The Last Full Measure (Page 2): Thank you for serving in combat. My father in law saw many horrors in WW 2 and he had a rough time. My dad also served and would not say much. I pray...

home brewer Loc: Fort Wayne, Indiana

Thank you for serving in combat. My father in law saw many horrors in WW 2 and he had a rough time. My dad also served and would not say much. I pray you find peace.

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

Thank you for your service Dennis.

2Dragons Loc: The Back of Beyond

dennis2146 wrote:

I can't say I disagree with that at all. When I said I don't get angry at those who have not served that did not mean I have ever thought citizens should not contribute SOMETHING to the betterment of our society. For too long with our volunteer military we have seen veterans in this long war go back again and again to the war zone while perfectly healthy young men and women have confuted nothing to society.

Dennis

Yah, that's always kind of bothered me. I would wholeheartedly support bringing back The Draft. Three tours is just 2 too many. There are many young people out there who would definitely benefit from a couple of years in the military, if for nothing else than direction.

sumo Loc: Houston suburb

As a med evacuated Vietnam vet, I feel your pain. I watch an occasional war movie but when a scene appears with a spinning helicopter about to crash, my heart rate jumps and I get nervous and irritable. Never had anyone spit on me after the war. Good thing I may have decked them. now days it is amazing how many people shake my hand and thank me for my service. The give away is my purple license plate and my retired Army/Af baseball hat

Sure do agree with comment from 2 dragons, everyone should serve even just for directions and growing up

Aloha Rix Loc: Rixeyville, Virginia (southern CA transplant)

Well said.

Aloha Rix Loc: Rixeyville, Virginia (southern CA transplant)

Thank you for your service. That sounds trite, but it is true and sincere.

Thank you also for telling us, who were never in the military, what great sacrifices were made, and reminding us that if not for people like you we would not be able to appreciate the freedoms we have, freedoms many (especially the new generations who were not required to study history) take for granted.

I have seen some of the movies you cannot bear to watch; I was deeply moved by the experience. But two hours in a dark theater can only begin to hint at what hell war was. So I say again, thanks for going there, being there, and enduring scorn from those who thought the world would have been a better place for people like you not showing up. These are mere words, and actions do indeed speak louder, and remain in one's memory longer, but your words touched my heart, so thank you.

Hornfan1

Thank you for putting words to the thoughts many of us have. I also do not like watching movies about Nam and I was lucky enough to avoid much of the heavy action. Thank you for your service and “Welcome home, brother”

Hornfan1

Thank you for putting words to the thoughts many of us have. I also do not like watching movies about Nam and I was lucky enough to avoid much of the heavy action. Thank you for your service and “Welcome home, brother”

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

I am so sorry that any of my brothers in arms were treated badly upon their return - I was lucky. On the short final leg back to Raleigh on a little 2 prop commuter plane, an older couple, seeing my uniform and medals, insisted on buying me a split of champagne (which amazingly, the plane had on board) to welcome me home. When I disembarked, my wife, who hadn’t seen me in a year and our dog on a leash (people actually walked out on the tarmac to meet small planes in the 60s) met me as I got off the plane. Hugs and barking is what I remember, and that sweet couple on the plane. As I said, I was lucky - it was a small welcome, but a memorable one, and I was so lucky to come home in one piece - far too many of us didn’t.

whatdat Loc: Del Valle, Tx.

With highest respect to all who have ever served in any branch of service!

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

2Dragons wrote:

Yah, that's always kind of bothered me. I would wholeheartedly support bringing back The Draft. Three tours is just 2 too many. There are many young people out there who would definitely benefit from a couple of years in the military, if for nothing else than direction.

I completely agree. Joining the military has helped millions of young men and women who have no idea what to do with their lives get involved (forgive me as there are better words) in something where they are useful, needed and important to complete a mission even if that mission is only marching on a parade deck learning to follow direction and to work as a team. When lives are on the line even for a training mission it is important that young people learn to be responsible.

