tribute to vietnam veterans

I got an email from one of my old shipmates and thought I would share the contents with you.

A few weeks ago, while I was doing my Monday volunteer gig at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island museum, a gentleman came up to me after spending some time looking at the Vietnam conflict display on our second deck and asked if I was in Vietnam. I said yes and he shook his head and said "what's your opinion of us being in such a waste of time and people'. Although we're told not to get into discussions about politics, this question...and I'm asked a lot of questions by visitors....took me somewhat by surprise. Perhaps the sarcastic way he presented it. I could tell by his manner and his age (an old fart about my age) that he probably was never in the military, hated the thought and most likely was one of those who would have spit on me back in '68 when I returned to 'the world' given the chance.

I looked him square in the eye and said "had our military been allowed to win that war, South Vietnam today would be a rival to South Korea and Japan in the modern world instead of the shit hole it still is making clothing with slave labor for us to buy cheap. South Korea, with our military's help, manufactures quality automobiles, high tech appliances, computers and most likely the cell phone you're carrying...Seoul, it's capitol, is one of the most modern cities on the planet not to mention the Japanese and South Korean people are free". It is one of our few remaining friends in an increasingly hostile world.

He just looked at me. I suspect he thought I would put my head down and and say something to validate his obvious negative ideas about America and our military.

I reminded him that in the eight years we were in Vietnam we NEVER lost one single major engagement. The US Military didn't lose that war. The US lost the war right here at home at the hands of the media and academia. I then added that Walter Cronkite was a more decisive enemy of our troops than Ho Chi Minh ever was. "You and I were born in a time when America would stand shoulder to shoulder with people who wanted to earn their freedom as we did ours. I hope those same evil forces don't overtake our land today and force us to stand back and watch freedom die because if we do, it'll die here too." He shook my hand and we parted company.

On this "official" teacher's and government workers celebration of Veteran's Day, I'm personally offering this tribute to my fellow Vietnam Vets.

Welcome Home Brothers!