Wow! Great tale.

This is a very touching and heartfelt story. I believe all the Vietnam veterans should be thanked for their bravery. I have a cousin who fought in the Vietnam War and I let him know how much I appreciate what he did.

Mr.Westbrook,after a few chats back& forth,I was pretty sure you would write a story like this.Good for you,and other vets.That is just screwed the way you (collectively)were treated.That is a black eye on this country’s history.At least now people blame the government,and stopped attacking the soldiers themselves.
YOU ARE A HERO,MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT IT.Anyone who can’t see that is blind.Has anyone ever asked….what if we DIDN’T rise up against the spread of communism and opression what state this world would be in now?
one of my old contractor bosses was also in the big red one,and some of the stories he has told me were crazy and scary.

I was in a restaurant a year ago, lined up to get the sandwich that I had ordered, and wearing a jacket with a patch that had the words \\\”Disabled American Veterans\\\” on it. A man walked up to me and asked what branch of service had I been in. I was kind of dumbfounded at first, then I told him I had been in the Army. He asked what unit, and I proudly told him the Big Red One. He asked had I been in any war. I was, at this point, kind of shocked at the question. Most Vietnam veterans do not like to talk about their experiences in Vietnam. I told him Vietnam. He took my hand with both his hands and shook it. He said, \\\”I want to thank you Sir for what you did for me and our country.\\\” This was the first time anyone had ever said anything kind to me about Vietnam and it numbed me. I couldn\\\’t say anything and felt like crying like a baby. Later, after I composed myself, I thanked him at his table and mentioned how important it is to let Vietnam veterans know that they were appreciated.

If you know any Vietnam vets, why not get this to them? Also, if you will, could you Digg the article. Maybe more vets will get to read it.

Thanks for taking the time to check this out.

This really pulled at the stings on my heart and it made my eyes so misty…What happened to you is not right…Nothing will change that…I was in my schools NJROTC and I know that it’s not the same thing but being in there helped me understand and respect those who fight for us.

I stand hopelessly speechless after reading your article.Ignorance is a sad thing.It seems that these demonstrators did not know the real issues behind your serving our country. Most Vietnam Vets that I know,were actually drafted.They had no choice but to serve this country as best I they could.I know the scars this war has left.My uncle served for many years and was deprived of benefits for 20 years.He passed 6 months after receiving those benefits. Hats off to all of you! Read My “One Lonely Soldier” if you get a chance…As for my household- We Honor You!

Westbrook, I came by to see what you were about because I seen you on Bojacks sight. I have to say that your story really touched a deep spot with me. To think that as a vet, who fought for his countries survival, you’d be treated with the most respect imaginable to man! The way vets were treated is definitely one of life’s greatest tragedies. The rawness of your story really struck a cord with me. All joking aside, I’m glad I stopped by and got the chance to read your story. It was truly an honor. Thank you.

Now,if you’d like I’ll help you pick on Bojack some more! It’ll be my pleasure!

Debra,Trishia,good to see some more on the right side of the fence on thia matter,SA too.Westbrook has my respect,and I wrote an article about thinking about vets this time of year,and another yesterday,I thanked him privately but not publicly,so again,I thank and salute you,and all who fought beside you and the 58,000 who never got to see home alive again.You guys, we can joke around but not with this.This is serious to me and serious to Westbrook.I’m from a military family too.My uncle was in Korea and Vietnam as well,and the toughest bastard I ever knew.

I agree. That’s why we all gave him our utmost respect for the matter. Trisha, SA and myself have just written so. It’s all good to joke but don’t accuse people of things they didn’t do.

I won’t say no-more on the matter.

Thank you all for your acknowledgment. What can I say? I didn\’t really mean to bring attention to myself. I am still hurt over the nasty treatment I received from my country. There hasn\’t been a day, in all these years, since I have come home from that war and treated with such hate and hostility that I do not think about it. It is like a sore that will not heal. I hurt for all the guys who – as I – have buried it in the depths of their minds and not able to speak about it to anyone. It isn\’t something easy to speak of. I cannot quite connect watching my friends die and give their all on the battlefield and then hear them called every nasty name imaginable by our own people. I can\’t quite forget proudly wearing my uniform and people spitting on it. I can\’t forget watching our people trampling on and burning our flag when we had fought and died for it. I cannot forget the rage I felt and the desire to take some of them down. Even today, I still see and hear the hostility of the crowds as if it was yesterday. I just wanted to bring some attention to this hurt that most Vietnam veterans who saw battle live with daily. I would like to write more stories about this nations shameful deed, not to complain, but to never let this horrible behavior be swept under the carpet, so to speak. There are many Vietnam vets who may benefit from it. You have my humble thanks.

