I have a theory that the casualties in the current war are more devastating than previous wars to Americans?

Question

I was talking to both of my grandfathers; the one that was a Vietnam combat veteran and draftee, and the other one who was a "hippie" war protestor(how their children got together to marry is a miracle lol lol). Anyway it seems from my discussions with them that during the Vietnam War soldiers came from the school dropouts and those who were unable to find employment. My grandfather who was drafted could not maintain himself in college because of an inability to concentrate and other emotional issues that plagued him. The soldiers today are different. They are the "cream of America's youth". They go to school, respect their parents, follow rules. They are not the dropouts who get in trouble, loiter, and make babies they can't and won't support. As a result the veterans of Vietnam were the throw aways of that era and the youth who serve today are those who will be our leaders in the future. One of them dying or seriously injured is much more traumatic to their communities.

This question is based on my logical side trying to make sense of something. I've learned that the Army was populated by those who were drafted and could not get a deferment from military service or those who enlisted for some training that was readily available in the civilian communities. I believe that today one must be a high school graduate and law abiding. I stand by my theory. My grandfather who was a Vietnam Veteran said that he ran into a lot of negativity. The Vietnam Veteran was considered a crazed individual that needed to be avoided. If today they are respected for their service perhaps its because of President Reagan's welcome home to the veterans a decade later. I'm going to allow this question to go to voting. "May the best man win!!"

Answer 1

Your theory is wrong. Sorry.

Our soldiers have consistently proven themselves to suceed more than their peers.

In 30 years, they will be considered the next 'great generation.'

Yes, they are better educated than their predecessors and than their peers. And they've experienced greater adversity. They will overcome more and they come back at a rate of over 99%, alive.

Answer 2

Every Veteran who has served with honor, completed their duty honorably can NEVER be called throw aways. The demographics are telling. In an earlier answer a poster called "TG" said that it is mostly the poor and people of color that are enlisting the most and dieing, but the actual true numbers show that it is the white middle class male, Army E-4, that is dieing the most. This war against terrorism is not about race or color. We have a all volunteer military and have been at war for 5 years now. All Veterans deserve respect for their service.

Answer 3

I suppose you must be about the age of my grandsons. Two of them are Marines, one is in Iraq. War always seems more devastating at your age. War always takes the cream of the crop, certainly there are some that aren't but primarily that's the way it is. I was a war protestor and my husband is a decorated Vietnam veteran. I never protested against our sailors and soldiers but against the useless wasted human lives as in this war. I am extremely proud of his service and that of my grandchildren. None of them are or ever will be throwaways. They are true American heroes. I suggest you visit a large VA hospital to truly appreciate the gravity of war.

Answer 4

I too come from a military family. My husband is a Soldier. I am very proud of him. It does not matter if the Troops are "cream of the crop" or not, a life lost is horrific. However, these brave men and women knew that they joined the military and if they didn't realize it before the went to basic, I assure you by day one they knew they were not training to go sip tea with the Queen Mum in England. There is a lot of debate on this issue and too many people are ready to bash eachother over differences of opinions. I just wish we could all say THANK YOU to our service men and women and their loved ones for making a selfless, honorable, and tremendous sacrifice.

Answer 5

American soldiers today are more educated then back in the 60's, but so is the rest of the world. We still have service members with records and high school drop outs.... n' respect in the 60's is much better then today I can assure you. (it certainly cant get worse) and by the way, I am not a throw away...

Answer 6

With all due respect to those in uniform and their families:

"The cream of America's youth?" Sorry, but you are woefully misinformed. Those who enlist in the army usually do so for lack of appealing alternatives. These are young people who for the most part can't or don't want to go to college, often high school dropouts, and overwhelmingly the poor and people of color. These are mostly people whose other choice is a minimum wage job if they're lucky. The Army has had to continually reduce it's requirements to get fresh warm bodies, and any career soldier will tell you that the standards have slipped a great deal.

The Vietnam era may not be the best comparison. In that war, most young people form educate dor prosperous backgrounds could easily get deferments. A btter example would be World War II, when millions of young Americans served, most voluntarily. Virtually every American family had someone in uniform in that war, and many many lost a son or daughter, father or husband.

Answer 7

ouch?? and I guess people didn't have hearts years ago, that we are the only generation that weeps over our dead sons?? the Civil war, ripped the heart out of this country, and it took over 60 yrs of deep rooted pain, the generations born during that time, had deep wounds that took decades to mend, and many never did. World war one, casued what is know as the "lost Generation", so many promising young people, died from a totally useless war of trench warfare, that after the war, this country again staggered for years with heavy heaarts. World war two, korea nad Vietnam still have painful memories for many families, maybe your realtives got over it quickly, but there are many more who still struggle. All war is Hell, and the Media, focusing on the losses isn't helping anyone.

Answer 8

I've been around too. I wouldn't paint such a depleted picture of Vietnam vets. They were high school grads as well "drop outs" ,some had college.They weren't all drafted, many volunteered, in fact many volunteered to go back several times, It was a year long tour, 13 months for marines. You look around your neighborhood and you'll see Vietnam vets in all walks of life. From doctors, lawyers politicians on down. I sure wouldn't call them throw aways.

Thanks for your service badbender and Wayne C, I put that in my favorties. TC just aint been around, Talk at us like he on a pedestal.

Answer 9

My father is a Vietnam vet and I would NEVER refer to him as a "throw away." He is a hero. He risked his life in 3 tours, the same as soldiers now are risking their lives. He never got in trouble, loitered, or made a baby he didn't take care of. He worked hard all his life to support his kids. Do you seriously think that a soldier today is worth more than my father and all the other vets?

Answer 10

As much as I thank you for the respect you are showing veterans of OIF and OEF like myself, please show more respect to vets of other wars. No veteran is ever a throaway, they are, always have been and always be the best Americans this nation has. So your theory is wrong.