VN Vets Coming Out

[ISP-FL]

Since going to the visitation of a buddy from Nam I hadn't talked to in over 46 years I have been doing some thinking about those past days. I am one of the younger VN vets since I was there in 71 and part of 72 while being 18 years old.

When I got home it seemed like everyone was a veteran, or at least everyone I worked with or hung out with. We didn't really talk about it much. We didn't talk about it with each other, with our families, or with anyone, we just began a new phase of our lives and that was that.

A couple weeks ago we were visiting our son in Chicago. I had just attended my buddy's visitation in downstate Illinois and told him about it. He asked me "you were in Viet Nam?" I had never talked to him about it. Then a couple days ago I got a call from my deceased buddies middle son. He had gotten my phone number from the on-line funeral home condolence entry I had posted for his Dad. He wanted to know if I was going to be in the area and if so if I could meet with them to talk about being with his Dad in Viet Nam. He said his Dad had never talked about his time in the military and they wanted to know. I told him I would absolutely meet with him and his siblings next month on our way back through.

But now it seems like some of that has changed. A couple years ago I found a VN campaign sticker. I bought a couple of them. Put one on the windshield of my Harley and one on the back of my RV. I joined the Legion and began attending once and awhile. Now I probably don't go a week without someone coming up to me at a gas station or a RV park and thanking me for my service. It is hard getting used to. I almost took the stickers off because of it. I didn't do anything special, I wasn't a hero, I didn't save anyone, I didn't kill anyone that I'm aware of. I was just a kid that went over there with some buddies, did our jobs, and when we had time partied as hard as we could.

But the stickers are staying. It is my way of honoring some of my fellow VN vets that have not been as lucky as me: My older cousin Gary Clem who survived the tet of 68 only to die of agent orange related cancer in his early 60's. My brother-in-law Bill McLaughlin who as a gunner was shot down twice and came home to die of the same cancer in his late 50's. My other brother-in-law Ken Crawford who was only in the bush for 3 months before losing both of his legs. My buddy Mark Aberle who came home and had 7 kids and 21 grandkids before agent orange cancer killed him this month at age 66. Any finally my buddy Vernon Smith who was by my side from basic until we got back from VN, who was just diagnosed with bladder cancer.

I wish all my brother VN vets would display a campaign ribbon sticker on their car, motorcycle, or RV. And to all of you out there, get used to hearing it "welcome home brother".....

[Sully]

Joe, Welcome Home brother.

I have a Nam decal on mine, and the same thing happens to me. People come up to me and Thank me. I would have not thought by placing the decal it would even be noticed by most people, only other Veterans.

[2006gold]

Times have changed, haven't they? Still remember walking carefully through airports wearing my Navy whites and avoiding anyone whom I thought might spit on me because I wore that campaign ribbon. Then, again, I don't think that mattered - we were all "baby killers" in the eyes of some regardless of uniform. I go out of my way to shake the hand of anyone I can identify as a Vietnam, or Vietnam era, vet and have found that others do the same for me. Welcome home, brother.

[rhino 2]

Joe, Welcome Home brother.

I have a Nam decal on mine, and the same thing happens to me. People come up to me and Thank me. I would have not thought by placing the decal it would even be noticed by most people, only other Veterans.

Like you Sully... I just have the Vietnam campaign sticker on my Trike....Those that know will thank me, Those that don't know will ask...And i just tell them 'It means Boots on the Ground... I have mixed feelings about it....Drafted in 65, Nam in 66.

That was a long time ago, Did what i had to do 11b20 RTO... Came out alive and in one piece, And relatively healthy.. I never joined any Vet Groups, Back then most Older Vets, Remember that was 50 years ago...Felt we lost that war...

[gwnut]

Joe, Like you I did what I was told. Definitely not a hero and not really wanting to get praise for being there. I was told to go and I went.

Lost some BROTHERS as we all did. Long time ago! Welcome Home Brother!!!!!!! Bill

[5x40]

I'm retired and live near and shop at Fort Campbell. When we go on post to the commissary I always wear my VN Veterans BB cap as do many others. It draws the attention of other VN Vets and next thing there will be a group of us taking up space in a isle. It's like being in Repo Depot. 192nd AHC, Phan Thiet, 1968... "Hooah"

[Peter A.]

