[joesnuffy]

I enlisted at 18 for a number of reasons...

-My mom (who had done medical missionary work) gave me a couple of books by Dr. Tom Dooley got me thinking about SE Asia and going there to help the Vietnamese.I was in 6th grade at the time and worried the war would be over by the time I was old enough to go fight in it.

-My dad was an officer in the US Navy for 23 yrs and fought in WWII, Korea and a number of small campaigns and operations.I guess when it comes down to it I wanted to be like my dad.

-A friend (from high school) I admired who was two years older than me joined the Navy and became a corpsman and was killed in RVN in 67.I wanted some payback.

-I also wanted to win some medals to make my dad proud of me and to get girls.

[joesnuffy]

The only regrets I have are that I did not stay in and stay in Vietnam longer..we abandoned our friends and allies to the communists and their re-education camps, torture, and death.

I regret not speaking out against the anti war movement more vehemently.These are the people who once they got into power became the most anti American & anti veteran group America has ever seen.

Yes I would and do recommend that young people join the military and am actively engaged in helping three to get ready to go into Army ROTC, the USMC,the US Coast Guard, and to be able to stand up to their anti military relatives and peers.

[GOPPachyderm]

I recall reading the Tom Dooley book. I still can't think of his recounting of communism in SE Asia without shuddering.

Thank you for your service.