Dear Vietnam Veterans, Welcome Home

[proud patriot]

I was born in 1969 . My Uncle was in Vietnam when I
was born . My Mom and Dad were Protesters in San Francisco
and Palo Alto for the first 5 years of my life .

I don't have many Memories left from those first
years of my life . I lived in a Commune across the
street from Golden Gate Park when I was 4 with my dad.
Our room was a Bay Window .

I remember my mom getting Arrested (with me) for Hitchhiking.
I remember telling the police officers that they were
bad for arresting my mommy. I don't remember how I left the
police station.

I remember the music and the park . I loved going to
GG park and playing listening to music and meeting
people . I remembering feeling safe and free there.

One of my very best lifelong friend's Dad died in Vietnam
we had many arguments when we first met, and learned from
each others perspective on Vietnam . He never got to meet
his dad . To this day I still have tears about the Vietnam
war .

Is there one family that wasn't affected ?

Anyway I didn't want this day to pass without saying
Welcome Home to the Veterans who fought in Vietnam.

I'm sorry our media isn't Honoring you and your sacrifices

I honor you

[TahitiNut]

1. Merci.

Je t'aime, Trish. :loveya: :hug: :pals: :yourock: :patriot:

[Steel City Slim]

2. Thank You

[ribrepin]

3. No, there wasn't one family who wasn't affected

My family had two girls and no family members in Vietnam. In 1970, my neighbor across the street was killed in Vietnam. I was nineteen and saw what pain this caused his family. He was a very good friend of mine and I miss him to this day.

I still visit him every year on the Virtual Wall on his birthday.

[jaysunb]

4. Thanks PP

I never wanted to be honored...I only wanted to get back to this place called home. I did, and was glad to join the protesters.

Contrary to assholes like Tommy Franks, who " claim " they were made to feel bad by the protests, everyone has always treated me with dignity and respect.

War is not the answer.....

[Snotcicles]

9. My birthday was 03/08/1953 in 1973 my draft number was high

so I stayed out by the skin of my ass. I do not remember anyone disrespecting any military people where I was brought up. Which was Flint Michigan. I do have a vivid memory of the race riots in 1967, my older brother doing everything he could to get a college deferment to stay out, My mom being scared half out of her mind, My Lai and Lt.Calley, Kent State, I remember going to friends houses and being told watch what you say around my big brother he just got back from veitnam, thinking he could go off at anytime and end up getting high with him and listening to Tens Years After, Big Brother And The Holding Company and thinking this guy is just one of us. I also remember that Jane Fonda was doing all she could to get our troops home. Yes she made a fucking mistake when she went over there and she has paid for that mistake and apologized for it. But I truly believe in her heart she was only trying to get us out of there, and save lives. I only wish the people that want to spit on her would do some research in to all the good she was doing for the vets back then. And not just focus on that stupid day.
I would like to thank all the Veitnam Vets for there service although I was lucky enough not to have to serve I still can feel the heat from just being close.
This is just my perspective when I was a boy trying to become a man and not having a clear set of rules to follow.

[Digit]

5. Let me second that!

Welcome Home!
You were never forgotten.

[G_j]

6. yes, Welcome Home!

I'm glad you are here

[recovering democrat]

7. And those who aren't home yet.

I would also like for us to remember the many MIAs of Vietnam. May the families and friends they left behind someday know peace.

[Jackpine Radical]

16. And there were many others whose living, breathing bodies

came home but their minds did not. They walk among us like ghosts and live under bridges and in our prisons.

[proud patriot]

23. The remains of 2 were just returned last week

:cry:

[cmd]

8. And another word of thanks to all of you

Thank you, Vets. You are a precious group of men and women.

[DanCa]

10. To all of you have ever served

I humbly and graciously honor and thank you all. And if we shall ever meet, I promise I shall buy you all a drink. So I just wanted to thank all the men and women who served in uniform your the absolute best..

[bemildred]

11. Welcome home.

:applause: :applause: :applause:

[UrbScotty]

12. How do I thank all of you?

:hug:

[Selatius]

13. My folks are Vietnamese

We're conflicted over the Vietnam War to this day. On one hand, we're glad the war ended, but on the other, we're less than happy with the fact that an authoritarian regime still sits in Hanoi. They're better nowadays but marginally so. A good number still feel betrayed by the US.

You tend to get an inferiority complex when your folks talk about being bombed to death or shot at by a much more powerful force than yourself, nevermind the millions who are sickened by Agent Orange or the landmines that still litter the countryside maiming people to this day. Few Americans today know what it's like to be stomped on by a power much greater than themselves, but we do and so do billions of people across the planet who have known the scourge of colonialism.

I'll tell you straight-up that the Vietnamese people were used as pawns in a battle of superpowers and colonialists and power-hungry fools who use ideology to gain power. American soldiers were just as victimized by the war as Vietnamese. I was born in the US, and I consider myself an American through and through, but at the end of the day, we're human beings just trying to find our way, all victims.

