The Difference Between a WWII VET and a VIETNAM VET

#military #history #avc #militaryhistory #ww2 #marines #vietnamwar
----------------------------------------------------------------
Support the American Veterans Center's mission to preserve the legacy and history of our heroes by making a tax-deductible donation today: americanveteranscenter.org/do...
Learn more about the American Veterans Center: www.americanveteranscenter.org/
Like us on Facebook: / americanveteranscenter
Follow us on Twitter: / avcupdate
Follow us on Instagram: / americanveteranscenter
Subscribe to the Veterans Chronicles podcast: link.chtbl.com/americanvetera...
----------------------------------------------------------------

[@americanveteranscenter]

HISTORY LOVERS - before you comment, be sure to subscribe to this KZbin channel and ring the notification bell so you never miss a future upload!

[@velvetbees]

My older sister who was in high school in the late 1960's told me she heard that sometimes the men came home and still had dried blood from combat under their fingernails. If it is true, that sounds so lonely to me. It still breaks my heart.

[@upscalesale4292]

​@velvetbees Are you joking? Are you actually serious? Do you know what happens in this world and take on board the reality? And they walk off the transport with brains all over them. It's about time that people who have been damaged like this are listened to. They gave everything to see you smiling as they arrived. Back to the UK. Stop sending them, and they will not be killed. If you send them there, why? Why? And is it worth the pin? Well done to this man.

[@libbyhobbs4637]

As a medic my husband totally saw how their homecoming was pelted with garbage, dog feces and cries of baby-killers,murderers ! He's no longer affected but remembers...wouldn't talk about where he'd been or did. And now a presidential candidate who'll be a dictator on day one...WHO'LL STOP him on second day. Hasn't he done enough political and mental damage to the USA? GOD HELP . US!

[@kirkslayden834]

I fully understand my brother especially when you see somebody die from napalm but America made those boys go into that war why I still don't know why after all these years and my brother was in the jungles of Vietnam and he got a purple heart because his captain got shot in the ear and he had to pull him to safety he never talked about it because it was horrible but I found out that information from somebody else in the family and my brother came out normal he didn't do drugs but he smoked them Marlboro cigarettes and my brother had the best life ever he had a great family with three kids he had his own home and he made his own business on his own but he couldn't stop smoking tobacco and he got cancer and he died on 20/20 the same year my wife of 26 years she was freed to death with radiation and I joined the army on January 7th 1975 and my AIT was electronics and I didn't have basic electronics so I failed and the three choices of flapjack field wireman or motor mechanics did not sound good to me so I got out and the day I got out was the day that Vietnam was over and done May 20th 1975 and I got nothing I am not a veteran and if I would have spent one day in the military I would have got benefits but it's okay because I've been blessed beyond what I could ever imagine my wife bought her house in 2010 paid it off in 2020 when she died can I get death benefits from her death because I would have had to sell the house and moved on But why I don't understand why there's so many homeless veterans it's beyond what I could ever imagine and that is so wrong because our government doesn't care about our military veterans God bless our world God bless America in God we trust in Jesus name amen

[@kirkslayden834]

​@@godsownlunatics9650I am so sorry for the hell that you went through my brother Long time ago I had a friend named Jimmy Appley he never talked about it I don't know what he went through but he started doing drugs I don't know where he is today and I'm sorry that he went through hell but that's what our government does God bless in Jesus name amen

[@J-xc4pw]

I can’t believe in all these years this is the first time I’ve heard someone make this incredibly insightful distinction.

[@Bulldog6Delta]

Also the duration of combat - helicopters ensured that Vietnam vets were in almost constant, daily combat. Combined with Firebase postings, outposts etc. Slower WW2 Logistics ensured some rotation in / out of combat back to England or allied lines in France. So the average number of days in actual combat was higher on a per year basis for Vietnam vets vs WW2 vets.

[@krzysztofsokolowski6566]

Not for all the WW2 vets. You know how many Polish vets died in prison tormented to death because they hadn't fought alongside with the Soviet Union? Or stayed hidden in the basements or woods hunted for like animals for half of their life ramaining as the enemies of the state? Or flied to western countries to avoid all that, got old and died separated from their families? Glory to all veterans fot their sacrifice, but please never glorify one over another.

[@robertmaybeth3434]

Oh yes I've read this same problem from almost every story of Vietnam vets I've ever read and heard. One day he is in Asian mud up to his knees standing guard in the dark night, 24 hours later he's standing at the door of Mom's house in Akron. The disconnect of this was very traumatic for most people and sometimes took years to process. If the army had a grain of sense, they would have pulled the soldier off operations a week before the DEROS date. And sent them to a midway pt like Hawaii or even the PI and let them acclimate and decompress with like-minded men, share experiences, and form some kind of closure on a long terrifying year they'd spent. Only then send the men home, where a whole new set of challenges no doubt awaited him, as he tried to restart his whole life all over again, after what might have been a deeply traumatic experience.

[@edwardwritt3820]

​@@krzysztofsokolowski6566Well said

[@twobirds01]

I remember my government teacher my senior told us that point and it was totally mind boggling that I hadn’t heard or considered that point before

[@thereissomecoolstuff]

One of the greatest injustices. A draft, horrible war in a jungle, return and released “good luck” Godbless all Vets but especially Vietnam era Veterans.

[@ktlarsen9244]

It was a terrible thing they had to do. Then got pissed on. Damn shame.

[@sharonporter7132]

Especially Vietnam.🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲 The same mentality of the protesters during that war is similar to the same mentality of the protesters now shouting "Death to Israel, Death to America" in Dearborn, Michigan this weekend. Only a small percentage of Americans are involved. The greater majority don't support the protesters then or now. We have no respect for the cowards. We have the utmost respect for our military.❤❤❤🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲

[@apex107lrp]

I worked for a Vietnam combat veteran...11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, The "Black Horse" regiment (light tanks)...for 20 years. One of my coworkers was his younger brother. He told me his brother came back from the Army "more grim" than he used to be. It was clear our boss was "damaged goods" in some way...the mood swings, irritability, bad temper etc. My mother, sister and her daughter (my 3 year old niece at the time) came to visit me at work. When my niece looked up at my boss and said "Hi", a veil of misery, impatience and anger dropped away for just a moment when he looked down, smiled and said "Hello" back to my niece. Seconds later he was back to his "old" injured self. War is hell.

[@deanfunk8448]

So difficult and lifelong scars. At the end of his book, 'Dispatches' Michael Herr wrote "Vietnam, Vietnam, we have all been there".

[@PeterDiaz-sg4xe]

my best friend's Dad was in the Blue Dragon South Korean regiment during Vietnam, he felt the same way when he got back home We have no idea what these guys went through. This was before PTSD was even a thing there was no counseling they just told them to suck it up and carry on also this guy experienced the Korean War losing his entire family too unfortunately they don’t make it like that anymore

[@js207802]

My grandfather, since passed. Didnt talk about a lot with Vietnam only the "good" stories. He said, i am only going to tell you the stories that teach you something. The rest "you dont need to know". Is what he took to the grave. He served Vietnam & Korea. Vietnam vets have a special place in my heart because of what my grandfather went through that i didn't know.

[@Kodousinx]

Vietnam. America using chemical warfare placing ridiculous amount of landmines , till this day kids are getting blown up

[@southernracing2468]

Same with my uncle I only heard a few good stories but I know there was a lot of bad ones he lived off beer and didn’t hardly eat at all for many many years till he passed

[@DelEast740]

Thats why I think my dad's generation coming back from the war had it harder than my grandfather's coming back from WW2. That month of decompression and being with your brothers in arms is huge. That is the best therapy you can get.

[@prenticehammond2003]

A perspective I've never really thought about. Thank you.

[@kevinkennedy9343]

Agreed! And it's huge!

[@fjp3305]

Agree. I never heard that point.

[@morrissoublet25]

The majority of the nation didn’t think about this. JMHO, but this is probably the main contributing factor to the number of Vietnam veterans that are on our nation’s streets today. I wouldn’t be surprised if the same thing isn’t happening to soldiers that have returned to civilian life after tours of duty since Vietnam.

[@Blackmark7410]

He makes a massive point. Point, that three week transition period, to allow them to have a clear line between the hell of war and the mundane of normal life, the ability to decompress and try to return to "normal", supported by others who are facing the same reality could make a real difference to the well being of the returning soldier.

[@Rango390]

@@Blackmark7410definitely makes sense when you think about it. When I came back from Iraq,and Afghanistan yes we came back as a unit but it was just the flight back to base and watching everyone else’s families greet them and you go alone to your barracks. Fly back home alone to family and friends. Goin from a war zone to home in less than 48 hours is very difficult to get used to

[@frankedgar6694]

For me, the toughest is remembering friends who didn’t make it home. Survivor guilt is a bitch.

