Posted on Nov 15, 2015
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While eating at a dinner I saw something occur that I thought I would share. There was an older gentleman waiting to be seated. It was obvious that he was prior service as he was wearing a Vietnam ribbon ball cap. While he was waiting another much younger man walked in. In less than a minute he recognized the hat and struck up a conversation. I silently watched from my seat as these two strangers shared their military tales and experiences. They hugged and embraced each other as there were kindred spirits.
As we were leaving I quickly introduced myself and told him about my observation of the "brotherhood". He was a combat medic and informed me that much of his training was based on what we had learned in Vietnam and that he just had to thank the older gentleman for that knowledge. We as service members get this. We understand our lineage as well as our history and respect it. I know this is all in retrospect but is there a way for the civilian population to make such amends with our Vietnam veterans or has this ship long sailed?
http://www.wyomingnews.com/articles/2015/06/06/news/19local_06-06-15.txt#.Vkic3XarTIU
As we were leaving I quickly introduced myself and told him about my observation of the "brotherhood". He was a combat medic and informed me that much of his training was based on what we had learned in Vietnam and that he just had to thank the older gentleman for that knowledge. We as service members get this. We understand our lineage as well as our history and respect it. I know this is all in retrospect but is there a way for the civilian population to make such amends with our Vietnam veterans or has this ship long sailed?
http://www.wyomingnews.com/articles/2015/06/06/news/19local_06-06-15.txt#.Vkic3XarTIU
Posted in these groups: 
Vietnam War
Welcome Home
Vietnam War Welcome Home
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 47
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It is never too late to exhibit kindness and respect for others. Making amends is not so important for those of us that were disrespected for doing our duty to our country as it is for those that did the disrespecting to redeem their own self-respect.
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PO2 Kayla Modschiedler
Capt Waddel, I couldn't have said it better myself! You never know when someone is having a really hard time in life, being kind to someone may turn their day around!
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I was lucky in several ways, ways that saved me from suffering the "outrageous misfortune" visited upon Vietnam era vets (keep in mind that all vets of that period suffered abuse even if they didn't serve in Vietnam - the peaceniks were sufficiently caring to distinguish). First of all I was much older and better educated than most GIs of that period. Thus more aware of the world and geopolitics. (I well remember one youngster at Infantry OCS who thought that Vietnam was part of Europe) and more confident of myself and my purpose in serving in Vietnam. (Later research and study would only serve to reinforce my convictions) I was stationed in Hawaii following my tour of duty in Vietnam, where the relationship between the military and civilian community was much better than in CONUS and anyone in military uniform didn't suffer abuse unless they wandered onto the campus of the University of Hawaii. My only real pain was the anger I felt at seeing in news reports other soldiers being abused and not being able to defend them.
That being said, it's not a personal issue for me. My only concern remains for those who were abused and I honestly don't believe that bell can be unrung. The best we can hope for is an end to the abuse.
Sadly, there are some old peaceniks out there who are only too willing to reap abuse on Vietnam Vets is they feel they can get away with it. I know. I've shut down a few over the years. It's quite easy inasmuch as they are essentially cowards. Remember how they only act in mobs? That's a fair bet you're dealing with cowards.
That being said, it's not a personal issue for me. My only concern remains for those who were abused and I honestly don't believe that bell can be unrung. The best we can hope for is an end to the abuse.
Sadly, there are some old peaceniks out there who are only too willing to reap abuse on Vietnam Vets is they feel they can get away with it. I know. I've shut down a few over the years. It's quite easy inasmuch as they are essentially cowards. Remember how they only act in mobs? That's a fair bet you're dealing with cowards.
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Maybe for some, however, we cant undue the hate from a country they fought for. We can't undue the virtues and innocence we took from them. We can't undue the pain they felt mentally and physically, and we cant give them back their youth that they lost.
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MSgt Marvin Kinderknecht
All true Major. I get so pissed sometimes. I tell these yahoos that if not for us they would be speaking German or Japanese--- if they were alive.
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