You were a soldier and I think your position demanded respect.Those people that didn’t give it to you were ignorant, like it was your fault to start the damn war. I’m against war myself but not against soldiers. Politicians start war not soldiers, the soldiers are necessary for our safety, give their lives , put themselves in danger, go through traumatic experiences that would destroy the best of us. They should be honored when coming returning, not all make it back.

I agree with Morgana. Government starts war, not soldiers. You should be proud of yourself and what you did for your country and for those who are helpless in defending their own. It must have been very difficult to share your Vietnam war experience. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for sharing this story. You’re very brave and should be proud of it. My grandfather who passed away four weeks ago was a WWII Veteran.

Thank all of you for your kind words.

Dear Friend, it’s a Travesty what our country did. I was too young too really know all that it was about. I did try to do my part by wearing a POW bracelet as I got older and started understanding more and appreciating the sacrifice so many made for us. My sister wore a MIA bracelet. I watched every night at dinner time as the many prisoners came home their families and on the very last flight mine came home. Years later I attempted to send my bracelet to him through the appropriate channels, to Thank him for his sacrifice and let him know that perfect strangers were out there hoping and praying for him and others everyday. My point being to you is there and are the silent masses out here. We try to let everyone we can know of our appreciation, but sometimes we might not quite make it to those that need it most. I am sorry my friend. Know that even as a young child I, and my family cared for you and your buddies over there and others like you. We thank you for what you did then and we pain for you for what still suffer through. God Bless and Keep you always. BTW, I have sold Buddy Poppies since I could walk with my Aunt for the VA and I have been a member of the Ladies VFW since I was 17 for this very reason. Because of yours and others like you sacrifice. You are appreciated, you are remembered!

Wow that was really amazing and was a really great read

Very well written

cheers,,

denus,

btw i added you

I was just the right age to see classmates and freinds go to Vietnam, and come home sadder, tireder, and sometimes more than a little psychotic–or even not come home at all. The young men who were soldiers in that war had few choices; the treatment they received upon return was shameful. The war itself? I was too young at the time to understand the politics of it. I know it was the first war to be televised. That, alone, created an impact and incredible amounts of extreme feeling. I’m glad you made it home.

Thank you for helping keep me safe.

Hi Wess,
I personally want to thank you again. My brother was in that war also, and while he didn\’t have to do the actual fighting he had to keep the trucks and equipment running for the men in the field. I am proud to call you friend and proud that you made it back in one piece as well.
Thanks for posting this.]
Johnny Yuma

Hello Wess, I am so glad you directed me to this article. I salute you my friend! Along with every soul that went to that war. You have my admiration and respect. Ignorance was the cause of your treatment. Hopefully it will never happen again , something that should have never happened before. I thank you for the freedom you gave to your country and to me and I thank you for coming home alive to pass this message on.

This is an amazingly powerful article. I’ve always had nothing but total respect, gratitude, admiration, and love for Viet Nam vets. One of my uncles served there (and wrote a book — Those Gallant Men); my mom’s first cousin was killed there; and I worked side by side for years with a man — and friend — who saw combat and who was the last man standing in his platoon. He couldn’t bear to talk about it.
This article is a great reminder to all of us. Thank you for sharing from your heart.

In my early life, I did not understand the importance of soldiers. I used to think like every ordinary person in the world that wars are waste and should not be fought.
But I later learned that problems should be resolved by wars rather than illegal type of covert operations, terrorist operations etc. done today by many countries behind the scenes.

Also the way any army is dedicated for their job is amazing. It was hard for me to understand this initially that they are mostly going to die someday but still continue as soldiers. Now I don’t think so.

I studied about several wars, covert operations, war on terrorism and concluded that wars are fought on a legal war code. It is to make either of the side accept the terms of the other. If the enemy does surrender, their soldiers are arrested and treated with respect because they are intelligent enough to understand that they are avoiding lot of lost lives, money etc.

Most importantly soldiers do their job and that is amazing. Very hard for any ordinary citizen to comprehend or even think about it once. They think that war creates lot of lost lives. But those who die are only soldiers.

These days normal citizens die in wars but they are not fought on legal codes. For ex, the retaliation of Israel on Hamas. Many citizens died. That is not war. That is a covert war on terrorism.

I really feel sad for your situation. But I will look forward to reading a lot of real war scenes if you can narrate from your experience.

This makes me understand that how soldiers can get demotivated if nations fail to fight war on strong reasons and support.

Thank you for your service and your self-sacrifice. My father is a Vietnam vet; I am a teacher. Many of my best students are from families that escaped here after the fall of the South. Very few things that I have read on this website were as moving as this article.