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“There were no waiting crowds or bands at the airport for the Vietnam guys,” Wright told me recently. “Most of them had been warned to expect a hostile reception.”
http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/another-view-of-vietnam-veterans
http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/another-view-of-vietnam-veterans
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 3
God bless the Vietnam vets for doing this. I can understand why as well. With the way they were treated upon their return it is great that they are making sure that the Modern war vets don't get the same treatment that they did.
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SPC Charles Brown
I have been treated fairly, and like you make an effort to thank other fellow vets for their service no matter when it was.
Recently here in Klamath Falls, Oregon we had some veterans return from deployment to an organized roadside display of support. Those of us who participated lined the highway and stood on overpasses holding signs reading Welcome home and other similar sentiments. I am and have always been proud of our veterans for what they have done to support and defend, and am no less proud of the civilians who support the troops at their homecomings.
I am truly sorry for the reception the Veterans of the Vietnam era were treated the way they were. And IMHO what was reported back in the "world" by the news media of the day was skewed towards the protesters. Nothing was ever reported about the conduct of the north Vietnamese in their atrocities against their own people, torture of our soldiers while in their supposedly POW status. Something which the Geneva convention expressly prohibits, for those of you civilians who didn't know.
SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S., I should be thanking you for your service in a time of national upheaval and general distrust of the military. You sir are a true hero, whereas I am just a veteran who came along later to fill a void that needed to be filled. May you have the peace that you and all the Vietnam vets deserve.
I will use the 4th Battalion 31st Infantry Regiment motto to end this post and simply say PRO PATRIA, For Country, for those who didn't know.
Recently here in Klamath Falls, Oregon we had some veterans return from deployment to an organized roadside display of support. Those of us who participated lined the highway and stood on overpasses holding signs reading Welcome home and other similar sentiments. I am and have always been proud of our veterans for what they have done to support and defend, and am no less proud of the civilians who support the troops at their homecomings.
I am truly sorry for the reception the Veterans of the Vietnam era were treated the way they were. And IMHO what was reported back in the "world" by the news media of the day was skewed towards the protesters. Nothing was ever reported about the conduct of the north Vietnamese in their atrocities against their own people, torture of our soldiers while in their supposedly POW status. Something which the Geneva convention expressly prohibits, for those of you civilians who didn't know.
SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S., I should be thanking you for your service in a time of national upheaval and general distrust of the military. You sir are a true hero, whereas I am just a veteran who came along later to fill a void that needed to be filled. May you have the peace that you and all the Vietnam vets deserve.
I will use the 4th Battalion 31st Infantry Regiment motto to end this post and simply say PRO PATRIA, For Country, for those who didn't know.
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PO3 Michael James
no one at the airports ever appeared happy to see us.. I did see a lot of offensive, unpleasant gestures directed towards our men in uniform.. eventually most of us arrived at airports, went immediately into restrooms and changed into civilian clothing ! Later we actually traveled in civilian attire.. far to many hostile American citizens at the airports. Congress had declared War, and we were blamed for it !! Sorry in all honesty.. today, after 43 years.. many people could care less in reference to the Vietnam War, and its Veterans.. I guess its okay.. provided that this country NEVER EVER treats our current and future Veterans the same way !!!
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SPC Charles Brown
Many, yes, but not all. Thank you for your service PO3 Michael James and SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S.
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It is a shame that the lessons of civility and honor was learned at the expense of Vietnam Veterans when they were so wounded by what they saw in Vietnam.
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I feel there is an undercurrent of so what amongst some veterans and active duty of contempt. I saw some of it here and not so much currently as 2013-14. The agitant has moved on but this has been the legacy. But you know what?
Like in the movie 'Coming Home' when Jon Voight remembered the pain and hurt that co-mingled with his youthful notion of honor and duty, he criticizes the frustration that emanated from an administration that was full of shit in trying to placate a bunch of morons who had no bid in that game.
The guy whose ideas who lost the PR battle, Robert S. McNamara, apologized for the war's execution and not only that, he suffered in his own conscience of guilt for the lives lost and the soldiers suffering.
So this asshole with this article could not avoid ANOTHER CHEAP SHOT, making fun of old veterans and talking about their weight. This is the bullshit was faced in the 70s and this author is just as confused as the prosecution of that war! two thumbs down and a rock to his head.
Like in the movie 'Coming Home' when Jon Voight remembered the pain and hurt that co-mingled with his youthful notion of honor and duty, he criticizes the frustration that emanated from an administration that was full of shit in trying to placate a bunch of morons who had no bid in that game.
The guy whose ideas who lost the PR battle, Robert S. McNamara, apologized for the war's execution and not only that, he suffered in his own conscience of guilt for the lives lost and the soldiers suffering.
So this asshole with this article could not avoid ANOTHER CHEAP SHOT, making fun of old veterans and talking about their weight. This is the bullshit was faced in the 70s and this author is just as confused as the prosecution of that war! two thumbs down and a rock to his head.
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