The U.S. Senate has declared, March 30th as “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.” It was 38 years ago today that U.S. troops withdrew from Vietnam.
It is very nice that the Senate honored the Vietnam Veterans. The Vietnam War took place at a time when much of the youth were wearing beads and proclaiming flower power. This self proclaimed love generation scorned the military and the very soldiers that provided their freedom. Many burned their draft cards and refused to serve their nation.
The brave soldiers that did serve were were often disrespected. Many were spit upon as they returned home. Fortunately, for our country not all were so selfish. Many men and women respected their duty and the honored the sacrifice of the soldier.
At the age of 17, my father decided that he needed to his part and presented his parents with a letter of consent allowing him to enter the military early. He wanted to serve his country. Shortly there after went to Paris Island and became a Marine. He wasn’t in Vietnam long before he was injured. While resting on top of a tank, he was struck with an explosive device and woke up in Germany.
Despite being a Purple Heart recipient my dad rarely spoke of the war and never sought glory or admiration. Despite losing vision in one eye and having bits of shrapnel that remained in his body my father never complained or asked for special treatment. Unfortunately, my father passed away almost 15 years ago so I’ll never know for sure but I think he would have quietly appreciated this declaration for a moment and then went on with the work at hand.
I’d like to thank all military personal and their families for their sacrifice. Most soldiers don’t ask for recognition so it is very important that we offer appreciation as often as we can.
It is very nice that the Senate honored the Vietnam Veterans. The Vietnam War took place at a time when much of the youth were wearing beads and proclaiming flower power. This self proclaimed love generation scorned the military and the very soldiers that provided their freedom. Many burned their draft cards and refused to serve their nation.
The brave soldiers that did serve were were often disrespected. Many were spit upon as they returned home. Fortunately, for our country not all were so selfish. Many men and women respected their duty and the honored the sacrifice of the soldier.
At the age of 17, my father decided that he needed to his part and presented his parents with a letter of consent allowing him to enter the military early. He wanted to serve his country. Shortly there after went to Paris Island and became a Marine. He wasn’t in Vietnam long before he was injured. While resting on top of a tank, he was struck with an explosive device and woke up in Germany.
Despite being a Purple Heart recipient my dad rarely spoke of the war and never sought glory or admiration. Despite losing vision in one eye and having bits of shrapnel that remained in his body my father never complained or asked for special treatment. Unfortunately, my father passed away almost 15 years ago so I’ll never know for sure but I think he would have quietly appreciated this declaration for a moment and then went on with the work at hand.
I’d like to thank all military personal and their families for their sacrifice. Most soldiers don’t ask for recognition so it is very important that we offer appreciation as often as we can.
My husband has suffered for many years with ptsd and various illnesses due to Vietnam...He was proud to serve his country and survived Hell on earth and now we survive together....We will be married 39 years in May..Today I pray he wakes up from his comatose state ....Damn Agent Orange and the Vietnam War.
ReplyDeleteThe R.I. Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association state representative with the help of the CVMA National thanked Vietnam vets in 2010 and 2011 by refusing membership to a 100% qualified Nam vet and then throwing out Vietnam vet full members for demanding to know why their brother was refused. Some things never change, reminds me of the early 70's when the VFW did not want Nam vets.
ReplyDeleteCapodecina above tells it correctly with this R.I. Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association disrespecting Vietnam veterans with the help of its National. This CVMA just got rid of another Rhode Island Vietnam veteran because they had some sort of vandetta against him.
ReplyDeleteFunny part of this is the CVMA has a good bit of money missing that was supposed to go to the Fisher House Charity.
Guess this is what the CVMA means by veterans helping veternas, in this case its CVMA veterans helping themselves.