[@DaltonRosee]

Thank you for your service and your fallen brothers as well. God bless.

[@SB4F]

Survivors guilt is completely understandable, just know almost everyone deserves surviving, including you.

[@frankedgar6694]

@@SB4F It took me 20 years before it hit. Christmas and suddenly my CO’s daughter must be celebrating Christmas with her kids never having had a chance to know him. She was about 18 months at the time. And there I was enjoying my kids and grandkids. I’ve heard more than once “Is that way of thinking or that way of feeling realistic?” It took me nearly 10 years to get past it. Good counseling and finally a relationship with God got me back to normal. I’ve been out 47 years now and it still seems like yesterday.

[@ThatGuy-vi8ch]

​@@frankedgar6694 You're amazing... ❤ Keep being you, I could feel that from here.

[@jds6206]

Then you need to talk to a skilled counselor and figure it out of your head. You do NOT need to live with "survivor guilt".

[@emolaus]

Deeply moving to listen to him. My grandfather volunteered in the Spanish civil war. Ended up in a French labor camp in Algeria. Meanwhile, most of his family were killed in a concentration camp. Never talked about it, and answered with single words when we asked him questions. As a teenager it never occurred to me that he was hurting in silence.

[@DominiAeternum]

Why did he end up in a French labor camp?!

[@MsJocelynC]

💛

[@emolaus]

@@DominiAeternum The republicans lost the civil war against the fascists and were driven north to France. As my grandfather recalls it, this was the beginning of 1939. The French gendarmerie received them and put them in a camp on the beach in the south coast. He says they were treated horribly, and finally sent off to a Algeria. After reading the notes I realize that I was wrong, they were not interned there but he describes being put to work there. As to why France acted this way, I don’t know. Reading the transcript it seems my grandfather felt that France and the rest of Europe betrayed the republicans of Spain, they didn’t want any part of the war out of fear for the fascist movement in Europe.

[@motionalarm8351]

I came back from Iraq in early 2000s by myself. Nobody to greet me at the airport, not even family (Nobody told them because of OpSec). Getting off that plane to nothing made me really wonder what I was doing this for. We don’t even need to get into the PTSD that was made worse by this. I pulled through after many years, but it wasn’t easy. Just being able to talk about it on the way home probably would have healed a lot of wounds that you can’t see. After seeing this video though, I’m glad to see I wasn’t alone after all, our brothers and sisters in arms share that pain and try to help others by talking about it

[@rickraber1249]

This is Mrs. Rick. First, thank you so much for your service. Second, I'm so sorry for your pain. I've never been in combat, but I've had some nasty trauma, and it sure makes you feel isolated. I don't know your name, but the good Lord does. I'll pray for you.

[@johnnyalviso7350]

I'm so sorry u had to go through that. Thank u for ur service sir.i really do hope u are ok.

[@joshtolbert3561]

Don’t know if I’ve ever heard an actual vet give such perspective in so few words. God bless, sir.

[@bonjourputas]

Right, this never occurred to me but it makes all the sense in the world.

[@blakeb9964]

Yep it's a really good point that I've never thought about.

[@user-ot2kh8zi2u]

Why are you lying ?

[@jeanneserrano3397]

@user? Why are U cryptic? That's a form of lying. Be specific re: an accusation.

[@jeremygardner5987]

Colonial wars damage the psychology of the soldiers of the colonial power. Every US war since WWII has been fought to expand the reach of US financial interests for the project of neocolonial hegemony.

[@mannyr8795]

You can feel the pain in his voice. Best of luck to you sir

[@ChesterManfred]

He sounds so sad

[@ChesterManfred]

@@littlegreen9274 Dude, THEY WERE TRYING TO KILL HIM TOO

[@yumataylor6642]

My dad was a vietnam vet he came back and felt the hate from our own pple the constant threats and insults it hardens the heart, he passed 3 going on 4 years ago when i was in bootcamp i miss him but im happy he aint suffering anymore

[@bailey200310]

Got to remember these where teenagers 18, 19 kids god bless him.

[@marycooper8385]

He's in so much pain I can see the tears in his eyes

[@sundarion0913]

Thank you for your service SIR!

[@kurtsicily]

What service. What were you doing there, and why? could you elaborate please?

[@ronijaco9886]

great perspectives from someone who actually knows. God bless all our vets, especially those who were so poorly received in homecoming. None returned with out significant wounds, all gave some, some gave all. Then instead of welcome so many were scorned, ptsd wasnt remotely understood. Prayers for all soldiers is always needed.

[@KuroMicra]

This gentleman has nailed it. The importance of peer debrief and decompression should never be underestimated.

[@mikeswann2647]

YES SIR no un wind time arrived in BDUs and jungle boots, these guys were dumped in and dumped out.. 30 hours out of combat and back in America... my God

[@mikeswann2647]

God bless you all

[@scmtnchick]

Plus WW2 vets were considered heroes. Vietnam vets not so much, they were shamed for things out of there control

[@cynthiaPs63.7]

@@scmtnchick My BIL is a VietNam vet. He was in the Navy and was walking (in uniform) with my sister down a sidewalk in Santa Barbara (where they lived) and people spit on him. No grace at all given to the servicemen and women who were drafted into and fought in that war. Shameful!

[@red2977]

@@cynthiaPs63.7 yea the anti-war people who acted like that were real scum. Most especially when many people were drafted and sent to war against their will.

[@mrbill4499]

My cousin, David, lost an arm in Vietnam...I was just 10 when he came home, with his usual comic country boy personality gone...he never got the psychological help he desperately needed, so he struggled with depression for almost a year before he took his own life...he left a note apologizing to his parents..."I'm truly sorry, but I lost more than my arm somewhere in that damned jungle and I don't know how to get it back...please forgive me"...I still can't believe how they were treated when they got home...so sad and tragic.

[@cedric3973]

Brought you by the democratic party

[@amidalaprin4846]

​@@cedric3973brought to you by the American political system. Doesn't matter blue or red they're on the same team, same boss's, same rules and goals. The more they can convince you "your side" is better than the other, the easier you are to control. We need to either do something or accept this is how it will be forever

[@max666tall]

@@amidalaprin4846 Thank you for saying that, because growing up hearing stories from relatives and what little was taught in school and from what I learned on my own. Both parties are guilty of the war. Also shame on the people for how these soldiers were treated, people protesting to stop the war and bring the boys back home and as soon as they are brought back home, some of these same protesters spat and abandoned these men.

[@cedric3973]

​@@amidalaprin4846 they are on very different teams, one is directly and now says directly that they don't believe in the founding documents or the rule of law. One is directly responsible for amassing a majority of the debt and one ir directly responsible for fighting everytime the budget and getting it under control comes up. One party looted social security. One party was the party of jim crow and slavery. One party was the architect of the community reinvestment act which caused the 2008 housing crisis. Need I go on? Unless when it comes down to it you are a constitutional capitalist and go to the polls and vote in primaries and get people to really turn out for their local elections its all lost. Unless the person who takes power in Novermber stops the spending, deals with inflation and a ton of other issues along with reducing the power of the president, getting rid of homeland security and the patriot act along with a ton of other things within the next year its all over. This has been brought on in part by our parents and grandparents. We can look at who has controlled congress since World War 2 for a majority of the time and tell which party has sunk this country.....what do you know its the democrats. I am not saying the republicans are blameless but to say they are the same and are equally guilty is to undersell the sins and crimes of the democrat party.

[@OtiumBorealis]

@@cedric3973 I'm no fan of the Democrat party, but the Bush/Cheney neocon Republican politicians are just as bad. They love sending young soldiers to war while they make money as shareholders in weapons manufacturers. The problem is the politicians in the middle that are not running for ideological reasons but feign having convictions when all they really want is a career in politics. Nancy Pelosi and Lindsey Graham are two sides of the same coin.

[@s.wilson6770]

I'm so very sorry this was asked of you, but I honor you for serving. Thank you for sharing this, you've offered something I have never thought of before. I hope you now have folks you can talk with about your service. God bless you, Dear.

[@kalikittykalikitty4937]

So much respect for your honesty and integrity. You are STILL continuing to serve. ❤

[@paul6353]

Talking your heart out with someone who actually listens and understands is the greatest medicine.

[@jamesarcher1289]

Complex PTSD is horrible. One of the biggest hurdles is that civilians don’t understand it. Families fall apart cause of the drinking to stop the dreams or your just a completely changed person. With hard work and years of counseling and meds a lot of times. A person can start to adjust slowly

[@drkalowski256]

​@@jamesarcher1289in my personal experience with family/ppl in town who have PTSD is they are often afraid of seeking help. I try to simply be there, listen, try to understand. But, what seems to be the most important to Vietnam era vets - GWOT vets is they like to be remembered. NOT because of what they did but because of who they are, because they are human. It is an immense time investment to get dudes to get into the professionals office, but simply reminding them you are there, in their corner of the ring, gets ppl to seek help Everytime I listen to a vet they get teary eyed, you can see the guilt, sorrow in their eyes and sometimes people just need a hug or to share a beer in silence or just for you to sit with them

[@scoob4333]

By the way gonna put a source here, because this is actually true. Book: What Happend to You by By Bruce D. Perry, and Oprah Winfrey.

