Will Americans treat the returning Iraqi Veterans like dirt?

Question

Source: 1966 to 1975. Americans treated Vietnam Veterans like dirt.

Answer 1

I don't think so. The veterans from vietnam war came home to a culture shock ... These vets had been thru hell in a country so warped and more prepared to fight than anyone every thought. I was born in 1960 and only recently learned what our veterans faced in vietnam war. The broadcasts of military history give a
clear picture of the landscape of that country as one with an enemy having vast tunneled networks underground that made their (US) mission ,a police action, impossible this was a draft as well. All the more sad that the anti-war youth of our country became so out of touch with the men sent to fight in that war. The military in current Iraq war are more aware of how America does support them .With technology we are able to see and hear from these men and women while they are out there.

The president has put our people in the middle of this world' s constant neverending holy war and finding a way out is going to
be ahellofa magic trick to pull off.

The commander in chief should be impeached. He's has handled this so wrong .. This is a war to eliminate Saddam Hussien and gain control of oil in
Middle East and at the cost of the lives of our military and Army Reserve. Finishing Dad's endeavors is all it amounts to .
Yes the people of Iraq deserve freedom but the allies of US
have all but abandoned our Military and US has put paid independant militia over there .What kind of maniac do we have
running our country to put these private armies in there. WHAT
Kind of honor is that. It's Like a method of supplying weapons to enemy at the same time while working under a guise of partnership. I have doubts that this war will end any time soon. I suspect more Middle Eastern countries will become involved.
Powers in control will continue to drag this out until they can literally spend every last dime and drop it in the laps of liberals and say here you fix it. Leaving the whole mess for someone
else.
The entire culture changed in the US during the 1960's and 70's when America realized that politicians were not always in office doing good for the American Public and riots handled without kidgloves were common place. People died speaking out against the war, Men fled the our country to avoid the draft .They were terrified of being forced to be a part of a war that seemed to have no end. All of this created an atmosphere of us against them; Leaving the military personel in a place of no respect to return home to. MIA's and POW's included.

We must demand that these men and women are giving the honor and respect that they deserve for serving in United States Military and putting their lives on the line when they return home despite the views of how unpopular this Iraq war has become.

Please supply these men with the means to heal and reenter the
job force if there are any left out there.

Answer 2

I believe the Iraqi veterans will be very well treated. They haven't been blamed for anything. They have served honorably. My son-in-law is an Iraqi veteran and he has been treated as a hero. The people looking for a place to put the blame have joined the Bush Bashers Club. Actually that's okay because even though I respect the president, he is the commander in chief and the buck does stop there.

Answer 3

Some are already doing that, although they and their allies deny the facts as much they deny the fact of their earlier perfidy. That said, so far Iraqi veterans are being treated far better (on average) than their Vietnam predecessors.

The worst thing that Americans do to their veterans isn't treating them badly, however; it is forgetting and neglecting them once the war is over. This is the offense which we we as a society should most guard against.

Answer 4

People have changed since the Vietnam War, and realize the service and the sacrifice that the soldiers have made. I challenge any of the above posters, or anybody else, to show me any liberal who has criticized the individual soldiers!

The only ones treating the veterans like dirt is the administration; Bush recently cut funding to the VA--the ones who treat the horrendous injuries, physical and mental, with which the soldiers are returning.

Answer 5

I don't think American's will treat Iraqi Veterans like dirt at all. I think that all American's appreciate what they are doing for our country, however, I know that the VA and government will treat them like dirt. That is a certain.

Answer 6

Unfortunately during the Vietnam war excuse me police action the goverment was not held responsible as it should have been, many soldiers suffered for this.

I doubt that mistake is likely to be repeated, there are many veterans from Vietnam living with family members who remember and care. I have heard many people speak out against what is happening in Iraq, but one thing that most will say while speaking out is that it is the goverment they feel is wrong, or that it is Bush that they feel is wrong, and that they just want the soldiers home safe with their families.

So I think it will be different this time.

Especially when you add in that there are to many people with to much anti arab/muslim sentiments.

I have meet a number of Vietnam vets, and knew a few Veterans who served in Korea and Vietnam and even those who were WWII, it seems each time it was different. While people didn't malign and abuse Veterans during Korea, they didn't welcome them as heros like they did for WWII. Unfortunately enough stories about Vietnam veterans being mistreated once returning home were blown out of context so that some people view this as myth. Having spoke to more than one who lived it, I say even one being treated that way for being forced to leave home, and enter that kind of violence was to much, and should never be repeated again.

Answer 7

It was not OK then nor now. Do you think the war veterans of today are the idiots that treated you bad in 1969? Enough said, it is your right so do as you like. God will deal with all of us in the end.

Answer 8

Absolutely not. The Intrepid Center in Texas is proof of this, this amazing facility was funded entirely by private contributions.

This time we have the web to speak for us when our voices are ignored. We the People are not against Vets, far from it. We simply think you have been badly used and badly protected, and generally badly treated.

Consider that the last answer didn't come with a name, rank or serial # and swift boating in an election season is quite common, as are online bots. Republibots.

We are not angry at the Troops.

May GOD bless you all.

Answer 9

REALITY CHECK: many of those stories have been proved to be urban legends -- very few soldiers were spat on. VERY few people (including liberals) think that's okay. Even one soldier so treated is too many (and I speak as a liberal).

FWIW, the people in the 60's/70's who were angry at the vets (which I agree is wrong) were motivated by things such as the My Lai massacre. While a handful of soldiers sure didn't do us proud in the Abu Ghraib, they didn't murder innocent women and children en-mass. We know why all our soldiers are there and are far more willing to blame the administration.

(EDITED because I was wrong about something )

Answer 10

In my opinion, the vast majority of Americans support the troops but do not support the war.

Times have changed. Our country has grown not to hate the individual, but the system as a whole. How can you possibly treat one individual soldier like dirt.

My husband is returning in March from Iraq and if at the airport, anyone were to disrespect my husband by spitting on him, (which I HIGHLY doubt will happen), we will just ignore it because we are better than that and choose not to sink to their level.