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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,377 Likes: 105
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,377 Likes: 105 |
One of my friends in grad school (1974) was a Vietnam vet. This was the University of Northern Iowa, the former state teachers' college. Not nearly as liberal/radical as Iowa City. My buddy and I and a bunch of other students--some of whom we knew and some we didn't--were together at a big table drinking in a bar just off campus. Someone mentioned something to my buddy about having served in Vietnam, which Jerry didn't advertise. A girl sitting across the table from him asked him if he killed any babies in Vietnam. I'll never forget his reply: "Say that again, [censored - come on man!], and I'll rip your throat out."
Uh oh. Post censored because I used a word for a female dog that Jerry chose to apply to a female student.
Last edited by L. Brown; 03/30/22 07:10 AM.
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 768 Likes: 19
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 768 Likes: 19 |
It was the defining event for us boomers who came of age during the 60s: some gave all, all gave some.
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 14,123 Likes: 198
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 14,123 Likes: 198 |
Apparently, there are two different experiences about travelling in uniform. Bob Blair's experience being like mine, no orders to not wear the uniform, even into the seventies. It seems that such orders were issued below the Army level, most likely company or battalion level.
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,054 Likes: 10
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,054 Likes: 10 |
How times change. We who were in VN in the 60's and 70's know about our attitudes toward the Vietnamese, the behavior of US citizens toward the war, and the GIs that served. Jump forward 50 years. Yesterday, it was announced that VinFast, a Vietnamese auto manufacturer, will build a multi-billion $ electric car and battery plant near Raleigh employing 8-9,000. The news media is treating it like the Vietnamese are our saviors.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,740 Likes: 97
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,740 Likes: 97 |
nothin has changed...
its still about money...
keep it simple and keep it safe...
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 448 Likes: 4
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 448 Likes: 4 |
Welcome home, brothers.
Semper Fi.
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 687 Likes: 47
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 687 Likes: 47 |
Chu Lai 68-69 Seabees, not in a battalion but base maintenance, our guys filled in for the Marines at time as door gunners, in perimeter bunkers, some local patrols, hauling ammo/bombs and clearing mines with our dozers.
I think the uniform thing was local, in CA they suggested that we didn't wear our uniforms out in the public. Flying into New Orleans I had to wear my uniform, I took the bus to Shreveport and never got a word said to me, in Shreveport I didn't have a credit card so couldn't rent a car. I went to the local car dealer to try and buy a cheap car and have them buy it back when I left. The dealer rented me a car for $10/day and $.10/mile I expected it to be a junker when I came back into the office to tell them I couldn't find it he took me out and lead me to a brand new(10 miles on it) convertible and said "Have a good time, you deserve it. Bring it back in one piece please".
After the first shot the rest are just noise.
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 13,879 Likes: 15
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 13,879 Likes: 15 |
My deepest gratitude to all that served in this war. But also to those that served in all times of peace and war.
My father was a Veteran of WW2, Korean War, and Vietnam, effectively spending nearly all of his working years in the service.. I was 18 years old, holding a 1A Draft Card, in 1975, when the Vietnam War ended, and effectively, the draft ended.
With the aggression against Ukraine, the importance of military service in our country is particularly high on our minds.
Last edited by Chuck H; 03/30/22 12:31 PM.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,740 Likes: 97
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,740 Likes: 97 |
"make love, not war...be prepared for both"...
keep it simple and keep it safe...
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,377 Likes: 105
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,377 Likes: 105 |
The attitude towards vets these days is just plain refreshing. On two occasions, once with my wife (who is also a vet) and once alone at the same restaurant in Rhinelander, someone who chose to remain anonymous paid for our meal. I was wearing a "US Army Veteran" cap both times.
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