slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

The following link is a great piece written by Jack Smith of how he came to peace with his service during the Viet Nam War. As we approach Christmas Day, I am thankful that so many of us have also come to terms with our roles in that conflict. Again, welcome home!

I take this time to wish a very MERRY CHRISTMAS to all on OPP...especially to those who are serving or have served.

http://www.sfgate.com/opinion/article/JACK-SMITH-1945-2004-Coming-to-a-final-peace-2791334.php

JFlorio Loc: Seminole Florida

Excellent piece Slatten I help Veterans 65 or older apply for a specific long term care benefit from the VA. I always thank service men and women for their service FIRST. What I have found is the Vietnam Vets are the most stunned. They definitely feel slighted by the country. I was a couple years to young for that conflict so Vietnam Vets hold a special place in my heart and mind. Merry Christmas to You and Yours.

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

Thank you, JFlorio. Every year (starting about Thanksgiving) I think back to my only Christmas in Viet Nam. At the time, I worried that I would never again see my family...at Christmas or anytime. Each year, I am thankful/grateful to be spending yet another with them. Mr. Smith's story speaks not only to me, but countless 'Nam Veterans.

BTW, thank you so much for your service to Vets.

bahmer

Amen and Amen and the same to you Slats and please don't eat yourself into oblivion this Christmas and New Year. Love all of you ex military although you are never ex military really are you?

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

You may be proud to know that I am limiting myself to three (platter) helpings of Christmas dinner...to include rolls, drinks and desserts.

Mike Easterday

I have been doing volunteer work at a veterans court in Phoenix Arizona. As a veteran myself. I feel lucky being home . The Vietnam Vets , I have to say always seem the most grateful for any help they receive!

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

Thank you, also, Mike, for your work with Vets.

I disagree somewhat with Mr. Smith in that most V-N Vets weren't seeking so much a parade as we were acceptance back into society without the stigmas often associated with service in Viet Nam.

Paybacktimeishere

Slatten49: I'm sorry Mike, but I've never been able to get "The Nam" out of my head. Not the
death, the terror, The fear, the lost friend's, the
penultimate hatred, of ALL C*******t, especially the one's back in the "World", stirring
Up everyone to "Sell Out Those Of Us Fighting
This War"!! I can never forgive the T*****R'S,
Including many RINO'S, & C*******t, L*****t's!!!
I came home in 1971, & first visited "The VA", late that year( G.I. Bill for Furthering my
Education ), & many times thereafter, for help.
I wasn't Diagnosed with PTSD( PTS NOW ), until
I was 50 year's old, & the damage, had already
been done!! I was married 4 times, got into fight's, drug's, alcohol, & alway's full of H**E!!
The bitterness, anger, nightmares, & seclusion
never go away!! The medicine I RECIEVE now,
does take some of the "edge"off!! Many times,
I wish I had stayed behind, fought with The "Yard's", to the death!!! Well, enough of that, I'll
just count my blessing's, & be forever thankful,
that I didn't come back home, with the horrible
wound's, many of our BRAVE MEN & WOMEN, suffered!! GOD BLESS YOU & YOUR'S, & have a
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
Ole Payback

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

Brother, I ran across this while visiting the VietNam Memorial at Angel Fire, New Mexico, many years ago. The memorial was built by the efforts of a Father whose Son was lost in the War. It was his way of paying tribute to his Son, who fought alongside a good friend of mine. The following was left there by a visiting Veteran...unknown. I feel compelled to post it again...remembering that Viet Nam was a war fought primarily by teenagers. You are not alone, my friend.

'LOSS OF INNOCENCE'

We were children.
Patriotic, brave children.
Innocent of Honor.

All too soon,
We were forced to grow up,
To face danger and bloodshed.
Terrors, real and imagined,
Waited there in the dark.
But, grimly determined,
We stood our ground,
Though the reason got lost
In the fight.

And we were proud!
Then we came home....
Some of us whole and some of us not,
And no one cared.

Al these years we've stumbled along,
Bewildered and lost, remembering,
And lonely...
Scorned, ridiculed and ignored,
For something out of control.

And now we're men...
Hardened and inside ourselves.
But it's not too late,
Won't you try and understand?
We were just children.

Have a peaceful and wonderful, MERRY CHRISTMAS, Payback. May many Blessings be upon you, and once again...Welcome home.

Paybacktimeishere

Sladden49: Thank You, for the article, & a Merry
Christmas, & a Happy New Year, for you & your's. & let's all of hope for a better, more Peaceful, "War Free" World, & a return to living
by The Ten Commandment's, & Trust In GOD!!
Ole Payback

boatbob2

I am Bitter about the Vietnam war,I am bitter because of the lying bastard politicians,and presidents that ran that damn war,instead of letting the generals run it. I am bitter about the crappy reception,I and many others received ,upon returning. I am bitter about the over 55,000 men and women,lost in that war. NOTHING can/will stop me from being bitter. Im a SFC E-7 retired US Army, 100% disabled veteran.

4430 Loc: Little Egypt ** Southern Illinory

As a Vietnam Vet myself I thank you for helping out our brothers !

Paybacktimeishere

Boatbob2: I feel pretty much the same way as you do. There's alway's a constant, daily feeling
About certain thing's, left undone, or I guess, "loose end's"; for example, the number of C*******t's Elite, still running around preaching their UnAmerican, T*****rous, "BS", you know, like old, "Hanoi Jane" Fonda, & her "fellow traveler's"( Comrades like Jerry Brown, & a whole host, of C*******t T*****r's, that can't even stand, for our National Anthem. )!!!
I can't help the feeling, of so many thing's left
Undone, or Unpunished!!!

PLT Sarge Loc: Alabama

Have read this thread three times, wanting to reply but trying to figure out what to say. Was going to relate my time in Iraq and Afghanistan, but its really all the same. I feel every day the same as each of you. But, all we had then on a fire point or what ever hell hole we were in was each other. Now we still have each other. We have to reach out for the help we need. Call for Fire. When I returned from Iraq in 05, my first great-grandchild was one month old. When my wife put her in my hands, I looked at and felt the innocence. I began to cry. Everyone was freakin, they had never seen Papa cry. That's when I understood, what we have done and what we do is for the next generation. The children. Not just our children, but the worlds children. Would I do the last 38 years again ? Hell Yeah. Bubba watch this.

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

Thank you for sharing, Sarge.

Years ago, when 'We Were Soldiers' first showed on cable TV, I was watching it when my son and his daughters came over for a visit. I was about to turn the TV off when he told me the girls wanted to watch it, just as he did. Having seen it before, I told him it was pretty rough, and it might be best the girls didn't see it. As he didn't believe in censorship any more than his dad does, they sat down and watched the movie. I sat nervously, wondering if I/we were doing the right thing. After the movie was over, the oldest of his girls came over to me and asked if that was the war I had been in. I answered quietly, "yes," but let her know that I had not been involved in that battle of la Drang. She hugged me and said, "I'm glad you made it home, grandpa. If not, I wouldn't be here." As the other girls came over also to give me hugs, I silently cried tears of gratitude & joy. I realized that...yes, I made it home, but would do it all over again, even if only to help bring one more of my buddies back home so he could also enjoy his future children/grandchildren/great-grandchildren.

SEMPER FI