How Many Viet Nam Vets Here?

bongobobny · May 25, 2013

I was there from July '69 to Jun '70 US Army with the 101st Airborne stationed at Camp Eagle between Hue and Phu Bai. I was lucky, a Radar O'Riley type of sorts. Things were different then, we weren't looked at as heros but rather the scum of the earth when we got home. I'll never forget after I got home to Buffalo NY I flew down to Philadelphia to be with my Fiance and thought she would like to see me in uniform, so I did just that. When she saw me her look spoke volumes! She tried to recover and asked me why I was in uniform when I was discharged, and asked me If I wanted to change. I don't think she even kissed me right away, and it was obvious she was ashamed to be with me.

It has taken me up to just a couple of years ago to come to grips with all of it, and sure don't feel like any kind of hero. Better men than I didn't get to come home.

As of this year I am now a lifetime member of the VFW and a member of the American Legion as well, but am not active with either. To me it's just a cheap place to get drunk, but hopefully as I do get involved that outlook will change.

I am currently 60% disabled thanks to exposure to agent orange and type 2 diabeties and am trying to be declared 100% as I was sort of forced to retire last fall because of the increased discomfort of periferal neuropathy in both feet and hands.

So that's my story and I'm sticking to it! What's yours???

boss hog · May 25, 2013

I was in the 1st infantry march 67 to march 68 got some agent orange promle

leo3wheel · May 25, 2013

I'm a Vietnam Era vet. Served in US Air Force '68-'72. Was a technical instructor of Avionics Inertial and Radar Navigation Systems Repair at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, MS. Attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Once taught a class of Iranian officers, that was interesting. Was offered a year's salary to reenlist, but I was married and said, "No thanks!"

rhino 2 · May 25, 2013

I was in country 66/67 Still wondering why???

bongobobny · May 25, 2013

leo3wheel said:
I'm a Vietnam Era vet. Served in US Air Force '68-'72. Was a technical instructor of Avionics Inertial and Radar Navigation Systems Repair at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, MS. Attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Once taught a class of Iranian officers, that was interesting. Was offered a year's salary to reenlist, but I was married and said, "No thanks!"

Leo, we are definately going to have a lot to talk about on the way to the International!!

bongobobny · May 25, 2013

rhino 2 said:
I was in country 66/67 Still wondering why???

Pondered that for years along with why am I still alive! I know now God still has a purpose for me...

TeNn · May 25, 2013

9th inf div 68-69 . got 100 % disabled 2 years ago.

Woolie · May 25, 2013

66 - 67 for me.

Gold Rush · May 26, 2013

Phan Rang AB Dec 24, 1969 to Dec 17, 1970.

Didn't go through the "HELL" some of you did but it was plenty exciting for this poor farm boy.

I've been to THE WALL in DC a couple times. Eyes get blurry there...

Stay safe my Brothers......

bikerbillone · May 26, 2013

Join the club, Korea veteran here. No welcome home......

donjack · May 26, 2013

Served in Nam 1967 through 68, US Marine Corp, Bravo 1/9, Kae Shann, Rockpile, Camp Evans, area.

motoadvrider · May 26, 2013

'67-'68, then again in '69. Was Medivac'd after jumping into a bunker and throwing out my right knee. Spent 3 months at good old Ft Sill Army hospital.
Certainly no welcome home from the folks back home.

meredog · May 26, 2013

62-66 here---- still wonder why

mtn rider · May 26, 2013

My hats off to those front line troops,you deserve better treatment. I spent from 1965 to 1970 riding the bomb ships (6000 tons) up the river from Vung Tau to Saigon as a merchant marine. As a civilian contractor I was never treated as badly as our uniformed troops,so on this memorial day I say" I'm proud of you" and glad I was able to keep you in supplies to protect the freedom of the folks back home who looked down on your service.