crazyjim Posted March 29, 2014 Posted March 29, 2014 Today, March 29, 2014 is National Vietnam Veterans Day. You probably won't see articles in the newspapers or on TV. So, to my fellow Vietnam Veteran brothers and sisters - WELCOME HOME
mikemodeler Posted March 29, 2014 Posted March 29, 2014 Thank you Jim, and all of the other Vietnam Vets. I remember watching the evening news as a kid and getting updates on the war as we ate dinner. Many of my oldest brother and sister's friends served and made the ultimate sacrifice, others returned to a less-than-friendly environment, a real sad part of American history.
crazyjim Posted March 29, 2014 Author Posted March 29, 2014 It was a sad return so many years ago, but look at the USA now. Troops are welcomed home and treated with dignity - as they should be. Year ago, we Vietnam Veterans said never again would our country treat those serving our country like garbage. Well, we did it! Vietnam Veterans changed an entire country's outlook and it was for the better.
Old Buckaroo Posted March 29, 2014 Posted March 29, 2014 Sadly today's news will be focused on celebrates or sports. Thank you for taking the time to Point out What is more Important. I remember when my Uncle got to come home - he spent a week with us. I was 7 and he gave me his cover and a bunch of C-rat packets. (the brown accessory) I still have a handful of "John Wayne's"
Guest Posted March 29, 2014 Posted March 29, 2014 I did not know this. A big thank you to those who served in that conflict.
thatz4u Posted March 29, 2014 Posted March 29, 2014 the Vets today get respect, better benefits, & a citizens that care, not so back then.....
slusher Posted March 29, 2014 Posted March 29, 2014 Thanks Jim, and all of the other Vietnam Vets for your service..
Joker Posted March 29, 2014 Posted March 29, 2014 Thank you Jim, and all of the other Vietnam Vets. I remember watching the evening news as a kid and getting updates on the war as we ate dinner. Many of my oldest brother and sister's friends served and made the ultimate sacrifice, others returned to a less-than-friendly environment, a real sad part of American history. Amen To the Servicemen...thank you
Ace-Garageguy Posted March 29, 2014 Posted March 29, 2014 (edited) And for those who didn't come home, how about a moment of silence. Painting: "Reflections" by Lee Teter Edited March 29, 2014 by Ace-Garageguy
Agent G Posted March 29, 2014 Posted March 29, 2014 Welcome Home brothers. I was met at the airport by my family and about 75 Hare Krishnas. Dad was Army in WWII, big brother was at Khe Sahn. Both were there with my mom and my sister. That's all I needed. RIP fireball G
crazyjim Posted March 29, 2014 Author Posted March 29, 2014 In case some of you haven't noticed, Vietnam Veterans are different. We weren't welcome home by our country, so we held our own welcome home parades in Washington, DC, New York, Chicago, and LA. We wanted a memorial, not to war, but to our buddies who were killed in action and those still missing, so we built the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC. The MOST visited memorial in the city, by the way. We didn't want future Veterans to be treated the way we were, so we changed the entire country's attitude towards servicemen and women. We shake hands differently than "normal" people and we do a whole bunch of hugging other Veterans and their families. We like to sit facing doors or windows so we can see what's there, but if we're with other Veterans, it's OK because we know they'll have our "6" (back). Agent Orange gave me prostate cancer and the war messed up my mind but the government recognizes PTSD and give me free money every month to make up for it. I've gone through 2 marriages because of my disabilities. And you know what? I'd do it all over again just to be able to say that I volunteered to serve my country and signed the blank check to take everything, including my life, if it were necessary. Yeah- I'm darned proud to be a Veteran of the greatest country in the world.
TooOld Posted March 29, 2014 Posted March 29, 2014 Amen . I'm a 20 year veteran of the United States Air Force and served in Vietnam . Thank you Jim for bringing this to everyones attention .
Harry P. Posted March 29, 2014 Posted March 29, 2014 I didn't know we had a separate veteran's day for Vietnam vets. When did that start? I've never heard of it. Isn't "Veteran's Day" meant for all veterans of all wars?
