What made Vietnam vets different

squatting dog

squatting dog

Remember when... thirty seemed so old.
Location
Arkansas, and also Florida
Vietnam veterans have a reputation for being emotionally unstable; many are addicts, and lots are homeless. Of course this reputation does not apply to all, but it is widespread.
We have fought other wars in the jungle. And we fought in Asia twice before Vietnam. And as in every war, bombs and bullets kill young men, rain and dirt make mud, and “Dear John” letters are common.
But Vietnam was different because it is the only war in the history of our country where the general population despised our soldiers in uniform.
Imagine being a young high school graduate when your country drafts you, teaches you to use a gun, then sends you to the other side of the world where you see horrors that will stay with you a lifetime. And then you survive and come home, and everyone despises you for serving your country.

Wouldn’t you have emotional problems, too?
 
That Vietnam war was a mismanaged mess. Thousands of GI's were killed or wounded, and it didn't make a nickels worth of difference. I was in the AF, and we probably lost about 20 F105's and pilots. I got out at the end of 1967, but when the protests and riots started a couple of years later, I was sickened to my stomach when I saw reports of those nutcases Spitting on returning GI's.

The futility of participating in that war, then being Insulted for being in the military, certainly left some severe, and lasting, mental stress on those troops.
 
squatting dog said:
Vietnam was different because it is the only war in the history of our country where the general population despised our soldiers in uniform.
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I think that really sums it up.

I was lucky, turned 18 in the last year of any real draft and I had a high number so I didn't have to go. I did have a lot of friends and relatives who did though. I don't know how to explain the attitude towards the vets at the time, it makes no sense today. I am not sure a majority actually despised them. However, there was a very widespread lack of support, making it easier for the vocal minority who did despise to be heard and not effectively rebutted. Still inexcusable.

The soldiers did what we, the majority, asked of them. They did not choose the war, we did. That deserves our respect and admiration, no matter the outcome or any one person's view of the war. The soldiers risked and often lost lives for us, we need to remember that.
 
The public didn't despise the soldiers themselves, we despised an unclear, unwinnable war motivated by corrupt politicians and corporate interests that put those mostly unwilling young draftees in uniform.

Those who mistreated soldiers were engaging in "kill the messenger" behavior which was unfair and unconscionable. Those young people in uniform were victims of a system that didn't give a damn about their lives, their physical and emotional health or their futures.
 
I didn't agree with that war & I'd never participate in something I thought was wrong, (especially when it involves misery & death) but I would never disrespect anyone who did participate - whether they were forced to or they chose to.
I think everyone should do what they feel is right. That's why I had a lot of respect for Muhammad Ali - who sacrificed quite a bit to do what he felt was right.
 
Short terse story I won't expand on if baited...

I was in the USAF 67>70 though never stationed in Viet Nam just nearby. To avoid being a grunt with an M16 in mosquito, leech, poison snake infested Mekong Delta swamps dodging bullets. After Honorable Discharge living in the SFBA, the most heavily counterculture region in the USA, I can relate no one ever bothered to discuss why I ended up in the military much less openly despise me. Likewise when I was stationed TDY in the Los Angeles area, never saw any civilian animosity. Also after discharge in my own orbit, never knowingly met any veterans that were "emotionally unstable; ...addicts, and...homeless".

So what is going on here? Well it is true there was a returning GI drug problem during the war mostly after early 1969 when such also became a national issue. Before then the whole Hippie, anti-war, and counterculture thing was just in a few large urban areas and college campuses. National media continually pummeled them and hence so did most USA citizens. But because young men hated the draft and there were no college deferments, that attitude exploded in 1969 across the USA and quickly was reflected in draft age young men sent to Viet Nam where opitates and cannabis were very accessible. Of course 1969 Woodstock also shocked citizens across the USA showing a false news media bias that mostly flipped by 1970. It was after that, when the negative GI narrative took root. And most of that was in Middle America where news media was still battling for minds.

So were there a lot of discharged GI's by 1970 with illegal drug problems? Yes, but there were far more that were heavy alcohol users and far more than either without any substance abuse issues. Not surprisingly, one rarely hears about those without issues as they are not news worthy. The real tragedy was with opioid users that had been grunts carrying M16's without any transferable civilian skills. All had GI benefits for training or college but junkies in school rarely succeed while those without much education or skill have a high wall to climb. So years of hard times that news media made the most of.

For years there were always plenty of pro war GI's that never understood the anti-war logic. Those facing a negative Middle America vibe were likely pro war though some certainly were just picked on for wearing a uniform in civilian areas. Before 1969, there were few issues wearing military uniforms across the USA urban streets. The vast numbers of Americans that eventually turned against the war need to remember most were until 1969 pro war. All this is still true today that the majority of people are just like tiny flotsam tree twigs floating down the Mississippi River, unable to have effects on society or culture, absorbing attitudes without much understanding they notice the majority has embraced.
 
