You know....See them in Uniform and then yell "HEY" and give them the finger. Call them "baby Killers".....Tell them to "get away from you". How come people in their 50s and 60s are now treating the Iraqi veterans nice but these same people treated the Vietnam Vet like crap?
2006-10-06 07:28:50 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
My source? I was treated this way from 1969 to 1975.
2006-10-06 07:29:57 · update #1
It is a shame if you were treated poorly on your return from Vietnam, but you get kudos for not repeating the tired but untrue cliche of being "spat upon". There has never been ONE documented case of this ever happening.
As for the term "Baby Killer", it would be wrong and rude to label anyone as that unless they were known to have done so. Sadly, however, many soldiers did commit murders and rapes and were never prosecuted. As soldiers in the first war the US ever lost, the homecoming was obviously a painfull one. I would never tell a Vietnam vet to "get away from" me. That type of behavior is cruel and counterproductive. I have listened to stories of US soldiers enjoying "punching out" Cuban POWs in Grenada, and now soldiers seem to delight in abusing Iraqis, either military or civilian, and brag about it.
One way to deal with your pain would be to go to schools, bowling alleys, shopping malls and other places where young people gather and let them know that joining the military should not be an option, that to become a hired hitman and kill people who never did a thing to you is immoral. Best wishes for you! Pray for peace!!!
2006-10-06 07:45:35 · answer #1 · answered by Atticus Flinch 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I was not alive during Vietnam but the other day in restaurant I saw a man wearing a cap that read Vietnam Vet. I went up to him and asked him if he served in Vietnam. He looked me in the eye and said yes. I asked him if I could shake his hand. We shook hands and I hugged the man as tears streamed down his face and mine. Thank you, Sir, I said. This should be the sort of treatment you get when you come back home.
I wonder how it is that the same people who enjoy Freedom as Americans can be the same that go about giving the finger to the same people that protect them and keep them free.
I have several family members in the military and come from a long line of people that serve others faithfully. Some in the military, some in law enforcement others as clergy. We have all chosen to fight in some way believing this to be the greatest damned nation there ever was.
No, how dare anyone look at someone in Uniform and disrespect any veteran?
Who cares if you don't agree with the war or the officials waging it. We have the vote to deal with those issues but don't attack the guys who are there because they love the same country you and I thrive in.
I am so sorry. I know you are not alone. There are some out there that care and that are proud of you.
2006-10-06 07:42:50 · answer #2 · answered by MrsGinAZ 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I had an Uncle that was in the Vietnam war and when he came home one of his best friends spit in his face and called him a murderer. I think part of it is that the people back then were younger and now have grown up to realize that these soldiers have joined the Military and are expected to do as they are told. They don't have a choice of picking and choosing what they want to do. When they are called upon to serve they do it, because that is what they are here to do. Just like during the Vietnam War. Those men did what was asked of them. They have paid the price all these years because of the ignorance of the people they were suppose to be protecting. Hopefully we have learned from the pain that has been inflicted on these Veterans and will give our Service Men and Women the respect they deserve. Just like the Vietnam Veterans, these people defend our country and it's beliefs and are paid very little. We owe them more than we can ever give back. We owe them great gratitude and thanks for making sure we are safe to live our lives as WE choose each and every day.
2006-10-06 07:43:55 · answer #3 · answered by Tammy G 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I remember that but I think that people have learned to separate the foot soldier from the politician. We learned that from the devastating effects on the Vietnam War vets. We don't disparage them for their efforts in Iraq.
But history may not consider them heroes contributing to a worthy and needed effort. It is sad to give your all for the wrong war. What I mean is: there is no doubt about World War I and WWII vets being in a just war. But how will this one play out when history books are being written around the world?
2006-10-06 07:43:02 · answer #4 · answered by grapeshenry 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
birdsnakecatharine & jeff f
One thing you might be surprised by.
Those that protested the Vietnam war and spat on us when we returned are more vigorously defended by us (Nam Veterans) than they are by any other group. You might want to spend some time figuring out why that is.
Those 50-60 year olds have learned a thing or two during those years.
The younger crowd has not faced the draft like us 'old duffers' did
Source
Bien Hoa 1963
2006-10-06 07:49:59 · answer #5 · answered by tom l 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am only 26 so I wasn't around for the Vietnam war...but my guess would be that we are more informed now than people were in the 50s and 60s. Most people realize that it is the politics fault we are at war, not the soldiers.
2006-10-06 07:31:15 · answer #6 · answered by missportal 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
NO - my dad was a Vietnam vet and he told me how much it hurt to get that kind of treatment when he got home from nearly dying for his country. Maybe those same people who treated the Vietnam vets so badly have sons or daughters now fighting in Iraq.
2006-10-06 07:43:54 · answer #7 · answered by N 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I so hope not..................still think that it is a blot on the soul of the USA with how some of the people treated their vets on their return from Vietnam.
Sir trust me I have not nor will I ever treat a member in that way, and I DO thank you for your service. It was a 'bad' war made all the more sorrowful with how the men where treated on their return.
2006-10-06 07:34:33 · answer #8 · answered by candy g 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hope not. I think people now realize that the soldiers in Iraq are more or less forced to be there almost against their will. But for soldiers who are charged under military law (like the group who raped a 14-year-old Iraqi and that sailor who I saw on yahoo's news headlines), I think they should be treated the way you described.
2006-10-06 07:39:29 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Having gone through the Vietnam crap that people treated me I show respect to the men and women who serve now!
2006-10-06 08:22:33 · answer #10 · answered by fatboysdaddy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