[SmithL]

I make it a habit to never contradict Mrs. SmithL in public (life seems smoother that way). I made an exception to that rule when she introduced me to someone as a Vietnam Veteran. I quickly corrected her, saying that I was a Vietnam-era Veteran.

I'm very proud of my service, and I'll tell you submarine stories all day long. However, I knew people that went to Vietnam, and I knew some that never came back. They all have my deepest respect and appreciation, and I can't imagine degrading their honor by trying to steal it.

[Rick.Donaldson]

Nope. I’m also a “Vietnam ERA” Vet. :)

And the man who is subject of this particular thread very well could have been a “Vietnam ERA” Vet as well, but doesn’t make him a veteran of that war.

I know many of those guys, and my hat is off to them for their service. I’ve seen combat, but nothing like some of them. I don’t think I did anything “noteworthy”.

My son came back from Iraq last April. He’s a hero to me, but he doesn’t think so :)

[sticker]

“I make it a habit to never contradict Mrs. SmithL in public (life seems smoother that way). “

Shouldn’t you have said: “ life is safer that way”?

[ken5050]

Concur. I feel the same myself..

What is ironic about all the phony "heroes" is that they feel compelled to tell, and retel, their "exploits" over and over...in larger and more public forums. That is almost a sure sign that they are at the least, embellishing..at the worst, complete liars. Every comabt vet I've ever know..whether or not they've been highly decorated...is usually loathe to talk publicly about wartime experiences or medals..

[Col Freeper]

[I quickly corrected her, saying that I was a Vietnam-era Veteran.]

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I concur.

I also make sure to point out that I was a Vietnam-era service member.

[Diver Dave]

...I quickly corrected her, saying that I was a Vietnam-era Veteran.

I also wore that uniform - proudly.

My "war stories" consist of the shenanigans we participated in as Divers and Pipefitters aboard a Destroyer Tender. Though we never sailed into Yankee Station, we did render services to the fleet when they went through a Tender Availability in our WESTPAC ports-of-call - Subic Bay, Kaosiung, Yokosuka and Sasebo. Three WESTPAC tours (64-67) plus our time in our homeport San Diego.

We were in Yokosuka at the time of the Tonkin Gulf incident. By nightfall, liberty had been cancelled, most of the ships in port left for Vietnam and we left two days later for Subic to be closer to the fleet.

My "war stories" would be more accurately described as "Sea Stories" of which there are plenty.