Many years ago a group of vets returned to this country. Reviled and treated by some as pariahs they sought the comradeship of fellow veterans at their local VSOs only to be told they didn’t qualify.
Over the years that did change, and that group of vets invested mightily in seeing that future vets never again faced those hurdles.
But it did leave a touch of bitterness, and likely some sore spots too easily picked at.
Like this:
Vietnam War Omitted in DAV Fundraising Letter
The omission of any reference to Vietnam in a fundraising letter from a national veterans organization has some local vets feeling left out.
The letter from Cold Spring, Ky.-based Disabled American Veterans, which includes Christmas cards depicting a World War II Soldier decorating a tree, mentions World War II and the Korean War, and veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“A veteran is a veteran is a veteran,” said Skip Haswell, president of the 500-plus-member local chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America, based in Beaver Falls. “Anytime somebody is soliciting and they leave (Vietnam) out in error, I resent that.”
The letter is signed by DAV National Commander Donald Samuels. The DAV website identifies him as a Vietnam War veteran. Samuels could not be reached for comment on Monday.
Tracey Burgoon, who works in the DAV fundraising department, said a donor sent the agency the picture that appears on the card. She said World War II and the Korean War were mentioned in the letter because those veterans are “the naturally aging — those who are in nursing homes now.” Veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq were mentioned to address “recent wars.”
Guess we of the Viet Nam and Desert Storm eras don’t count for much at the DAV? Of course, in all fairness, everyone I know from Desert Storm who suffered dibilitating injuries has already died from them. Not sure if the DAV helped them out in that process.
What is bizare to me is that the DAV catrers almost exclusively to the Vietnam Vets at the exclusion of others.
My dad, most amazing guy I know & my hero, was subjected to awful harassment, including disgusting taunts & accusations, being spit on & things thrown @ him & the rest of the guys he returned from VN with… Of course it was the POS Cali hippy d-bags. I cannot describe how I would react if I came face 2 face w/ anyone who did that shit (especially the commie bitch fonda). Needless 2 say, bail money would be needed 😉 That also includes the societal shit stains pulling the same kinda crap now. All of my uncles, grandfathers, and men before them in my fam have served in all branches of the military, & several cousins are current or former military as well. My dad has been battling prostate cancer from agent orange but somehow he never shows any bitterness, I don’t how he does it. Thankfully he is doing ok now & wherever he goes, he always gets stopped & thanked 4 his service. Thanks to the troops, current and former, u all r true heroes!
I think the guy overlooked his own best line. “A veteran is a veteran”, and maybe should spend less time being offended and join the effort, and quit bitchin’.
It will be a long, LONG time before the country lets go of the pain Vietnam caused
Agreed doc, I wasn’t there, was born in ’74, and I’m super pissed. Probably always will be. It’s a loyalty thing to those I love that who to deal with that.