How do you think we compare to the veterans of previous wars?

2014-11-11T17:00:24-05:00

I often go to the VA hospital for medical appointments, while I'm waiting I always meet the most amazing people. The veterans of previous wars in my eyes are amazing. My self being a 2 time veteran of Afghanistan I can say that while we are the greatest fighting force of the modern ages we do not compare to the men and women of Vietnam, Korean War and WW2. These service members fought with out the modern day PPE we have(IOTV, KEVLAR etc.) Carrying around a M1 grand and ammo that weighed a ton. They fought from hill to hill, house to house, beach to beach with out the modern day convinces that we have. How do you think we compare to the veterans of previous wars.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 11 at 2014 5:07 PM

2014-11-11T17:07:01-05:00

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member, the WWII folks were famously dubbed the "greatest generation." The Vice President says our current veterans are "absolutely remarkable" (today at Arlington). I think both are true. We have much better technology and weaponry today, but there's no denying that older vets sacrificed just like our current vets did. In some cases they did more - served for years (straight) in the war.

Comparisons are tough and probably not fair. All war veterans deserve our highest respect.

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Nov 11 at 2014 5:40 PM

2014-11-11T17:40:36-05:00

I think that most generations will look at previous generations in awe and respect...

WWII was 70 years ago, and 80 years separated the Civil War from WWII. If you were a WWII veteran at the time, may you not be tempted to look back at the soldiers from the Civil War and think "I don't know how they did it... they had courage... they only had single shot rifles and had to stand in formation while somebody else was shooting at them. Plus their equipment was worse than ours and some had to fight their own brothers on the field of battle." Similarly, would Civil War soldiers be tempted to look back at Revolutionary War fighters, and think "I don't know how they did it... they weren't even trained soldiers for the most part. They had to leave their ordinary life and become a soldier overnight, fighting against the greatest empire on the face of the Earth with almost no equipment and little to no pay to support their families."

My only point is that each generation will be respectful of previous generations. I believe that we as a nation have always risen to that which has been asked of our citizens... to answer the call in whatever was needed of them... and that is what truly matters.

Response by MAJ Ben Williams made Nov 12 at 2014 11:19 AM

2014-11-12T11:19:51-05:00

I have an incredible amount of respect for the veteran's of past wars. No air conditioned CHUs, no ergonomically designed gear. Deployments that lasted the length of the entire conflict. Not to mention combat jumps in WWII. Each war has it's own unique conditions and challenges, but I can't help but look back and think that past generations had to carry a heavier burden in many ways.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2014 12:26 PM

2014-11-12T12:26:30-05:00

It is all about perspective;

Was blessed to sit with my Grandfather (WWII Vet) and his brothers (had 9 who served in Korean and Vietnam) and was able to hear and see how they interacted with eachother while they conducted their ritual coffee-EX every morning (weekdays only of course) and I can say that the difference was attitude; belief in how their war was perceived by the public and how they feel their war made a difference in the world writ large. There was the obvious jabbing and joking about how hard things were or were not; but I can say that the biggest difference was how they talked about their war; which was heavily dependant on how their war critiqued. That drove a basic persona of each that on its face gave them a stark contrast to the others. Bottom line-Grandpa knew he defeated the Axis; freed millions of oppressed people and came home a national hero and went on to capitalize on that. Korean War Brothers felt like they had done a good thing; and were thankful they were able to fight communism and in the 80's/90's looked at their experience even better when the USSR fell but were not as revered as the WWII vets and always felt that was unfair. The Vietnam brothers; well, they fought tooth and nail to make others see that they had done a good thing, even though they felt that the war was senseless; a waste and the public did not revere them...they seemed like they had a harder time overall. So looking at that situation, I would say they all equally share in the glory of serving their country in combat and were all heroes in my book; but if I just went from attitude, overall demeanor and personality; I would have to say the WWII vets faired much better because they felt they made a bigger difference and our nation loved them for it. Looking at recent events from Grenada to present; just not the same feeling and fervor and I fear that the last two will garner even worse attitudes for veterans as the nation and culture is far more jaded and self-centered; their pessimism and personality is what we are really judging; and at times we have very bad examples today; and I look forward to more of the positive examples to come forward so their can be better balance overall. I think we are much better off than the older Vets; but we are far worse off in our hearts and that will show in the end for the next generation of warriors.