Why were the Vietnam Vets treat badly after Vietnam?

Question

Now these same people pat the Iraqi Veterans on the back? Why the difference?

Answer 1

Wow, usually your questions aren't nearly as sensible as this. I'm impressed.

I think it's precisely *because* Viet Nam veterans were treated so poorly that the effort has been made to improve that situation for the returning veterans of today. Viet Nam taught us that the troops were doing their duty, trying to make the best out of a sucky situation that politicians made, not them, and that they were simply trying to survive. I don't think that's changed, but the response has.

You don't have to support the war, or even admire the members of the armed forces, but it's not right to ostracize, physically assault, or stigmatize them, which is what was done to returning veterans of Viet Nam.

Answer 2

They weren't. They were on heavy rotation meaning they didn't all come home at once. They generally didn't advertise their return hence no major parades. At the time, the country was an economic mess but they had the money and a chance to go to a college or university. The pay at the time was decent and one of the reasons why some did multiple duty. Most got houses at affordable rates too. The homeless rate for veterans now is up to 500,000 of which 300,000 veterans are permenent out of 24.9 million living veterans. There Are 8.2 million living Vietnam vets. many homeless people claim to be Vietnam vets, but are not.

Answer 3

I think that there were so many Americans that believed that the US had no business being there - fighting a war that didn't involve us. One of the most effective ways that those people had to get their point across was to treat the soldiers with such disdain or contempt - and they were right - that poor treatment got so much attention. These soldiers didn't have any say about their mission - they did what they were told.
Now, these same soldiers know what it's like to be hated or treated so poorly. They know that the Iraqi veterans are only doing what they're told and for that they deserve our utmost respect, even if we don't agree on the reasons for being there.

Answer 4

Because of the people back home were against the war, and killing. My ex father in law was in Vietnam in the Marines and he was treated so badly when he was able to come home. He had fought for our freedom, and had lost many close friends and also witnessed a special friend give his life up to save lots of other Marines on the helicopter to get it in the air. I had watched my father in law many many nights in the dark crying over his lost friends and the treatment he had received. I think it is horrible for any military person to be treated badly. I have the atmost respect for any military person, as they fight for our freedom. Today the military men are getting praise than what the Vietnam vets did, because I think it is a lesson learned from the past . And also back then most Americans really didn't the reason why we were over there fighting, today; there is a better understanding of why we send troops over in foreign countries to fight. Still lots of people don't agree with the war and others do. I say any military person past, present and future should be commended for putting their lives on the line.

Answer 5

The 'Nam war became VERY unpopular consequently all those who participated in it were regarded as amoral, obedient robots of an immoral war. We were duped into that war, (Gulf of Tonkin incident) as we were duped into the Iraq war. Only in Viet Nam there was no oil. It was the Domino Theory (proved to be wrong) that propelled the Johnson administration to proliferate the war. The troops have nothing to do with it. They must obey the commands. However, a lot of protesters left and went to Canada as they did not feel that they wouild have "protected" us by fighting. Currently, despite the rhetoric, we are not being protected either and within some time the vets returning will be regarded the same as the "Nam" vets. Frankly, I feel sorry for them as they are peons of a sinister and moronic administration.

Answer 6

Vietnam was seen as a lost war. Iraq has not been seen as one overall yet. It is seen as a war that is being lost but is still salvageable. George Bush also did a much better job of convincing Americans this was for our freedom and so on. Vietnam never really was properly justified in the minds of the people.

Then there is the fact that Vietnam was the first war seen as a loss. Korea was seen as more of a tie. But Vietnam was seen as our first loss, which the first loss is always the hardest one to take. Even if the Iraq war is lost, it will never seem as bad as the first one. Its not fair, but that is life.

Answer 7

Why do you care? Go fight your own war & see how you get treated. The only opinion I respect is that of a fellow Vietnam vet & that sure isn't you.

Answer 8

Americans today are able to understand that the military does what the politicians order them to do. When I came home from Vietnam, many people were to stupid to understand that concept.

Answer 9

Because the media painted a false picture of what was going in Vietnam. They called our soliders baby killers etc... Wont be long now until they do the same with the war in Iraq.

Answer 10

I believe too often they were allowed to freely perpetrate the worst imaginable forms of domestic violence against their significant others. The law overlooked it because they were veterans and the women had few if any options. It is a different America now.