When I get home from Iraq, will I get the same treatment as the Nam Vets?
Answers:
Not from the populace. From the VA and the government...that's a different story.
i only hope you do not have to go throu what we went throu when we got home
No. Its a totally different war from the home front. You see the older generation. The one you fear did go through the experience of Nam. The equivalent for them was all those WWII and Korean vets. Americans did not know the meaning of military defeat, there was none, it was however a strategic defeat.
Another issue was that the US Army sent in draftees. And they were incapable of performing the job that the US government had sent them to do as a group. In the case of Iraq no question that the troopers we sent are top quality people, volunteers. The anger leans against politicians.
My understanding is that the Vietnam vets were attacked by protesters. Fruit was thrown at them.
I think you will just be ignored. People will be indifferent to you.
I wouldn't be, but how would I know you are a vet unless you told me?
No and one big reason why not? Nam vets won't let it happen .
No. This generation knows enough not to blame our soldiers just for doing their jobs, and instead lays blame squarely on the politicians where it belongs.
Many of the Vietnam war veterans were spit on and even had urine and feces flung at them by those idiot protesters when they returned to our airports. They called them "baby killers", and even the disabled vets on crutches and in wheelchairs weren't spared. If anybody did that today, you can rest assured they would all be arrested and charged with assault and battery as well as "damaging military property" in a heartbeat.
I am happy to inform you that most of the people, who are protesting the fact that we are in this war, are projecting their vitrol against the national leadership policy makers and not against troops who did their duty.
There is a segment of society which shows up at the funerals of our troops, trying to protest the war there, but laws have been passed to give the families some peace and quiet without that form of harrassment.
There is enormous community support for returning troops. It is very like the troops coming home from WW II.
In my community there recently was a unit of national guard who came home. They arrived in busses and military vehicles, unloaded to a grassy area where various politicians made short speeches welcoming them home. There were bands playing.
The civilian crowd was easily 50-100 times as many people as the number of soldiers. This was not just families, but also friends, and people in general from the community.
I watched it on Television ... all the local news TV stations were carrying it from different view points ... I counted 6 dfferent TV stations carrying the ceremonies.
There's a lot of public sentiment towards doing a better job for our troops. Recently there have been some scandals with the Veteran's Administration, that led to a major shake-up, and the GAO continues to check up on the VA regularly, reporting what has not yet veen fixed.
I don't know how widespread the movement is, but passed around on the Internet is a request that people wear a red shirt on Fridays to show public support for our military.
I got a lot of friends on my case when I asked what else I should wear to show that I have some qualms about public policy ... ie. I support the troops but not the politicians ... what color combination of clothes should I wear for that? Absolutely none of my friends thought that was a fit question to ask. They were universally disgusted with me.
Shaz nailed it right on, dead center. Many of us think Bush is an idiot and the war a shameless money maker for a select few rich people. But you are the strength of the U.S. You do what you are told and the very best you can.
I have seen returning soldiers get special treatment at airports, stores and restaurants. Come home and walk around your town in uniform with pride and dignity. Hold your head up and accept the appreciation of the people around you. There may not be any outward expression of thanks but it is there.
I truly hope some one shakes your hand and buys you a beer-coke-pepsi-orange juice, whatever.
Thanks soldier-sailor-airman or coastie! Thank you very much.
Now when you get home go immediately to the nearest VFW or American Legion or Viet-Nam Vets or similar vet organization and ask them to help you go through the discharge process.
The VA and the DoD don't give a rat's butt about you or your family. Do not let them work you. Get help from a Veteran's Services Officer.
Thanks and good luck.
The answers post by the user, for information only, FreeLawAnswer.com does not guarantee the right.
Answer question:
More Law Questions and Answers: