How Many Viet Nam Vets Here?

[bustedwing]

Air Force Jan 75 to 79, got in on the last of nam.went to Thailand, which is two doors down from nam, and was working in transportation, driving 40 ft flatbed trailers all over but on the left side of the road, real neat. The Thai students protested us being there even tho we were pulling out. But stupid Bud was always in the front of the convoy and I got 5 windshields blown out but all on the passenger side. My CO asked me if I wanted a shotgun rider and I said no, then I would have to deal with a wounded or worse. But came home and got same treatment as others, had to hide my uniform between bases, just last year a lady gave me a coin from the Washington Wall, and I actually cried. It was the FIRST time someone said thank you.

 

[jcolson]

USAF 68-72. In country 70-71. Stationed at Binh Thuy AB 80mi south of Siagon just south of Canto right on the Mekong River. In the rice paddies. Heavy Equipment Mechanic so was in the sh--t.Had to go out in the boonies a lot,not fun so I feel for the grunts. Also got spit on when I came home. We didn't
' ask to go there. We did what we were told. At least we weren't draft dodgers and i'd fight again if asked. How many would run if we had to defend our own country?

 

[Retcsm07]

US Army, in Vietnam 71-72. 526th Maintenance Company in the Delta, keeping the guys in the region supplied with repair parts and depot type maintenance so they could do their jobs.

@ jcolson, This is getting to be a small world. Our unit was also at Binh Thuy on the Mekong River. I well remember the airstrip on base. I have never ever come across someone who also served in that area, let alone on the same base.

 

[bongobobny]

It rubs me that vets who did not serve in country feel lesser for whatever reason. Agree there is nothing more horrible that being in the face of battle and losing mates around you. It's terrible to come home maimed or with lifelong disabilities. On the other hand, many of us were impacted by the Draft and were forced to serve in some manner. All branches of the military needed to be staffed, and all branches were in support of our country's mission. None of us had a final say as to where we served once we enlisted. We are vets of that era, and as such, we have a common brotherhood. Thanks to everyone who served, and we remember all our fallen on this Memorial Day.

Well said, Leo! To me it doesn't matter where or how you served, but rather that you served period!! Yes, I was one of those drafted, and living 15 minutes from the Canadian border it took a lot of soul searching to not do what some others did! No I do not have any bad feelings towards those that did, and it took a lot of courage on their part at a young age to make the decision they did. The only person I have no use for from that era is Jane Fonda but that is a different topic...

To all who served in any capacity at that time, a warm "Thank You" for your willingness to serve even if you never set foot on their soil. Of course just as big a "Thank you" to all who are serving or have served!!! Yes, with the welcome us VN vets received I try to thank anyone I see for their service and welcome home!!!

 

[Beachbum45]

65-66 Chu Lai to DMZ
FO for 12th Marines
I wasn't drafted
Semper Fi

 

[jcolson]

Retcsm07, yes it's a small world. I've only met one other guy from the base and he was there before me in 68. I belong to the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) and he was in the group. Hell,now its an International Airport. When did you get there on base? I worked in the mainatince shop if you knew where that was at.

 

[jcolson]

Bongobobny, I agree with what you say, but how many would run instead of protecting this country. Yes we shouldn't have been there. The French couldn't win so what made us think we could. We stick our nose in to many places where we don't belong. We need to take care of our own people first. Another thing that bugs me is people looking down on Air Force guys. If it wasn't for us a lot of the grunts wouldn't be here today. We did a lot more than people think. We even had Air Force combat troops in Nam. Everyone that was there or not did their part no matter where they were. Not all Army & Marines were on the front lines. We all supported each other in one way or another. Sorry, I was just venting! Thanks to all who served and still serving!!!

 

[YgWiz]

1966 - 1970 Jet engine mechanic on B52 and KC135. SAC Mather AFB, Sacramento, Ca.

 

[Shocker]

71, 72,73 usn

 

[DocGrizzly]

72 Chinook crew, 180th ASHC

 

[rhino 2]

Another thing that bugs me is people looking down on Air Force guys. If it wasn't for us a lot of the grunts wouldn't be here today. We did a lot more than people think.

I for one loved the Air Force Boys, Especially the F105's..ThumbUp
66/67 Nothing like a little close air support to cook Charley's bacon...:xszpv:

 

[Brandon Palmer]

62/65 usn

 

[Peter A.]

I personally support ALL Vet's who serve.......whether we were supposed to be
there or not, that is what we were sent to do and thank goodness - I sure appreciate the good 'ole USA,
Pete, USN 65-69.
:wave4:

Thx..This is good ta hear..Can I ask you what tuner you used and if TTS, was there a suitable map, or did you have to just pick kinda close and fine tune from there??
I have a/c and pipes and NO cat..Hb

 

[greyfang]

Navy Submarine Service. USS Benjamin Franklin SSBN 640 Gold Crew. 1966 to 1970. No Regrets.

 

[IBTRIKED]

I was there from July '69 to Jun '70 US Army with the 101st Airborne stationed at Camp Eagle between Hue and Phu Bai. I was lucky, a Radar O'Riley type of sorts. Things were different then, we weren't looked at as heros but rather the scum of the earth when we got home. I'll never forget after I got home to Buffalo NY I flew down to Philadelphia to be with my Fiance and thought she would like to see me in uniform, so I did just that. When she saw me her look spoke volumes! She tried to recover and asked me why I was in uniform when I was discharged, and asked me If I wanted to change. I don't think she even kissed me right away, and it was obvious she was ashamed to be with me.

