Veterans

Both of my brothers wished to be in the Navy with me, they would often say to me that I was the lucky one.

sadlerdawg and Chief Growl . . . . Below is the ship that I crossed the Pacific on in 1959. "Stuff" had already started in Viet Nam, just not passed along to the public at that point. Viet Nam actually started under President/General Eisenhower.

Some folks back home did not like us at that point. We had our orders and there was a draft at that point. Some chose to cross the border and take up residence in Canada. Many of those that were in the draft and volunteers, did not appreciate what happened during and after that time period. Those like "Hanoi Jane Fonda". Will leave that alone, but many of us remember and will never forget. Reminded us of WWII and "Tokyo Rose".

I say this . . . . see any emblem that has anything to do with Viet Nam on the back of a pickup truck, give them a thumbs up, it is still appreciated, even the government also spit in our face.

I will stop.

I was stationed on an oiler AO-98 Calloosahatchee that looked a lot like that Buc. We had Steak and Lobster, Shrimp,Oyster Stew, all you could eat every Friday. Oh the joy of being on a supply ship. I'm not going to mention the # of hrs we worked back to back for those privileges.

I'm not fonda hanoi jane.

If at some time you have an extra hour or two, might want to visit one of the VA Clinics and Hospitals. Makes many folks appreciate what some fine young men and women are willing to do for their country.

averagedawg you and your wife and family understand.

Just feel like the media does not fully recognize what has been given by many so they can pretend to "care". Sorry, that is too true in too many areas of mass media. Campaigns for office seem to mean more than the photograph below.

All about the "clicks".

God Bless the Vietnam Nam vets.
My wife spent many years at the VA.
Counseled them, consoled them.
Those heroes have spent their lives in guilt because they survived and their buddies died.
We have to do better for them.