Rekindling Patriotism
"Thank you for your service ..."
Every so often, rekindling of Patriotism is necessary. Today: Why do some people say, "Thank you for your service and Welcome Home." to military veterans they see?
I know why I say it. I’m a survivor of the Vietnam War. My loss of innocence came in 1969, when I was notified about the death of my husband, an Army combat medic, in Vietnam. I was twenty.
It wasn’t long before I learned not to talk about him, or the war, or about how devastated I felt over my loss.
"He shouldn't have been in Vietnam -- none of them should be there!"
"What a stupid way to die!"
"I hope you didn't have children."
"Vietnam isn't even a war!"
"Oh, was he a baby killer, too?"
"Why didn't he refuse to go?"
It was much worse for returning veterans. People hated the war and since they couldn’t rage at those responsible, they took their anger out on returning soldiers. It was not a time when people wanted to listen. They hated the war and wanted only to take action.
These were American boys sent to a strange land; to fight a war they didn’t cause; perform their duties without question; and return home as men, their innocence and souls of comrades left behind in steamy jungles of a foreign land.
On their return, a lot of vets stopped contact with other people, preferring the trusted company of those who understood them — brothers and sisters who served with them in country.
Most veterans today are still dealing with things those who didn’t serve never dealt with: PTSD, Agent Orange, survivor guilt, night terrors, traumatic brain injuries, violent tremors, flashbacks, and suicides.
I have a vet friend who was badly wounded on Hill 937, “Hamburger Hill”. A photo of him was on the cover of Life Magazine as medics carried him to a Dust Off. After all these years, he’s still wading through red tape to get his Purple Heart.
Add to that the failure of the VA to make a timely diagnosis of their problems so veterans could get the medical, mental, and financial help they needed. This added more deaths to the Vietnam War death toll.
Why do I say, “Thank you for your service and Welcome Home?” Because I’m an American. I say it to every veteran and soldier I see.
I hope you do too.
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This has given me an insight into this. I understand why you do.
Thanks C . j . . Great writing and many truths in it . Being one that did protest even though I was to young to go . I learned a lot from them , One time after a fairly violent protest that was really started by the police , until then just chants . We were all running from the police for a few blocks , one of the leaders said go inside the head shop we will be safe . We all did the owner opened the attic there were drinks and guns , They started handing out the guns . I said no thanks if i wanted to shoot a gun I would of been in Vietnam . I reopened the attic door and left . I have met many that served , I always salute and thank them . Only some wanted to be there rest was the draft , so not there fault for being stuck in a garbage war . As for VA hospitals and care , many think that haven't been to one that they are great . i know here in NY most are terrible , they misdiagnose many things . I feel so sad for all those that passed and or sick now . They are true heroes that got stuck in a bs war .Hugs and peace C.J.