Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

Well tiger, I am enjoying every day of my life. And it started the day I meet Janny. And I have 2 great son she gave me! I live my life in complete happiness and always will. I drive my truck like everyone else, but they always hit this new one. But that is ok, I have one more new corner they can hit.:) And the insurance company always comes through for me.
I do stand up for my rights. You don't want to butt heads with me because I can guaranty anyone who does will loose the battle.( not meaning you :) ) But I would never want my sons to go through what I have!! I got shoot 2 times over there and recovered from both. I don't hold a grudge and I would do it all again if my country need me to go. The worse thing that happened when we got home was the way we were treated!! We were told to fight for our country and we did. And ended up being called baby killers a spit on!
If everyone never looked back, even to see the mistakes we have made or the great gains we have made. We are in deep trouble my friend. The future in many case is never known and that is what scares me the most.
But I can tell you I am by far a happier man than you when it comes to my family and the way I have lived my life.
Erv

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Congratulations, Erv, on a great post. While I never was shot I was shot at. My twin brother was also wounded while flying as a door gunner.

Your outlook on life tends to mirror ours. We got out if the USMC and went on to further education, good jobs, marry and have children that are a plus for society rather than a burden. We do not talk much about the war but I guarantee the memories are always there. To paraphrase another poster I will worry if I don't look back often to see where I have come from and what I have accomplished.

I am proud of you, Erv, for making the best of what you have. You are s good man my friend.

Dennis

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

I have reread your post and think you are being too strong in your assumption of ALWAYS looking back. Only an insane person would do that. You also are comparing driving a car with mental thoughts. One has nothing to do with the other. It is an apples and oranges comparison.

The fact that I can look at my service in Vietnam has not a whit to do with how I manage my everyday life. I am happy as can be now and have been for all the years since I left Vietnam. Because I revisit Vietnam in private moments doesn't mean I am not handling my life just fine.

Dennis

wishiwasfishing Loc: texas

The politics of who is right and who is wrong is your choice to make.But the way the Vets were treated when the came home was shameful .They were young men and woman who did what there country ask them to do .Let us never make that mistake again!!

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

Thank you Dennis. I spent a lot of time with my Grandfather. He was a great man in my eyes. Came from Germany with his wife and made a life over here. He always told me to be the best man I could be. And I have tried to live that way.

Yes I am stubborn and hard headed some times. If I think I am right about something important, I am a bull dog to get it done my way. But I do back down if I am wrong. You have to live your life with gives and pushes.:)

And I do look back too. I want to know if where I came from was always the right way. Some times yes and some times no. But I just make changes and keep going. I am not perfect in many ways. That is not to say I don't regret somethings I have done. But I think everyone has these things they wish they could take back.

I had a very bad childhood ! But I got through it the best I could. My father was no where close to the man my Grandfather was. I left home at 14. Lived in a water tower, finished school and joined the Marines. Came home in one piece, meet Janny, and here I am.:):)

And the best thing!! I smile at what my boys have done with their lives! And Tim gave me a Harrison!!!
Erv

ras422 Loc: Virginia

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: history does repeat itself. Most are too stupid to learn from it. Rich

ras422 Loc: Virginia

Well said Erv. I wish we could avoid wars but if we are in one ,we should win it. We can all argue whether we should have been there in the first place. There have always been civilian casualties in wars. Just look at WWII .it is always sad.unfortunately peace is the unusual state. The quote from Vietnam era " The incompetent leading the unwilling to do the unnecessary for the ungrateful." The incompetent being the politicians and the unwilling were the draftees who went and the ungrateful were all the shameful who treated these brave soldiers like crap. Please no vets take offense as many volunteered. Today the same mistakes are being made. History does repeat itself and I am thankful that Erv and many others returned and are happy. And never forget that freedom is not free. Rich

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Actually over 2/3 of those who served in Vietnam were volunteers. All the Air Force, all the Coast Guard (yes they were there), most of the Marines and the majority of the Army.
Erv enlisted in the Marines, I was Regular Army (that means not drafted).

ras422 Loc: Virginia

I understand --thanks for further clarification as well as your service. Rich

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

Thank you Ras!!
Erv

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

Hi Rich. I got in because I lied about my age. I had a good friend help me with that.:) Went in when I was 15. And at that age I was doing a lot of hunting for food. I was and am still a very good shot and they trained me to be a sharp shooter. I almost didn't make it though because I use my left eye to shoot.:):) But I could out shoot everyone in my group by a lot! When you are hungry you learn to use one bullet to get your food!:)
Erv

ras422 Loc: Virginia

Hi Erv--it does seem that your early hunting and survival skills served you well! Hope all is well. Rich

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Just as I suspected, Erv. You made the best of a bad situation and came out a better man for it. I am proud.

What I did not know is that you also carry the honor of being in the USMC. That would make you and I, as well as other USMC alumni on the UHH, brothers and sisters. I am proud to be your brother.

Semper Fi,

Dennis

jvo Loc: left coast of the east coast

what really happened in vietnam was that we had a draft and 2 years of service... everybody was impacted.... people came home and said what a wasted experience it was... they told others and so on...

joe citizen no longer supported the waste that it was, the people turned against the war... CONGRESS turned against the war.

jvo

jvo Loc: left coast of the east coast

i was regular army AND drafted...

i also landed as an infantryman in vietnam into an activated unit of the iowa national guard, which we were also told wasn't suppose to happen... june 1969

jvo