It has taken me up to just a couple of years ago to come to grips with all of it, and sure don't feel like any kind of hero. Better men than I didn't get to come home.
As of this year I am now a lifetime member of the VFW and a member of the American Legion as well, but am not active with either. To me it's just a cheap place to get drunk, but hopefully as I do get involved that outlook will change.

I am currently 60% disabled thanks to exposure to agent orange and type 2 diabeties and am trying to be declared 100% as I was sort of forced to retire last fall because of the increased discomfort of periferal neuropathy in both feet and hands.

So that's my story and I'm sticking to it! What's yours???

Same story but Brown Water Navy as Mine Sweeping BM3 70-71. Da Nang, Cam Rahn Bay and Cua Viet River. Also Agent Orange with 3 related conditions. Bye

 

[tis]

61-64 U.S.A.F. Security Force

 

[rmrc51]

Originally Posted by bongobobny View Post
I was there from July '69 to Jun '70 US Army with the 101st Airborne stationed at Camp Eagle between Hue and Phu Bai. I was lucky, a Radar O'Riley type of sorts. Things were different then, we weren't looked at as heros but rather the scum of the earth when we got home. I'll never forget after I got home to Buffalo NY I flew down to Philadelphia to be with my Fiance and thought she would like to see me in uniform, so I did just that. When she saw me her look spoke volumes! She tried to recover and asked me why I was in uniform when I was discharged, and asked me If I wanted to change. I don't think she even kissed me right away, and it was obvious she was ashamed to be with me.

=================================

I had a similar experience while I was stationed in Yorktown, VA for a few months. A few of my buddies and myself were going on liberty and planned to see some of the sights up in DC. We were "advised",, by our CC not to wear our uniforms as too many service men and women were being singled out, picked on, spit at and just getting into fights with the local anti-war folks. Believe it or not, even though we all worn civies, we were still spotted because we all just happened to wear our dress shoes and had short hair. For the most part, our tour of the capital was uneventful while we were inside the buildings, but once out on the street, we had to ignore quite a bit of heckling.

 

[Thomkm]

USN DaNang to the DMZ attached to NavSupPac 67/68

 

[mmkrnh8012]

I was a sentry dog handler in Pleiku and An Khe. March 69-70 981st mps

 

[Doug D.]

I'm not a vet, but I want each and every one of you to know that my heart breaks each time I read an account of how vets are dishonored by those they serve.

No matter where you served or in what capacity, ALL of you are heroes, through and through. Never forget that, and NEVER let any of those short sighted, misinformed, ignorant bufoons who would even attempt to degrade you for your service to this great nation, tell you otherwise! And they damn well better not do it when I'm standing there!

It frosts my ass to see how vets are treated in this country, by both her citizens and her government. It brings shame to all of us, and is no less than an indelible stain on the fabric of what is supposed to be the greatest nation on earth. How can we claim such greatness when we tolerate such disrespect for those who have sacrificed so much throughout our history to bring it to us?

To all of those who have served, who still serve, and to those who didn't make it home, you are heroes because of your actions, NOT because of public opinion. Heroism lives inside of each of you, not in some headline or newscast.

Just remember, if someone spits on a rose, it is still a rose. It becomes no less because of the ignorance around it.

God bless all of you.

 

[neilrupp]

1961 to 1965 USAF

 

[tomg]

Air Force 12 years, PhanRang Security Alert Team Leader 70/71

Tomg

 

[dmerrill]

Army - PhuBai 1967 - 1968

 

[jcolson]

THANKS Doug D. I applaud you for sticking up for us Vets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are the 1st person to say that about us. I really respect you for that. it wasn't our joice to go to Vietnam but we just did what we were told. Don't understand why people took it out on us. I would really like to shake your hand some day!!!!!!!!!! That means a lot too me. Jim

 

[Doug D.]

No applause needed, Jim. Just stating the facts. And maybe one day we'll have that handshake. The honor would be mine.

Ride safe!

 

[jinglebob]

I am not a Viet vet...I was in the Navy shortly after the Vietnam War ended.

My ship's CO was a carrier-based fighter pilot in Vietnam. He was shot down and ended up as a POW in North Vietnam for quite a few years. Great CO who really cared about his people...he's still around...I'm going to be writing him soon.

To all Viet vets...thank you for your service and I rebuke anyone who disrespected you when you came home.

 

[bustedwing]

Doug, if you are ever traveling thru the U.P. of Michigan let me know and I will not only shake your hand but buy you a cup of coffee. Thank you for your support. I have seen several people state they are grateful for all the VN Vets and beyond this site the support has been becoming more and more. Does it still hurt? Yes. Many people have lived a tough life with the ghosts of Nam chasing them every night. Many have not survived. Some tried leaning on booze or drugs and ended up making the problems worse. And Uncle Sam denied there was a problem. After all, if they waited long enough they could bury all the problems. But a simple thanx is a nice start, and greatly appreciated.

 

[bongobobny]

Army - PhuBai 1967 - 1968

101st Airborne??

 

[jcolson]

Hey Retcsmo7, I met an Army guy at the Harley shop Sunday that was stationed at Cantho Army.

 

[hoggrider]

U.S. Navy 66-71, spent 66-68 in country around the Cue Viet River on a gasoline/JP5 small tanker. My ship was approved for agent orange, but so far no problems. Thanks everyone for your service and remember those that did not come home!