Vietnam Vets!

[Big Rig]

I recieved this e-mail from Warriors Watch...

Let me be the first to say

THANK YOU

I was 9 yo old in 73. I know I watched the news back then, but never understood it all. I have learned alot over the past 38 years. I do not think I can thank all of you BRAVE VETERANS enough.

March 30 "WELCOME HOME to ALL Vietnam Vets"

The United States became involved in Vietnam because policy-makers believed that if South Vietnam fell to a communist government, communism would spread throughout the rest of Southeast Asia. The US Armed Forces began serving in an advisory role to the South Vietnamese in 1961, and in 1965, ground combat troops were sent into Vietnam. On March 30, 1973, after many years of combat, all US troops withdrew. More than 58,000 members of the United States Armed Forces lost their lives and more than 300,000 were wounded in Vietnam.

On March 30, 1973, all U.S. troops withdrew from Vietnam under the terms of the Treaty of Paris. This March 30th, the Senate has encouraged Americans across the country to recognize Vietnam veterans for their sacrifice and demonstrate a warm welcome to these soldiers who returned from war to a politically divided country.

Washington D.C – The U.S. Senate yesterday declared March 30th as “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day,” agreeing unanimously to a resolution introduced by Senator Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
“I’m pleased that the Senate has agreed to set aside a day to give our Vietnam veterans a warm, long-overdue welcome home. I strongly encourage communities throughout North Carolina and across the country to observe this day with activities and events that honor these veterans for their service. It’s time they receive the recognition they have earned and deserve. This day also provides our nation with an important teaching moment. Never again should our men and women serving in the armed forces receive the same treatment as those returning from Vietnam," said Senator Richard Burr.

Rally Time: NOW
Rally Location: Where Ever you can Find them
Mission: Lets Make sure we take this day to "WELCOME HOME" those Heroes from the Vietnam War. IT is about time we RIGHT a Horrible Wrong that was done so many Years ago. Do not just think about it today ... ACTUALLY go up to a Vietnam Vet and THANK THEM for their service and MOST OF ALL....



"WELCOME THEM HOME" you will be surprised by the hearts you can touch with this simple gesture.
( "For those who have fought for it , FREEDOM has a flavor the protected will never know" )

Welcome Home to ALL OUR VIETNAM RETURNING HEROES.. And let us NEVER forget those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam.

[old2soon]

I hope ya'll take my meaning here-please as a vietnam vet try to understand-the people that really need the thanks-they can't here us anymore. R I P Major James Tremayne U S Army K I A vietnam james was my cousin. Corporal Vince Meltzer U S M C  K I A vietnam-guy i went to school with in illinois. To all my 58000 plus brothers and sisters R I P always-may god be with you all always.

[da prez]

The saying is   all gave some . some gave all.     another vet  da prez

[Bobbo]

If you haven't do so yet, I recommend a ride to the Wall in DC.  Be prepared for an rush of emotions that you never expected, especially if suppressed for many years.

[Sludge]

Bobbo, I have no doubt it would affect me greatly.

Nam Vets, thanks.  You did a good job and were sh|t upon for doing it.  My heart goes out to all of you.

[MacDragon]

Thank you all.  I was only 16 when they finally came home, but remember the worry we had for my brother who was there.  He thankfully was one of the lucky ones to come home.  We lost him to heart failure last year and I now have his Valk. 
Today I will be wearing a Stars and Stripes tie to work in honor of all these brave men and women.

[Big Rig]

If you haven't do so yet, I recommend a ride to the Wall in DC.  Be prepared for an rush of emotions that you never expected, especially if suppressed for many years.

Bobbo,

I gather all my riding buddies, and we head down to DC every year. It is a very moving experience.

On a side note, the best time to visit the Wall is when the ride is happening.

From there I head into Arlington to visit my grandparents.

[Sludge]

On March 30, 1973, all U.S. troops withdrew from Vietnam under the terms of the Treaty of Paris.

That line bugged me.  I knew we were there until later.  Looked it up to refresh my memory, but I knew Operation Frequent Wind was in 1975.  It was the last gasp and the exit of our military presence.  At least in an official capacity.  As a young child I was greatly moved by the pictures from that day.  the desperation of those Vietnamese to get aboard our ships.  Very sad ending.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Frequent_Wind

[Stanley Steamer]

Bobbo, I have no doubt it would affect me greatly.

Nam Vets, thanks.  You did a good job and were sh|t upon for doing it.  My heart goes out to all of you.

They did a thankless job to many.....and were treated poorly, for the most part....I ashamed that the country treated so many of them so poorly on their return home.....I, for one, want to thank them for their service and devotion to their country.....

[shortleg]

  Of the 438 people that I went through High School with
we lost 41 to an unpopular war that was no less a cause
to all that served a gave all.
    Our love and thanks to all
         Shortleg[Dave]

[Crazyhorse]

Vietnam Remembered

It has been 41 years since my tour of duty in Nam. Yet I can vividly remember my return to the States and the attitude of my fellow Americans. Without a doubt my reception has tormented me through the years as much if not more than the tour itself. I was unaware of the depth of my feelings until a few years back, around 2006 I think, when Budweiser produced the commercial of people in an airport welcoming our troops home from the war. I was sitting alone when I first saw the commercial and was shocked by the flood of emotions that hit me. I felt thankfulness, anger, guilt, grief and loneliness. I set there and wept.
I have and will always support our military and was touched by the reception that they were receiving. A Soldier does not start wars but fights them. He or she goes where they are sent and seeks to be found faithful to their calling. My anger came from the treatment the Vietnam Veterans have received through the years. No home coming, no thank you for your service, and no flags handed out. The Agent Orange cover up. The prevailing attitude “Crazy Vietnam Vet” that is still around. Then I felt guilty for feeling this way and the grief was overpowering.
I know that people are hoping to make things right by introducing this day of recognition but I’m not sure how I feel about it. I guess I should embrace the words of a popular song of the 1960’s by the Youngbloods that says “Come on people now, smile on each other, everybody get together, gonna love one another right now”. I think I’m moving in that direction.
For what it’s worth thanks for allowing me this time to vent. The words that help me try and understand Vietnam were spoken by the Outlaw Josey Wells toward the end of the movie when he said “I guess we all died a little in that damn war”.

[solo1]

A  special thanks from me to all the Vietnam vets.   Yours was a pointless war started and managed by the politicians, in my view.

Yours also was the first 'television' war with unlimited television coverage by some in the media who were opposed to troops.  The media, not understanding how wars are fought, (or probably not giving a snit, more likely)  managed to paint you as villains.  Unlike WWII and the Korean War, censorship was almost unknown.  The ugliness of war didn't show as much in WWII footage or the Korean "Police Action"

When I came home from Korea in 1954, I had one socalled buddy ask "Oh, were you gone?"   Nobody cared. On the other hand, people hadn't been brainwashed to spit on veterans.

When you, the Vietnam vets came home, the press and many others had already given you labels that weren't fair.  As a result, you were villified because you served. That wasn't and isn't right!

Just my .02 for what it's worth.  Thanks again for serving!

wayne

[HayHauler]

I was in Jr. High when this happened.  Glad I don't remember much about the homecomings.  The videos that I have watched make me ashamed of the "people" that were there in the airports.

THANK YOU !  VIETNAM VETS FOR YOUR SERVICE.

I have kin that were deeply affected by this war.

Hay 
Jimmyt

[czuch]

Thank you.

[Cajunbone]

As I sit here in the Nations Capital...where the government is located at that passed this bill or resolution or what ever you call it...I look around and see no one welcoming the Vietnam Era Vets...in fact not any Vets.  It seems that there are a lot of people who are working for us here in DC that seem not to remember the things that they have passed.  The welcome home that I got was like most...protesters...called names...almost spit on.  Then I got to my home town it was different but then again it was in the South (Marrero, La).  I apprecitate the fact that the Congress passes bills but apparently it is not politically correct to bring up the "Vietnam" stuff in the media.  Heaven forbide them thinking about the people who have sacrificed for them.  Thank you all for the Welcome Home.  I know I am preaching to the choir. 

[Jess Tolbirt]

Vietnam Remembered

It has been 41 years since my tour of duty in Nam. Yet I can vividly remember my return to the States and the attitude of my fellow Americans. Without a doubt my reception has tormented me through the years as much if not more than the tour itself. I was unaware of the depth of my feelings until a few years back, around 2006 I think, when Budweiser produced the commercial of people in an airport welcoming our troops home from the war. I was sitting alone when I first saw the commercial and was shocked by the flood of emotions that hit me. I felt thankfulness, anger, guilt, grief and loneliness. I set there and wept.
I have and will always support our military and was touched by the reception that they were receiving. A Soldier does not start wars but fights them. He or she goes where they are sent and seeks to be found faithful to their calling. My anger came from the treatment the Vietnam Veterans have received through the years. No home coming, no thank you for your service, and no flags handed out. The Agent Orange cover up. The prevailing attitude “Crazy Vietnam Vet” that is still around. Then I felt guilty for feeling this way and the grief was overpowering.
I know that people are hoping to make things right by introducing this day of recognition but I’m not sure how I feel about it. I guess I should embrace the words of a popular song of the 1960’s by the Youngbloods that says “Come on people now, smile on each other, everybody get together, gonna love one another right now”. I think I’m moving in that direction.
For what it’s worth thanks for allowing me this time to vent. The words that help me try and understand Vietnam were spoken by the Outlaw Josey Wells toward the end of the movie when he said “I guess we all died a little in that damn war”.

you just wrote my own story,,,i will never forget or forgive those who spit on me at the airport that day in 1973....i should have opened up on them

[Sludge]

