ass war demonstrating bastards. That's how I felt! Welcome Home! Rght?

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2015 7:06 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 31 Oct 2015 19:06:35 -0400

Nothing but respect for the Vietnam Vets. Now that they're getting up in years I'm starting to see a lot more of them in the hospital and getting to interact and talk with our older generations is always a positive. Even after everything. Fighting the war then returning home to little or no support. I've noticed many still hold a high patriotic pride, even some I've met who were initially draftees. It's inspiring and refreshing to see.

Response by CWO2 John Markiewicz made Oct 31 at 2015 8:44 PM

CWO2 John Markiewicz — Sat, 31 Oct 2015 20:44:34 -0400

I stayed in the service and ultimately made it a career, I was very angry for awhile at the treatment received from the younger civilian population, but was able to shrug it off since they did not know or understand. The bad part that I could not shake off and still angers me today was the treatment received by my own Senior Officers and even Commanding Officers (most of whom were not Vietnam Veterans) who made it a point to let me know they did not like Vietnam Veterans and did not want them serving in their commands. I succeeded and eventually retired as a CWO2 mostly despite the Officers I served under rather than because of their encouragement and mentoring. I wound up reverting from CWO2 to my permanent enlisted rating of RMCS, qualified as RMCS(SS) and rode the submarines for the rest of my career where I was treated with the respect I earned by my qualifications and service on board and was not put down because of my Vietnam Service. When I ultimately was disability retired some 30+ years ago it was in the highest rank held successfully as a CWO2. When I retired I refused any retirement ceremony and told them to mail whatever paper or certificates i was due since I wanted to leave the same way I entered, so, I guess I was still kind of angry even then. Now, after 30+ years retired, I have mellowed and none of that bothers me anymore, it is just history and one tends to remember the good better than the bad.

Response by SP5 Michael Rathbun made Oct 31 at 2015 9:51 PM

SP5 Michael Rathbun — Sat, 31 Oct 2015 21:51:35 -0400

I was startled and dismayed by the reception I got in a couple of airports in early 1971, back from RVN.

I also reflected that these people would not be allowed to do this in Hanoi, Pyongyang, Beijing or Moscow. In fact they wouldn't be allowed to do this in Saigon, truth to tell.

I may not always like the results, but a free society was what I thought my engagement was all about.

Response by CPO Emmett (Bud) Carpenter made Nov 1 at 2015 2:26 AM

CPO Emmett (Bud) Carpenter — Sun, 01 Nov 2015 02:26:31 -0500

I go out of my way to make sure today's vets are not treated like I was.

Response by 1SG Patrick Sims made Nov 1 at 2015 2:59 AM

1SG Patrick Sims — Sun, 01 Nov 2015 02:59:53 -0500

After three combat tours, I just came home. I didn't expect anything. I tried to talk about Vietnam to the World War Two vets, and they just considered us second stringers. In the end I wouldn't read about Vietnam or talk about it to anyone. I refused to join veteran groups or go to the VA hospital for anything. My wife and I have been married for 44 years. Not long after our 20th anniversary, I mentioned something about the Vietnam War. I remembered her telling me that as long as we had been married I never once mentioned Vietnam, when it had been in my mind every day. Funny how things work out.