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The public makes opinions on how they viewed the war we're in.The last war that was seen in a good light was Desert Storm.We all know the bad blood with Nam and the love of WW I, II and the forgotten war in Korea. What are we as SM's leaving behind as each one of us move on into the later stages of life. What are we giving the new Soldiers we didn't get before? How will we be remembered?
Warfare
Peace
Legacy
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 12
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SSG Swann, the most difficult thing for me to understand is that our war isn't over. As much as our civilian leaders want it to be, Afghanistan, Iraq and other places with Islamist extremists are still pulling American blood and treasure.
My kids are young, so they don't understand what I did/will do. That's good for me because it gives me a few years to frame an answer when they do ask.
I do believe what we did ("boots on the ground" people) was justified and good. Just not clear what policy we supported and if we got to our leaders' endstates.
My kids are young, so they don't understand what I did/will do. That's good for me because it gives me a few years to frame an answer when they do ask.
I do believe what we did ("boots on the ground" people) was justified and good. Just not clear what policy we supported and if we got to our leaders' endstates.
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SSG Warren Swan
SSG John Thornton - that would be ideal, EXCEPT there is big money over there, and that money trumps any of us. I feel and will always feel that going into the Stan was the right thing to do. I'll never understand why we went into Iraq. Sketchy intel should've caused pause, but it caused action....the wrong action.
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SPC Matthew Morris
SSG Warren Swan I think our actions were justified in the 'Stan, but I think there could have been more efficient ways of going about capturing OBL and hamstringing AQ than stomping in with 125k troops. Also, there is huge money in the Mid East. I didn't realize until just a couple months ago that we don't have to get oil to make money off it: conflict in the Middle East drives prices up because of the danger inherent in transporting it. Crafty. That being said, we are not so stupid of a populace to be easily hoodwinked, there had to of been actual strategic goals to us entering Iraq, I think they just have not been revealed. Overall, we took a conventional approach to an unconventional problem, and we paid the price fiscally and with the blood of our countrymen as well as that of civilians caught in the crossfire.
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SSG Warren Swan
Sir one day your kids are going to read about us in their history books just like I read about my father and Nam. Will those lessons to your children see us as protectors or invaders? Will we be seen in the same light as the Greatest Generation, or are we a bunch of "do nothings" who did a lot of bad deeds to some "good" people? I do not believe history will be kind to us. I believe too much has happened over the last 15 years and all the pro-military support that made WWI and II a resounding success, skipped every war since. Maybe Desert Storm would be the exception.
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SPC Matthew Morris
SSG Warren Swan - Might be the crazy vet in me coming out, but I think the major difference is public involvement in the war effort. Think about it, in WWI and WWII, every citizen had to make sacrifices so that our GIs overseas could have their basic needs met *sometimes*, and many of our young men were sent to go fight. Since then, we have just been another program on the television. We literally compete for public attention with the likes of American Idol and Survivor. What's worse, with the lack of public involvement, I am sure getting called for the draft in 'Nam was more like being chosen as a tribute (Hunger Games reference) than being chosen to do your part. With the general public remaining uninvolved, I don't see vilification of the warfighter changing just for our conflict or generation. I mean seriously, they think that refusing orders that could harm civilians is an easy or common thing...completely detached from reality...
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SSG Warren Swan
Sir you came home to a country that hated you. They disrespected you, tried to make you feel less than human, and wanted to strip you and your fellow Nam vets of your dignity. How long did it take for you all to get the just respect each and every one of you deserved by the county you supported? There is no way the time it took was acceptable, but I feel as though it's about to repeat itself again now. The war isn't "sexy", it's not "cool", we don't have the full support of America anymore, so would our legacy be a Nam pt2?
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CPT Jack Durish
SSG Warren Swan - I fear that most never received the honor they deserved nor expect it. That is possibly the saddest thing I've ever said. So, yes, that may just be our legacy
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SSG Warren Swan
CPT Jack Durish - This will be biased as hell, but I'm old enough to have had Nam vets as my early SQD LDR's and PSG's. Firm and fair. Great men all. But your generation were the ones we looked up to. You're reminded of heroics and mistakes from Nam, and how the country was upon your return. It's not going to mean shit to you or your brothers and sisters if I say thank you. I think these homecoming ceremonies that units are doing for y'all are the "thank you's" that you were robbed of. But looking at you and me as vets, I feel our legacy will be the exact same, and it won't be good.
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CPT Jack Durish
SSG Warren Swan - If Vietnam Vets share anything, it is our burning desire that no vet ever again be treated as we were. Trust me, if ever you are abused for your service and a Vietnam Vet is anywhere near, we'll have your back
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SSG Warren Swan My war was a long time ago. I went to Vietnam because I thought aiding South Vietnam was a just cause. Our government stopped the war. I still feel that it was a just cause and that I did the right thing. I live my life doing what is right. I mentor and try to help out where I can. I would hope that my personal legacy is one of living my life with integrity.
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SSG Warren Swan
DAMN GOOD ANSWER!!! You can only get one like for this response. What we believe in our hearts, the deeds we did to complete a mission, and the toll it took on our hearts, don't know a time period. I feel the same as you, but history wasn't kind to you. I really believe you all got a raw deal from America at the time. I think now, more of America see's what was done, but I believe we're going to see a repeat, and the history books won't see us as defenders of freedom or any other catchy jingle that would make our sacrifices real. There will be footnotes of us (like Nam), and it'll be a taboo thing to talk about.
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Sgt (Join to see)
SSG Warren Swan - I agree with you. I do not think the history books will be kind.
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