BboH Loc: s of 2/21, Ellicott City, MD

Thank you - enlisted Navy '54 got our '64.
I think the Viet Nam vet got a s...y deal from an extremely vocal segment of the populace. Though I am not one of you, it still makes me bitter when I think of it.

lone ranger Loc: Port Saint Lucie, Florida

I agree with you....

cwhi1444 Loc: Orland Park, IL

Served stateside in USCG 68-72. To this day still feel I let my country down by not being in the war with my other countrymen and women. I have the greatest respect for all that served in the armed forces since the beginning of our country. Honor them this weekend and forever for keeping this country as free as it is and for helping other allies maintain freedom in their countries too. God Bless America and to those that need help don't hesitate to seek it, you can release a lot of that pain instead of holding it in. There is no reason to carry 50 years of pain that does not allow your life to have happiness. Could be other forces driving this pain.

ronsipus Loc: Mission Viejo, CA

I too was drafted and served from 1967-1969 which included a tour in Vietnam. It is clear we never intended to win that war and it stands as a portrait of what happens when pure politics and self-serving politicians drive the decisions. Having said that, each year that passes I become more and more proud of having served my country. Despite what was wrong about the Vietnam war there was a lot of good that came out of it. My wife and I spent 14 days traveling from Hanoi to the Mekong Delta two years ago with a stop at An Khe where I was stationed and found that the people love America and in fact more than one person told me they wished America would return with a military presence as they fear the Chinese.

We all have experienced difficult times in our lives precipitated by forces beyond our control which provides us the opportunity to look beyond ourselves and find something stronger and more enduring to focus on. For me, it has been my relationship with God through Jesus. His love, strength and compassion will always be more than enough to remove the pain of unfortunate events in our lives. We may never forget the experience but it is possible to get a point where that situation and its pain does not continue to control us. Forgiveness is a powerful tool which most often does more for the one forgiving that the one being forgiven. Carrying a grudge or feelings of disdain toward an individual, situation or country is like drinking battery acid and hoping the other person dies. There is no reason to continue to carry hurts of the past which prevent us from enjoying and being productive in the present and the future.

usnpilot Loc: Ft Myers Fl

Great post.

Brucej67 Loc: Cary, NC

Obviously you took it personally, there were others there that either lived or died that did not volunteer to go.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Sadly we did not appear to learn from our Vietnam experience that many wars are fought only for the geopolitical desires of politicians and have nothing to do with defending the US or defending OUR liberties. My cousin died in the swamps of Vietnam, and I don't feel any safer for it. Would it have mattered if we "won"? Hardly - we lost, and Vietnam has not really been a big threat to us, has it? Do not take from my sentiments that I do not fully appreciate those who serve our country - I do. I protested the Vietnam War but never disrespected our soldiers who fought there.

I agree with the idea of universal service, as long as it has a lot of options and after the "volunteer" has had psychological testing. People are different - some thrive in the regimented hierarchical order of the military, and some do not. That does not mean that they are bad people. Forcing people to try to fit only causes problems for everyone.

warrior Loc: Paso Robles CA

You want to blame someone. Your draft board. ( A Lifer). If you were not in school you were screwed!

pipesgt Loc: Central Florida

I was too young for Korea, and too old for Viet Nam (62-63). I enlisted in the USNR for two years active duty to keep from getting drafted, because I didn't want the Army. About the only thing I got out of serving is that I get a 10% discount at Lowes. I am not interested in the VA health care system. Although I qualify for it.

But, I did my time, and I wasn't a draft dodger.

warrior Loc: Paso Robles CA

You should have stayed in school. (A 22 yrs of service vet)

toma1940 Loc: Silicon Valley, CA

You have every right to express your feelings and the hurt. Yes, the senior leadership was bad, from McNamara on down. Vietnam was a wasted war and too many GIs were permanently damaged, such as yourself. From one vet to another, I feel your pain. Memorial Day is to honor those fallen and tha I also solemnly think about.

SBW

You are 100% pure imbecile. Shame on you.

Brucej67 Loc: Cary, NC

I wouldn't say that he obviously served his country loyally and just came out with problems and memories that he regrets having. Not till you see the ugly side of war can you appreciate what so many veterans have experienced.

VietVet Loc: Brooklyn, NY

I was drafted into the Vietnam conflict and I agree with you that everyone should serve. I do not harbor any ill thoughts against our government because of it but do to those that were disrespectful to us on our return.
1st Aviation Brigade, pathfinder, Vietnam '70-'72.
In memory for all that have served.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Thank you and the same good wishes to you.