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25 thoughts on “Remember this?”

  7. You all suck making me all misty eyed and sentimental… Now I am going to read bedtime stories to my boy.

  11. I’m sorry, but why should anyone feel the need to dismiss the video? I thought it was very considerate and well-done.

  12. …Whoops. Almost forgot. Not too long ago there was a thread here wherein several folks expressed discomfort with those who said to them “thank you for your service.” To those commenters, this seemed a trite, empty phrase along the lines of “have a nice day.”

    I can say -as a dyed in the wool civilian- there’s not much else we civilians can say to those who have served, aside from singing the national anthem at sports games, or observing the formalities of certain holidays. I didn’t serve, and I’m now sorry I didn’t. If nothing else I can say “thank you” to those who did, even for a single enlistment.

  15. I posted this under “90s Soldiers”, but should have waited one more day, because it belongs here.

    After 40 years, It’s my opinion that the “collective guilt” of a nation over how it treated returning Vietnam veterans, allowed those of us returning to Iraq from our two weeks of leave to walk in two lines through the Atlanta airport to thunderous, almost embarrassing applause, from virtually every citizen in the terminal.

    At that time, Iraq was no more popular than Vietnam.

    As cliché as it sounds, the American people no longer routinely “mistake the war with the warrior”, but sadly, we only got there on the back of Vietnam veterans.
    I was offered a first-class seat by the airline when I flew from Atlanta to Florida to meet my family on that same leave. I felt too out of place to do anything but thank the guy, and hustle back to coach!

    I’m a Reservist and am an assistant principal at a high school and my experience and those of returning Vietnam veterans was night and day, typified by one of our English teachers
    I couldn’t help but think of a story told by this teacher who retired after 35 years in the classroom and on the football field as a coach. He served in Vietnam as a Marine Forward Observer.

    He survived the entire horrible siege at Khe Sanh, receiving two Purple Hearts during this time. One was from the rib of a V.C. Sapper going through his cheek when the Sapper dove into a bunker and detonated himself….pre-AQI!

    He tells the story of returning from Vietnam, when he flew out of San Francisco back to New York, hoping to be at Yale Bowl that coming weekend for a football game with his old high school friends. He sat next to a man in a suit with a briefcase on his lap, the 1968 equivalent of an iPad.

    As they buckled in, the man turned toward the Marine who was in uniform. He politely asked: “Where are you coming from?” The Marine replied “Vietnam”.
    The man then asked: “Did you see any action?” to which he responded humbly: “Yeah. A little”.

    The flight was uneventful until the plane rose to cruising altitude, when the “man in the suit” turned on the flight attendant light. When the flight attendant responded, she asked: “Can I help you?”

    The “man in the suit” responded: “Yeah. Get me a seat as far away from this guy as you possible can!”

    I hope that the generation who at best turned their backs on Vietnam Veterans, and at worst treated them with utter contempt will take a moment to reflect on the service of those incredible service members. I’m thinking that as this generation lost their youth in installments over the years, they began to mature and realize just how hideous their behavior was.

    Forty years later I hope that your generation reflects on the bravery of these Warriors who did nothing except what the politicians of the day asked them to do for this nation.
    To all Vietnam Veterans, thank you for your service. You paved the way for those of us who came after you, and this generation of Soldiers will never forget your sacrifice.

    Welcome Home!

  16. Nice clip, Zero.

    I still have a bit of a problem with being similarly thanked; it somewhat embarrasses me. Why? My service was voluntary throughout my entire career. IMO, it was merely payment due for the freedom I have enjoyed my entire life as an American. And it was only a partial payment.

    Vietnam Veterans cannot all say that. For many of that era, service was compulsory. And many were treated truly shamefully on their return.

    So please accept a belated thanks, my elder brothers (and sisters) in arms – those who served in or during Vietnam. America cannot undo the shameful treatment you received in the past. But as a society, we can apologize – and we can “go forth and sin no more” in that way.

  18. @Hondo

    “Vietnam Veterans cannot all say that. For many of that era, service was compulsory And many were treated truly shamefully on their return.”

    Yep!

    “So please accept a belated thanks, my elder brothers (and sisters) in arms – those who served in or during Vietnam. America cannot undo the shameful treatment you received in the past. But as a society, we can apologize – and we can “go forth and sin no more” in that way.”

    Nicely put….thank you!

    11th Cav 1967-1968.

  21. Ditto the other civilian here – I didn’t server and I feel guilty, the least I can do is say thank you! But know that it is deeper than just “have a good day” from me – my Dad served his life in the Navy for 40+ years – I understand what it means to dedicate your life – whether one year or all of them. And I am not just thanking you, but all of your brothers that came before you and will follow behind you.

    So THANKS again!!!

  22. Too all the Vets I thank you for your sacrifice and service,
    Awesome Video!

    BB

    US Army Reserve 1994-1998 Airborne

  23. I am very glad that video was posted. I am also very glad that the people coming back from the Middle East made a point of supporting people who were in the military during the Vietnam war, whether in coutnry or not (like me). My thanks go to ALL of YOU who did that.

  25. No thanks necessary, LIRight (and all other Vietnam and Vietnam-era vets out there). You folks had my “6” – and everyone else’s – during ‘Nam.

    Soldiers don’t choose the wars they fight. They simply defend the nation whenever and wherever duty requires.

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