Who served in the Vietnam War?

Question

My father served 2 terms there, I'd like to hear from other men who also served, what was it like? He doesn't talk about it much, and he has bad dreams a lot. I'd like to know what he went through. I love him and want to conect with him somehow if possible. If you don't want to leave info to this question here, feel free to contact me privately, please. Thank you all. I'm greatful to all our military men in every service.

Answer 1

I did, two tours also. I fought the communists in Vietnam.... it ended up a useless fight, I came home hating communists, still do, and then people I consider so close to being communists that you can't tell the difference ended up in the White House: Carter and Clinton. I am very thankful that the Al Gore and John Kerry failed to soil that residence further.

As for talking about it, words cannot express adequately, nor can pictures, of what it is like. One moment, you feel powerful, the next moment, you feel sick.... are the things you had to do to survive right or wrong, are you strong or weak for doing it. Was it necessary? The answer is YES, if you wanted to stay alive. Do you feel guilty because you survived and your fellow soldiers didn't... yes, and you ask yourself, why... you dream about it, relive it, it will always seem like it was just yesterday, but not yesterday. A few minutes can seem like an eternity.... it is an eternity compressed into that few moments.... you know it can and will come again... You have seen the worst man has to offer man, and yet you also saw the best a man can give to another... his all. The memories are nothing you want to pass on and nothing you want to wish on another. Your father has his reasons... perhaps one of them is not wanting to burden you with his pain. I'm sure he hopes you never have to experience the same, but that you will survive if you do.

While wishing the worst for the Islamo-facist, it would be nice if they did not create the need for more war.... but, the survival instinct kicks in and I will speak against them. They have declared their intentions and they have declared war, who will survive... I prefer us and the USA and FREEDOM.

PS: Words and films do not transfer the smell, and they usually do not show the flies that seem to appear out of nowhere, brought by the odor of death. I hate flies too.

Answer 2

Vietnam was a great frustration. As military, we knew we were the best and had the capability and weapons to defeat the enemy - but the civilians in Washington wouldn't let us do it. We were mislead about the purpose of the war and couldn't really see or agree how killing someone in the rice paddies was stopping Communism from taking over this part of the country and then other parts of the world. The Vietnam war was a mistake and over 50,000 US soldiers died.

Conditions there were terrible - rain and high temperatures. Drug use by the US soldiers was very prominent. Fragging (killing of officers by US military) was a common occurrence. We had Little support for the American people - yet we risked our lives based on propaganda we were fed by the military establishment.
Years later, we learned the truth about this and the truth confirmed our doubts as to why we were there and why so many people (US soldiers) gave their lives for a questionable cause.

Answer 3

"there became one subject: Mr. Blumenthal, a Democrat now working for america Senate, never served in Vietnam. He gained a minimum of 5 defense force deferments from 1965 to 1970 and took repeated steps that enabled him to avert going to conflict, in accordance to records." He could be plenty extra at homestead in the different social gathering.

Answer 4

My father was in Vietnam and was wounded on the right side of of his head, the only story's that I have heard about him are the ones that my mom told me, and she only heard him talk about it when he was in the hospital after he got wounded. Other than that he doesn't talk about it, my husbands grandfather was in the Koren war, he also does not talk about either.
I think the things that they seen over there is just to devastating.
My father who never cries or never really shows any kind of emotion other than happiness, cried when he saw the movie Saving Private Ryan because it was to close to reality

Answer 5

there's a really great book you should read called 'the things they carried' by tim o'brien. he was a vet and the book is a collection of stories that take place before, during, and after the war about him, his unit, and some people he just met briefly. it's the best thing i've ever seen/read/heard about vietnam. i think because it's from the perspective of the typical vietnam enlistee (poor kid form poor town with not much future).
p.s. my dad did a tour in vietnam building bases with the sea bees.

Answer 6

No matter who you talk to, or what book you read, you'll never be able to really connect with him about Viet Nam. It was a different experience for each one of us that was over there. And it's obvious he would like to put it behind him, so if I were you, I wouldn't bring it up. If he wants to talk about it, fine. But I wouldn't count on it. That's his to deal with.
But there's lots of ways you can connect. You can talk about things you have in common or better yet, you can take an interest in something he likes. If he likes to watch baseball but you don't, that would be perfect! You could watch a game with him and you could get him to explain things to you. It would be a great opportunity to talk and he will appreciate your taking an interest in something he likes. Good luck to both of you.

Answer 7

You can't realy talk about it to someone who wasn't there , so far I haven't seen anyone on here !

Answer 8

My dad. My mom said he didnt come back the same.

I love him so much.

Answer 9

You might encourage him to see someone at a VA hospital or clinic. Otherwise just let it go.



Seeing Clearly....DITTO's and welcome home brother.