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David777 said:
So were there a lot of discharged GI's by 1970 with illegal drug problems? Yes, but there were far more that were heavy alcohol users and far more than either without any substance abuse issues. Not surprisingly, one rarely hears about those without issues as they are not news worthy. The real tragedy was with opioid users that had been grunts carrying M16's without any transferable civilian skills. All had GI benefits for training or college but junkies in school rarely succeed while those without much education or skill have a high wall to climb. So years of hard times that news media made the most of.

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Not trying to bait you or disagree, but...
According to a 1971 report by the Department of Defense, 51 percent of the armed forces had smoked marijuana,
31 percent had used psychedelics, such as LSD, mescaline and psilocybin mushrooms,
and an additional 28 percent had taken hard drugs, such as cocaine and heroin.
By contrast, about 30 percent of Vietnam vets abuse alcohol.
Now, I think I know why pot use was so high. (no pun intended) Just check what was growing wild in the bush where we were. Anyone recognize those plants in the forefront? Hike along, grab a handful and fling it over your rucksack to dry.


pot.jpg
 
squatting dog said:
Vietnam veterans have a reputation for being emotionally unstable; many are addicts, and lots are homeless. Of course this reputation does not apply to all, but it is widespread.
We have fought other wars in the jungle. And we fought in Asia twice before Vietnam. And as in every war, bombs and bullets kill young men, rain and dirt make mud, and “Dear John” letters are common.
But Vietnam was different because it is the only war in the history of our country where the general population despised our soldiers in uniform.
Imagine being a young high school graduate when your country drafts you, teaches you to use a gun, then sends you to the other side of the world where you see horrors that will stay with you a lifetime. And then you survive and come home, and everyone despises you for serving your country.

Wouldn’t you have emotional problems, too?
Click to expand...
They were not despised by everyone. A lot volunteered. But, yes, it was a nightmare of a war; as is every war. Imagine being there, in Germany, when the troops found the first camp. It’s a wonder anyone comes home sane.
 
In college we got most of our best dope, like opiated hash, from the returning vets who I never would have dreamed of spitting on even if they didn't bring home gifts for their friends. Although very active in the anti draft movement we were just all kids together.
 
win231 said:
I didn't agree with that war & I'd never participate in something I thought was wrong
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I hate to admit that when I was young I did support the war, only changing my mind as things were clearly going downhill. Like a lot of the US public.

At one point I actually considered volunteering to go, but never did it...

Hopefully I am now older and wiser. Pretty sure I am older anyway.
 
I was just a kid, the war was current events and news.... My Uncle was over there, and listening to other family members talking about their war experiences... including a Great Grandfather in WWI. I still choke back tears with the memories of going to pick up my uncle when he got home.. A woman started spitting on him in the airport... My grandfather liked to have lost his mind... I was a very confused 10 YO...
I have nothing for respect for anyone that has served..
 
My Husband got drafted a few months before our marriage. His friend told him he would be better off joining the Navy and that's what he did. I worried every day about him..2 Boys I went to school with were killed in Viet Nam. My heart breaks for the veterans and the lack of respect they got when they came home. I respect and honor all those that served during any war.
 
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I was there, and think you summed it up well. Always check your boots before you put them on, an carry extra dry socks, something you learned pretty quickly. There is a reason young people fight wars, by the time you figure it out, and for most it didn't take long, it was too late. If it was 40 and over for military service, I think there would be a lot less of them. Mike

QUOTE: The public didn't despise the soldiers themselves, we despised an unclear, unwinnable war motivated by corrupt politicians and corporate interests that put those mostly unwilling young draftees in uniform.

Those who mistreated soldiers were engaging in "kill the messenger" behavior which was unfair and unconscionable. Those young people in uniform were victims of a system that didn't give a damn about their lives, their physical and emotional health or their futures.




Qu
 
squatting dog said:
Vietnam veterans have a reputation for being emotionally unstable; many are addicts, and lots are homeless. Of course this reputation does not apply to all, but it is widespread.
We have fought other wars in the jungle. And we fought in Asia twice before Vietnam. And as in every war, bombs and bullets kill young men, rain and dirt make mud, and “Dear John” letters are common.
But Vietnam was different because it is the only war in the history of our country where the general population despised our soldiers in uniform.
Imagine being a young high school graduate when your country drafts you, teaches you to use a gun, then sends you to the other side of the world where you see horrors that will stay with you a lifetime. And then you survive and come home, and everyone despises you for serving your country.

Wouldn’t you have emotional problems, too?
Click to expand...
Thank you for sharing this so those of us who weren't involved in the Vietnam war would have a better understanding. (y)

Not sure if you've ever heard this, but it is compelling.

 
Aneeda72 said:
They were not despised by everyone. A lot volunteered. But, yes, it was a nightmare of a war; as is every war. Imagine being there, in Germany, when the troops found the first camp. It’s a wonder anyone comes home sane.
Click to expand...


"found the first camp" ?

Are you speaking of concentration camps ?

My dad was part of the liberation of Dachau ... [45th Infantry Thunderbirds] .... My old man was a pretty hard boiled guy but ..... He said it was the most horrible thing he had ever seen. He would talk about it [a bit] & yet he barely spoke of it .....Hard to explain. I have some of his photos here .......... I've only looked at them a time or two.
 
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