Coming Home From Viet Nam

I have both good and bad memories of Vietnam and have seen things that most people only have Nightmares about. Vietnam was an endless succession of miseries, death, wounded, steaming heat, scorched jungles, rain, exhaustion, malaria, dysentery, jungle rot, armies of insects, poisonous snakes, snipers, body bags, and the never ending fear of death.

Despite the severe limitations and absolutely insane "rules of engagement" and "body counts" imposed on us by both our weak-kneed civilian and military "leadership", we did our best but became pawns in this war game. It's hard to fully comprehend how U.S. forces never lost a major battle but lost South Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos to the communists. America's political and military leadership simply lacked the will, the honesty and the courage needed to have a successful outcome. Had the political leaders had the same courage as the warriors, many lives could have been spared.

Bonds of Brotherhood in combat never die and we were never so alive as we were with the men we faced death together with in Vietnam. When I meet other Vietnam Veterans I immediately feel a Bond, a Brotherhood that only we who had been there can understand. My life would be missing a part if I did not have this comradeship with my fellow Veterans. Non Vets say "it's been thirty years, forget about it." I am here to tell you that you cannot forget the defining episode in your life that sets you apart from others. How can you forget something as life changing an experience as the War in Vietnam?

Upon returning from Vietnam, to the United States, I have bad memories of how Vietnam Vets were treated by the cowardly and shameful media and protestors. Men who bore arms and did so with honor, came home to be brushed aside while less courageous, less honorable men rose to represent an era.

But I got over it, and learned from those experiences, and today am a better man for the experiences.

That's one of the reasons you can have utmost confidence when I am part of your crew.

"I was that which others cared not to be. I went where others feared to go and did what others failed to do. I asked nothing from those who gave nothing. And, reluctantly, accepted the thought of eternal loneliness - should I fail. I have seen the face of terror, felt the chill of fear, warmed to the touch of love. I have hoped, pained, cried. But, foremost, lived in times others would say best forgotten. At the very least, in later days, I will be able to say with greatest pride, that I was indeed a Soldier" – Author Unknown