I was unaware of the depth of my feelings until a few years back, around 2006 I think, when Budweiser produced the commercial of people in an airport welcoming our troops home from the war. I was sitting alone when I first saw the commercial and was shocked by the flood of emotions that hit me. I felt thankfulness, anger, guilt, grief and loneliness. I set there and wept.
I have and will always support our military and was touched by the reception that they were receiving. A Soldier does not start wars but fights them. He or she goes where they are sent and seeks to be found faithful to their calling. My anger came from the treatment the Vietnam Veterans have received through the years. No home coming, no thank you for your service, and no flags handed out. The Agent Orange cover up. The prevailing attitude “Crazy Vietnam Vet” that is still around. Then I felt guilty for feeling this way and the grief was overpowering.
I know that people are hoping to make things right by introducing this day of recognition but I’m not sure how I feel about it. I guess I should embrace the words of a popular song of the 1960’s by the Youngbloods that says “Come on people now, smile on each other, everybody get together, gonna love one another right now”. I think I’m moving in that direction.
For what it’s worth thanks for allowing me this time to vent. The words that help me try and understand Vietnam were spoken by the Outlaw Josey Wells toward the end of the movie when he said “I guess we all died a little in that damn war”.

Crazyhorse, I wasnt in Nam.  Far from it.  I was a child watching it unfold on the nightly news.  I have always had a soft spot in my heart for you guys.  That commercial you mentioned also touched that part of me.  Seeing the contrast and sadly realizing that most of the folks in positions of power now were the a$$ holes that dodged the draft, spit on, name called, and protested the soldiers coming home back then.  It sickens me somewhat when I think about it.

Thanks for your time brother.  Thank all of you guys and gals!  Your exploits and sacrifice will live on in my memory and rest assured that my 12 year old son is getting the lessons and history beat into him on a regular basis.  Thats the least I can do 

[slider]

In 1972 I got put in jail for knocking the &%%$^ out of one guys welcoming us home,he spit on us then spit on an american flag guy brought  back with him..never will forget it ,the cop was not happy about  having to take   us away...anyway I got my lick in mainly ,because I was first in line getting out of the terminal..this happened in Tulsa OKlahoma

[Sludge]

Good for you Slider 

[Stanley Steamer]

In 1972 I got put in jail for knocking the &%%$^ out of one guys welcoming us home,he spit on us then spit on an american flag guy brought  back with him..never will forget it ,the cop was not happy about  having to take   us away...anyway I got my lick in mainly ,because I was first in line getting out of the terminal..this happened in Tulsa OKlahoma

 

[rodeo1]

first of all allow me to thank you all right back. we did not get that 40 years ago and it was a damn shame. i left headed to college and wound up as a police officer instead because of the way the college kids were acting toward us.

but let me tell you about my hero's.

my hero's are WW2 vets. i was navy so we only had to do 6 month tours. WW2 guys had to stay for the duration, some fought for years.

my hero's are the wives, mothers, and girlfriends of every war, that have to try and go to sleep at night not knowing if they will get that knock on the door.

my hero's are the police officers who fight for you every day for a 20 year tour of duty.

my hero's are the 5 little kids, not one over 6, who walked up to me at the V.A. hospital last week, shook my hand, and said "thank you for my freedom" talk about being raised right ! thats the first time since i left in 1967 a tear came to my eyes over the war.

thank you all for caring. now go join up and make your own memories.

to all my brothers who were as fortunate as me and made it home "welcome home" now go ride, you owe no one anything.

the next time you talk to a local cop, think to thank him for serving, too.

[slider]

rodeo1 your right we should thank all of the heros that have served and died,and the cops who fight a daily war here..very good reminder  thank you!!

[Popeye]

I would also like to say Thank You to all our Viet Nam Veterans.  I am proud to ride along side many Nam vets and am proud to call them brother, they are some of the finest men I have ever known.

The war ended while I was a junior in high school.  It sickens me to think of the way the fine men and women were treated when they returned.

[Master Blaster]

Been there,done that.  Didnt care jack what the public thought or the news reported, was just proud to serve.  The war was winable and we almost did it, but the pols wouldnt allow it.  Rules of engagement were so bad that on a combat assault and in contact with the enemy you could only fire back just sufficient to help you break contact.  To actually take out the enemy you had to get clearance from the Pentagon, and that took hours, by then the enemy exfilterated and opportunity was lost.  Got lotsa buds killed doing that nonsense.  Some of the ARVIN units were very good, and brave, and have had them call us in to roll in hot on their compound when they were being overran by the VC.  I can relate that when you are being shot at tracers look like basketballs coming up, especally at night.  Retired in 81, and never looked back, never felt the need to go around in a boonie hat and field jacket, or sport Vietnam Veteran patches and such.  Ive never been bitter, it was just  what it was, a job I signed on to do when I decided to make the Army  (HOOAH)  my career.  I did have heartburn with the ones such as Fonda that actively aided the enemy, and still think CCW is the greatest.



























































AH) my career.