Ace-Garageguy Posted March 29, 2014 Posted March 29, 2014 I didn't know we had a separate veteran's day for Vietnam vets. When did that start? I've never heard of it. Presidential Proclamation -- Vietnam Veterans Day VIETNAM VETERANS DAY BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION On January 12, 1962, United States Army pilots lifted more than 1,000 South Vietnamese service members over jungle and underbrush to capture a National Liberation Front stronghold near Saigon. Operation Chopper marked America's first combat mission against the Viet Cong, and the beginning of one of our longest and most challenging wars. Through more than a decade of conflict that tested the fabric of our Nation, the service of our men and women in uniform stood true. Fifty years after that fateful mission, we honor the more than 3 million Americans who served, we pay tribute to those we have laid to rest, and we reaffirm our dedication to showing a generation of veterans the respect and support of a grateful Nation. The Vietnam War is a story of service members of different backgrounds, colors, and creeds who came together to complete a daunting mission. It is a story of Americans from every corner of our Nation who left the warmth of family to serve the country they loved. It is a story of patriots who braved the line of fire, who cast themselves into harm's way to save a friend, who fought hour after hour, day after day to preserve the liberties we hold dear. From Ia Drang to Hue, they won every major battle of the war and upheld the highest traditions of our Armed Forces. Eleven years of combat left their imprint on a generation. Thousands returned home bearing shrapnel and scars; still more were burdened by the invisible wounds of post-traumatic stress, of Agent Orange, of memories that would never fade. More than 58,000 laid down their lives in service to our Nation. Now and forever, their names are etched into two faces of black granite, a lasting memorial to those who bore conflict's greatest cost. Our veterans answered our country's call and served with honor, and on March 29, 1973, the last of our troops left Vietnam. Yet, in one of the war's most profound tragedies, many of these men and women came home to be shunned or neglected -- to face treatment unbefitting their courage and a welcome unworthy of their example. We must never let this happen again. Today, we reaffirm one of our most fundamental obligations: to show all who have worn the uniform of the United States the respect and dignity they deserve, and to honor their sacrifice by serving them as well as they served us. Half a century after those helicopters swept off the ground and into the annals of history, we pay tribute to the fallen, the missing, the wounded, the millions who served, and the millions more who awaited their return. Our Nation stands stronger for their service, and on Vietnam Veterans Day, we honor their proud legacy with our deepest gratitude. NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 29, 2012, as Vietnam Veterans Day. I call upon all Americans to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities that commemorate the 50 year anniversary of the Vietnam War. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-ninth day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth. BARACK OBAMA
Harry P. Posted March 30, 2014 Posted March 30, 2014 Hmmm... why have I never heard of it until now? I'm a pretty news-savvy guy. I can't believe this has been in effect for two years and I've never heard of it.
Ace-Garageguy Posted March 30, 2014 Posted March 30, 2014 Hmmm... why have I never heard of it until now? Because, frankly, entertainment, sports and consumerism are much more important to the vast majority of Americans. Like Jim said, you won't see articles in the paper or on the news. Nobody cares. Past history, unimportant, doesn't effect my life today. Stop random people in the mall and ask them where Vietnam is and when we were deployed over there.
TooOld Posted March 30, 2014 Posted March 30, 2014 Hmmm... why have I never heard of it until now? I'm a pretty news-savvy guy. I can't believe this has been in effect for two years and I've never heard of it. You're not the only one , I wasn't aware there was a national Vietnam Veterans Day either . Only that March 29th is recognized by about two dozen states as a day of " recognition " . Today the Governor of Utah signed a bill making today a state holiday in Utah , but I'm not sure if it is a holiday anywhere else . There was only a small article in today's paper here .
Harry P. Posted March 30, 2014 Posted March 30, 2014 Because, frankly, entertainment, sports and consumerism are much more important to the vast majority of Americans. Like Jim said, you won't see articles in the paper or on the news. Nobody cares. Past history, unimportant, doesn't effect my life today. Stop random people in the mall and ask them where Vietnam is and when we were deployed over there. But like I said, I follow current events closely. Very closely. Closer than 99.99% of Americans. I read two daily papers, scan several news websites every day, watch the talking heads on cable, etc... yet I have never heard of "Vietnam Veteran's Day."
Ace-Garageguy Posted March 30, 2014 Posted March 30, 2014 (edited) So, the logical answer is that nobody in the news outlets you read or scan thought it was worth commenting on. Point made. https://www.google.com/search?q=vietnam&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=sb#channel=sb&q=vietnam+veterans+day&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official Edited March 30, 2014 by Ace-Garageguy
Harry P. Posted March 30, 2014 Posted March 30, 2014 https://www.google.com/search?q=vietnam&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=sb#channel=sb&q=vietnam+veterans+day&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official Yeah, I realize now that it exists. My question is how it escaped me completely. I follow the major news outlets... MSNBC, Fox, CNN, etc. Plus my two local papers.
Ace-Garageguy Posted March 30, 2014 Posted March 30, 2014 Obviously the government didn't exactly do a bang-up job telling us about it. And the media just don't think it's worth reporting. The geezers who were over there are all past it, old, not relevant, not part of the target demographic.
Harry P. Posted March 30, 2014 Posted March 30, 2014 And the media just don't think it's worth reporting. The geezers who were over there are all past it, old, not relevant, not part of the target demographic. I find it almost impossible to believe, with the saturation of news coverage we get 24/7, that this wasn't reported. By someone. Or maybe it was, and I completely missed it. However, I'd bet that I'm not alone. I'd bet the vast majority of people had no idea that a Vietnam Veteran's Day existed.
Ace-Garageguy Posted March 30, 2014 Posted March 30, 2014 But really, how do you expect a bunch of over-the-hill guys who killed and were killed in defense of the ideal of freedom to compete with something as overwhelmingly important as March Madness?
Recommended Posts