I too did my time (1965-69) but fortunately never saw VM - but I still remember the MOOD

and TENSIONS of the time, lost many classmates/friends.

Those were troublesome times and I GLADLY shake the hand of ANY VETERAN that I come across a BIG WELCOME HOME to all of you!!

[trike lady]

Lost my high school sweetheart to the VN war. I worked for a guy in PA who was a real jerk towards Vets. One of the customers bought a bike there and he fought in VN and we had a good talk. Every time he came in for parts he'd ask for me to help him. Many were whining about the draft, a number of guys went into the Navy together, John he enlisted in the Marine Corp and then there were the ones I had no use for that ran.

Gentlemen, thank you for your service.

[Hhardrockminer]

Hey My Brother,

I hear what you're saying as I have not mentioned my service in country(VN), but have lost several friends there.

I'm not a hero either but I still won't join a vet group, VFW,AL or the like just my way of protest for lack of respect for those returning home and those who didn't JUST ME....

No offense to those who chose a different stance.

MAY GOD BLESS ALL THAT SERVED and SERVE. REMEMBER OUR FALLEN BROTHERS, I will.

Ride Safe and RIDE FREE!!!!

Ken

[rhino 2]

Hey My Brother,

I hear what you're saying as I have not mentioned my service in country(VN), but have lost several friends there.

I'm not a hero either but I still won't join a vet group, VFW,AL or the like just my way of protest for lack of respect for those returning home and those who didn't JUST ME....

No offense to those who chose a different stance.

MAY GOD BLESS ALL THAT SERVED and SERVE. REMEMBER OUR FALLEN BROTHERS, I will.

Ride Safe and RIDE FREE!!!!

Ken

Same here.....

[ISP-FL]

Ken, I certainly agree with what you are saying brother. When I flew home I didn't have any problems in the civilian airports but certainly no one wanted anything to do with you. I felt like a reject so instead of waiting for my flight from Chicago to my downstate home I went outside and paid a taxi $150.00 to drive me the 140 miles.

[ISP-FL]

Yesterday afternoon riding 2-up we pulled into a gas station in Bozeman Montana for fuel. As I began fueling I spotted a VN sticker on the bumper of a PU truck across at another isle. I knew I would finish fueling before him so I was going to walk over and shake his hand. Before I could do that he stopped fueling and came over to me. We shook hands, welcomed each other home, and parted ways. It was a small simple thing but I felt good about it, and two vets from different parts of the U.S. would have never welcomed each other home if it was not for displaying that campaign ribbon sticker.

[extxn]

To all on here and willing to listen ~ Welcome Home.

Me, I was in the Navy and spent time as a 19yr. old on the flight deck of the U.S.S. Hancock (CV-19) out in the Tonkin Gulf. I was never 'in country', but it wasn't because I didn't try. Went out to Diego for boot, then across the U.S. to New Jersey for 'A' School. While there, I volunteered for SEAL's. Another trip back across the U.S. for training. Ended up shattering my right femur (Twisted until it shattered) and spent a lot of time in different hospitals, learning to walk again. During that time, I also spent a lot of time helping guys back from VN who couldn't dial phones, turn on TV's, write letters or feed themselves. You'd have to be in those hospital wards to see the number of guys who needed a helping hand but wouldn't ask for it. They never turned me down if I asked if I could help do something. Long story short, I fought a medical discharge and ended up in the Tonkin Gulf. Finally retired out after having broken service (but stayed in the reserves) and to this day ~ I have a Nam sticker and a POW/MIA sticker on my windscreen. The stickers aren't for me, they're for the ones who never made it home and for the ones who did and actually know what the stickers are. I currently ride with the Combat Veteran's Motorcycle Association, Chapter 26-1 in Vermont, Vets Helping Vets .~ it's that simple when we care.

BTW ~ just went from 2 wheels to 3 this year, old age combined with root nerve compression damage in lower back, deteriorating spine in upper neck and arthritis in both hands and shoulders ~ it ain't fun Brothers. I'll keep riding as long as I can though.

