Why is it Amercian Presidents do not like Viet Nam veterans?

Question

Ford: ended our envolvement without any accountablitlty for our MIA/POWs
Carter : Pardoned those who fled to Canada
Reagan/ Bush 1 did nothing about the pow/mia issue
Clinton: eveaded the draft then visited Viet Nam, no mention of the pow/mias
Bush: enlisted in but was abscent from a lot of the time the Al Guard, to avoid Viet Nam, goes to VIet Nam in support of a free trade agreement with Viet Nam, yet doesn't say anything about our POW/MIA's

I served and was wounded in VIet Nam as a US Marine

Answer 1

Probably because America hates veterans but loves money!

You in Da Nang?

JH, you might argue, but those ARE the FACTS!!

Bush sent the military into combat ill-equipped, unarmored Hum Vees, and families had to send their own children body armor that cost's $600.00! What did you do about that JH?

Bush likes vets so much he cut widows benefits to those whose spouse was killed in Iraq by 1/2, what did you do about that JH?

Bush cut Veterans hospitals by 8 BILLION in his 2006 budget after flat-lining them for 4 years! And that is after 3 years of people coming home missing arms and legs! What did you do about that JH?

Bush tried to cut Combat Pay to the military in Iraq but was not allowed to after the firestorm!

The government stonewalled vets from service connected disabilities for PTSD, Agent Orange and Blue! It took them 40 years to find the link between cancer and the defoliant’s, but that didn't stop people from dying of cancer or committing suicide! Where were you on that one jh?

The government denied there was anything to the Gulf War Syndrome and denied service connected disabilities! Guess what? There is A Gulf War Syndrome! Meanwhile vets were living under bridges! Where were you on that one jh?

There will be one from Iraq, mostly from enhaling depleted uraranium used in shells? There is going to be a lot of cancer that the government is going to deny they had anything to do with! Where are you going to be on that one jh?

The government was charging military who got ourt of the service for lost body armour in Iraq! $600.00 is a lot of money, especially because they had to cut it off you after you were wounded and it was soaked in blood! How you stand on that one jh?

Military who were wounded in Iraq and many months later discharged from Walter Reed Hospital, were given a bill for their food when they left! Sen. Clinton had that changed! Where did you stand on that one jh?

You really think Bush cares about Vets? Do you think the majority of the people care about vets? Go to a Memorial day parade sometimes JH! Going to Walmart to buy a yellow ribbon magnet made in Japan for $4.99 and putting it on your vehicle is NOT supporting the troops jh!!

Come sit on my side and see how your views might change, especially if you were wounded and then given a discharge from the service to go to an understaffed, underfunded VA. JUST LIKE WE DID! I have a Purple Heart and a Purple Heart plate on my vehicle! You want to know how many times people have approached me to even say hello? I can count them on 3 fingers! What do you yhink about that jh?

I bet you did nothing to support the troops, but plenty to clamour for the continuation of a war that was lost in 2003! Am I right jh?

Answer 2

The Viet Nam war divided this country like nothing else ever did since the Civil War or the civil rights rallies and riots of the 1960s.

The draft was corrupt, the war was ill conceived and not fought with the intensity or resolve needed to assure a victory, the media literally bashed the war effort on a nightly basis and the people were fed - not the numerous, hard fought victories - but the ultra rare incidences of troop misconduct.

I don't remember the aledged support, but I surely remember all of the publicity garnered by the anti-war rallies and the antics of John Kerry, Jane Fonda and all of her Hollywood-type cronies and fans.

I, too, am a veteran, 1968-69. I was lucky - I returned home physically unhurt - but dramatically a changed person.

In a democracy, the Presidents' policies are usually a reflection of the public at large. This became obvious to me when I returned.

Can we really blame the people who want to put this piece of American history behind them and move on?

They did not experience the war and their knowledge was limited to their exposure to the nightly news broadcasts and the confusing, overly optimistic information fed them from the pentagon and Capital Hill - information that was ambiguous, at best, when compared with the network news accounts of the war.