[@fredwerza3478]

I seen my Dad and so many guys of his generation act like this guy --- eyes well up with tears and shaky voice --- it was just pure hell over in Vietnam

[@kilodeltaeight]

One of the most important things we’ve learned with PTSD (and especially complex PTSD) research is that talking about it helps SO MUCH, particularly with experts who understand how to help someone process past trauma, but also with peers who have similar experiences. In that vein, what happened to Vietnam vets was extra cruel, as they were fined the ability to have that more-immediate debrief with peers, AND thrust back into a country undergoing huge shifts socially and economically that encouraged isolation. It was a recipe suffering.

[@jamielynne1985.]

My grandfather was both a wwii vet and Vietnam vet. He never talked about vietnam. Only his stories of wwii. Thank you for your service, sir.

[@max666tall]

I have a great uncle like that too, he was at pearl harbor and talked about his experience of the war, but when it came to Vietnam he was silent. When he did talk about it, it was when he would have a bad day with his PTSD.

[@mat7083]

It’s strange how soldiers can compartmentalize the wars they’ve been on. But, in this context, it sort of makes sense. In WWII, there were clear heroes and clear enemies. A narrative that the fate of the world was at stake, and it was imperative that every man should fight. Boost motivation and morale. And a hero’s welcome back home. In Nam, that narrative is blurred. Fighting against evil turns into fighting against people you don’t even know is friend or foe. Morale and motivation is low and you see a comrade get shot at or blown to bits cause politicians thought it was a good idea to draft men into a war none of them actually understand or care for. And those that survived come back home as “baby killers” instead of heroes. An incredibly lonely and tragic position to be in

[@DaleSandusky]

I bet he spent the whole time with a Vietnamese child. Lucky man!

[@jamielynne1985.]

@max666tall we lost my grandfather 12 years ago to stage 4 pancreatic cancer, that was due to being exposed to agent orange during vietnam.

[@mat7083]

@@jamielynne1985. I’m sorry

[@cherylgartside2547]

Thank you for your service and sacrifices. My heart breaks for all of you. God Bless you 🙏

[@g-rimm2315]

Thank you for your service sir ...and welcome home

[@RHINOSAUR]

This man is on the verge of tears in every interview segment I’ve watched. The pain he’s suffered in Nam, and these past long decades must be pure hell. God bless him.

[@arsenioseslpodcast3143]

pAIN HE suffered? Yeah, shooting those children and women, he made a choice to commit a genocide

[@DH-rj2kv]

My grandfather was in WW II. He lost two of this brothers and his leg his leg somewhere in Russia, got transported back 3000 miles by truck and train. When he finally came home, he burned all the letters and pictures he had written to my grandma, buried everything and went on with life. He never talked about the war for 50 years until dementia got the better of him. Then he would sometimes sit in the kitchen, dropping names of people and places no one knew and start crying. And there was a whole generation of men like that. Deeply traumatised but what they had seen (and done) suffering for a lifetime, paying the price of survival.

[@AC-hj9tv]

Glass Vietnam

[@margreetdoodeman1441]

I am so sorry for him, he says nobody understood. The difference is as well that the WW were won. once I met someone he was 17 when he went to Nam. He said he met a lot of insults bc of losing. When he returned he did prison time, could not get to 'normal' life, he was too young to know what that would have been looked like. In the end he started living in a buddhist centre. I went to see the Deer Hunter, I left very early. And that is only a movie.

[@PeterGriffin42000]

Jews

[@hagakuru]

my father never once spoke of the war in the 54 years I knew him. he held everything inside for his 86 years.

[@TheGetmoneyman]

Yep my father is a Vietnam vet i never knew until my mid 20s

[@suzanna6]

A man I worked for at 3 different places and for many years is a Vietnam Veteran and also never spoke of it but once or twice casually. He simply said it was unspeakable but I was lucky enough to come home and live a good life. God bless them! 🙏

[@Mai-Gninwod]

So many private tragedies born from this horrific unnecessary war. On top of the million+ dead, there is this. One man living and dying with unspeakable pain.

[@SnarkyJohnny]

Same. My father never talked to me about Vietnam. He doed before I became a man.

[@user-ot2kh8zi2u]

Well why didn’t you ask?

[@mikewatts1533]

First, my father would want me to say welcome home, brother! And second, he had to deal with that up until his last days. His family could only help him so much , but like you said, it was his Brothers-in-Arms that helped him the most. I miss you, Dad!

[@christie724]

The biggest wounds left from war aren't visible. God bless this man and a huge thank you to him for his service and for sharing his story ❤

[@Fnu-ex1tc]

After 43 years of remaining silent, just two weeks ago, my father finally talked about Vietnam. It was an eye opening listening session with my father and uncle. They've lost their parents, sister, and older brother.

[@GenXWitch67]

My dad, since passed, also said nothing until his end of life. He was in the Navy. Bringing troops to Vietnam then turning around and bring the dead home. Sometimes fishing them out of the water with hooks, etc. it was disgusting and heartbreaking work. Some of them coming back had just arrived on the ship they had brought them over on, not 18 months before. My dad was an aerographer’s mate, (weather man, meteorologist, whatever you want to call him. They sent him to school for it right after boot camp). He chose the Navy as he was against killing people but also had to participate due to the draft and knew he must supposed the US efforts. Even if non-violently. When he came home after his four year stint, with reserve duty in his future, people spit on him, and called him a baby killer. He never contacted his mate’s, never went to reunion, never talked about it other than to say the vets were treated horribly. He also couldn’t stand Hanoi Jane. He didn’t believe her apologies nor her version of events.

[@judyfultz5395]

My brother was also a Vietnam vet. And he didn't talk about his experience over there until the last few years of his life. And it was an eye opening experience for me to realize what he went through.. and I'm proud to be the sister of a Vietnam vet. 🇺🇸🦅

[@darcydoll437]

My Dad never talked about his time over in Vietnam. He has now since passed. 🥺

[@mean_deen]

my Dad wasn’t in Vietnam but WWll and he rarely ever talked about it and even when he did, he never went into detail at all. i knew that he was stationed in a bunch of different places and my Mom was right by his side every step of the way and then he was stationed in Turkey for 4 years and they told me stories of rolling blackouts and it being so dark, he and my Mom would be sitting next to each other and have no idea the other one of them was literally right there. they couldn’t even see their hands right in front of their faces. he told me his job was basically to learn a few languages and he would translate radio interceptions. we lost my beloved Mama when i was just 10 but they’d already been married for 27 years at that point. i just lost him 2 years ago now and at his funeral was where i learned what an unbelievable true bad ass he was in the military. there were so many high ranking military men there and men from the CIA etc. who were all coming up to me after the service, in a line, shaking my hand and telling me how much Dad saved their lives, the things he did for them, how much they all loved, respected, and owed him etc. it was WILD. i had less than NO idea. my Daddy was an extremely humble man. but i’ll tell ya what, it was one of the most incredible, proud, and just mind blowing experiences of my life that i will never ever forget. it honestly really truly felt like the scene at the end of the movie Armageddon when the 1 Astronaut walks up to Liv Tyler and “requests to shake the hand of the daughter of the bravest man he’s ever known” simply the best 🥺💔

[@rainbowshenanigans9339]

My wife’s grandpa had never really talked about his experiences in Vietnam until he met me. Bc of my time in the Army he opened up to me in literally minutes about things he had NEVER told his own family. Her whole family just watched us and listened with amazement that he was opening up. I loved listening to his stories, would’ve loved to have heard more! It’s that unspoken bond between service members, brothers in arms!

[@flyo7789]

My dad was a WWII vet AND a Vietnam vet, and he said that this is exactly correct. Also, when WWII ended, soldiers typically stayed together in their units for weeks or even a few months waiting for their turn to rotate home. This gave them time together to process what they had experienced and to decompress. It was very different for Vietnam vets -- if they survived 365 days "in country," they simply packed their stuff, "out-processed," and went "back to the world" alone. And, of course, the reception WWII vets got at home was VERY different than Vietnam vets got, so that hurt Vietnam vets too.

[@Shansman]

I forgot about a man I met that had the same service history. Retired of course. Years ago I met him. He said Vietnam was worse.

[@jamesondee1216]

But still world war 2 is the deadliest n longest war so talking about hard time I would say still ww2 😁

[@magma_man750]

​@@jamesondee1216WW2 was only 6 years. The Vietnam war was 20 years.

