As a Nam vet I hate Veterans day.

[Alleyyooper]

So many things about today just tick me off. First off for years we along with Korean vets do not get much press. Sort of figured as the WW II vets disappeared from the scene maybe we would be able to get our just do. Not the case how ever we have been skipped over an the middle east vets are taking the place of the WW II vet with all the sacrifices they have went thru. I'm sorry, Nam vets sacrificed too, a School mate gave the ultimate sacrifice and because of my home town being small and his family being one of the biggest businesses in town and donated so much lumber the school stadium is names for him.
Also have a friend who lost a leg in Nam and I am also a card carrying disabled vet, just a small issue compared to others who also were spit on when they arrived back in country.

One thing here all vets are scammed equal with today.

Just how many or you would go out to one of the listed restaurant's for a meal today if they were not giving a free some thing to the vet?

Scam 1
What a scam the restaurants have came up with, some have a special menu that you can pick from void the higher priced meals but who can argue with a free meal.

Scam 2
Most of us vets have a wife girl friend or other. You take advantage of a meal you would not normally drive to town for and the restaurant gets to charge you for the second meal.

Sorry I will not par take drinking the cool aid, I would just be happy with a 20% discount on a meal for my self and wife rather than the normal 10% many will give if you ask and flash your VA ID card.


Thank You Lowe's, Auto Zone and a few others who give me a vets discount 12 months a year 365/366 days a year.

   Al

 

[iddee]

Another 'nam vet here, although I don't give it much thought. Here in the south, 'nam vets are thought of highly just as all others are.
I don't go out for any of the fake freebies. I do use Lowes and home depot and their 10%, but only when I need their product.

[jjodie]

I have to agree with Iddie here.

[Wandering Man]

Veteran's Day and Memorial day both give me an opportunity to say a special thanks to my brother, a Vietnam Vet who survived Vietnam, but not the peace.

[neillsayers]

Alley and Iddee,

Thank You for your service! Sweet Wife is a Viet Nam vet and wouldn't talk about it for the longest time. Her friends thought she was crazy for enlisting. She loves her country and wanted to serve. The conflict ended the year I turned 18 or I would have served. Members of my family have served in every war since the French and Indian War. My sons served in the 1st gulf war. Oldest son served in Afghanistan and Iraq, It's the price we pay for this great nation.

On a side note, Sweet Wife and I were married 21 years ago today!

[lazy shooter]

As Iddee said, our locals treat all vets the same.  Our local Lion's club rents out American Flags on holidays, and my bride and I placed 27 large flags in front of businesses this morning at sunrise.  We will pick them up at sunset today.  Afterward, the bride went to her job, and I went to our local Mexican restaurant and had a great breakfast.  It was FREE.  The waitresses wouldn't even accept a tip.  I too was in Nam.  It was a tough war and its participants were for the most part neglected. 

To Neilsayers, I wish you a Happy anniversary and my heartfelt congratulations.  Every anniversary is a milestone.  Just keep no keeping on.

lazy

I'm getting to the age where every day is a happy day, and one that should be celebrated.

[LazyBkpr]

I don't know much about scams being pulled.. never tried to use any of the deals..   Not a nam vet.. My time was spent during peace.. such as it was.. My grandfathers fought in WW2, Uncles cousins etc, etc in Korea and Nam.. My son went to Afghanistan, and is slated to go back again...
   Vets here are vets..    You try to spit on any of us/ them and you'll find quickly that you have no teeth left.

[Jen]

My late brother Dave, Vietnam vet, died a few years ago from ALS, a most disheartening way to die. An ALS meeting I went to, to try and understand what to expect in my brother's care, said that ALS is now equated to soldiers who pack artillery on a regular basis for months or even years. Destroys the nerves in the muscles. The throat and the lungs are muscles. So in fact, the ALS patient starves and suffocated to death. It was hard watching him wither away.

Veteran's day means so much more to me since my bro had to succumb to this dreaded disease.

[lazy shooter]

Since I last posted, I have taken my bride to lunch at our local deli store.  It's apply named Two or more.    I call it the paramour.  Anyway, lunch was free for this old vet and his lady.  But, we live in a kind and gentle society in West Texas.  We take time to greet and hug.  If you don't like friendly people, don't come here.

Like the other lazy said, "we respect all of our vets."  But, the vets from Nam were not originally well thought of.  There were no coming home parties for us, but we all turn out when one of guys are gals returns from Afghanistan.  That fine with me, I'm too blessed to worry about my position among vets.

lazy

[Barry n Abbie]

My Desert was Afghanistan.  It took a part of me that I will never get back, a part that came from deep within my soul through the eyes of a little Afgan boy.  However, after 7 years of treatment, I can say honestly that I see the world differently now, with more mindfulness and more in tune with my own spirituality.  There can be good come from the darkness of despair.

The image attached was taken in Dec 2008.

To those who did not come home, or came home broken from conflicts across the globe, this solider wants to say thank you for your service.

