Is there a disconnect between the Korean & Vietnam Veterans & the Gulf/OIF/OEF Veterans?

My take on this is that I look at it like this. I loved my grandfather and my father but because of generational differences I didn’t want to spend every waking hour with them. They didn’t see the world the way I did. They way my grandfather was raised, the way my father was raised, and the way I was raised were totally different. The only common thread with us was our blood. That drew us together and we had a bond that was unbreakable even through death.
I look at WWII, Korean, Vietnam, Cold War, DS/OIF/OEF veterans the same. There are some serious generational gaps with technology in the way we were trained, fought, gear, weapons, tactics etc to the enemies we faced both at home and abroad. Our only common bond our blood, the fact that we have all been through the fire and came out different on the other side is there and it goes all the way back to the revolutionary war.
The way to fix it is to drop the “I served in xxx war mentality” or “my war was rougher than your war” type of mentality and focus on the common bond…we served and we have that in common. The orgs that I have visited have all been smoke filled boozed up bars with BINGO where younger people were told come in we need your money but sit over there because you haven’t earned the right to speak yet. Remove the dang rank structure…we served but we aren’t serving any longer. Older generations dance to big band…younger dance to hip hop. Additionally, the ones I have visited when asked about what they do for the community or veterans in the community, you get a lot of blank stares and a bunch of HMMS and ohhhhhhs then the subject gets changed. They seem like a place of refuge for the veterans away from their families. There doesn’t seem to be family suppers or get togethers for families.
War is war...it is cruel and nasty and people die. We as veterans have all faced that and until we embrace that fact and that there are differences in culture I believe a lot of these orgs will die on the vine.

At a personal level being a desert storm/ OIF veteran . It seems the Vietnam/ Korean war vets should be held at higher respect because these wars were very different by tactics and technology but regardless we are all veterans and earn that title as such.

I've conversed with many vets of different times, never had a problem. If all parties are open minded, tend to remember we are all in the "Brotherhood of Arms" then I don't see the problem.
I can guess there are "chips" still being carried from past experiences, but just remember that a vet from another time isn't the one who caused the problem.

There is a disconnect in several areas. I consider them my brothers but if they don't consider me a sister, I'm not offended and actually respect that. I also tell Vietnam and Korean vets, if it weren't for you, I wouldn't have a country to fight for. But my dad was a Vietnam vet. I hear their welcome home horror stories, activists, etc. Now many Americans and other countries support us and show us honor/respect. They never got that. For PTSD, psychiatrist are bad. It will ruin your future. So most Vietnam and Korean vets wouldn't get needed psych help. Shell shock. Suck it up. So poor guys aren't getting needed help. Plus so much negative stigma put on them at their young ages. To fix this, I honor them for their sacrifices not "service". I thank them for saving USA. Reach out and say thank you. Be selfless. Think of others and the shame they felt because of hateful activists.

COL Mikel J. Burroughs This is my perspective, from my vantage point in the Army (80-13). I felt there was a disconnect, and I feel there is a disconnect. Just random thoughts as to why and then what I think will help...

1. Both Korean War and Vietnam War Veterans seem to have been forgotten, and even scorned, and for no good reason. Like generations before and after, they did what they were asked to do willingly and faithfully. These days, I go out of my way to thank all veterans especially WWII, Korea, and Vietnam Vets.

2. In my lifetime of service, the first time I recall it being thanked as a Soldier for my service, was after Desert Storm. That was a seminal event in my lifetime with regards to Americans appreciating the military. Then, for the first time, it seemed to be in vogue to have yellow ribbons and thank service members.

3. Finally, as stated in other discussions, I have been to places like American Legion, the VFW, and the old guard members don't seem to interested in embracing veterans from the post Vietnam era; Or, at least that is feeling I get when I am around them.

4. Perhaps we are all doomed to think things were harder, and we were harder back in the day. Perhaps the disconnect is really my issue. In 33 years I spent over 36 months in combat, which I know when compared to many in the modern era is laughable. But, compared to previous wars, is a good bit to say the least. As an example... you spent 6 months in the Nam... I spent 15 months in Baghdad...

I can only bridge the gap from my end, by continuing to thank all those that serve/served. I will continue to do that, as every era is different, but service is service, and there are not many of us willing to serve.

"To us, and those like us -- damn few."

I recall a Mauldin cartoon in the '70s of a grizzled SNCO with hash marks down his sleeve surrounded by civilians in a bar, saying "After WWII I couldn't buy a drink; after Korea I had to buy my own drinks; now everybody just wants to fight."

I can relate to that. Even the WWII vets looked down on us in those days, and for that reason I have never had anything to do with the VFW or any other service organization. It is a deep shame if Viet Nam vets are now treating more recent vets that way today.

I don't think there is a gap with us, it's just we all served at different times, and in different wars. The military has changed very much since the time of Veitnam, and the Korean War. This two wars were closer together but the main problem was that Korea was still a voluntary army where Americans were proud to serve and the country was behind them. Veitnam was the war where we still fought pretty much the same enemy and when Americans started to dislike the war the military started drafting people. I respect all veterans and I have a soft spot in my heart for the Vietnam vets. The vets of today wars are back to voluntarily, I know veterans today don't join VFW's like we should or the American Legion. I enjoy going to the VA hospital though, I get to hang out with fellow vets and talk to them, get to know them. I like listening to there stories and just like spending time with them. Even at work when I'm at the cash register at work ringing out people the vets usually come in my line because they know I'm at vet and we get to joke around and laugh a little plus we check in each other.

Respect! Thats where it all begins. I attend groups with Vietnam, Gulf War and OIF/OEF veterans. I would suspect a pissing match between generations if there is a glitch in a relationship with the other generations. War is hell and those who have seen it never stop seeing. If they never saw combat then there is still a respect for their service. I tell older generations that it is because of them, we have learned basic TTP's that are fundamental to this day. They have also fought for a more fluid separation process for Service Members today. The benefits we enjoy today are a result of their service and others like them. If you see another Veteran, thank them. If they are Vietnam, welcome them home. Some have NEVER heard those words. I have had men cry and hug me because of the respect I bestow onto them. Buy them a meal or pay for their coffee. Simple gestures go a long way. You can make a difference. Try it today and see for yourself.

COL Mikel J. Burroughs, I go out of my way to engage veterans across generations when I see them. I'm not sure if the disconnect is intentional or unavoidable based on the varied responses I've received for a simple, "Thank you for your service."

After we returned from Iraq we got a chance to meet with the Vietnam Vets that were in our unit (1-506th IN) in Vietnam. It was a great time for both groups. We swapped war stories and talked about what the whole experience was like. Boredom, fear, anger, feelings of "why are we here", etc. It was amazing how much our experiences were similar. I remember telling them how I felt that what I went through didn't compare to what they went through and was surprised when several of them said they felt the same way about us. The experience was eye-opening. So if there is a disconnect between the generations, my advice is to get them together and talk about the experiences. The wars might have been fought in different places and with different technology, but if you've read much military history (from the soldiers perspective) you'll see that a Revolutionary War veteran and an Iraq veteran have a lot more in common than you might realize.