[@flyo7789]

It's also important to note that In WWII there were clear objectives, and the soldiers achieved those objectives. When it was all over, they rightfully felt like heroes whose sacrifices had saved the world from a terrible fate. Vietnam was different -- while it was part of a global war against the spread of communism, the enemy was elusive, the objectives were less defined, there were no front lines or clear progress toward victory, there were restrictive and often nonsensical rules of engagement, the south Vietnamese governments the US had to work with were very corrupt, agitators in the US were turning young people against the war AND against the vets, and more. And, in the end, there was no victory, at least not until the USSR collapsed in 1989. So, even though the Vietnam vets fought valiantly against communism and served their Country well, many were left wondering about the meaning and value of their sacrifices. These factors and the ones mentioned earlier, combined to make it very difficult for the Vietnam vets.

[@coyoteblue4027]

​@@flyo7789 "agitators" You mean people with a functioning moral conscience? America should have never involved itself in Vietnamese affairs in the first place. People called vietnam vets butchers and murderers because that's what they were. They prosecuted an illegal war against a sovereign nation for 20 years. They were criminals, and were it not for the fact that most of them were draftees, they would not be deserving of any empathy or warm welcome. As it stands, they mostly didn't choose to go. So while they certainly didn't deserve a hero's welcome home (because they were the villains) they do deserve some measure of empathy. They didn't ask to be made into monsters.

[@goldengram3865]

Thank you for your service ❤️🤍💙

[@doobie3117]

Sorry for your pain and thanks for your service 🙏🏾

[@billalumni7760]

Never really heard about the way you come home is such a powerful therapy if done right.

[@eddiebear34]

It won't matter if you go home in 3 weeks with what's left of your squad, or flew home alone in a day or 2. The moments alone to think about what you seen or done will always creep up on you for the rest of your life

[@wolfsmaul-ger8318]

@@eddiebear34 of course it matters, what happened will always come back but talking about your experience with friends and family, people completely uninvolved and people you might want to protect from the gruesome stories is so much harder and different compared to spending a lot of time with those comrades who remained till the last day, who went through the same hell as you, who share the same relief that its over and dread for what's to come

[@eddiebear34]

@wolfsmaul-ger8318 no. The experience of moving on will come when you leave. Be it straight away or weeks after. I'd say Vietnam vets probably had more support (still not much) afterwards, than ww2 men. Watch any documentary on ww2, and those guys are distraught about what they seen and done until their dying day

[@wolfsmaul-ger8318]

@@eddiebear34 the experience of moving on already comes when the war is over, the people you fought with don't turn into strangers. the youngest men who entered the war in 1955 would still be 87 years old and the war went on till 1975, most of the men who fought in the war would be below the old age when veterans usually open up their stories. another thing is that WW2 and vietnam played out very differently in all terms, technology, the enemy, the countries, i don't mean that WW2 veterans had it better but we don't even know how much worse of an impact the war would have done to them if they were flown alone in the span of a few days like in vietnam. speaking is one of the most important aspects of handling and processing trauma.

[@eddiebear34]

@wolfsmaul-ger8318 completely disagree. I'm ex military myself and you could be with your guys for a month afterwards, and you don't reflect on anything until your on your own. And no... Vietnam military personnel definitely didn't have it harder than ww2 guys

[@johnscharff9690]

My father had the same experience returning from the Korean War. The long sea voyage was a blessing.

[@mountainguyed67]

My father was a Korean War veteran, an Air Force bomb loader. My mom told me he said he was a bad boy in the Air Force. That’s all I know about his military service, he died in 1973 when I was 5. Treasure your time with your dad and learning his experiences, some of us didn’t get that. My dad died young, my mom is still alive at 86 years old. She came over for a visit today, so at least I have her.

[@hkkim8718]

Korea remembers Korean War Veterans highlighted by our President's official visit to the US included meeting one of the American vets last year and followed up with a broadcaste that the vet passed away just last month this year. Korea does not forget our allies, and we thank you.

[@craigfinley2507]

I was young when my pop died I was 14 I wish I could've had a man experience with him. So I feel you bro , be strong 👍​@@mountainguyed67

[@mountainguyed67]

@@hkkim8718 I’ve heard this before from Koreans, and it’s comforting.

[@daimyosutsujin9197]

@@hkkim8718 And yet, Koreans are racist towards Filipinos.

[@nemesys6]

You arent forgotten. Thank you for your service sir!

[@Kodousinx]

What service ?

[@firstnamelastname-bu1xm]

​@@Kodousinxmurdering vietnamese women and children

[@earthlingification]

Wow! I never thought of that. That is a really well thought out point. Please pass this video on. Thank you for posting this.

[@architecture.w]

My father was a WWII vet. Those guys shared a bond long after the war was over.

[@edwardwritt3820]

Respect for all of our vets and especially those who served in combat. Lets not forget about those young men , some teenagers who stormed the beaches of Normandy knowing that they would face certain death. They knew what it was like to possibly be killed and kill . Our Vietnam Vets were treated totally different. If they survived they were put on a aircraft and sent back home . No debriefing , no chance to talk with anyone except for some admin person typing up their paperwork who did nothing but give them their discharge papers and sent them on their way. The WW 2 VETS were respected for what they did and it was earned. Our Vietnam VETS were treated like crap by the public and our government. Especially our government and still are to this very day . Love and respect always

[@98zei]

@@edwardwritt3820 wasn't the Vietnam war an unjust war

[@oogway73]

Truly an extravagantly wasteful war. 50,000 innocent young men murdered for a paltry jungle country to remain communist. The U.S. was never and will never be the universal police.

[@edwardwritt3820]

@@98zei Yes it was unjust. It wasn't even a declared war. It was nothing but a money machine for the politicians who were bought off by the military industrial complex. Billions of dollars in the pockets of political people and the so called defense industry. We lost close to 60 thousand of our citizens . The families of those heroes lost much more than we can ever imagine. Those who survived are still fighting a battle for benefits that they earned. The government is giving them token health care but in reality are just waiting for them to die off . Same thing our Korean war vets went through and it will be the same thing our warriors from the so called Gulf War and the war against terrorism will go through. Our government doesn't hesitate to give billions to Ukraine and the illegal immigrants but yet treat our warriors like crap.

[@33d672]

@@98zeiYeah it was. But it isnt the American troops fault. Most of them was drafted I believe, so blame the politicians and not the men who was forced to fight in the unjust war.

[@joeneauxvieve6203]

My uncle was a Vietnam vet. He was a wonderful man, but it was clear there was a deep sadness within him that he never truly healed from. He had a loving family and we were with him till the day he died, but his loneliness was apparent. Any friends he had from that era were lost in the war or succumbed to their loneliness as well. He was the last of his friends. Subjects like this are so important to highlight and discuss but often go overlooked. Miss you, Uncle Vern. Thank you for your service. Rest in peace.

[@YenCrew]

As a service man. As someone who understands that I don't understand with my uncle dealing with this every day as a Vietnam Vet. Thank you to your uncle for his service! May he rest in Peace!

[@_A4A]

I truly respect & value your story and appreciate you for sharing it with all of us! May your Uncle find peace in The Great Forever and I deeply thank him and all his comrades for their service!.... 🕊

[@xxsqf]

@@YenCrew thanking him for invading a country for no reason? R U serious?

[@bebbychad7607]

​@xxsqf you need to sit down and stfu!

[@YenCrew]

@xxsqf It's not about whether he was right or wrong, per say. It's that a fight started & the inevitable ensues. Whether we were right or wrong, if we just bent the knee, who knows what we as a country would be today. Do you really want to take a chance on what would've/ could've been?? I know you know life isn't fair & is ugly. So yes, these men stepped up & did the dirty work necessary for you & others to live the life you live today. It's what I do as well. Holding & maintaining power always comes with backlash... but feel free to believe, think & feel what you want. Oh & if you're gonna be mad, blame & shame anyone. Go do that to uncle Sam

[@Dirty_Squirrell]

I have never wanted to give someone a hug more than I do this man. 😔 We have failed too many if our veterans. (He has a great voice!)

[@nicksiebert3204]

I'm sorry you had to go through this..and thank you for your service.

[@reecearnold4195]

My dad worked with a Vietnam vet and on Veterans Day in the late 90s, my dad thanked him for his service and he started to get upset. My dad asked him if he's alright and he said that my dad was the first person to thank him since he got back.

[@sherellsworth6956]

I remember those days, too well! I was so ashamed of the way those soldiers were treated when they returned, which was mostly because of those "hippies" - my heart still aches for those veterans! As if what they had to experience and endure on the battle fields was not enough, the behavior towards them by their own Americans was nothing short of sinful! May God bless America and those who put their lives on the line to protect her.