I feel sorrow for everyone who died. It was a bad time for everybody. For those of you who have suffered, felt victimized and used, lost loved ones and friends, you are not alone. More folks than you will ever know share your pain.

I can't speak for the whole Vietnamese community; I'm just a lone person, but I'd like to express my sympathies.

[bemildred]

15. Well said.

:thumbsup:

[acmejack]

17. The main thing I learned

Was that war is generally one group of people killing other people for whom they hold no personal animosity. Killing someone because you were told to permanently blights one's soul. That is compounded by fools like DICK Cheney and his "other priorities" and the fact that anybody of sufficient social stature stayed home if they wanted to.

[Jackpine Radical]

19. Cam an ong.

[mandyky]

14. I marched in demonstrations against the Nam war

and subsequently met a lot of vets (I was born in 1955). As a penance, I joined the US Army because it became clear to me that those of us who protested and the way the war "ended" caused these fine men (and women) a lot of pain. I served 77 to 80, and got out when it became crystal clear Reagan was gonna win. I am still surprised we did not have a major blow up in the ME while Reagan was president. My old unit got sent to Central America after I left though, so I guess I made the right decision.

Even the guys who made it home from Nam, who saw combat came home in bad shape. I share a case of PTSD with "my" vet. We had 2 kids together, and it was never happy for any of us. If anyone thinks these Iraqi vets, who've tortured, and god knows what else will not become "disgruntled postal workers" in the future, they've got rocks in their heads. We already have vets from this war homeless, etc.

I am so heartsick over all these wars! :/

[leetrisck]

18. Thanks to all who served then & now

and prayers for all

[cally]

20. Welcome Home!

I just wish Americans had learned it's lesson from this War. I fear the Iraqi Vets will face similar traumas.

Thanks all for your service.

[Patchuli]

21. That was a beautiful post!

I too honor my brothers who went, willingly or not. I welcomed you home when you first came home and I could never understand why some people shamed you for following your (stupid) government's orders. I have had many Viet Nam vets among my friends over the years and didn't know a single one who didn't suffer loss from this tragic war. Through it all, you did us proud and we both love, appreciate and honor you.

I also would like to honor the Iraq war vets who are coming home now and say no matter how wrong our government was to put you in harm's way, you followed orders and you honored us all. God bless you!

[Just Me]

22. In remembrance of all Vietnam Vets, especially my Dad.

His sense of humanity and awareness of injustice led to his choice to end his life early and go home. :cry: He just couldn't resolve the inner and outer conflicts of his experience and existence. He fell into a powerless despair and was surrounded by disempowering people.

I am joyful he has no more pain; but, I am sorry he left as a result of demands over which he had no control and leaving him faced with such difficult even impossible/irreconcilable choices.

I love him,...I love all those who gave their lives in honor of my freedom and security.

[democrank]

24. JM....

I am truly sorry. For some soldiers, death from the Vietnam War came long after they returned home. At least your Dad is at peace now.

[Just Me]

27. Thank you. I just,...want to invoke a more promising environment,...

,...for those who find themselves in the same conflicting conditions.

My brother will be going to Iraq in a few months. He is an incredible human being,...actively loving others,...always steady. He served in Bush Sr's war and managed to remain a steady Marine.

He's being called back as a "mature" National Guardsman just when he found his love, just after proposing to a woman he dearly adores.

When we talk on the phone, I always apologize for not being strong enough,...to hold my emotion and tears back,...'cause I just love him so much and I don't want him to go,...and if I had the resources to haul him and his love and my son to Canada,...I would.:cry:

:grr: IT'S JUST SO FREAKIN' UNFAIR!!! But, this is it,...this is our life.

[proud patriot]

25. Just Me

:cry: :hug:

[Just Me]

28. Oh,...thank you,...I humbly return, with great warmth,....

,...a loving :hug: back atcha'

Life is a persistence test,...and we acquire far more fulfillment and courage to get through it (life) when we journey that test, together.

[scarlett1]

26. I was lucky

even Though I have a brother who graduated from high school in 1968 he had a high draft number and went to college so he never had to go I don't think I know of anyone personally who died, none of my classmates even had to register. I was born in 1959, my first high school boyfriend was born in 1960 and my husband in 1961 so they both did have to register with Selective Service

edit : typos

[malmapus]

29. Welcome home

I remember growing up in the 70s and Vietnam was never mentioned in my family. Guess the wounds were still too fresh for my uncle, my father had his number called up (its acutally how my parents realized they loved each other), but was medically discharged afterwards.

But yeah was very "weird" I say how Vietnam seemed almost taboo where I grew up in rural Georgia.

I salute all of you who served then, as well as remember those who did not make it back home.