Dear America....
"Letters home from Viet Nam"....
Have the book, have the HBO special on tape, too. (Talk about a "Touch It And Get Yer Ass Beat" tape.... man.)
It was "enough" when the first body bag came home.
It was "enough" when the first man came home to booing and spitting. But, on the other hand, there can NEVER be enough thanks, handshakes, hugs, tears or help for these men. Not especially when it's coming 30 years too late, and from some dipshit like me, who was only a kid when they began their tour of duty in hell, but, I figure I'm better than "nobody at all"... ya know? And, honestly, if I were in a position to enter the military today, knowing the history of the Viet Nam Vets and they way they were vilified for doing what they were ordered to do... I'd run before I'd join. I'm serious. I would NOT risk my life for a country that treats it's Veterans the way this one did... does still. How any of today's young men and women, with the history of Viet Nam and it's Veterans at their disposal, can find the guts to serve, is beyond me. They awe me, they really do. BUT, whilst everybody ELSE pays oh, so much grand attention to "today's Vets", I think I'm gonna stick with the heros of yesterday, until such time as they are revered for what they did, who they are or WERE and what they gave. Okay? Have your parades, throw your ticker tape... do whatever you want to honor the fighting men and women we have now, but, Goddamn it, don't you DARE forget those who served then and gave ALL or came "home" and have been shit on since. For instance...
Major Michael Davis O'Donnell, Springfield, Illinois. He was a chopper pilot assigned to the 52nd Aviation Battalion, 17th Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade based at Dak To and Pleiku. On March 24th, 1970, as he was trying to rescue 8 soldiers, he was shot down. He and his three crew members were declared MIA. Seven years later, he was promoted to Major. A year after that, they declared him to be officially "KIA". He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. Here's a little piece of his heart, given by him, to posterity, on 1 January, 1970 in Dak To, Viet Nam...83 days later, this man was dead. 34 years, 4 months and 6 days later, this man is STILL REMEMBERED. Wanna know how? 'Cause you just read this, so...If you are able
save for them a place
inside of you
and save one backward glance
when you are leaving
for the places they can no longer go.
Be not ashamed to say
you loved them
though you may
or may not have always.
Take what they have left
and what they have taught you
with their dying
and keep it with your own.
And, in that time
when men decide and feel safe
to call the war insane,
take one moment to embrace
those gentle heros
you left behind.
Thank you. (Only 58, 171 to go, according to my POW bracelet...)
Comments
1
I actually go to the Veterans' Day Parade each year in NYC and I look for a vet all by himself, just standing there watching the parade. It's easy to find one of them. And I go up to that man, tap him on the shoulder, shake his hand, and thank him for his service and for doing his part so that I can enjoy the fruits and rewards of freedom. I've been doing this for years. It's very rewarding for me to see the looks on their faces.
Posted by: RP at August 19, 2004 08:59 AM (LlPKh)
2
Well, God Bless you, RP. It IS nice to know that I'm NOT the only one...
Be even nicer to see more of it, though, huh?
Consider yerself hugged, by me, for what you do. It matters A LOT.
Be even nicer to see more of it, though, huh?
Consider yerself hugged, by me, for what you do. It matters A LOT.
Posted by: Stevie at August 19, 2004 09:06 AM (qgJIS)
3
I think the way Americans act towards veterans today is indicative of what happened when the Vietnam Veterans returned home.
I think that all of us are trying to make up for the horrific treatment they received by the way the returning Iraq veterans are put in the spotlight.
I'm not saying that they don't deserve the adoration they receive - just something that occured to me....and Stevie? I have a POW/MIA bracelet too.
I think that all of us are trying to make up for the horrific treatment they received by the way the returning Iraq veterans are put in the spotlight.
I'm not saying that they don't deserve the adoration they receive - just something that occured to me....and Stevie? I have a POW/MIA bracelet too.
Posted by: Mad Mikey at August 19, 2004 10:25 AM (NmR1a)
4
You DO?!
Excellent!!
As to the first part... Christ, I hope so. I don't begrudge our veterans of today any of the accolades and warm, loving receptions they get, but I have to admit, it does tear at my heart, thinking about how different is now from then. It just hurts me to think that all we see being done now, wasn't done then, too.
So unfair. So hard-hearted... ya know? I'm also starting to get tugs about the Vets of the Korean war. Eric (my Eric) asked me about that...
Shamefully enough, about the only thing I know about Korea, is M*A*S*H.
Is it true that Korea was like Viet Nam in that it was undeclared, sloughed off as a "police action" and those Vets were shit on, too? If it is, that's beyond sad. Also, Viet Nam Vets are, on average, about 20 years older than me, puting them in their sixties, or there abouts.
How old are the Korea Vets? Any still around? Wouldn't hurt to do the same things for them, if it's true and they're still here to be told "Thanks" and hugged....
You know... BEFORE it's too late... (for a change... *smile*)
Still.... for some reason I can't articulate, Nam Vets are just special to me. Maybe it's because they SHOULD be the Most Important to someone. I dunno.
I only know they are, to me... and that they DO matter to a few others, so I see... *grinnin' huge now, y'all*
Now, if I could only find a way to SHOW them these things...