Dennis

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Hornfan1 wrote:

Thank you for putting words to the thoughts many of us have. I also do not like watching movies about Nam and I was lucky enough to avoid much of the heavy action. Thank you for your service and “Welcome home, brother”

While writing this post I asked myself several times what I was getting into here. Basically it is a real answer to my cousin, Kristine, who have always supported my brother and I in the military. When Dan and I left the USMC we toured the country visiting family we had not seen in years. When we got to my aunt and uncle's house in upstate NY near Medina our two cousins asked if we would come to their school and give a talk to their class about the war in Vietnam. Of course we said yes. Unbeknownst to us their teacher mentioned it to the school principal who made it into a complete school auditorium program. At the time and fresh back from Vietnam we did well. But I have to say I could not do that today. I would lose it.

But I digress. Even after I made my post I thought I had just opened myself to much humor and insult. I love your post because you have put in words the WHY of my post. I wanted others to know that they are not alone in their feelings.

Thank you for your post. Thank you all who served in any branch. We are among a very small group of people who did sign that check we all talk about. We are a very small part of America's population and yet are a group that possibly has made the biggest difference around the world as to offering freedom to those who have not yet tasted the sweet deliciousness of living a life where We the People get to decide how we will live. It is because of our small group that freedom is in parts of the world where it has never been before. It isn't the loud talking politicians but US who made the difference.

Dennis

home brewer Loc: Fort Wayne, Indiana

I am always disappointed how few of us stand up at when the pastor asks those who have served to stand on Veteran's day. I was lucky I went to Germany and not Vietnam.
My son in law served in the Navy on fast little boats while station near Virginia Beach and later in Basrah and later on the Boxer. His 5 year old daughter was born in San Diego. He is still in the reserves.

kerry12 Loc: Harrisburg, Pa.

dennis2146 wrote:

This morning my cousin sent me a video about a movie out now called, The Last Full Measure. It is about an Air Force rescue helicopter crewman who drops through the jungle canopy to rescue wounded soldiers in Vietnam. I have not seen the movie yet and do not know if I will. But this is my response to her.

Please let's not let this go to The Attic. My heartfelt thank you to the Airman who saved the wounded and dying.

Thanks for sending that. I have seen the listings for the movie but had no idea what the movie was about. I don’t know if I will go see it but if I do it will be by myself. That is for these times when I may end up sobbing and don’t want to look like an idiot. I also choose when the movie is about to end playing at that theater so there may not be anybody else in the theater when I am there. I can watch some of these movies nowadays but in the past I could not watch any of them. I have never seen Full Metal Jacket nor Platoon because it was just too much too soon. Dan and I could not wait to get to Vietnam and to be involved in a fighting killing war. Honestly we still feel we did the right thing and are glad and proud we served. But it does take a lifelong toll on those who participate. Occasionally coming home isn’t what it is cracked up to be when thinking of those left behind. No neither of us is going to do away with ourselves. We made our decision way back and to us it is still the best decision we could have made. I am just saying it is costly in many ways. Like living to old age going into battle in a real life war isn’t all fun and games. It is not for the soft hearted among us.

To every one of those in all branches who have served in a battle zone I salute you all for fighting the demons that others refuse to face for the good of us all. I salute all of you also for fighting the demons after the killing has ended. Perhaps that is the hardest war of all.

For those of us who fought in Vietnam those demons can be the worst. Looking back I see coming home to even best friends who called me a baby killer, my Boy Scout troop master who cursed me out for doing the wrong thing when even today I feel in my heart I did the right thing. People who have not been there and done that have no idea what it is like to do your best and then be put down for doing just that for years on end.

Dennis

This morning my cousin sent me a video about a mov... (show quote)

Dennis. I did not serve, but I would never under estimate or criticize any one who has severed. All of you have my respect and heart felt thanks forever. Thank you and God Bless you. Kerry

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

home brewer wrote:

I am always disappointed how few of us stand up at when the pastor asks those who have served to stand on Veteran's day. I was lucky I went to Germany and not Vietnam.
My son in law served in the Navy on fast little boats while station near Virginia Beach and later in Basrah and later on the Boxer. His 5 year old daughter was born in San Diego. He is still in the reserves.

Do you know if your son was on the new LPH-4 Boxer or the old Boxer that was my transport to Vietnam? I don't have any idea of when the old went out and the new came in but I went to Vietnam on my first tour in April of 1966 on the Boxer. At the time it had not bunks but more canvas covering.

Dennis