Vietnam Voices: 'The first night I'm there ... there's supposed to be a cease fire'

Vietnam War veteran John Tomek talks about his experiences. Tomek served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1967 to 1970. Tomek was born and grew up in Lincoln, Neb.

[@Bredaxe]

My father was with the 1st Marines in Nam 67 through 68. Finished up as an NSA guard and got out in 1970. He never spoke openly about the war except from us kids hearing them from his nightmares. He passed away in 2010. He was my hero.

[@janepatterson6779]

Sorry for your loss Bred...I know it hurts. You are his hero to carry on bravely...

[@virgildoc]

I am sorry for your terrible loss I was also with 1st Marines in Nam during 68. Sempre Fi young man!

[@Bredaxe]

@@virgildoc Thank you, and Welcome home.

[@jamalydude]

@@virgildoc thanks Virgil! What state are you in

[@virgildoc]

@@jamalydude You are very welcome we live in Florida

[@banditnip0345]

This man is one level headed Marine. Loved his calmness. Liked the stories he told. Semper Fi!

[@timw8497]

I was starting my second tour in Viet Nam at Dong Tam, a river boat repair base. Lots of Tango, Monitor, Zippo boats in the Harbor. I was walking the road above the piers when a mortar round exploded on the hello pad. It severally wounded a crewman on the boat. It was a sad time for the Sailors. His body was placed on a YARBM to be transported that day back to the World. I think about that crewman often, God rest his soul. JT Wendel

[@FLYEAL]

What an extraordinarily EARNEST account by this Marine. Incredible recall and even sense of humor. One of the best - in this amazing series.

[@RANDY4410]

My late brother was drafted into the US Army in 1966 he was sent to boot camp at Fort Jackson SC then from there he was shipped out to Viet Nam, he was only a year out of HS, his rank was SP-4, he ended up being a physical fitness trainer and a mechanic fixing jeeps in his divison, he served from 1966-68, he suffered a little shell shock but later on he recovered from it, in 1987 he became ill and passed away, he was my big brother had me by 10 years, i miss him God bless him and all that served in the military.

[@JJ_SDWR]

Sorry for your loss. Your brother was a real-life hero

[@eagleeye761]

Marine friend of mine was one of the first to land in Vietnam... Was from Lincoln Nebraska... Still alive... lucky to have left Vietnam in Nov 65...

[@dstrong5897]

I am very grateful to have discovered this series.... 6 years later... These veteran stories are so compelling. Thank you.

[@scottweaverphotovideo]

This entire series is phenomenal. Thanks so much for it! I'm learning much more than in most of the documentaries. One thing I'd very much enjoy is seeing photos of the men at the age of their service.

[@Ken_oh545]

Good to hear an old boy from Lincoln, Nebraska. I am from UK and 20+ years ago had a work stint in Lincoln. It is kind of an offbeat location. Will never forget a barman asking ‘so what are you guys doing here for work, I mean nobody comes here on vacation’. We were in his bar for a marguerita before watching Black Hawk Down over the road. God Bless the Cornhusker State.

[@nicholasderienzo7364]

Cigar bar, by chance?

[@garyschultz7768]

good interview .... both the Marine & the guy asking the questions are fun guys....good attitudes

[@Locoapache3]

You’re not stupid sir, you are a badass. 😄 Thanks for your service

[@DBAllen]

If you can't sleep because of lights being on, noise or whatever you aren't that tired. You learn that right quick in the military.

[@russhayes4882]

Glad you made it home safely brother !

[@shattersong5127]

Sir, Mr. John Tomek....I spent 6 years in warzones across iraq and afghanistan. Freaking THANK YOU, for everything you did. Nothing but massive respect for you and your time in Vietnam. America owe's you more than it could ever repay.

[@albradley5527]

As a Vietnam veteran I very much enjoyed this!!

[@billybigballs9208]

Married with children

[@barbaraannen8126]

Imagine all vets had stories to tell throughout history. Civil war, Revolutionary war, so many young men marched to their deaths.

[@TwoFingerSaloute]

So many fascinating stories and perspectives

[@edclay28551]

Thank you sir for your service and my freedom.

[@jakeharris7730]

I was 2nd brigade 4th infantry division, Afghanistan 2011-2012. Some things never change.

[@coyotekiller93]

1-32, 3rd brigade, 10th mountain. Was there 2013-2014. Glad you made it back 💪

[@jakeharris7730]

You too bro!

[@jakeharris7730]

1-32 Cav?

[@anaya51]

“Downtown by the railroad station” I love this guy

[@ltlwayh1]

I was Air Force 438th MAC Clark AFB I didn’t envy any of those kids.

[@TAXCOLLECTOR-mx3mg]

@@ltlwayh1 Especially the ones who didn't duck.

[@davidwebber8636]

Thank you, John Tomek and the production team; that was a great piece of work and really edifying. (David - Bristol, UK).

[@notbloodylikely4817]

Ha, I'm also David from Bristol.

[@Skratch63]

“Just wanted to see if i could tough it out” man oh man. Did he ever tough it out.

[@francisterlep4647]

Thanks for your service.

[@craigsherlin4810]

By the time I became a Navy Corpsman in 1971, the auto assignments to field med school with the Marines, ie. Vietnam, were history. Thanks to the Billings Gazette and all those participating for giving me this view into a world of brave soldiers I would luckily never experience directly but feel is important for us all to know about..

[@louisroth3622]

I was at PhuBai the same time. Tet was a butt kicker. Welcome home bro!

[@tpmarkham]

My brother served in Vietnam. He never spoke a word about it to us. He passed away at 53. I have watched 10 of these so far and plan on watching all of them. Think there are over 50 interviews. This gives me a picture into what my brother experienced and witnessed. He was Air Force and all I know he loaded weapons on the F4's.

[@tacticaloutdoors7553]

We are thankful for his service.

[@GunnyKeith]

1st battalion 6th marines 0311. Love you brother. Thanks for your story. We all appreciate it.

[@brikfiend]

Only 5 mins in and already like this guy.

[@barbaraannen8126]

I like them all

[@theoilandgasresourceportal2132]

Totally solid guy, respect from the U.K. (again)

[@elmercoffmans4223]

This man seen way more than most it's crazy he was supposed to be a mechanic and then ends up in infantry hard core 👍🇺🇸

[@joeylyons4549]

“ You need to go take this hill”. … “ oh now we don’t need this hill anymore”….. “ You need to go take this hill again “! That part REALLY got me. What a waste

[@johnniebriggs9393]

Thank you John for your service! Semper FI!

[@michaeljohnchristophet3949]

"No grizzly bears ?" Just tigers and deadly snakes and bugs. WOW ! NUFF SAID...JUST another True Humble Ametican Hero. Thank You, Jesus

[@riftraft2015]

Great interview by a GREAT Patriot. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE SIR. Welcome home.

[@tonynapoli5549]

Thank you for sharing your story

[@frankhinkle5772]

Welcome home Mr. Tomek, welcome home.

[@jdpbuilder1787]

Lord.. the reality of shit this guy experienced in that God awful war. Rock solid individual, tough as nails. Seems he’s doing all he can to hold it together during certain parts of this interview. I wish I could shake his hand and thank him for his service and sacrifice. Americans owe him and all of our military personnel a huge debt of gratitude. I hope he has a great life. He certainly has earned that

[@jacobthayer236]

I came across a vietnam vet today. Told him thank you for your service sir. He said I did it for people like you. Legendary group of men.

[@majikman7355]

Be cool to see a picture of these guys during the interview. To put it in perspective how young these guys were..welcome home

[@marilynwright7212]

This is amazing. Charlie Conlin left his hometown Hyannis ma and served in Vietnam...he never recovered. He used to get drunk and tell horrific stories. Rest in peace charlie.

[@smithwesson3771]

What a humble warrior god bless him.. Thank you for your service sir!!

[@dennywickersham5679]

Very good discussion. I remember when you and Eddie Sanchez got there to our platoon and that Christmas eve party we had.

[@johnyhefner]

Great interview and story.

[@felixmadison5736]

When I went into the service in 1968, my letter from Uncle Sam told me I was going to be drafted by either the U.S. Army or the Marine Corp. That meant basic at Fort Dix, N.J., or Camp Lejeune, N.C. I chose to wait for the draft, (which came exactly one year after high school graduation) because there was no way I wanted to spend four years in the military. I was young and wanted to get on with my life, and if going to Vietnam was a way to do that, then so be it. So I ended up going to 'Nam in summer of 1969 at age 20. I ended up getting wounded by shrapnel from a rocket or mortar attack on December 14, 1969. After several operations, I was finally released from army hospital and the army on September of 1970. So I spent most of my 21st year in the planet in army hospitals. I'm 73 years-old now and still hanging in there. I have to disagree a little bit with what this fellow vet said. Maybe he was only kidding, but during the Vietnam era the Marine Corp was no tougher than the United States Army. We went though same basic training, fired the same weapons and had some pretty damned hard DIs. Most of 'em were veterans of WWII, Vietnam, or Korea. They always told us they were going to train us right because they didn't want our sorry asses snuffed out in Vietnam because we didn't know what we were doing.

[@chefjamesscott]

Thanks for recording this and thanks to the men for doing the interviews. Posted on social media to help others to see them.

[@jasonpeters9390]

Great interview just laying back relaxed listening to some one who has been there and walked the walk so I am listening to him talk the talk no b.s. he's not making himself out to be some war hero but he is

[@ronaldwarren5220]

Welcome home brother. US Army USARV Special Troops, Long Binh 68/69

[@jeffkerr4249]

THANK YOU JOHN !

[@jeffmclean9411]

John is awesome ; humble and cool.

[@smallkrmit5717]

Thank you for your service sir

[@andyace78]

“2 warms beers per day- Carling Black Label” That’s a British drink made just down road from me in Staffordshire- Thank you for your service

[@waynewright2733]

Carling Black Label made in Baltimore MD

[@soxbearshwks8988]

3rd Batt. 7th Marines ChuLai,RVN 10/65-11/66

[@cairoshaqiq57]

Weird how the day this was filmed is filmed on the date I go to recruit training for the Marine Corps🤣10/5/2020!

[@Jerm-ks3hb]

I hope you weren’t dumb enough to pick infantry too. That shit definitely sucks

[@justinakers3196]

Thank you sir

[@JoeKyser]

Get em. Times ticking now. Best of luck

[@donaldmoore3397]

Justin Akers ddddddwawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwdddddwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwdddddzdzzapqwwwwwwwwwwwwdddwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwadsddddddddddweaßßa

[@jamalydude]

How’s it going now man? Surviving?

[@markgreen8752]

Thank you Mr. Tomek

[@BobSimmons-y6i]

Thank you for your service. My father spent over 20 yrs in the Navy and my older brother was also in the Navy. I was born in a small house across the street from MCRD. When my father had time he would take me to SD Padre baseball games. Fastward to the summer of 67 and I am drafted and carrying a 60 for the 1st Cav division in the jungle of VN as s pro baseball player. During the tet of 68 I was wounded in a rocket attack. With a chest wound and my pro career over that day I ended up in Japan then on to an amputee ward bed in Lettermen General in SF. Pro Spring training is not the same as jungle training st Ft Polk. With my pro career over I went to college on the GI Bill and help develope a start- up company called SBcoffee. Retire now and soon to be 80 yrs old

[@lmac1325]

Very good interview! Thanks!

[@jacktoddy9783]

A very interesting perspective on John's war story and his thoughts on wars since. A very good series.

[@stuartbromley3513]

What a legend. Love this guy

[@philosborn1840]

Ty for your service! 🇨🇦🇺🇸

[@jeanbailey3223]

Would be nice to know how to access those after-action reports. Reading just a couple of them might not add much to overall understanding of Vietnam War, but bound & organized copies of them are something those of us with more than passing interest would read. Thoughtful, valuable testimony by Mr. Tomek. Thank you!

[@jonsquier8268]

Very proud and thankful for this man. God bless him. Not surprised though…I am also from Lincoln, NE and Cornhuskers are a tough breed! Go Big Red!

[@MeandtheLiLBit]

Thank all you brave men for your service and for sharing your stories

[@skybot9998]

These interviews are Gold. Get as much on video or paper before it's gone.

[@sportcardcollector9599]

Thank you for your service God Bless the USA 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@danmurphy4472]

Job well done John......Thank You for your service and dedication......Welcome Home !!

[@darrylkoehn-ec8mk]

Glad u made through your tour & college eventually! Good job! God bless.

