Do the Irag Soldiers owe a thanks to the Vietnam Vets for the positive treatment

1. 73

   backporchstoriesposted 11 years ago

   Do the Irag Soldiers owe a thanks to the Vietnam Vets for the positive treatment they receive today?
   
   We know the Vietnam Vets where mistreated and misunderstood when they first came home from that war, but as their stories gave light to the suffering, the country slowly turned their views from baby killers to heroes.  We treat our Irag Soldiers with much better understanding today.  Do they owe graditude to these soldiers of the past era for the improved condition in which these men now return home to?
   
   

   replyreport
2. 64

   iamageniusterposted 11 years ago

   Yes, we do indeed. We have learned a lot from the Vietnam War.

   replyreport
   1. 73

      backporchstoriesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Agreed, however more still needs to be done.  Older Vets of other wars are suffering the most right now!

      replyreport
3. 60

   glmclendonposted 11 years ago

   Yes, medcine is better. Injuries that wouuld cost the life now are prevented.

   replyreport
4. 54

   whonunuwhoposted 11 years ago

   What has happened to the Vietnam Vets is a travesty and shame for the way the American people have treated them and made many so full of shame and regret that they committed suicide or became street people with no desire to live. Some were able to deal with it and over came the prejudice that seemed to permeate the society. When Somalia, and Iraq, and Afghanistan took place it seems to put all of the dedication and sacrifice in perspective and was better understood, so that even the Vietnam Vets were treated and regarded in a different light. the lives of the military and American people, as a whole are now in conjunction and a better respect and understanding seems to be the rule. Yes, the wars and involvement of this country in foreign affairs that affect us, is now seen justly and though Vietnam is in the past and harm has been done, it has been forgiven by some vets and a new respect that is well deserved is now received.

   replyreport
   1. 73

      backporchstoriesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for saying that.  My husband is one of those Vets and he still suffers today.  We are so reminded and those issues are always in our home.  Whenever we see a fellow soldier we are sure to shake their hand and welcome them home!

      replyreport
5. 0

   Larry Wallposted 11 years ago

   I fully agree. It was wrong for the protestors to blame the soldiers for fighting the war--they were only doing what their country asked. It was wrong that they did not get the support they needed during the way, the welcome the deserved after the war and the long-term support they still need.l
   
   These young men and women made tremendous sacrifices. Regardless of whether the Vietnam war was right or wrong is of no consequence in this case. The soldiers who fought in it deserve our support and thanks.
   
   I was in the Vietnam age group. My lottery number was 281. I did not have to go. I would have not survived.

   replyreport
6. 80

   Becky Katzposted 11 years ago

   The Vietnam Veterans have worked very hard to get things such as PTSD recognized and treated. If only for that, the Iraq and Afghanistan soldiers owe them a debt. They have also made it much more important to welcome back our soldiers. They know what it is like to be ignored and many of them will fall out to welcome our soldiers back. They are also at this time, the leadership in organizations such as the DAV, so they invite the returning soldiers to that and help when they need help. We need to take care of our soldiers.

   replyreport
   1. 80

      Becky Katzposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I wrote this about the fight that my four tours in Vietnam veteran and I had to get his disability for him. It took us 17 years to get his 95% disability for him. Most of it was PTSD. The rest is Agent Orange side effects. http://hubpages.com/t/2d180

      replyreport
7. 61

   Xenonlitposted 11 years ago

   Vets from all eras owe a debt to the Vietnam vets who were so horribly treated by those who used the bad acts of a few as an excuse to make political statements against the many.
   
   I owe them a debt because, If I had been captured in a situation, I was relieved of the obligation to clam up, no matter how bad the torture. The rules were changed when the enemy in the Vietnam war proved that they would do anything to a person and were not bound by the Geneva Convention.
   
   I owe them a debt because, even though I think that it's useless, people thank me for my own service.
   
   Such thanks are useless because America does not want to pay the bill. Bring up the VA claims processing disaster and watch people clam up. Americans do not want to pay the bill for still living Vietnam or any other vets, but sure do love for someone else to fight their wars.

   replyreport