On
my way home, I had the satellite radio tuned in to listen the Michael
Smerconish Program on POTUS SiriusXM channel 124. Micheal's topic
was the greeting "Thank you for your service" given to
those in uniform and veterans. Do those offering the greeting really
mean it, or it is just as common as a simple "hello".
This
really got me to thinking. "How do I feel when someone 'thanks'
me for my service. As a Viet Nam veteran, I am a bit jaded and
bitter.
I
sure did not get any ""Thanks you for your service"
when I got home. Armistice Day (forerunner of Veteran's Day) started
as a celebration of the end of World War I. There were celebrations
all around the country when Japan surrender, bringing World War II to
close.
The
Korean "War" I suggest is still being fought - under a
"cease fire". It still is the "forgotten war".
This
brings us to Viet Nam - my war. I did not want to to go to war. I
tried to keep my deferment after college. I ended up being drafted.
And, I served as my country ordered me.
The
late 1960's were a troubled time. There were protests against the
Viet Nam War (called a "conflict" by the politicians).
Soldiers in uniform were often targets. When we had to travel in
uniform, we were requested to stay out of sight as much as possible
(for our own safety).
When
we got home, we were ostracized. A friend of mine from high school
was beaten only because he showed up in uniform to see his friends at
a local beer bar. We were called "baby killers". When the
US involvement in Viet Nam ended, there were no victory parades. No
"thank you for your service".
Now
we have an all-volunteer military. Much of the day-to-day work of
the military is handled by contractors. Contractors that are getting
rich over the system (but that's a whole other discussion).
Troops
are welcomed home from Iraq and Afghanistan with celebrations. I
think much of this is as a reaction to the events of 9/11/2001. We
(Viet Nam vets) were expected to return to civilian life as if
nothing happened - it was all just a bad dream.
I
am afraid the country will forget the lessons of Viet Nam. Those
under the age of 40, don't remember the troubled times war fraught.
The daughter of a cousin had been volunteering with an "honor
flight" group bringing World War II veterans to Washington, DC
to the memorial. Will there be "honor flights" for Korea
and Viet Nam vets?
Unfortunately,
to me, "thank you for your service" has a little hollow
ring.
Tom
Winfield, SP5
HHC
199th Light Infantry Brigade, HHB IIFFV Artillery
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