Why were Vietnam vets treated badly when they came back home?

Question

My dad's a Vietnam vet and he told me that when he came back to the States he was spat on and called a baby killer. He was a paramedic during the war. He also said that the Vietnam vets are the only ones that have been treated badly among vets. I think it's a complete dishonor for any American to treat their troops badly. It's just not done! I haven't served in the military (because of family problems and I live abroad because I'm studying) but I've always respected all vets and always will. My dad was also pro-civil rights and marched for blacks. He's a hero to me because he defended the USA. I'd like to hear any answer but please no name calling please. Thanks to all the vets who've served and are serving now for the USA!

Answer 1

Vietnam vets were treated badly because of the misguided people of that era. A lot of the people at home during the war opposed the Vietnam war ( I don't call it a police action or just conflict), and didn't take the time to think that the men and women of the service were doing thier jobs. They did not take the time to think that it was not a war brought on by the service members. They felt disgraced that we were losing a battle that they did not believe in to begin with. So they had to lay the blame on someone.

Each vet during the Vietnam war should be honored and thanked. Especially those that did not agree with the war at all, but yet still went and did what they were obligated to do. A lot of the people that served in that particular conflict were drafted and sent to the war against their own will, but yet they still went.

I wasn't alive during the time of the Vietnam war, but my father ws there for three years. He did not believe in the politics of it, but yet he quit high school at 17 to join the Navy and spent three tours there. I am proud to say that he is a Vietnam vet.

These days, people have finally realized that you can "support the troops, but not the war". Which thank God we have finally realized that it is not the troops fault why they are in the combat zone. The people back at home may not support the war effort that is going on, but they do support the troops and that provides morale for the troops. Which in turns helps them fight and do thier job better.

Answer 2

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 3

Vietnam was a very emotional war, while I do not nor ever did condone the treatment of vets returning home from the war, it was because the U.S. was waging an unpopular and unjust war in another land. These solders were disrespected because of this. While it was wrong as these men and woman were mostly drafted and did not ask to go to war for the most part and did serve the American people honorably and should have been given hero's welcome home. This I think is a lesson learned in America, the Iraqi war is very similar and the people returning home do not receive this kind of treatment.

Answer 4

All I can say is during the late 60's early 70's the term political correctness and it's associated restrained behaviors hadn't been popularized. People at that time were into exercising their "right" to free speech in almost all areas of life. They were like children with a new toy.

Just think about it - black power, whitey, pigs (cops), I am woman hear me roar, etc.

James brown "say it loud, I'm black and I'm proud" these were the sounds of that era.

So people generally were openly expressing their disgust for what they saw as injustices.

Unfortunately the vets themselves were attacked by society's new outward vocal members.

Fortunately today we as Americans and human beings have learned to at minimum be mindful of how our actions and words affect others and we are doing better, not perfect but better.

Although many may disagree with the current war, there will be a much greater support for the vets themselves, people have just evolved to this. It took time and will continue to require work.

Answer 5

I think that emotional people thought they were baby killers, instead of logical reasoning that say "babies get killed in wars " and I think the reason that it was vietnam and not now, is because america learned from the hurt and pain suffered by our vietnam vets !

I have never felt animosity toward any soldiers UNTIL Hurricane Katrina hit, and our national guard took weapons from WE THE PEOPLE, who have the RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS in this country by our second amendment, maybe the government was practicing ? I dont think its going to ever happen again without a lot of blood shed. The citizens will probably never give them up again, and never trust their own military personell , they did not even get their weapons back. I would have died that day, I would not have released my weapon, because I know the government isnt legally obligated to protect us, and we have the legal right to deny anyone trying to take our weapons. Those servicemembers KNEW they were violating our second amendment. WHY DID THEY DO IT ????????????????????

Answer 6

Many people were against the war. People took sides. The side that was for the war even used violence against U.S. citizens to continue killing people in Vietnam. Many people against the war became angry with anybody in favor of the war including the soldiers fighting it.
If you want an example of how the veterans of all wars are treated go to your local veterans hospital and ask the vets how they are treated. It is not the U.S. people that treat vets badly it is the Republicans who make them and don't take care of them as they promised they would.

Answer 7

No Veterans were spit upon. It's an urban lie. You will never find a veteran who has been spit on anywhere at all. And why were the Veterans hated so much? Read your history. They were fighting a war that could not be won. All the troops had short hair and the protesters and "COOL" people had long hair in the 60s and 70s. The troops just didn't fit in. Also many troops were pro war and that in itself wasn't a way to be in the 60s and 70s. Now, as history showed the USA lost the war in 1975 and who likes losers? No one. So the Vietnam troops were treated like a low life. At the time America did not like the military. ( By the way.....Why was he called a baby killer?....Did the Vietnam Vets hurt babies?)

Answer 8

Well John "F" Kerry came back from Viet Nam and testified before the Senate that he and all our troops were a bunch of sadistic baby-raping psychos! He admitted to committing war crimes himself! I don't know why he wasn't put on trial.

Now the liberal left is trying to demonize our troops again to advance their agenda. They must be opposed at every turn!

Answer 9

The same thing happened here. People didn't appreciate the war and a group of idiots spread stupid rumors and lies about what the soldiers were doing over there. Don't worry about it mate, your dad is a hero and so are all the men and women who went over there. I'm not sure it solved much however.

Answer 10

First of all tell your father thank you.I was young during the vietnam war but remember it all too well.I remember the liberals spitting on them,throwing food or whatever they could at them.Yet these are the very people that preach tolerance?:Yes he is a hero,to many of us as well.You have alot to be proud of as many of us are PROUD of him.