[@TTFerdinand]

​@@sherellsworth6956 I'm not American and I'm not a soldier. I remember being stuck in Dubai airport in 2007 because of some visa issues with "The supervisor comes on Monday", but it was Friday evening. I met a guy in uniform, trying to find his Delta flight to the US. The clerk barely spoke English, the guy was clearly frustrated, we had a brief talk, he was going home from Iraq, but then he had to hurry on. He was just anxious to get home. Well... No deeper point, just that.

[@user-mv5uy8vh8l]

​​@@sherellsworth6956 Hippies = Democrats

[@BillSundin]

​@sherellsworth6956 I'm a Vietnam era vet, and I had plenty of "hippie" friends before and after I went in - and I didn't know any that treated vets or soldiers badly, they protested the war itself. If you're a person who has to find someone to blame for everything, hippies didn't get us into a bad war and run it ignorantly. Congress did that, and they typically didn't let their kids serve.

[@user-mv5uy8vh8l]

@@BillSundin I like how you're an ERA vet, JERK-OFF. If you hadn't been in the coast guard, and came through LAX in uniform you'd be singing a diff tune. Yeah the government was drunk and sends young off to die, and they still do it today but that doesn't excuse the disrespect.

[@arsenalfish21]

I appreciate this man sharing his experience. His pain was palpable.

[@phillittle5890]

That is fkn heartbreaking to see a big tough guy like him obviously still struggling and in pain after so long😢😢. Sending love from Scotland brother ❤

[@Alan-ps3pb]

I've never thought about that aspect of the war before. I've never heard it even mentioned in documentories or read it in books on the subject. This gentleman has made a very important and profound observation, born out of hard personal experience. I have every respect and gratitude for all our veterans from all the terrible wars they have bravely endured on our behalf. This gentleman's heartfelt testimony has only increased that respect and gratitude for their sacrifice and service!

[@cadenz7719]

My grandfather, navy corpsman, said he experienced the same thing. He said it just felt like he woke up in the states, and the first thing that hit him was the protesters screaming at him while he was looking for his wife. He said he had no one to talk to until he saw his dad again who was WWII Pacific Theater. Then when he saw the rest of his brothers when they came back. He said his father being a psychologist is the only reason he was around for so long after the war and was able to do anything. He was never able to work in anything medical ever again, but he could go back to water after a few years.

[@oralebonafide9720]

That is absolutely horrible 🤕☹️ defending our country with your whole life only to come back & have protesters saying your the anti christ for being in the military.... really harsh times 💔

[@sherylwilson865]

​@@oralebonafide9720 They were called baby killers. ALL 3 of my uncles were in Vietnam. Thankfully they all came home. But they were called baby killers by the protesters and idiots.

[@MadHeadzOz]

This is more accurate in general than the short. I'm not discounting this mans experience. The difference was the propaganda machines. People were more aware of the lies. It should not have been the returned service men who bore the brunt of public dissatisfaction. People get chewed up and spat out or shat out by the grubs who profit from the conflict.

[@mabriff]

My dad was also a Navy corpsman during the final years of Vietnam. All he would ever tell me about his service during the war is that he saw a lot of broken men - physically and mentally/emotionally. It definitely took its toll on him. He served on the USS Nimitz after the war, and later at Bethesda as an x-ray technician. I think he was happy to end his naval career working in a hospital and not on a warship.

[@gtas321]

you have to understand that we also were not on the right side of that conflict. Stories of entire families being slaughtered were being shared worldwide. The atrocities were terrible. ​@@oralebonafide9720

[@concordmilitia3471]

World War II vets averaged about 40 days in combat over four years. The Vietnam soldier averaged between 240 and 300 days of combat within one year.

[@Night.League]

Woahhh

[@skullsaintdead]

Surely thats only US soldiers? I would think Allied soldiers/sailors/airforce who entered the war two years earlier, would have more combat time?

[@matthewhelsley2840]

Thank you for this information. I have never seen a comparison like that before. Not questioning your point but it'd also be great to have a link or citation to a source on this number. Sometimes the source drives the point home that much harder.

[@bartgomez4872]

That's hogwash. My late father spent a helluva lot longer in WW-2.

[@matthewhelsley2840]

@@bartgomez4872 The number mentioned is supposed to be an average. Averages can be technically correct and still hide outliers. Perhaps like your father. I'd like to see a citation for the number posted above because that could be an interesting source. It might also have things like a standard deviation or other details which could explain why it's so unexpected given your father's experience.

[@heatherbenson1663]

Thank you for your time and your sacrifice. I am sorry you had to go through that.

[@trevorthomas1030]

Thank you for your service! If no one's told you yet, welcome home Soldier.

[@juliodavila5333]

Incredible after almost 60 years those wounds still open. My respect to you sir and hope you will find you peace.

[@chrisstockwell9235]

Once you've taken another humans life you never truly find peace, think of all the childhood memories that bounce around in your head and the things that remind you of your childhood, now change that to combat those memories will always be there and the triggers are around every corner, in no way is this criticizing your gratitude just explaining combat vets get rewired in order to cope with the everyday things most take for granted.

[@mihailmilev9909]

​@@chrisstockwell9235right

[@mihailmilev9909]

​@@chrisstockwell9235...

[@mihailmilev9909]

37,1,2d35min

[@mihailmilev9909]

....

[@Matt_b146]

As an Army veteran i completely understand where he is coming from. I went through the same thing coming home from Iraq. My first night back in the states, i spent sleeping in a rental car in a Walmart parking lot. I didn’t fly home with anyone i knew. There was no welcome parade or news cameras. The most support i have ever received and the most appreciated support was from Vietnam vets. I can honestly say that they saved my life with how welcoming they are and how they never want another service member to experience what they did. Keep up the great work, you are literally saving fellow veterans lives, like mine!

[@joeysworldsewer]

God bless you man, thank you for your service. You all deserve better than you're being given

[@hentschmen12]

Welcome home and thank you!

[@casteel765]

Same here with me. I didn't go to Iraq. I was deployed to Columbia several times. Being responsible for blowing cartel mansions and cocaibe factories with innocent people working in them including children is pretty rough. Nothing like Iraq but it still gets to me from time to time. I had a gag order for 15 years so i could talk about anything.

[@emilianosintarias7337]

. "My first night back in the states, i spent sleeping in a rental car in a Walmart parking lot" Tells us everything we need to know about the supposed "democracy" that is the USA now.

[@ismail_368]

How many kill you innocent people in Iraq " patriot" guy

[@heromusashiz3508]

This man needs a long hug

[@chancefitzgerald7740]

Bless our courageous Veterans.

[@Mr.PeabodyTheSkeptic]

A cousin served 2 tours in Iraq with the Army. He saw very heavy combat. Most of his contemporaries and family never served, myself included. He was obviously traumatized when we first saw him on his return. Luckily he had my uncle, his grandfather a WW2 vet, to bounce stories, concerns and ferlings off of. But when my uncle died just a few years later, my cousin just couldn't cope and ultimately ended it. What a tragedy for such a beautiful young man. For about 20 years I would take my mother, an Army vet, to the VA here in Houston before she passed this year. I loved striking up conversations with vets and just letting them talk. Remember that they are just people who did what did because most wanted to help other people. When these vets return it's our chance to give back. Just listen. Really listen.

[@AntiMason]

I am the same way, I love to listen to them talk. I could do it for days. I'm usually unaware of how deep some of my questions are to people so I try to keep my mouth shut. But I've been lucky and met a few good older fellas who were honestly a little excited to talk about it with me. I wish there was a way to say "Tell me your stories if you need someone to talk to" without offending someone. Some people love to talk about it and others can't bare it.

[@lepangolin4080]

You cannot say a soldier in Iraq is doing this bc he want to help other people...That's just pure propaganda. This war was just a war for american interest, oil profit and destruction. Soldiers were justed brainwashed meat. I won't praised any of them for killing ppl in their own country just bc "I was told to do it" You cannont compare for one sec what was the goal in WWII and this absurd and shamefull war.

[@GwynRosaire]

Coming back from any trauma that catastrophic is a long road. I've lost friends to the post 9/11 wars, some by their own hand. We must hear each other.

[@danieldastous6763]

Absolutely the lack of friends to talk to after such horrific events must've been horrendous

[@bojankojic108]

killers chat ? they were not soldiers....

[@EmergencyL0tion]

@@bojankojic108womp womp

[@aaronluepke8999]

​@@bojankojic108disrespect is amazing... you own it. You couldn't handle doing anything those soldiers did. Stay in your blue state in your blue house.

[@kinglokimrvegas8687]

​@@bojankojic108explain

[@SirSamuel_Smith_Squirrel_TheIV]

@@bojankojic108as much as I hate to say it, they are soldiers and veterans of a country, and they deserve our respect, the Americans killed nearly all of my great greens parents, great uncles, and the cause absolute horrendous damage to my ancestral home but I still have to respect them.

[@Friskokid77]

So heart breaking thank u to all ur brother and sister that service great nation 🙏❤️🔥🤗🇺🇸

[@pho3nix-]

Thank you for your service.

