Working as a Veterans group, how do I best Bridge the gap between our Vietnam veterans and our current veterans? We are doing all we can?

2019-06-02T23:04:08-04:00

There is a different mindset that we are struggling to gap. Some of us are the “ gap generation “ of warriors and trying to connect .

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jun 2 at 2019 11:18 PM

2019-06-02T23:18:11-04:00

LT Michael Watson I am a member of the Scottish American Military Society (SAMS). We have Vietnam, Cold Warriors, GWOT, and ODS Vets working side by side on service projects and preserving American and Scottish military culture. We are small but we are mighty. The more we talk, the more I realize we have the same types of experiences and more in common than we'd imagine. What makes it happen is we are focused on a common goal that we all agree is important, usually to benefits others (which sounds eerily familiar, serving others...).

Looking forward to our work at the Pikes Peak Celtic Fest 14-16Jun.

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Jun 3 at 2019 12:54 AM

2019-06-03T00:54:59-04:00

I would suggest this - have the Vietnam Vets who are willing to talk about their experiences both in the military and when they got home give a presentation to the younger Vets. Encourage the Vietnam Vets to talk about what worked and what didn't work for them in their readjustment after the war.
This will make the Vietnam Vets feel valued and will help the younger Vets appreciate how damn lucky they are. Few Americans under 40 appreciate how rough the Vietnam Vets had it when they got back.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jun 3 at 2019 2:11 AM

2019-06-03T02:11:46-04:00

Great topic. One would think that the impact of the war environment is the same for each generation. I disagree. I learned that early on when having many conversations with my dad (WW2/Korea) and myself back from 'Nam. His generation was built differently than mine. Coming off the Depression. Scrapping for everything. Poor. The enemy is absolutely subhuman cur that should be wiped from the face of the Earth. The list goes on. So the actual events played out differently in Dad's mind than it would in mine. Some of his events, we'd likely not see today. The inside scars may appear the same, but the effect plays out in different hues. We didn't have much more help than the Greatest Generation when it came to dealing with the dragons within. Much more help nowadays, but still a long way to go. I'd suggest that many things may seem to translate well in reality pan out less than we'd hope. The best approach is to understand there are perception, value, response, etc. gaps between the generations and to understand they exist. We now consider purposely killing allied civilians as unthinkable to be avoided at all costs. In WW2 there were instances where that was ordered and implemented. Starving Chinese were clawing over barbed wire to get food from the supply dumps. Kill them all and dump their bodies in the villages to discourage a larger human wave. Yes, my Dad's dragons were a different shade of brutal and character than mine.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jun 3 at 2019 6:12 AM

2019-06-03T06:12:16-04:00

I have personally attempted to participate in the type process you are suggesting. There are generational differences that illuminate different issues in different ways, military culture is greatly influenced by society as it always has been. Men and women with generational differences experience things in different ways. The bridge of dialogue was built but condescending attitudes could not be controlled, from either side.

We had folks from the Korean conflict through to today. Each groups within the group played by the rules of eticate which was established by the committee. However, the strength of personality within each sub group rang loud when their beliefs were threatened. This, even checked by leadership, constantly created setbacks to particular decision processes needing resolution in order to move on to the next step of any particular issue or topic.

I believe it is possible to get these groups to work together in harmony; wether it be to work toward a committee goal in advisement to a particular issue, or to provide common counseling for variant groups in working toward the resolution or insight to particular personal situations that may be common to large groups. These groups have to be smaller, identifying those with problem solving skills from each era, creating/forming the lead committee who can focus on rules of engagement/strategies for keeping focus on objectives/goals. Once these committees are formed they can open up, slowly to a greater body of men and women from all subgroups building a cohesive entity that can actual achieve endstates by tapping the full spectrum of knowledge/experience and wisdom.

Sorry for the rant, societal norms may change, however, the coalition required to resolve issues that bleed through each facet of society, and era is the same as it needs to be in any environment. Common goals, with a common purpose must be tied to those with a serious desire to resolve said issue. Thank you all for your service.