[@johndavis2399]

This series is great......these well spoken and thoughtful men possess hard-earned wisdom. They elevate one's image of the "Vietnam Vet." Being of draft age in 1970..... put one in the draft pool and lottery, I was relieved. to be exempted....as a "sole surviving son." Father died in uniform on a secret mission in the early 1950s. I was a "patriot" (ie, would love to go to war for my country) in my teens. Then I saw....on TV....... napalm.....frying humans from the sky. I couldn't see doing that....(unless they did it to us first!) I know that my high mindedness would have been modified if I were there...... and was being overrun by the enemy. Our latest 20 years war went as long as it did ......because the media did not display the carnage. During Vietnam....they did. Mr. Tomek's takeaway comments are simple but profound "Maybe other people love their countries as much as we love ours." I would like to see a government where war veterans had the power to veto, or endorse, any future wars. Thank you for your efforts Mr. Ehrlich. Sincerely, John Davis

[@cripmeister9104]

Someone in the background is doing their taxes on a watch calculator.

[@jamalydude]

That beeping ?

[@yamahabiker1937]

Bleed over picked up by their equipment.

[@OpusBuddly]

There's a special place in Hell for lying recruiters.

[@slit4659]

OPUS BUDDLY..... There's a NO VACANCY SIGN OUT FRONT NOW.

[@fitfrog65]

and lying draft boards

[@duaneknorr3081]

Wish there was a hell place sometimes!!! Fiction!

[@ronaldclark8187]

Thanks John.

[@willywokeup9112]

I had no idea of the gravity of this war. I was an infant in the sixties, my dad was stationed in alaska. But i never could imagine it was what these great guys were saying. Holy shit!

[@boonedockjourneyman7979]

Outstanding. Thank you.

[@simonoxley2019]

2 seconds - honest man

[@Suncast45]

My first night there was at the Airbase in Saigon. Sleeping in transit barracks, like a screened in porch with cots. 2:30 AM sirens began screaming! followed by several loud booms. There were several 122 rockets that hit the open area near runways. I had a busy year as an Air Cop there. But I had it made compared to being a grunt in the field or firebases.

[@LouisMGiliberti]

Got to respect this man 4 what he did 4 our country & other servers respect These men make our country great.

[@jamesrichie5082]

When I got to Nam the Marines were going through a so called white mans war.What was scary is depending on the Lt. & Sgt. when they were only two who knew how to read a map and knew where we were.It was just great if you liked sleeping on dirt and sometimes water and mud.And at night getting a mouth full of mosquitoes,during a pouring down rain.Semper Fi. RIP My fellow Marines who had fallen for nothing.

[@JDX123]

Sounds like my story with the exception we walked through the jungle for days. Was on listening post 100 yards outside the perimeter every night. More numb than scared.

[@barrybratton7898]

I'm British but love to hear the stories.. I salute every one who served..brave men.. disgrace the treatment they got coming home..I feel for um❤

[@bobbydowell7389]

Loved the interview!!!🇱🇷❤️👍🙏

[@edclay28551]

I experienced a similar experience as, i suppose most of Viet Nam Vets did, that first firefight. I was a 60 gunner on my first trip out. I was 118 pounds soaking wet and the weapon weighed 23 lbs unloaded......Why me....lol

[@jiff80]

I like the wildlife comment. There aren’t any Grizzly Bears

[@potpie5417]

What a great guy.

[@FacelessMan777]