[Bakersdozen]

Some veterans don't like to hear this, but I will say it to those that don't mind. No matter when or where you served, thank you for your service.  We benefit from your sacrifices every single day.

[Chip Euliss]

Sorry to hear of your brother Jen and of the poor reception some of our vets have received for serving their country.  It's sad that some of us don't appreciate the service and sacrifices our vets have made to our wonderful nation.  I served too but was a tad young for the war in Vietnam; I served after college in the Medical Research and Development Command in San Francisco.  Doesn't seem possible but that was 40 years ago   My contribution was pale in comparison to the vets I admire so much.  My stepdad, now deceased, served in WWII and was commissioned on the battle field in Italy.  He had more metal in him than a 1957 Buick but it never slowed him down!  We proudly fly our flag on this and other important days to celebrate the life and contributions these great heroes have made to our country.

[Jen]

Thanks Chip, I love how you say 'our wonderful nation'

Barry, my bro was one of the first to be drafted in the Vietnam war. He fought on the front lines and witnessed things that he would never talk about. He lived into his mid 60's. The Veterans Admininstration took such good care of him during his illness, and his care counselor was very helpful and patient. Thank you for the photo of you.. you and I both have big brown eyes

Wman, your bro and my bro

To all of you other fellas that posted here, I enjoyed hearing your stories. I worked in an assisted living facility a few years back. Got to meet some of the most interesting elderly people. When I would be getting them ready for their showers, I would ask them to tell me about their stories of when they served. They were always compliant to share.

[Lburou]

I heard an analogy about the animal of war (think of an uber giant alligator).  On one end of the animal of war you will find teeth, (the people and systems that actually take the battle to the enemy, and win), On the opposite end of the teeth you will find the tail, (All the support people and systems that make it possible for the teeth to bite).  I was in line for my time close those teeth, but Vietnam ended before that happened.  (If you are interested, I was a Rescue Crew Commander, flying Jolly Green Giant helicopters before retraining to Audiology).

To those who have served, you have my thanks.  To those who served as the teeth in the animal of war, you have my undying respect.  I can only imagine what you have gone through.   

And to those who have lost friends and loved ones, I feel your pain.   Peace.

[Alleyyooper]

Viet Nam had no front lines or lines at all. Even the REMF stationed in Saigon had reason to be watchful.

Yes a lot had to do with where you lived. When I would go home I was treated like I had never left but where I worked in the city you dare not wear OD green back then. Today how ever so many business are on the patriot band wagon to the point one company's service cars/trucks are American flag painted.

https://www.google.com/maps/uv?hl=en&pb=!1s0x88247e407b3d08cf:0xe4818f0920e0351e!2m13!2m2!1i80!2i80!3m1!2i20!16m7!1b1!2m2!1m1!1e1!2m2!1m1!1e3!3m1!7e115!4shttps://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname%3D104189338588269181632%26id%3D6255330378230631618%26target%3DPHOTO!5sholland+heating+and+cooling+davison+michigan+-+Google+Search&imagekey=!1e3!2s-E1eGknQI94E/Vs9l1jsljMI/AAAAAAAAAB4/i-5xfDIpbs4eVIiwhetJeysVyZoI1NpzQCJkC&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwig55fgnaPQAhVKxoMKHWejCQIQoioIiwEwCw

I would never use them my self.

   Al

[neillsayers]

I grew up in a working class neighborhood. All eligible young men served in Viet Nam. No draft dodgers that I can remember. When my friends older brothers were coming back they were all changed, most in a bad way.
I asked my Dad, a WW2 vet, what was different with them.

This is what he told me: No one can go into war without it changing them. It has been called shell shock or battle fatigue but it scars your mind. When he returned after serving the duration in both theaters, he and other vets were met at the rail station by a welcoming mob. The high school band was there and the mayor thanked every one for their service. For months afterwards, he couldn't buy a drink at a bar, his money was no good at diners and young ladies everywhere treated him like he was Clark Gable.
The attitude towards vets was, "They saved our country!" 
He said that helped men live with what they had done and seen.
After that conversation I made a point to thank every returning vet I ran into.

I may not totally agree with the reasoning behind our wars, but the men and women who serve deserve the best treatment and respect possible.

[Jen]

I think that is where the rub is Neil. Our Vietnam vets were not honored like that. I understand the bitterness. When my bro returned home from the Vietnam war, before walking into our house, he walked straight to the back yard, stripped down to his skivvy's and put his fatigues and backpack right into the garbage can. We didn't bother him with any explanation.

[iddee]

Here's a site some of you may like to browse. Just click on your state, then your town.  Or search by name.

http://www.virtualwall.org/

[Jen]

Our county has the Living Memorial Sculpture Garden, complete with our own memorial wall. It's a beautiful and peaceful place to visit.

http://www.weedlmsg.org/index.html

[neillsayers]

Here's a site some of you may like to browse. Just click on your state, then your town.  Or search by name.

http://www.virtualwall.org/

Thanks Iddee,

Very somber, but worthwhile.