Did Americans really spit on Vietnam Vets at airports?

Question

One of my veteran friends hates Jane Fonda and says that vets were spit on because of the anti-war movement that folks like Jane and others participated in. However, when I tried to find examples, real examples, photos, etc, all I could find was urban myth assertions. Does anyone have personal direct knowledge or proof that this occurred?

Connie:

I don't see the relation between being spat upon and homelessness.

PTSS and homelessness perhaps, alcoholism and homelessness perhaps, other mental illness brought on by war and homelessness, but not being spat upon.

The interest in the question stems from my own feelings on the Iraq War. I am totally against it, but believe now that we are there we do hold some responsibility for getting out in a responsible way (if that is possible). BUT my support for our troops has never waned, not even for one second. They are doing their job (they can't help it their boss is an idiot). I have several relatives and friends in Iraq and I just can't imagine people doing this to one of them. I hope it is an urban myth.

Love the Country Joe song. It doesn't indicate disrespect for the troops in my opinion, just the CIC.

Answer 1

Yeah, that did occur, and it sucked. I wouldnt know though...

Answer 2

I was against the war and to me the way the returning vets were treated and still are is &was disgusting. I know Canadians that joined the US forces but Canada was not involved, mainly because it was a civil war and the choice was to help the north (Communist) or the south (Totalatarian Dictatorship. However, like Iraq, it would have been attacking a soverign nation. To get involved in a civil war, it's impossible to win. Main reason, you do not know who your enemies are. In many cases US troops became so frustrated, they were killing anything that moved and was human. Especially when the photos of the My Lai massacre were published. Also check out the link below.

Answer 3

Oh yeah it happened. Most vets returned home to a public that hated them and blamed them for the torture and killing of babies and women in Viet Nam. This was encouraged by people like Jane Fonda who supported the enemy in the war. Many Americans could not or would not see the difference between supporting the troops while hating and not supporting the war. We need to remember this and not let it happen again.

Answer 4

It happened. The media had everyone so misinformed, and indoctrinated about the war, many Americans hated the soldiers. The same thing has been attempted with regard to the war in Iraq, but this time alternate media is available, and it is much more difficult to successfully pull the wool over the public's eyes. In any case, the media will be reluctant to expose their role in that war, and I'm not surprised that accounts of the hatred cannot be found.

Answer 5

Yes, it did happen, I am not a Viet Nam vet, but a Viet Nam era vet and trust me, all of the military was looked down upon.

Spitting was not uncommon, they were called baby killers, over all the viet nam vets were treated the worse of any vets in this country ever.

My son right now is in the Navy and I am so happy at the way people treat him. I am so glad people's attitudes toward the military has changed.

I a so glad someone gave Jane Fonda some of her own medicine, it was a long time in coming and not enough but it is good.


Here are words from a song --was at woodstock...country joe and the fish. Will give some insight on AMerican attitudes toward Viet Nam

The Fish Cheer & I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-To-Die Rag

Gimme an F!

F!
Gimme an I!
I!
Gimme an S!
S!
Gimme an H!
H!
What's that spell ?
FISH!
What's that spell ?
FISH!
What's that spell ?
FISH!
Yeah, come on all of you, big strong men,
Uncle Sam needs your help again.
He's got himself in a terrible jam
Way down yonder in Vietnam
So put down your books and pick up a gun,
We're gonna have a whole lotta fun.

And it's one, two, three,
What are we fighting for ?
Don't ask me, I don't give a damn,
Next stop is Vietnam;
And it's five, six, seven,
Open up the pearly gates,
Well there ain't no time to wonder why,
Whoopee! we're all gonna die.

Well, come on generals, let's move fast;
Your big chance has come at last.
Gotta go out and get those reds —
The only good commie is the one who's dead
And you know that peace can only be won
When we've blown 'em all to kingdom come.

And it's one, two, three,
What are we fighting for ?
Don't ask me, I don't give a damn,
Next stop is Vietnam;
And it's five, six, seven,
Open up the pearly gates,
Well there ain't no time to wonder why
Whoopee! we're all gonna die.

Huh!

Well, come on Wall Street, don't move slow,
Why man, this is war au-go-go.
There's plenty good money to be made
By supplying the Army with the tools of the trade,
Just hope and pray that if they drop the bomb,
They drop it on the Viet Cong.

And it's one, two, three,
What are we fighting for ?
Don't ask me, I don't give a damn,
Next stop is Vietnam.
And it's five, six, seven,
Open up the pearly gates,
Well there ain't no time to wonder why
Whoopee! we're all gonna die.

Well, come on mothers throughout the land,
Pack your boys off to Vietnam.
Come on fathers, don't hesitate,
Send 'em off before it's too late.
Be the first one on your block
To have your boy come home in a box.

And it's one, two, three
What are we fighting for ?
Don't ask me, I don't give a damn,
Next stop is Vietnam.
And it's five, six, seven,
Open up the pearly gates,
Well there ain't no time to wonder why,
Whoopee! we're all gonna die.

this is from a VA website...
http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/facts/veterans/fs_native_vets.html ----

"I was spit on and called a baby-killer in the mainstream culture when I first came home, and no way any college would accept me or any good job would be open to me. I felt too ashamed and enraged to accept the love and gratitude my family and community showed me. I thought I was going crazy, waking up in a sweat trying to choke my wife, seeing signs of Charley around every corner when the weather was hot and steamy. I'd always kept my............

Maybe the authors did not talk with the right people

And yet another link...

http://groups.msn.com/VeteransAlumniAssociation/general.msnw?action=get_message&mview=0&ID_Message=189

I think they just talked to the wrong people!

Answer 6

It isn't an urban myth! Stand outside Travis one day when troops were being flown home!

We came in during the middle of the night, went to Oakland for processing, new uniforms travel pay, hair cut, shower and sent on a 30 day leave! Most of us changed out of our uniforms at San Francisco's Airport mens room!

Answer 7

yes they did and when my older brothers joined the military my father had mixed emotions he said he had spilled enough blood for an ungrateful country and that his sons should not half fight for this country but he says it their decision and he supports them its hard for me to under stand what my father went through because he never talks about it. And it was thirty years before i was born but I hope my brothers never go through that

Answer 8

yes this is true. i had 3 uncle's that was in that war. i can't stand Jane Fonda because of that. are men was sent over there to do something. they didn't chose to go. are gov sent them. the uncle that was in the front never talks of it. to this day he has dream's. my aunt leaves the house when he starts his dreaming of over there. she said there not as bad as they use to be. t6he hefer should of spat in the gov's face.

Answer 9

There is no way we're pulling out of the Iraq war just like that, snap, one two three, instant pull out. It's just not going to happen.

Answer 10

Yes they did..,they spat on them at airports and anywhere they went in uniforms in public.Jane Fonda spat on a few herself.I was listening to a radio station one day and a vet had called in..,very emotional said he finally found peace.Jane Fonda had spat on him many years ago and he never forgot.He finally got even..,she had a book signing and as she signed his book..,he spat on her signature and the book and gave it back to her.He was in tears..,but years of torment..,I say bravo to him and to the VIETNAM VETS THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND FOR FIGHTING FOR FREEDOM.GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU WE ARE PROUD OF YOU.

I did see this on television when I was child..,my Dad was Air Force but not in the service at the time and I remember see the peace activists holding rallies and spitting on them..,I have seen it and you can search spitting on viet nam vets and find all kinds of accounts.

Answer 11

Americans didn't spit on them, but treasonous bastards did. Jane Fonda led the way. Its too bad we don't deal with treason the way we once did.