[@KaidenBainAstro]

I once told a Vietnam vet “Welcome Home Sir and thank you for your service.” And he broke down in tears on the spot.

[@HimeDelia]

And then everyone clapped.

[@jortal7441]

No body to blame but your self and your country the United States had no business being in Vietnam in the first place. Just like they have no place being in Iraq, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan. America or should I say Americans should learn from there decade of mistakes and start putting America and Americans first.

[@Higher-Ground]

@@jortal7441 It wasn’t the soldiers fault. How can you get mad at a draft and then get mad at the men who were drafted? You hate the draft for forcing innocent lives into war and then you hate the drafted for being forced into to war?

[@MrScionic]

@@jortal7441 you arent very smart the soldiers did say "yea I would like to go into a jungle and kill many people" they were sent there clueless and for you to blame them is just disrespectful. Do you know how many young men didnt know they would never come home to their families? No you dont you are very heartless.

[@tw7873]

@@jortal7441why don’t you share what country you are from? Your hands are not clean either. Every country has been involved in war in some capacity over the years. I have utmost respect for this man and for all men who have served in the US armed forces and want to thank any of them that may be reading this. It’s their not there also just so you know. Does your country teach grammar?

[@LogicalPrime]

They also came back to a public that hated them, must have been crazy rough. Much respect to you sir

[@Flynnoo7]

Damn straight!!! Brother.

[@brendberryman]

As a wife of a Vietnam Veteran this statement is true 😢

[@maxsparks5183]

Not all of us hated them. I graduated from high school the month Saigon fell. I never heard anyone here in Arkansas talk badly about the soldiers sailors or marines of Vietnam. Sure, there was a lot of inner conflict in almost all of us and some outward expression of that conflict regarding the war itself, but not about our brothers and sisters who were over there doing the fighting. God bless them. They are the greatest generation.🇺🇸

[@wingsoficarus1139]

I dont think they hated the vets, they hated the higher ups sending the vets. Vietnam was a waste of lives and tax dollars, and we didn't need to draft thousands of young men and boys for an unwinnable war that isn't even relevant to us. People supported WWII because we were at risk of more direct attacks, Vietnam wasn't like that.

[@greeneyesdante]

Indeed! My father did 2 terms during the war, and many did hate them when they returned. Sad!!

[@atlefjugstad6231]

My great grandpa had to fight through both. He died of a heart attack...shortly after my great grandmother followed him out the same way. The things war will do to you and your family is devastating.. RIP to all

[@caliconservative20]

Mad respect for you, Sir, and the many who fought then and are fighting now. We need to doa better job of supporting our veterans. God bless you and keep you. 🙏🏽🇺🇲🙏🏻❤️

[@RedElephantAlly]

I hope this man finds peace and comfort. 😢

[@gicudacian6270]

And all the people that he killed right? 😂

[@chriscarswell450]

​I know right. Its so screwed up. Thanks corrupt government ​@@gicudacian6270

[@flyingpanda6802]

@@gicudacian6270your kidding right? Vietnam was a draft and it was horrendous what they had to go through during the war and after being sent home. Thats if they survived it. Many then had to suffer for the rest of their lives with ptsd and injuries sustained during the war. They also didn’t have support after like they do now. Which they still don’t have the best support now after they get out of the military.

[@jodiegalloway3614]

I pray that this man and other vets find peace and support. Thank you for your service. I'm so sorry to hear of your experience, I cannot imagine having to kill it be killed. It was your job to kill enemy forces, a terrible place to be put in.

[@jodiegalloway3614]

​@@gicudacian6270you think this is funny? What kind of person are you? Geez

[@microneus]

Very well said. Debrief and decompress, very important.

[@kuiperrene]

That's what I was thinking, the decompression and rest before getting back home. Not to be underestimated.

[@precessionoftheequinoxes3224]

I didn't get to do any of this coming back from Afghanistan. Within 3 weeks, I was back out field doing live fire shoots on exercise. We had 3 days debriefing which consisted of banks offering mortgages etc.

[@paulcarey1708]

Younger guys in Vietnam as well. Much more frequent combat as well.

[@johnlozauskas778]

One of the things he did not mention, and I was a little boy at the time was the HORRIBLE way the returning service people were treated upon returning to America.

[@smoll.miniatures]

America is the one of only a few countries in the world that gets involved with foreign wars, murders thousands of innocent people for no reason, then talks about how much “they” hurt…..

[@userRhanBell]

Thank you for your service fine sir. Mad respect for your friends and companions.

[@kelliintexas3575]

Gosh. The PAIN in his eyes. I want to just hug him before he even speaks.

[@truth0149]

War is Hell ! My father was front lines Korea . It took a long time for him to talk about it , but when he finally did it was good for him to share . He passed away last year & I miss him alot .

[@jolie1327]

Also the Korean vets were not treated fairly either.

[@paulvonlettow-vorbeck4302]

War is war, and Hell is Hell, and of the two I reckon war is a hell of a lot worse.

[@dlspiritdancer9548]

My dad was also in Korean War but refused to talk about it.

[@davidcastellanos2492]

I’m sorry for your loss and may your father Rest in Paradise.

[@masonmansitomargiela1399]

Rest in peace pops

[@gingerleamcwow435]

Watching him tear up while just talking about how the WW2 guys had time together to cool down before returning was heartbreaking. I've never even thought about this aspect of coming home from duty, so thank you for giving me a completely new perspective. The lack of resources for veterans who have served in combat is absolutely disgusting.

[@g25504]

And these BABARIC take it as fun..well that's how they portray it to be..taking selfies etc etc...but then again most of iof not Israelis so it's like "who cares.... THEIR CONSCIOUS gonna get them in BIG WAY

[@travismacha2891]

Another thing that was deferment was the war was over. Vietnam there were guys you knew are still fighting when you were boarding the plane home

[@mbuck253]

Super messed up all the way around. No doubt WWII vets had it much better overall coming back. But thousands of WWII Vets had lobotomies done to them as their thank you for service when they got home.

[@Korigan97]

The crazy thing is coming from a battlefield going home and sitting in the airplane with full soldiers in the dead silent in that airplane is the scariest thing after a war ...

[@yyz4761]

This was very insightful, I’ve never thought about that. I read a memoir of a WW2 vet that said that the only person that he could talk to about his combat experience was his father who was a WW1 vet and his father died while he was in transit back to the states

[@partin25]

My dad was in Vietnam in the late 60s. Now that Im older I realize how bad his PTSD was because he never got any help for it. Whiskey was his therapist. Great father and a great man, and I wish he could have found some peace while still alive. Respect to those men for what t through

[@richardirizarry6460]

Same with my father. Drunk himself into a stupor.

[@stayturnt_2015]

Yup Heroin and alcohol were what made them cope with what they had to see and do over there, and it's so f'd up, when he came home, the government didn't give two shits about them, no help, no one to talk to, no compensation and the VA was a joke, always excuses with waiting lists and all that bullshit, He Enlisted he wasn't drafted, (he had his personal reasons). I just feel like they should have been better taken care of

[@JscottSears]

I'm sorry both your fathers went through that.

[@BradPitbull]

As a Marine Corps veteran... Thank you for sharing this perspective

[@billlawson1606]

My son is in a Marine Machine Gunner Squad with the 1/7 !

[@avantoa]

Semper Fi !!

[@Adelaide672]

Thank you for your service, sir ❤️🇺🇸

[@user-yt2iw4gg5e]

Thank you for your service Sir❤😢

[@billhollis1888]

So many years later, i still recall waking at night to hear my dad crying out. Because he was back in the navy, he was back in Vietnam, as he slept.

[@TheRedMenace12]

WW2 vets came back to cheering crowds instead of protests. Kudos to both groups.

[@BeepBoopBrain]

My grandpa served in Vietnam and tells stories about it every time I see him. That war was one he doesn’t think we should’ve been involved in and he believes that most people agree. I’ve never heard anything good about the war and I’ve never heard anything good about how those who served were treated. Thank you for sharing your story about the differences in the return from the war. It’s important that more people like you share their experiences like that so that we can learn from it and find better ways to support our returning veterans.

[@G_v._Losinj2_ImportantPlaylist]

PIs ck *”MaII St & Th BoIshk Rev”* 📼

[@G_v._Losinj2_ImportantPlaylist]

AIso, *”Wndr Th 🪧0f Th 🦂”* 📼

[@joycemarshall7504]

7th​@@G_v._Losinj2_ImportantPlaylist

[@kokak4027]

Hey Americans: maybe start by stopping saying "thanks for your service". Killing people isn't a service

[@stanelyhamilton9344]

Thank You for Your Service, and God Bless You I wish you Peace.

[@pd2468]

My uncles were there I understand your pain sir and what you carry around with you because they still carry it around with them thank you for your service and your sacrifice

[@Wiseman__]

you can tell this man has a good soul.