It was, never the less, a pretty good feeling to get back to the world, eh?

Answer 3

The problem is that it is still to embarrassing for some people in the USA to admit that a 3rd World, bankrupt state effectively defeated the most powerful army on the planet i.e. The USA.

If the US had defeated the Vietcong then you would have come home to ticker-tape parades and a hero's welcome and would have been hailed as saviors of the free and democratic world.

When Russia encountered their own Vietnam in the form of Afghanistan their troops were treated the exact same way. No victory parades through Red Square, accompanied by marching bands and waves from the Politburo balcony.

Sad to say, Vietnam is a shocking indictment against the US Government. The very least that they should be doing is addressing the question of POW/MIA's.

Answer 4

I have tried to figure this out for years. I lost my baby's father in Viet Nam (MIA) he has never been found. The men that were lucky enough to come home were not treated fairly when they arrived home. Some were jeered at the airports and some were even spit on! Our boys could not find work because of "Lack of experience" in the work field. Now that really makes no sense. Without jobs most of our boys were forced to live in the streets. Some came home with emotional problems, and was not treated for these problems. None of this makes sense at all. The saddest part of all, most of these men that were on the front lines were mere boys drafted right out of high school. Our country should hang it's head in shame. So we have a "Memorial Wall" with our boys names who gave their all. Big deal. Where's the benefits for our lose? Don't get me wrong, I think it's wonderful to have the Memorial Wall at least. It's better than nothing. If it wasn't for that wall there would be nothing else. I know this doesn't answer your question. Sorry, I can't give an answer. You pushed my button and gave me an opportunity to vent. For this I thank you very much. I salute you for your bravery.

Answer 5

I wish there was a "Viet Nam Era" ribbon of some sort to honor service during that time and the shared bond. But there isn't. Sometimes we feel disowned by the combat veterans as we were disowned by our society at the time. But the desire to say, "Hey, I was a part of that too" isn't enough to justify wearing awards that we didn't earn.

Answer 6

Presidents distance themselves from the Vietnam Veterans because they have a tough time facing them. The Vietnam War was lost by the politicians and not the Marines, Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen that fought there. Our troops never lost a battle, but our politicians lost the war. Politicians, especially Presidents should be ashamed of what they let happen and their failure in leadership. Vietnam Veterans answered their country’s call only to be abandoned by the leadership of America. It will always be symbolic of political failure and disgrace on the part of the Commander and Chief and the congress that abandon them.

Answer 7

Our leaders consider troops to be dispensable, they do not care how many are killed, wounded, or missing in action.
The political class only cares about enriching themselves and protecting their position.
Young men and now women are recruited from the deliberately impoverished, and conditioned to fight to the death without questioning their orders, or the motives of the callous people who deemed it desirable that there be a war.
It has been exposed that the reasons for our latest war were nothing more than lies, and therefore we need to examine how many other wars were nothing more than whims of the corrupt elites.

Answer 8

You have a point.
But Carter made sure the POW's were "gone" before Reagan, Bush, Clinton, or Bush 2 could have done anything for them.
AFTER CARTER GOT THROUGH, ALL SIGHTINGS OF OUR POWS ENDED!
He caused them to be "taken care of".
Granted all presidents should have spoken out for our POWs.

Answer 9

in Viet Nam .when the veterans came home usa turn its back on them not just Presidents

Answer 10

Semper Fi brother. I was also there in '67-'69. I understand where you're coming from. But I feel you should also include most of the American people, not just the presidents. We were, are, and always will be Americas step children.

Answer 11

Recent Presidents and political leaders have given our veterans and current servicemen and women the short end of the stick. Even presidents of the past did it. Herbert hoover chased them out of Washington with tanks when they were demanding to get the money the government owed them!!!!! It's also sad to see our own citizens havig to raise money to buy things for our troops to buy things that should be provided by the govenment, like a freaking bulletproof vest!! I think if we aren't going to pullm out of Iraq, the Politicans should at least show them some damn respect for leaving their families for 2 years to serve their country.