Welcome Home!

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Welcome Home!

Observing Vietnam Veterans Day!

Thanks for your service!

from a Vietnam Era Veteran




USN '68-'76

[Steve Schlumpf]

Thanks also from another Vietnam Era Veteran!

USAF '70 - '78

[Mike Henderson]

This is Vietnam Veteran's Day? I never heard of it. When did this start?

Also a Vietnam vet.

Mike

[I went and looked it up. Looks like it's recent.]

[Jim Creech]

That's a new one on me, also a Vietnam era vet!

[Ron Barnes]

New to me also, Vietnam vet.

[Joe Tilson]

New to me as well, Vietnam era vet. Thanks for your service.
Joe

[terry mccammon]

Me too, US Army 71-75. Thanks to all of you.

[Bruce Page]

Thanks from yet another Vietnam Era Veteran.

[Kent A Bathurst]

I am of that age. My birth year was + 1 in the ping-pong ball bowl when the draft was cancelled. I did not serve in the Armed Forces.

From where I stand, every day should be Vietnam Veterans Day.

And Iraq Veterans Day.

And Afghanistan Veterans Day.

The toll in blood and treasure is immeasurable, and we cannot afford to forget. Or the <illegitimate children> in charge will screw something up.

I have been fortunate enough to walk that wall a couple dozen times. I make sure I get there every time I am anywhere near DC. Breaks my heart. But - I feel it is important to make that walk, even though I did not serve. Or, more likely, because I did not serve. When history is written, that will be the legacy of our generation.

But you men did serve. You. Men. Did.

Thank you all. Thank you very much.

Sincerely,

Kent

[Dave Anderson NH]

I kind of ignore the day. As a Vietnam Marine grunt I observe (not celebrate) Memorial Day and celebrate Veteran's Day. The day rings hollow to me and I interpret it as a means of assuaging guilt for the way my generation was treated when we returned from war. I say this with slight bitterness, but mostly in recognition that ours was a war waged by a polarized and divided nation who blamed the warriors and not the policymakers. A young Marine friend who is currently serving and who deployed as a grunt in Gulf 1, Gulf 2, Afghanistan, and Somalia told me of a sign they had posted in Sangin, Helmund Province Afghanistan: "America is not at war, the Marine Corps is at war. America is at the Mall." That pretty much describes all of our wars, interventions, and police actions since WWII.

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Dave,

After reading your post I am going to change the wording on my initial post from "celebrate" to "observe".

I know too well how our generation were treated even for serving, regardless of whether or not they served in Vietnam. It raises my hackles.

I started this thread only to honor those who served in Vietnam.

[George Bokros]

I to am a Vietnam era vet Dec 1968 - Dec 1970. Cam Ranh Bay 1970

[Ted Calver]

USAF '65-'92. I was there. Kinda feel the same as Dave.....couldn't have said it better.

[Bruce Volden]

Quick? story. My draft # was 1. Dec '72. I joined so I could have a say in what MOS I wanted. I chose medic (insert other titles here). Basic training in MO (Leonard Wood) ----Nixon stops sending troops before I "graduate". AIT in Ft. Sam Houston---Nixon starts the withdraw before I graduate!!!! I should have been drafted and saved a year ie: 2 vs 3.

PS my luck has changed little since and I have no regrets!

Bruce

[Dave Ray]

Also Viet Vet, thank you all for your service. I agree whole heartedly with Dave