As many of you have stated, one of the better oral history interviews. This Marine seems very honest and tells it looks ke it was. Like Iwo Jima, "Uncommon valor was a common virtue", especially in I-Corps Marines. The NVA were brave fighters too and also suffered untold hardships. We often forget or discount the courageousness of the enemy combatants from these stinking wars. Wars many Americans, including myself, were duped into supporting. My brother was an enlisted Marine and in Vietnam from December 1966 to Jan 1968, on his way home when the Tet Offensive started. We kept the dried out Christmas tree up until February, until he finally arrived back to our family's home, where we re-celebrated Christmas again. December 1966 to January 1967 was the longest 13 months in our family's experience. My brother was a different person when he came home. He NEVER talks about his tour in Vietnam. He is a good family man and relatively successful. But for a few years after he returned home, he was a wild S.O.B. and feared nobody, and had no fear of 'Johnny-Law'. Over time, like most vets, he settled down and successfully navigated the goal of obtaining the American Dream. Even though I later became an enlisted Marine and at a later time, an Air Force officer and aviator, I did not know how tough it was for Marine Grunts facing combat in Vietnam, especially I-Corps. It was only after reading numerous books and memoirs authored by enlisted Marines that I really heard about the horrible conditions these Marines were subjected to. It was terrible how the guys doing the actual combat were treated by the command structure. If you see stars on the shoulder of a man in uniform, it is a good bet, you are looking at a brown nosing politician who is primarily concerned more about his career than the welfare of their men. Not one flag officer, general or admiral resigned his commission in protest to how their men were being used as cannon fodder. NOT ONE OF THOSE TURDS RESIGNED!!! They all knew that Johnson and McNamara were pushing a certain agenda with no plan to effectively fight to win or get the debacle over with. They knew the bombing targets up north were ludicrous and risked the lives of aircrews on worthless targets of no military value; many of these targets were empty jungle without any enemy or weapons in the area. The rules of engagement set forth by McNamara and Johnson were preposterous and all policies and senseless strategic decisions were being used to prolong this miserable war. They never intended to win the, the scam to ripoff the American taxpayers was too good. They only wanted to feather the nest and fatten the wallets of those folks, themselves and their cronies who were heavily in a invested in the military industrial complex. Oh and the war was GREAT for the 'lifers' and flag officers who would place getting another star on top of their priority list, before their own family and sure as hell before the lives and welfare of their own men.

[@CuHead1]

Something is seriously wrong with your response "John". Is any of it true? Your first sentence recites "one of the better oral history interviews", but I would disagree. John Tomek gave a clear description of his time in service, his service was great, his courage was exceptional, he was directly in combat, he was eventually wounded and airlifted out, & he returned for more combat duty, later he went through university studies and got a job. He is an American hero. However, virtually every other one of these "voices" interviews have similar dutiful and heroic stories. You should place your gripes somewhere more appropriate, but not here.

[@janepatterson6779]

Money, power, control..the high up politicians. And enough is NEVER enough for them..THE DEMON GREED.

[@FacelessMan777]

@@janepatterson6779 Exactly

[@FacelessMan777]

@@CuHead1 Everything I said is true! You pissant, what I said takes nothing away from this Marines story. What isn't true what I said? I served in both the USMC and the USAF. I flew with men who flew all throughout the air-war in Vietnam. These were all officers who flew combat missions throughout the theater. To a man, they all thought it was a war they intended not to win. Where in the hell did you serve? Did I burst your bubble thinking this war was a 'noble' cause. You obviously know nothing about this debacle that was a crime against humanity. Your response shows you know nothing about the conflict. I will place my 'gripes' where ever I want. You are not the thought police or the speech police.

[@rockydennis2662]

If Americans would read George Washington's farewell address then they would not get duped. That's all on you you Wilsonian democrat.

[@keithkluber1195]

THANK YOU SIR 🇺🇸🗽

[@bloop6812]

He said he was with Fox Co. But didn't mention what Battalion or which Marine group. I was in Golf Co. 2nd Battalion 9th Marines 3rd Marine Division 68-69.

[@dennywickersham5679]

He was with Fox 2/26 3rd Mar Div.

[@pauldorland3679]

Great story thanks for schare it .👍👍👍👍

[@lewjames6688]

Hey I tested "well" on all kinds of stuff too. Greetings from a fellow 0311! LOL 2/7, 74-76.

[@dougstyles5091]

All these guys are all American heroes

[@petemitchell6788]

What’s that high frequency in the background? Got my tinnitus all riled up.

[@Boogyman337]

Thank you.

[@kirbygulbrandsen4507]

You would think they’d tell the wounded to contact their family. Because there was a lot going on and those young men were in a different frame of mind. I just want to say thank you for serving our country, my father was a Marine (Devil Dog) in Korea and I have some pictures from out on the field.

[@jeanbailey3223]

How many combat veterans who go on with their lives-as best they can-never talk about it with their families...or anyone else? Their experiences are sometimes so incomparable relative to our normal experience that perhaps many neither find the words nor the audience to elaborate. Many WW2 vets deeply affected by what they saw, heard, smelled, did, felt never spoke more than a few words about their experiences. Once vets speak, it’s hard to get them to elaborate; you feel like they think you really aren’t capable of understanding, which may well be the case.

