Posted on 04/12/2005 6:04:56 PM PDT by Former Military Chick
"Next time you see a Vietnam veteran, go over and thank him for his service to our country"
I have done this , and they always appreciate it greatly .
I recommend doing so.
I meet one yesterday.
I shook his hand and thanked him.
You should have seen the look on his face.
He said I was the fifth person to do every thank him.
bump for later
Thanks for this article from this Vietnam Vet.
Neil... pinggggggggggggggggggggg!
Thank you and SEMPER FI
Joe was there and was one of us.
Nice piece. Joe Galloway was co-author of one of my favorite books: "We Were Soldiers Once and Young". The Movie does not cover the second major battle in the Ia Drang Valley, so I highly recommend the book to freepers who haven't read it yet.
I live in San Jose, which has a large Vietnamese population. I love to hear the stories from these people as they appreciate the opportunity here in America. Some of them escaped on boats, spent up to 3 years in refugee camps in Southeast Asia, and then came here to work hard and succeed. I was talking with one of my clients who escaped after the fall of Saigon in 1975. I told her that my father served in the Air Force in Vietnam in '66-'67 and that I take him out for Vietnamese food when he visits me here from Arizona. She grabbed my arm and told me, "Next time you talk to your father, thank him for me. Thank him for risking his life to help my people."
Tears filled my eyes when she said that and my Dad was really moved when I told him. He worked at the hospital and I have lots of pictures of him with Vietnamese children at an orphanage as he volunteered to deliver medicine. That's why I'm so bitter and offended at John Kerry's portrayal of Vietnam Vets as war criminals and barbarians.
Indeed...
Good article. I personaly know men who will never get over that. The treatment lashed out at us when we returned from that war, wounded/hurt some of us more than the pain from actual combat injuries...
"Never Forget" is tatooed on that half of our souls we didn't leave on the battlefield...
check out comment 9
I tell you Galloway will either bring out the worst in military folks or like today the best.
Something to be said for his fair coverage, it should happen more often. This is the Galloway I knew back when, your thoughts on Galloway and the comment 9?
±
"The Era of Osama lasted about an hour, from the time the first plane hit the tower to the moment the General Militia of Flight 93 reported for duty." 
Toward FREEDOM
I'm starting a Military/Veteran's Affairs ping list. FReep mail me if you want ON/OFF the list.
I've been able to give a second thank you to several Vietnam Vets returning home from the middle east. Yes it does bring tears to their eyes to get a decent greeting home. They really do appreciate it when they get a belated greeting long overdue for what they went through the first time they came home from war. I always thank them twice.
Thank you for the ping.
Pray for W and Nam Vets
Thank you much - and thanks to Mr. Galloway for a fine essay.
"For a while, I wondered why Alan's story attracted so much attention so many years after his death.
I now understand.
The war is not over for many who served in Vietnam
- not just POWs.
Unlike any war before Vietnam and none since,
this one offered no glory to those sent in harm's way."
I often wonder what the Brothers and Sisters on the Wall think.
I've finally know why God spared me.
And I've finally forgiven myself.
PING
Tonk, have to take a moment after reading you comment. I can only imagine the heart ache you must have endured after your return from the war.
I shared your comment with my beloved and his reply and share it ... "WOW".
Tonk, thank you for your service. I have no doubt the men you served with also thank you as well.
Thank you
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