I am a veteran

[Skywatcher]

@Musicat

For those thanking the Vietnam Vets for their patriotic service, please tell me just how the Vietnam War made the USA a better or safer place.

You are aware that not all Vietnam-era vets ever went to Vietnam, yes? One of my sisters did her tour ('68 - '72) at Quantico and one brother did his ('69 - '73) in Berlin.

[koeeoaddi]

Thank you, picunurse, Quasi, SSG Schwartz, Ignatz and Chefguy! And to those of you who served in Vietnam or Iraq or Lebanon or wherever, …welcome home.

[Idle_Thoughts]

@Musicat

For those thanking the Vietnam Vets for their patriotic service, please tell me just how the Vietnam War made the USA a better or safer place.

Musicat, if you have a problem with the OP or any of the other replies in this thread then start a new one in Great Debates or the Pit. Do not derail or threadshit this one, however, just because you may disagree with it.

[BaneSidhe]

Thank you picunurse, and thank you to all the veterans out there.

[Becky2844]

My husband, too. The USS Saratoga. Thank you for your service picunurse.

At Golden Corral last year they handed out Thank You cards made by little kids. My husband’s card had real, little American flag pins stuck on it.

And I’m sorry you missed out on Appleby’s, Quasi. My thoughts to your wife.

[YoDoc]

@Musicat

For those thanking the Vietnam Vets for their patriotic service, please tell me just how the Vietnam War made the USA a better or safer place.

Or, how about you explain why you’d shit on folks who got drafted? You wanna shit on vets, shit on me, I volunteered.

[Idle_Thoughts]

Let’s end this hijack now. As I said above, if anyone would like to debate it, start a topic in GD or the Pit.

Drop it as of this post.

[voguevixen]

@picunurse

…I’m proud to have also served my country, but it wasn’t always so. I am a Viet Nam era veteran. I didn’t tell people for a long time, because my ilk was reviled more than revered.

I immediately thought of this when reading the “What do you think of veteran’s hats” thread.

( http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=631113&highlight=veteran+hats )

I imagine a lot of these soldiers are relieved at FINALLY being able to be proud of serving their country.

One of the most moving things I’ve witnessed personally occurred while waiting for my luggage to come around the baggage carousel in Las Vegas. A little girl and her mother were waiting patiently for an arrival. The little girl had a sign saying “Welcome home Daddy!” Soon a soldier in uniform arrived and both ran to him sobbing hysterically. OMG.

One of the most bitter ironies of the “war on terror” is that us civilians are made to take our shoes off when going through an airport security line, which most of the time requires us to kick off a pair of flip-flops or loafers. The uniformed people actually FIGHTING the war on terror are forced to unlace, then re-lace boots that must have 20+ holes/hooks/eyelets. What a slap in the face.

There’s something else I have to say on this matter, but I’m going to put it in the “Things You Regret” thread."

ETA: D’OH! And thank all the veterans for serving!

[Jaxnative1210]

My dad was there as well, Cam Ranh Bay, 1970. US Navy.

To all those who didn’t get one,

Welcome Home.

[Shodan]

Thank you to all our vets.

Regards,
Shodan
Proud Father of a Vet

[FlyByNight512]

Big thanks to all those who served. My family has no particular history of service, but we respect and admire those who do.

[Musicat]

@picunurse

I am a Viet Nam era veteran.

Me, too, and I spent over 13 months there.

[Dr.Girlfriend]

Thank you to all who have served. My grandpa and great-uncle fought in WWII, my uncle is a Vietnam-era Navy vet, and my boyfriend is a former Army Ranger.

[NinjaChick]

picunurse, I had no idea you’d served. I have a crazy amount of respect in particular for females like you, who served back then. There’s still some hassle that comes with being a woman in uniform and I can’t imagine what it must’ve been like then. Thank you, ma’am, for helping to pave the way.

[Chefguy]

@picunurse

Thank you {{{{Bill,}}}}} I knew there was a reason I thought you were cool! The hug looks great to me.

Ignatz, I spent my entire time in the Air Force in the US. I was mostly in Amarillo TX.
I was in pediatrics even then, except for the times we had large influxes of ill and injured airmen.
My, husband at the time, was called up to go to Guam and another undisclosed location as support for B52s, but the first time was a week after our wedding, so his commander pulled strings to keep him there. Then the next time, our son was about to be born, so he got out of that too. He was also assigned to Japan, but it would have meant he’d have to reinlist. So, no exotic ports for us.

And thank you all. Get out and hug a vet. It feels good.

Rear echelon or front line, a just war or folly, all who serve in time of need deserve respect, even if the people who put them there do not.

[picunurse]

@NinjaChick

picunurse, I had no idea you’d served. I have a crazy amount of respect in particular for females like you, who served back then. There’s still some hassle that comes with being a woman in uniform and I can’t imagine what it must’ve been like then. Thank you, ma’am, for helping to pave the way.

Thank YOU. Yes, there were times. I went to medic school in Montgomery AL. We were not allowed off base in civies. We were refused entry into many stores.

One day, some friends came by to ask if I’d like to go with them to a town down the road…Selma. They said something was going on and they wanted to see. I was in the middle of doing my week’s laundry, so, I said no. Sometimes, history is right in your face and you don’t recognize it.