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

There are many disconnects, but I think the root cause is that except for WWII (excluding 9/11) we have never felt truly under attack. Pearl Harbor galvanized our culture to defend our borders and defeat any who would try to invade. Since then there has been no event, except for the short-lived response to 9/11, to glue us together against a common enemy. During the Cold War there was a modicum of understanding by everyone, although once the draft ended and many have had no desire to serve, that understanding of a "mental" enemy has gone by the wayside. The lack of a draft today probably plays a part, perhaps causing the "all-volunteer force" to feel a slight bit elitist, whereas the majority of troops who served in Viet Nam faced and answered the draft. The atmosphere within the country during the Viet Nam conflict caused many, including veterans from an earlier era, to turn a cold shoulder to those who served. While the uniform does bind us all, there are many emotional and other personal factors that interfere with a united front from our veteran community. Beginning with Korea and the resulting DMZ we have not fought any war since WWII to a conclusion that would declare us a winner. We started to after 9/11, but that quickly devolved into what might be described as skirmish action instead of full-scale "we're here to beat you and we will". This may seem like a ramble, but I'll conclude by saying that until there is cohesion within our borders we will always have differences between the generations who serve.

Huge difference. Terrains, population attitudes, weather, and resources to name a few

Speaking for myself here being a ODS/ Gulf Wat Vet. I have not seen a true disconnect with the Korean or Nam Vets I have Cousins and other family that were in these wars and yes no matter what you call them they were wars in any sense of the word. I always show respect for these Vets and understand there is a vast difference in the political climate between My era and theirs which makes me respect them even more as I was never spat on or called baby killer and such. Can only say that those Brothers and Sisters that served in Nam and Korea are to me true Bad a**es.

I would say yes, there is a disconnect between these areas of veterans

The only disconnect that I'm aware of is an age difference, and possibly the different 'type' of conditions of the battlefield we all fought on. Bridging those gaps, in my opinion, would be to try to understand that although the differences in the battles we fought, we must understand each handles our wars differently. Whose was the worst or best conditions? I would say the Korean War was the worst. But so was Vietnam. Communication with all of our differences can help us all understand - bridging that gap.

The disconnect is not a Service related issue. I believe it is a difference in generations. We need, as older men, to understand the differences in the way our younger generations have experienced the world as compared to what we experienced. How many times have you heard your self saying "I just don't understand the younger generation" ? We just need to communicate and talk. We have a great deal of commonalities but our world was different. This is a great place to talk, share and COMMUNICATE.

FIRST....If you are in service to your country and someone is trying to kill you and you must kill them....IT IS WAR even if Congress did not say it was....
SECOND .... We form our opinions based on our life experiences....I have NEVER seen a "gap" between veterans of various WARS
While working as a fireman....I never had to find out where Walter slept if he followed me on night watch. All I had to do is slowly walk down the middle aisle of the barracks in the dark. Walter who had been a machine gunner in WW II would sit up in bed. His nerves were shot by his WW II experiences and the slightest noise would jar him awake.
I never have to worry about being late for an early morning appointment .....Because of night sweats and nightmares....I never sleep past 0300. It is get up or lay there staring at the ceiling.
Is there a gap between the WW II soldier that froze his butt fighting Germans in Europe and the Marine who sweated his ass in the jungles of the Pacific fighting the Japanese..... Is there a disconnect between the 101 st paratrooper being shot at as he dangled from the church steeple in Europe and the Ranger hanging in the air above Pointe Salines in Grenada as 50 cal bullets rip the air around him.
Is there a disconnect between the veteran of "Frozen Chosen" and "Sweat of TET"..... I think not.
Civilians who were not there may make a distinction.... may consider a "difference".... but those of us who paid the price.....suffer the wounds both external and internal.....do not see the difference..... at least I DO NOT

I never realized that there was a Disconnect between the generations of soldiers. I KNOW there was a disconnect between the Government & the Soldiers. A friend of mine was a Tank commander in WWII in N Africa with Patton & Cicily & up thru Italy. When the My Lai incident Erupted, my friend sent LBJ a letter stating that if Calley was to stand Trial, then Every WWII veteran Should be Tried also. WHY ? Because WAR is 'HELL' Not a picnic ! If Our country is sending its teenagers to fight a political Enemy do NOT be surprised if people are Killed. 'o'bama's administration did EVERYTHING it could so that American Military personnel would be Killed in AFG with No recourse by the rediculous roe that 'it' imposed on OUR soldiers there ! This situation Must be rectified if The United States of America is continue as a 'Force for Right' in the present age !!! GOD Bless America & EVERY single member of its Military that is Defending her !!!

If there is I haven't noticed it much... some of my Vietnam comrades that laughed at Desert Storm being eligible for the Veterans of Foreign Wars have met their maker and are not around to grumble like the Korea Vets did with Us 'Nam Vets.. and only a few WW Ii Vets left and I hardly see them unless it's at a funeral for one of the WW II Comrades. We've a smattering of Panama Vets, a few Kosovo Vets.. I'm just happy to have these young guys an gals around ... never know when my number might be called.. I don't initiate war talk .. i contribute.. but don't start it..
we usually talk About getting our program projects going asking for help, offering it..
and some sports ragging... talk about the
Some of the fake stuff in war movies..

I don't think there is more than the expected Generation Gap. Different clothing, music, and social habits. This is just a result of society changing. At the basic level of being fellow Veterans I think that bond remains the same. It is based on shared sacrifice and service and doesn't seem to change. The rules have changed but the outcome is the same.