Again ~ Welcome Home

Jerry (Flatlander)

CVMA 26-1

VTPGR

[1dn5up]

Thanks for your service Jerry, and never give up

[Fozworth]

I turned 18 in 1971. That was the year of the lottery draft revisit. My number wasn't called. Lottery used in '72 was not used for the draft and 73 I think it was all volunteer.

I am a rider now in the Patriot Guard because they let me be part of honoring Veterans in that small way even though I don't have military service myself.

I didn't have to go to that war in my youth like many many others. I have a sense of awe and respect for those who went and outlived the experience whether they saw action or not. I'm a grown man but at each ride with the Patriot Guard I've been in, a flood of emotion and gratitude grabs me and I cry. Especially at the services where "Taps" is played by military musicians.

I thank you all for your courage and sacrifice to our great Country.

Welcome Home.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

I was too young to have been in VN. (man, just saying I was too young for anything sounds foreign to me). When I was 15, 1968, I lived in Yokusaka, Japan. My father was, at the time, stationed in Saigon at the naval yard. My mother and I where the first dependents to be allowed to stay in Japan after he left to go to VN. My mother worked in the Hospital and so did I. The Navy "gave me" part of my mother's salary so that it appeared that I was employed. In reality, I was just a "volunteer". This was done because the Japanese government wanted assurances that if my father died in VN, mom and I would not become wards of the Japanese state.

One of the "Jobs" I did was to help the guys who had been medivac'd to the Hospital. This included reading to some, helping them write letters home, even going to the px to get stuff they needed. As you can imagine, a 15 year old, I wasn't exactly thrilled to be doing this. In fact, I felt it was down right degrading. I didn't realize it at the time, but, the "volunteering" was basically a way to keep tabs on me until my mother got off work. We had to move out into the economy after dad went to VN, so it was the best solution for keeping me out of trouble.

Working with the wounded really had an impact on me. I learned the true cost of war. I mostly saw the guys that were the lucky ones. By time they got to the rear line hospitals, they had a pretty good chance of making it. There were a few that didn't make it from complications, but, they where rare. What I did get to see was the ones that lost arms, legs, eyes, you name it.

I think the most amazing guy was a young marine that had been near an explosion. He had lost sight in both eyes. He also had lots of shrapnel injuries, but, he never wanted to talk about them. Said, "they were easy to deal with because they hurt and let him know they were there". He was very bitter about the loss of eye sight. That injury was permanent.

We used to talk about it a lot. Mostly I listened. It was fascinating to watch this guy go from bitter to dazed, to just plain amazed. It's true what they say, when God takes a sense away he strengthens the others. He use to tell me about his day and all he "Saw". I remember him telling me that he was totally in love with his nurse. He said she was the most beautiful woman he'd ever "seen". He even swore me to secrecy. (I guess it's okay to tell you about her now, because he married her.) Being a guy and very young, I thought he was talking about the physical. She was a very pretty young nurse. And yes, he did talk about her attributes. I remember he told me once that he loved the sound her hips made when her tights rubbed against her uniform when she walked. He told me he knew she had a great rear and didn't want me to tell him about it or any other part of her.

This young wounded marine taught me so much. We would talk about the horrors of war. Not the killing and maiming, but to him it was the isolation. He would tell me about being with his buddies and looking up at the stars and wondering if he'd ever make it home. How they would all talk about going home. When I finally made it back to the states in Dec, 68, I saw the way people in this country treated their vets. Wasn't all of them, just some. I always imagine how that young marine felt when people would spit on him and call him "baby killer", I never witnessed him experiencing that, but, I saw many others be treated like that. We stayed in touch, via letters. The VA got him a machine that he could send spoken letters with (It was basically a reel to reel tape recorder, walkman's weren't around yet). I had to go to the hospital and use a machine there to send him letters he could hear. (That's how I found out about him and the nurse. They where very discrete while he was at the hospital for obvious reasons. After he went home he continued to send her letters. When her tour was up she went home and found him). He always told me loosing his eyesight was a blessing in disguise as he didn't have to see all the people that hated him for serving.

I had always thought every person in this country should have to serve. However, now that I'm getting older, I realize that lots of the people who live in this country, simply aren't good enough to defend it. I am glad that most have come around to see that those that serve provide the freedom that allows them to do and say the things they do.