Excellent!!
As to the first part... Christ, I hope so. I don't begrudge our veterans of today any of the accolades and warm, loving receptions they get, but I have to admit, it does tear at my heart, thinking about how different is now from then. It just hurts me to think that all we see being done now, wasn't done then, too.
So unfair. So hard-hearted... ya know? I'm also starting to get tugs about the Vets of the Korean war. Eric (my Eric) asked me about that...
Shamefully enough, about the only thing I know about Korea, is M*A*S*H.
Is it true that Korea was like Viet Nam in that it was undeclared, sloughed off as a "police action" and those Vets were shit on, too? If it is, that's beyond sad. Also, Viet Nam Vets are, on average, about 20 years older than me, puting them in their sixties, or there abouts.
How old are the Korea Vets? Any still around? Wouldn't hurt to do the same things for them, if it's true and they're still here to be told "Thanks" and hugged....
You know... BEFORE it's too late... (for a change... *smile*)
Still.... for some reason I can't articulate, Nam Vets are just special to me. Maybe it's because they SHOULD be the Most Important to someone. I dunno.
I only know they are, to me... and that they DO matter to a few others, so I see... *grinnin' huge now, y'all*
Now, if I could only find a way to SHOW them these things...
Posted by: Stevie at August 19, 2004 11:32 AM (UUJ3T)
5
Thanks, Stevie. Actually, you may be amused to know that I've just returned from my last planning session for a dinner we are having at my club to honor Korean War vets. Vietnam War vet dinner to follow in the Spring.
Posted by: RP at August 19, 2004 02:24 PM (LlPKh)
6
Great Post!!!
Posted by: Sam at August 19, 2004 05:07 PM (FPQSp)
7
RP, you ROCK, Dude...
And, Sam... thank you... *hugs*
And, Sam... thank you... *hugs*
Posted by: Stevie at August 19, 2004 05:11 PM (LasWM)
8
Thank you for a lovely, heartfelt post. My step-dad would appreciate it.
And to share a story with you, too: my darling husband was coming in from the Gulf after Desert Storm and had to do a refuel stop somewhere in the northeast. (He's not here so I can't yell at him to ask.) This was three in the morning. 3:00 a.m. There was a huge HUGE welcoming committee with coffee, sodas, food and lots of hugs and red-white-and-blue flying. Darling Hubby was astonished. Over at the food table, he bumped into an obvious vet -- who turned and thanked my husband for his service. Noting the distinctive Viet Nam ribbon on his chest, my husband said something along the lines of: "No no no, thank YOU." They discussed at length how much there SHOULD HAVE BEEN this sort of reception for his generation -- and then at that point it devolved into "There I was" stories.
We never, ever, forget those that fought and died for us -- even if the "war" was "unpopular."
And believe me -- I KNOW there have been numerous changes in the way the military handles deployments as a direct result of what happened there.
But I have digressed again. Again, I thank you for your post -- and your great big ol' heart the size of Dallas.
Love,
Em
And to share a story with you, too: my darling husband was coming in from the Gulf after Desert Storm and had to do a refuel stop somewhere in the northeast. (He's not here so I can't yell at him to ask.) This was three in the morning. 3:00 a.m. There was a huge HUGE welcoming committee with coffee, sodas, food and lots of hugs and red-white-and-blue flying. Darling Hubby was astonished. Over at the food table, he bumped into an obvious vet -- who turned and thanked my husband for his service. Noting the distinctive Viet Nam ribbon on his chest, my husband said something along the lines of: "No no no, thank YOU." They discussed at length how much there SHOULD HAVE BEEN this sort of reception for his generation -- and then at that point it devolved into "There I was" stories.
We never, ever, forget those that fought and died for us -- even if the "war" was "unpopular."
And believe me -- I KNOW there have been numerous changes in the way the military handles deployments as a direct result of what happened there.
But I have digressed again. Again, I thank you for your post -- and your great big ol' heart the size of Dallas.
Love,
Em
Posted by: Emma at August 19, 2004 06:33 PM (NOZuy)
9
It makes me physically ill how we treated the 'Nam vets. I live by a marine base and I thank those boys when ever I see them (plus they are sooooooo easy on the eyes!). My friends and I get together care packages for the men & women that are fighting this war now. I have several kinds of flags on my front yard along with a big yellow ribbon. I buy the poppies every year and thank the men that sell them. We are very lucky as Americans, unfortunatly a lot of people take this country and our military for granted.
Posted by: Maeve at August 19, 2004 06:53 PM (6E1RR)
10
this is the first time i have seen this web-site and i am glad somebody is saying something. i wasnt even alive when vietnam was erupting but i see the after effects of it in my cousin and my uncle both of which did at least 2 tours in nam. i have a great passionate interest in all wars for some reason and especially the vietnam and both world wars. i wanna say keep it up to those out there that are doing something to make those vets' days better.
Posted by: bryant at March 29, 2005 10:35 AM (ts0kT)
11
Through my tears i hug each and everyone of you in my heart! "THANK YOU"! with sincerity and love, Kathy
Posted by: Kathy at July 11, 2005 07:55 PM (N8PTj)
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