[@666Kaca]

He participated in an illegal invasion and killed civilians

[@ravanpee1325]

Did he mention the dead Vietnamese one time?

[@Tipper709]

@@ravanpee1325 Yes, he called them "People". Clearly says Vietnam Vet.

[@Melior_Traiano]

@@ravanpee1325 He was a Scout Sniper and said killing is not a good thing. That alone tells you he has a good soul.

[@genghis2020]

Good soul was Muhammad Ali, and others who refused to take part in aggression against sovereign country and commit war crimes against civilians.

[@resolute123]

The WWII generation also had most of the population serving in the military which affected almost everyone so the people cared what happens to our boys. The Nam vets (and even today) don't have "skin in the game" and there's that disconnect.

[@aZTriumph]

And Vietnam vets on average had around 2-3 times the hours in active combat in around 1/3 the time compared to wwII vets. Not saying that makes wwII vets any less amazing

[@marksprague1280]

The WWII "home guard" also had daily reminders that they were in a war: gas & food rationing, scrap metal drives, bond drives, women doing men's jobs, etc.

[@IndigenousUndergroundPrimate]

I think that disconnect is largely due to the fact that we were directly attacked in WW2 by the Japanese. Vietnam was different in a lot of ways.

[@jk-kr8jt]

One of the biggest differences that few talk about is that very few WW II personnel went home until the war was over. Once you were in, you were in until it was over. Neither way was "better", but it was a different era.

[@jimsteinway695]

There was no disconnect. The vets did what their country asked. Then the public blamed them for the mistakes the government made. The vets did the same thing they did in WWII exactly what the government asked them to.

[@c.t.6314]

So sad. God bless our Vets. To the Veterans reading this - We are extremely grateful for what you have done even though we were not there and are limited in our understanding of the soul wrenching things you have been through. Forever grateful to you guys. God bless you guys.

[@dapper189]

This was part of my Anthropology thesis. Culture shock regression models. I was in 98-02. Thanks for leading the way, brother.

[@QuietFury9]

One of the greatest shames of my country. To leave these men with nothing and no one to talk to. Many many years too late but thank you for your service

[@studiobauhaus7740]

what service? The Vietnam war was evil being done by the USA. Blame the government for sending those kids out to die in vain. not every damn war is a service to the USA. Not since WW2 has it been a service to Americans.

[@curiouser-and-curiouser]

Yes but there was a greater sin than that. Men were left behind, alive, & it was covered up.

[@singhmastr]

Dude, this is one of the smallest errors the US govt has made.

[@darrenmccomb2285]

You’re countries done much worse don’t kid yourself

[@samuel-nq6he]

Usa has done far worse lol

[@KourttneyL]

My grandpa was lost in the forest for over 30 days in Vietnam. I wish that I could have talked to him about his stories before he passed away . 😢❤

[@rbibbe34]

Sometimes they don’t. My grandpa was a flame thrower in Korea. Mean drunk. I wish he was more like this man; but it breaks people.

[@user-wg4ie9pb3x]

It was a jungle, probably.

[@sarakempton9384]

My father is a Vietnam vet and it's pretty messed up over it and it wasn't till I was older that he talk to me a little bit. I heard two stories, one funny one and one not so funny one it's all I ever got out of him he wouldn't talk about it. These men and women suffered horrific PTSD. My father became an alcoholic and a mean one of that I'm glad I didn't know him like that he was sober by the time I can remember.

[@KourttneyL]

@@sarakempton9384 thankfully my grandpa wasn’t a alcoholic. He did have agent orange and it messed him up.

[@shmodzilla]

@@KourttneyL My dads spine is a crumbled mess from agent oarnge. 87 and he still keeps going though not much more than the couch to the bathroom anymore.

[@user-fn2nl2sp3i]

My ancestors 2 of them 1 in ww1 and the other in ww2 came back but the 1 in ww2 told me enough stories that I knew and understood and processed everything of wartime and warfare it’s different having grown up conversations I would say now

[@stevesteve8180]

you are nothing but a hero, im so sorry you had to deal with that. in my prayers

[@raysearch-iu3fr]

My uncle was a WW2 vet who fought on D-day. I asked him about it once and it took him 10 minutes just to tell me that when the landing craft door dropped down, the buddy in front of him died instantly... He got all choked up and couldn't continue. Years later I watch the movie "Saving Private Ryan" and then I understood. Big salute and THANK YOU to the Vietnam Vets because I'm sure they went through days like that several times over and over.

[@dreamervanroom]

Thanks. I will watch that movie.

[@brendabarajas8256]

​@dreamervanroom it gives you an idea of what these men faced upon arriving. It horrific many of these soldiers where out of high school young men were build different back then and God bless there service.

[@348Tobico]

My Dad was nearly killed during the Battle of the Bulge. He was hospitalized for 2 yrs in England before coming home on the Queen Mary. He then spent 31/2 yrs at the VA hospital in Battle Creek Michigan. He joined the VFW and the Disable American Veterans while at Battle Creek. He spent the rest of his life doing outreach to veterans of WWII, Korea and most especially Viet Nam. We lived on acreage by a lovely lake and almost year round had 1 or 2 big squad tents pitched for honored visitors. As kids we learned that real, good men could have injuries unseen and we must always respect the men and the sacrifices they made, willing or otherwise. They needed the decompression and having other men older and younger to speak with. I am so thankful my Dad was such a compassionate man and that he shared that compassion with other warriors in need. God Bless you Dad. You made more of a difference in this world that you ever knew. And thank you to all the guys who helped my Dad deal with the demons the war sent home with him. God Bless each of you guys, too.

[@witwicky5565]

This is lovely, do you have any more stories about his work?

[@xplicitiv8494]

I am a teenager but I have supported and done many things for the VFW, and these stories make me motivated to keep on serving our veterans!

[@N2Mtns2]

@@xplicitiv8494Son, the VFW ?? (Or Daughter) but the VFW ?? Please do some research and Gid Bless You for having the Heart to Help.

[@patriciadavidson3743]

Thank you so much for sharing this brief story. It sounds like your Dad was a very special person. ❤

[@N2Mtns2]

Bless his heart. My FIL was Patton’s 3rd & caught one @ the Bulge and another crossing the Rhine. He hid his medals everywhere in drawers & he could talk about it - then the “shade pulled down in The Eyes”. G.I.’s made a pact on the Queen Mary to “not bother there family with details”. He made it from Utah Beach all the way to Austria. He *Nevet could talk about helping release the POW or Jewish Camps. No he couldn’t. RIP Sarge. 🫡 And ALL *Whose Number Was Called* (drafted) (Marines volunteer). Never Forget. Semper Fi

[@ronjames7953]

Thank you for your service sir. God Bless You and Welcome Home

[@pattir9332]

Thank you for your service, sir. My late husband never got over what he had to do to stay alive or how he was treated when he came back. I'm sorry for what all Vietnam Vets have gone through.

[@Robert-zb5ep]

I'm so sorry that you had to watch your husband go through that pain. Bless you for being his companion.

[@_A4A]

Hearing this soldiers voice crack at the end and to see the true level of hurt in his eyes will stay with me forever!... My heart, my love, my soul goes out to all our servicemen & servicewomen fallen, injured and still alive - THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE We are all so blessed for all that you have sacrificed for us and our country!... 🕊🕊🕊

[@Eirikr69]

Didn't really sacrifice for your country though, did he. Just that current government's political interests. Which is the great shame of this whole ordeal.

[@user-qw6zj5ix9k]

How did he sacrifice anything for the US by invading a souvereign country thousands of kilometers away from the US and by dropping napalms on civilians?

[@jenniferbledsoe4311]

❤ my grandfather fought in WW2 ❤️ to all service men and women THANK YOU!!

[@annm4833]

I've never heard this situation explained in this way before. It makes sense and you can see how painful this is for this man. God bless you sir,and thank you for answering the cdll for your country. 🇺🇲❤️

[@joem715]

I've heard that so many times, but now hearing it from a Vet makes all the difference. Thank you for your service and sacrifice, sir.

[@Notyamomma1313]

I just want to hug this man and let him know we love him. We are grateful for him. I feel his pain in his voice, and it hurts my heart. He and all the vets deserve so much better than what our government gave them. We, as a nation, have to try to make all vets lives easier and better. Small things can make a huge difference in their life.

[@nereidatorres7613]

I AGREE 800% NO VET SHOULD BE LIVING IN THE STREETS, NO VET SHOULD BE LIVING IN POOR CONDITIONS, NO VET SHOULD BE WITH OUT A GOOD PLAN OF HEALTH CARE. THEY DESERVE TO BE TREATED MUCH BETTER THEN THESE ILEGAL IMMIGRANTES. WHO COME TO USA COMMITING CRIMINAL ACTS AGAINST THE AMERICAN CITIZENS AND OUR CHILDRENS. BREAKING THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND GETTING AWAY WITH IT AS IF THEY WERE IN THIER OWN COUNTRY. A BUNCH OF FREE LOADERS WHILE OUR BRAVE VETS ARE LIVING IN BAD CONDITIONS. OUR VETERANS DISERVE TOTAL RESPECT.