[@retiredyeti5555]

Navy vet 61 - 65, with riverine combat experience. You are right - I seldom talk about what I experienced - only with my dad who was in Merrills Marauders in WW2 - he and I talked and cried. He also never talked about his ezperiences except that one time with me. I came out and went to nursing school and did that for 46 years, retiring at 70. It was my way of giving back, a way to heal myself. STill do not like fireworks or taps - the nightmares lessened over the decades, now at 80 they are rare. But the memories and the horrors are always there, always there. Tried to drink them away for 10 years, quit for good in '75 - instead of helping, the alcohol made it worse.

[@dennisjohnson3702]

Another great guy,

[@rojopo1971]

Wow what a great man

[@lowbridgehit]

In the 60’s partying on college could put you in the nam.

[@ronaldwarren5220]

Tell me about it

[@davealberts73]

Thank You

[@edclay28551]

we captured a few, I only had close contact with two of them. One was an NVA officer (Captain I think) I was an E3 at the time so did not do anything but transport to the intel guys. The other one was a VC who was severely wounded. I stood guard over him while our medic worked on him. He was then taken to dust off and away he went. Do not know what happened to the guy, lived or died, and at that time I was hoping for his demise......Crazy is as crazy does I guess. Still crazy my wife says.

[@garyluck8502]

Yes the war goes on he got there on Christmas Eve same here I got my unit on Christmas Eve in 66 than😢for your service everyone please remember the ones that didn’t make it back home? Thanks

[@djw7345]

Interesting interviews, look forward to seeing more. “ William Calley, tell us about your experiences”

[@charlieporch3181]

Damn good Marine.🤜🤜🤜🇱🇷

[@mkaiser29]

What I want to know is who in the hell clicks the thumb down on these interviews!? Seriously!

[@hawkrolla]

VC !

[@dougstyles5091]

Little yellow men wearing black pajamas

[@greywolfpatriot8589]

Anti-American progressive fools

[@CuHead1]

My flat-footed millionaire government employee unqualified supervisor who was brought from Vietnam to the USA as a teen after the war was almost finished, who was gifted through night school university, and who has been filling dozens of entry positions in government office with Vietnamese "Americans" is who would _down click_ these great interviews. They are not anything like Americans I knew in the 1970's.

[@rockydennis2662]

@Elegant Fowl progressive means thinking you can go into a non democratic country and make it democratic. Welfare state = military state. Move to Europe.

[@simonhutton3884]

Nice guy

[@richstafford1245]

I really enjoy these stories. Many lessons to be learned from these experiences. That said there are many guys that served in Nam that don’t have the patriotic warm and fuzzy feeling that guys in this series seem to all have. I think like most things it’s driven by what color state you live in red or blue....

[@mikesampson3467]

I dont think it has a damn thing to do with the state you are from but the character of the man.

[@richstafford1245]

@@mikesampson3467 Sells as a fortune cookie slogan but not reality. When the water boils away religion and politics are always at the bottom of the pot...

[@mikesampson3467]

@@richstafford1245 you're in the wrong kitchen.

[@TongueTiedNtwisted]

@rich it's not a fortune cookie slogan. Sorry but I agree with Mike. It does come down to what type of character a person is. Not in regards to a red or blue state. I live in blue state however I'm very patriotic and proud of my country and our vets. A fortune cookie slogan would be good things come to those who wait, even that has truth when it boils down to it. I think in any situation, you can alter the outcome of it in a positive way or negative. It comes down to the type of person.

[@TongueTiedNtwisted]

Youre trying to sound inquisitive yet, assuming religion is only in red states due to traditional conservative beliefs, is flat out naive at best. People don't join up because of religious beliefs and or political beliefs. A lot join merely based off of either wanting a better life and opportunities for themselves and or regardless of the country's issues, still believe its the best place to live in the world and it is. Regardless of political affiliation. Regardless of religion. I dont believe in any organized religion. I also don't submit to what you see as propaganda. I just believe, in my own life experience living here for 32 years, America is the best place to live. So in actuality, what you think is reality, isn't actually someone elses. You wrote thst comment based off of you're own opinion and reality. Not mine or anyone else's on here as of yet.