Response by LCDR Joshua Gillespie made Jun 3 at 2019 8:26 AM

2019-06-03T08:26:27-04:00

Great question. Our American Legion post is predominantly represented by Vietnam veterans, with only one or two (myself included) from subsequent conflicts. Here's where I see the greatest "differences": The Vietnam veterans are, justifiably, concerned with ensuring recognition for their service, addressing concurrent issues with VA benefits, and struggling to keep the local, state, and national organizations viable due to dwindling recruitment numbers, and other attrition. Younger veterans coming into the Legion are more interested in increasing the organization's activities within the larger community, reaching out to youth programs such as the Boy Scouts, and high schools, and participating in activities that re-capture some of the fellowship and involvement that they experienced in the Services.

Generally, it seems that any "friction" is unintentional...but it is present. Gulf War, OEF, and IEF veterans appear to have a more pragmatic view of some issues; this likely stems from the fact that "our" generation did not experience a draft, received significantly more public "support" during our service, and has come of age in the internet age, where information regarding the benefits process is (at least perceived to be) more readily available.

However, I also think the Vietnam-era veterans may not be as "aware" of the similarities between the two periods of conflict, or what issues we share that could more readily bring us together. "We" may not have faced ridicule at the airport when returning home, but many of us came home to a lack of jobs, a lost sense of identity leaving the Services, and persistent, underlying issues associated with multiple forward deployments, and the challenges associated with fighting an enemy whose intended target area includes the home-front. "We" are also the embattled demographic "fighting" another "culture war", not all that dissimilar from the one "they" fought in the 1960s and 1970s.

Likewise, we younger veterans may have a tendency to forget that our older counterparts have come through five decades of healing since their war. Many of us have not been taught the (real) history of the Vietnam War, or how critically divided the nation was during those years. We see what they became after settling into new lives, raising families (including many of us)...and may not see the same eyes looking back at us across the decades.

Ultimately, I believe that "bridging the gap" requires communication on a few important points: First, we have to try and remember that both generations served at the same point of time in their lives, and with very similar experiences. Second, it would help if the older veterans tried to understand that for "us", the experience was much more recent-we have stories we want/need to tell, and questions we need answers to only they can provide. Third, we, the younger vets need to remember that these organizations were around long before we arrived, and we have to "earn our spurs", same as with any other endeavor. Finally, we have to more formally, completely, and proactively integrate the next generation into organizational operations... train people up to assume greater responsibilities...and accept change where it is in the best interest of the whole of the organization.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jun 3 at 2019 12:13 PM

2019-06-03T12:13:08-04:00

Emphasize the common bnds- service, being shot at, decisions, leading- it is/was the same for all of us, regardless of era, war length, etc.

Response by SGT Paul Tappenbeck made Jun 3 at 2019 6:09 PM

2019-06-03T18:09:01-04:00

Some Vietnam veterans may not feel like there is a gap so it might be a matter of not trying to hard creating pressure?

Response by PO3 Eric Kerns made Jun 6 at 2019 1:07 PM

2019-06-06T13:07:33-04:00

I believe the gap is literally between the “Viet of the Nam” and current Iraq/Afghan veterans known as the Cold War veterans. They are the ones in my opinion who are the gap. They stood their watch faithfully but had no war. If you look at all the stolen valor that is out there now it is 95% Cold War Veterans. They feel left out, I believe they are the group who we need to find common ground with. Not sure we need to find common ground with the Nam vets and this is why. I give a speech at my wife’s school every year to all the 4th/5th grade students on Veterans Day. They look at the Nam vets how I use to look at WII vets, like dinosaurs. No disrespect but VN vets are now the dinosaur class. Old, grumpy and set in their ways. It’s a rite of passage and they are allowed to be this way. I just don’t think they are the one’s we need to find common ground with.