I originally got "Honorably Discharged" plates on a 2005 Ultra. It was pearl white with a hint of blue when the sun hit it just right. I hated the green CO plates on the bike. The Honorably Discharged plates where blue and "Looked Kewl" on the bike.

I started having people come up to me when I'd get off the bike and thank me for my service. Being in the Navy, and only once being in a war zone where people where shooting at me, I never felt like I did anything to be thanked for. It really bugged me. I went back to the DMV and wanted to get regular plates for the bike. As luck would have it (God's Hand?), the clerk that helped me was a VN Vet and was really curious as to why I wanted to get rid of those plates. I explained how I felt "unworthy". He spent lots of time explaining to me that the plates not only honored my service, but, also his and every man who has ever served. Needless to say, my eyes where opened and I now proudly display those plates on every vehicle I own.

My father would say, "I've gone the long way around the bend to get home.", but I guess this thread touched a nerve. Sorry for the diatribe, but, apparently I needed to get it out of my system. My point is, display your service with pride and remember, it's not just for your service, it's for all those that served.

Thanks to all the Vets for their service. No matter how trivial you think it was, or how you don't think you where a hero, you put your life on hold, and on the line,so others could enjoy the very freedom you provided.

Thank You

[extxn]

I turned 18 in 1971. That was the year of the lottery draft revisit. My number wasn't called. Lottery used in '72 was not used for the draft and 73 I think it was all volunteer.

I am a rider now in the Patriot Guard because they let me be part of honoring Veterans in that small way even though I don't have military service myself.

I didn't have to go to that war in my youth like many many others. I have a sense of awe and respect for those who went and outlived the experience whether they saw action or not. I'm a grown man but at each ride with the Patriot Guard I've been in, a flood of emotion and gratitude grabs me and I cry. Especially at the services where "Taps" is played by military musicians.

I thank you all for your courage and sacrifice to our great Country.

Welcome Home.

Fozworth ~ riding with the PGR is more service than you know. You don't have to be a Vet, don't even need to ride a bike ~ you only 'need the feeling' and show respect for the fallen during the flag line. That Sir is more than some I know can do!

On the other hand, if you don't mist up when TAPS are played, something is wrong ~ I still do with the many interns I've stood for and I hope I always will, that's when I know my heart is where it belongs and my head is listening.

Thank You ~

[extxn]

FuzzyWuzHe ~~ don't ever turn loose of those memories Brother!

Most people today could never deal with what we saw on those wards, much less dialing a phone for someone else, writing a letter because someone else couldn't, changing a TV channel because the sets back then weren't remote controlled or even helping the Corpsmen & Nurses pass out the meal trays while the 'food' was still somewhat warm.

Thank You for the memories and for your service as well ~

[FuzzyWuzHe]

FuzzyWuzHe ~~ don't ever turn loose of those memories Brother!

Most people today could never deal with what we saw on those wards, much less dialing a phone for someone else, writing a letter because someone else couldn't, changing a TV channel because the sets back then weren't remote controlled or even helping the Corpsmen & Nurses pass out the meal trays while the 'food' was still somewhat warm.

Thank You for the memories and for your service as well ~

It really helped a 15 year old boy put lots of stuff in perspective.

[lightnin]

I was Navy River Assault, MK-19 gunner 68-69 when I came home the only thing I had to wear was a set of tigers and a barett . I did the Legion thing for going on 6 years and held an office in both the post and the riders, never felt "right" so I turned my keys in and quit it all. Then I found a MC called in country viet nam and from the first chapter I was invited to visit to the chapter I joined, I was amongst my Brothers. Only requirement is to have served at least one tour "boots on the ground" I even had a fomer chopper pilot come introduce himself and asked me if I was one of those crazy bastards in he green boats with a top speed of 6knts. Said he flew a lot of fire support for us and thought he was crazy but at least he could get the hell out of there if need be. Look up ICVMC on the web and let them know you are interested. No "prospect time as we did that in the Nam and we are an international club. This invite goes for all the Brothers on trike talk or any you know. LIGHTNIN ICVMC CORPS TEXAS