[@georgezink8256]

It’s 55 years to late?? God bless you

[@georgezink8256]

As a severely wounded Vietnam veteran I got used by v a hospital in Ashville nc,and now beg for little bit of pain medicine, because others have killed them selves , I suffer 24/7

[@timharton7306]

Beautiful post. ❤

[@SergeantSquared]

​​@@georgezink8256been called a criminal multiple times at the VA myself, refused help, abd left in tears. Its been a day since your comment, and I hope you made it through another day. Without Jesus, I wouldn't be here many times over my friend. Cliche, sure, but very, very true. A fellow church member was a victim of the punji sticks....

[@jacobwhitehurst5367]

Thank you for your service sir. I appreciate everything you’ve done and had to experience for our freedom. Thank you God Bless

[@JohnDoe-yr1xc]

I feel this man even though I never have ever been in combat at all period. He tells a lot from the tone of his voice and emotion behind his persona

[@martinchristianaguilar5135]

WW2 Vets: Treated like Heroes Vietnam War Vets: Treated like Villains

[@c50m4]

Doesn't help that vietnam was a bullshit war

[@gregpettis1113]

The left wanted communism to prevail

[@ericturner1544]

The amount of atrocities we committed in Vietnam made us villians. We were the bad guys.

[@bluelaserneon8832]

@@ericturner1544yeah, but the American citizens treated every vet that way

[@LoFiAxolotl]

@@ericturner1544 ehmmm plenty of attrocities and warcrimes committed by the US Military in WW2 too... Soldiers rarely come home innocent

[@Jacayrie]

My late father was a Vietnam veteran. He was stationed in Thailand and was a Sergeant in the Special Forces in the US Army. He endured a lot of mental trauma from being in the war. He had to start over from scratch once he got out bcuz he was then a civilian, so he had basically nothing and it was as if his career in the Army didn't count for anything. He would have had to go back to college and get a degree first and then hope to find a job that was similar to his profession in the Army. If these Vet's were able to have their professions carried over into their civilian life, then most wouldn't be homeless. Also, after my Dad got out, he was so disappointed about the outcome, that he gave his uniform away. I wish he had kept it, but I have all of his metals and patches that he earned inside of a little display case that hangs on the wall. The VA hospital treated him terribly when he had to start getting surgeries for his heart and then a double amputation on his legs due to diabetes, and getting an infection from a cut on his foot when he was in his early 60s. I've caught the nurses treating him horribly and flipped out on them and got them in trouble. Their negligence caused my dad's roommate to die, so my dad was so scared that he was going to be next, so we visited him often. Then he had to fight for early retirement and only got a measely $500/mo from his military pension. Then when he passed away, the funeral home director was supposed to help us give him a military funeral, like my Dad wanted, but he ghosted us after we gave him my Dad's military info. Then when we told a family member who is a state trooper and has worked with this guy when he was fresh out of the academy, they buried my Dad in the veteran's cemetery without telling us, so he didn't get a funeral and we didn't get that last bit of closure by witnessing his burial. He passed 8 ½ years ago and I still haven't been to his grave site. It's too hard and the guilt is keeping me from going, even though I know it wasn't my fault. But even looking back at how professionals treated my Dad and patronized him, making him out to be stupid or something, is what really sets me off. Sorry for the novel, but if you made it this far, thank you for reading. It's just sad how our vets are suffering in a country that they once sacrificed their lives for, but are treated as useless.

[@beachdays561]

Please visit him and maybe consider some sort of informal military recognition or other veterans who can attend his grave it may not be perfect but it's important to acknowledge and make peace

[@57appel]

The funeral home should have called the local Honor Guard who could have given a small military service and folding of the flag for you. The Honor Guard can still do this for you and your family. If you want and can afford a local bagpiper, even better. It will help.you in the long run to honour your dad on your own.

[@annewhitehurst3626]

I understand exactly what you mean. I had a very good friend who served in Vietnam. He got the same treatment as your dad. Not to mention how civilians at airport threw red, representing blood, liquid and cursed them. Thanks hanoi jane. God bless all military personnel. 🇺🇸

[@melodyjennings7782]

My dad died in 1980 and I didn't visit his grave until 2021. I placed flowers and prayed a Rosary for his soul and finally felt peaceful about his early, lonely death.

[@zerocal76]

I read everything u wrote. It's good that u got some of what happened out there and off your chest. What happened isn't fair. I hope u find peace someday. And I am very appreciative of everything your father did, thank u. I am very grateful to be in a free country 🙏

[@sainters7]

That's a very good point, and explains a lot. Between not being able to "debrief", and the atmosphere they returned to back home, it must've been hell. You can see how much it's affected him to this day

[@bladetheelectrowolf1554]

My great grandfather talked about how he came back alone during his service in WWII all his friends 5 of them got killed one jumped in fort of a grenade to save his life and give his own for him. Always talked about them Frank his best friend came back to take him home back in 2017 he was 93 and Frank kept his promise he’d take him home in the end of it. How he talks is how my great grandfather talked about coming back from wwii being the only one to return to your home town. It’s so heart breaking.

[@sirsnydes]

Seeing the emotion on this man's face makes me sad. No matter your nationality or politics, war has an impact. Thank you for your sacrifice!

[@imperialist4862]

Sacrifice for killing strangers living thousands of kilometers away?😂

[@andrewheitmeyer9945]

Those north Vietnamese were killing south Vietnamese with the help of the USSR. No one seems to be protesting what north Vietnam was doing to innocent people.

[@streetvybzswag1.067]

​@@andrewheitmeyer9945 I'm uneducated in American history but I heard that a corrupt leader driven by greed pushed thousands on young men into Nam completely unaware that it was guerilla warfare is that part at least true?

[@imperialist4862]

@@andrewheitmeyer9945 No reason to invade

[@metalblizzard6024]

War is hell. I hope this dude has found some peace. Thank you for your service.

[@sandmanCQB8541]

Unfortunately, we never find Peace. When you've spent enough time in a Combat Zone, and you're not "in the rear with the gear", your life, while there, changes dramatically. It changes in ways that no human being should ever have to see, let alone, be an active part of. I grew up watching the Vietnam war on TV every night. Later in life I joined up as a Marine. I was a Combat Veteran, and both saw, and did unspeakable things. Things that no person should ever have to see, or do. Now, while my generation was much different than this gentleman's, make no mistake, War changes you permanently. These men who fought in Vietnam, the way they were treated when they came home and rotated back to the world, they weren't given a Ticker Tape Parade, nobody gathered in Times Square, nobody was "glad" to see them. They were avoided like the Plague at Airports, cursed and yelled at, called "baby killers", and spit on. These were honorable men, who served their Country, whether by choice or by Draft, but they deserved SO much better than they got treated by the Civilian population, as well as the VA. We STILL owe them a huge debt of gratitude, a sincere and heartfelt "thank you". They deserved it then, and they're owed it now. If you see anyone, young or old with a Veteran hat, from any branch, and from any era, especially the Vietnam Veterans, please, stop for the 5 seconds it takes to extend a hand, and sincerely thank them for their Service to our Country, whether you agree with it or not, these men (and now women) signed a blank check to fight for what our Country stands for. Many have had that check cashed, unfortunately. But as a Combat Veteran myself, it means the world to have someone, anyone, say "Thank you for your Service". Unless you're been to War, you have NO IDEA the things we've seen and done. It stays with you for every day and night of our lives. Please, just take a minute, regardless of wherever you may run into someone wearing a "Vietnam Veteran" hat, or ANYTHING that indicates they Served, and just say "Thanks". It's not asking too much, and it helps, and means more than you know. SEMPER FI !!! 🇺🇲💪

[@TCELL24]

What service?

[@Sandmann629]

@@sandmanCQB8541oh my god, therapy exists

[@sandmanCQB8541]

@@Sandmann629 Yes, it does, and in looking at your Page, I hope you have REALLY good health insurance because you clearly need a Specialist..

[@MarkStevens8899]

​@@Sandmann629Wow how insensitive are you??

[@donaldchristian7556]

Thank-you for your service and sacrifice!❤

[@japanvintagecamera8869]

My grandfather came back from the war in the Pacific, one of only 2 survivors from his entire outfit, and with enough scars to impress Frankenstein. He spent 4 years fighting, and half a year in the Occupation of Japan. He was a career soldier who joined the Army in 1932 at the age of 14. After returning to America, deaf in one ear, and partially deaf in the other, he lived and worked quietly for the rest of his life.