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Today is Viet Nam Veterans Day. It was on this day the last troops left Viet Nam. We also just had the 50th anniversary of the POW's coming home from the horror they endured at the hands of the North Viet Namese. Us Viet Nam Veterans are now becoming the old generation of Vets. It is a holiday that is vaguely recognized. Please fly your flag today and if you see an old gray haired or bald Veteran, chances are pretty good he is a Viet Nam Veteran. Please thank him (or any veterans or active-duty service person) for their service. They will be grateful. May God Bless all of my fellow veterans.
Thanks to all that served in the Vietnam War. If you see a Vietnam vet buy him dinner and treat him well. He didn't get treated well when he came home.
Also support the Wall and if the traveling Wall comes close by to you, visit it. It will humble you.
I had to register for the draft in October 1974. I broke with family tradition of volunteering for USAF because I didn't want to end up in SEA jungles, fighting a war that it seemed American politicians had already decided to surrender. Then when the US abandoned Saigon I felt some relief knowing it was unlikely I'd have had to go, but also shame that the greatest country and military in the world had tucked tail and run. That's when I realized Vietnam was never about keeping the communists out, but about keeping American defense contractors running at full speed.
Again, my thanks and respect to all that served.
Edit: went into town a couple hours ago and saw this license plate.
Last edited by rocketraider; March 29th, 2023 at 10:31 AM.
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My number was pulled in 1969. Horrible year on many accords as I was ushered through my draft board physical exam. Still hanging in there but the gray/white hair has caught up w/ me.
Special thanks to all Vietnam Veterans... Those were definitely some hard times for the Vets actually stationed in country. and what they had to endure after returning home... I served during the Vietnam Nam Era but was fortunate to be stationed at a PACAF base...
All my thanks to all the vets, especially the Vietnam guys, they had to fight overseas and once again when they got home.
I didn't get a lotto number, I was too early for that, but I did get a pre induction notices which I passed. The next notice was an induction noticed which I failed the physical and I came home on an empty buss with one other Marine who volunteered and they gave him 6 weeks leave to get his stuff together. Those were very troubled times... Tedd
Thank you all that made the sacrifice. Thanks for the reminder Glenn.
I was too young to go, but remember wishing I was older than my brother because he would have to go before me and I didn't know if he would come back.
A really good friend of mine and former career colleague (both of us retired) was on the last helicopter to leave the embassy roof in Saigon. He is the VP/Public Affairs Officer of the Fall of Saigon Marines Association. I've talked to him on many occasions about his experience being on that roof and what went through his mind (it was absolute organized chaos especially being 19 yrs old). JG said they did a head count and they were missing Sgt Valdez. During the evacuation attempt Sgt Valdez went over to grab the American Flag from the flagpole. Sgt Valdez successfully made it back to the helicopter (flag in hand) and it is very well documented that he was THE LAST TO LEAVE. God Bless our past/present/future veterans. Thanks For Your Service.
A BIG Thank You! to all that served. I was in the submarine service in the mid/late 1960s and once you got into submarines it was generally difficult to get out. Around 1965/1966 the navy was readily taking volunteers off of submarines to serve on the river boats and on helos in Viet Nam. Several of my shipmates at the time volunteered and were quickly rushed off to new horizons. God Bless them all.
I had my draft notice. But did not want to go Army . Did not want to shoot people in some rice paddy..
So i enlisted in the Air Force. Figured I could travel some and see some of the world. Instead spent all four years in San Rafael Calif at Hamiton Air Force base.
Never got to go anywhere. Im guessing I'm and only son, only child, was the reason.
had a good time and still in Calif. 75 now to old to move to better place.
I'm a veteran, not sure to say Vietnam veteran, but I did serve during that time. 1967 to 1971
I did same thing and enlisted in the USAF. I went in on delayed enlistment since my wife and I were newlyweds. I did serve my last year in Da Nang, I think the term you are looking for is Vietnam Era Veterans. Not your fault you didn't get picked to go. Thank you for your service.
Last edited by redoldsman; April 22nd, 2023 at 07:20 AM.
There's a reason Lyndon Johnson's grave is tucked away in the middle of the Johnson ranch/state park.
By the way, what is this PTSD that modern day solders have?
By the way, what is this PTSD that modern day solders have?
PTSD is not new to modern soldiers.
PTSD has affected a percentage of soldiers since warfare began.
In earlier times it was known as " shell shock" .
PTSD stands for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Some people can handle extremely stressful situations without repercussions mentally.
Others cannot. And need counseling..
There's a reason Lyndon Johnson's grave is tucked away in the middle of the Johnson ranch/state park.
By the way, what is this PTSD that modern day solders have?
I do not believe that this thread was intended to honor any Presidents or politicians. But rather the brave, courageous, selfless contributions made for the preservation of independence by individuals who were willing to potentially (and DO) sacrifice their lives for mankind on the other side of the planet. (For almost no payment). May I assume that you’ve served as well?,….as a side note the correct spelling is S-O-L-D-I-E-R! Respect/appreciation to all branches regardless of era.
Last edited by Funkwagon455; April 22nd, 2023 at 03:24 AM.
March 29th, 2023, 07:49 AM
