Deseret News | Reader comments: Why no hero's welcome for Vietnam vets?

Reader comments
Why no hero's welcome for Vietnam vets?

Kay | 12:50 a.m. June 11, 2008

I would like to think we have learned from Vietnam. It's disgraceful how the Vietnam vets were treated, and the reason for the hero's welcome is we know we did wrong during the Vietnam era. I think many people want to make sure that we don't repeat the mistakes. It's sad that so many vets were spit upon for doing their duty. I appreciate each of you for serving. Yes, it's sad that no one was there with the band and all to welcome home the hero's from the Vietnam era. Perhaps we owe them a parade, lets not tarnish the lessons that I hope we have learned.

Current soldier | 6:04 a.m. June 11, 2008

When I have come back from the middle east I am thanked profusely and treated like a hero. It is a giant sacrifice to be away from family, but I feel that I have just done my job. I'm not looking for praise, but I appreciate the comments and thanks.

I am certain that one of the reasons people go to such measures is guilt for the deplorable way we treated our boys 40 years ago. People who, in my opinion, don't deserve to live in America, treated our troops with contempt and welcomed them home with their foul spit.

I am SO deeply sorry for the way our troops were treated during the Vietnam era. They deserved every bit of kindness and honor we get now.

No fam welcome for VN V's? | 7:20 a.m. June 11, 2008

A returning soldiers family should be at the airport welcoming their serving son home regardless of sentiment. Yes times were different in the 60's and 70's, but a family/friends/neighbors that don't show up at the airport to welcome home soldier should be ashamed. I don't agree with the war but if my brother or relative was serving I would throw a huge welcome home at the airport so they feel loved, not allow them to come home a midnight bus.

Comments continue below

Scotty | 8:33 a.m. June 11, 2008

When the Idaho Army Guard combat engineer unit returned from Vietnam in 1968, the returning vets were welcomed with much fanfare, including a big parade in Rexburg.

Learned our lessons | 8:44 a.m. June 11, 2008

Yes, Americans have learned our lessons from the miserable way the Vietnam vets were treated. There was understandable horror and frustration among many Americans about the way the Vietnam war was waged, and that anger was misdirected toward the troops. We have learned.

Today, my generation has learned from the mistakes of our parents, and our frustration with the way the Iraq war was sold to us and has been handled has almost entirely been directed where it belongs - at the administration. It's one more way that the brave Vietnam vets have contributed to our nation: By enduring such mistreatment, they have informed the way later generations will always look at our veterans. Never again will we conflate a bad war with good warriors. This is why it's so frustrating when people still caught up in the culture wars of the '60s and '70s try to equate today's anti-Iraq-war sentiment with the hippies of the Vietnam era. The way we are making our discontent known today is in direct contrast with the way Vietnam was protested, something the whole nation should celebrate. We've learned!

Grace | 8:51 a.m. June 11, 2008

Now that everyone has recognized this situation what are we going to do for all of the Vietnam Vet's whose lifes are a mess? I still can't get over the disrespect that was shown to them, I don't think that I will ever forget!

Henry | 9:16 a.m. June 11, 2008

It don't mean nothin.

Welcome home | 9:20 a.m. June 11, 2008

My husband, who obeyed the call of his country (the draft, for those of you who aren't old enough to remember, was what happened to many young men who weren't financially able to attend college) came home from Vietnam through San Francisco to be met with bunches of Jane Fonda-type protestors.
The only welcome home he received other than us meeting him at the Phoenix airport, was MANY years later when he was buying something at an Ace Hardware store. The clerk was wearing a Vietnam Vet cap. My husband mentioned that he, too was a Vietnam veteran. The clerk came around the cash register and gave him a hug and said, "Welcome home, buddy!" THE ONLY WELCOME HOME he ever got.

We've re-written history about Vietnam, but those who served there can tell you that the atrocities perpetrated on that poor nation by the communists far, far outweighed whatever mistakes a few of our soldiers may have made. War is Hell, as the man said, and, just as in Iraq today, you never knew who your enemy might be--most of them don't wear pretty uniforms.

Al | 10:34 a.m. June 11, 2008

I joined the Navy in 1968. I was never in Vietnam in hostile actions until 1971-1972. By then the anti-war sentiments in the United States were strong. After I returned home on leave in 1972, I had many good people ask me about my service in the combat zone with just a few negative reactions from some guilt-ridden draft dodgers (mission and school deferements).

Later through a set of unique circumstances I was on a ship of escaping South Vietnamese in May 1975 when the democratic government of South Vietnam collapsed. I learned through this traumatic experience that freedom is never "free".

I am so happy to see the welcome homes we exhibit in Utah for returning Iraq vets. Let's keep this spirit alive even as the mainsteam press turns against America as they work to elect a Democrat President.

keith 1967 to1970 | 11:04 a.m. June 11, 2008

it don't mean a thing.

EN-3 at Tan My | 11:10 a.m. June 11, 2008

I am grateful that so many people fully support the men and women returning from the current middle east conflict.
My service was July 1969-July 1970 supporting River Divisions 521 and 543 at Tan My and Cua Viet. The Navy had over 100,000 men and women in-country patrolling rivers and canals in riverine craft like PBR's, Monitors, Zippo boats, etc. or providing combat support on LCM's, LCT's, YFU's and various other water craft. LST's used to go up the Cua Viet river in full battle gear and at General Quarters headed for Dong Ha ramp. It was serious business.
What I came home to was a quiet visit with immediate family. Didn't talk about it very much later on, only to other vets on occasion and that was a simple "I was at....." and they said "Yeah, I was at....." and then we'd talk of other things. Once in a while, it's "do you remember...?" We do. The memories never fade.

Be critical consumers | 12:17 p.m. June 11, 2008

Please Google Jerry Lembcke to get the real story on the alleged spitting "hippies". It's a myth. It didn't happen. Not a single documented case. 96-percent of the Vietnam vets said they were welcomed home with open arms. Vietnam vets were a big part of the anti-war movement. Would that be the case if their first foot back onto US soil they got a gob of spit in the face. Please research this before accepting the preposterous implications. I tried to quote from Lembcke's writing, but the D-News censors wouldn't sign off. I also called Lee Benson a "sucker", and perhaps that's why it wasn't posted. I don't know. But I find it frustrating to have to re-draft comments two or three times to get past the D-News information ministry. Now that I've mentioned that, I wonder if they'll allow this post.

MY SLC | 1:12 p.m. June 11, 2008

To Be critical consumers:

I wanted to post the same thing. There are no documented events of "spitting" If anyone has some that can be verified post it!

crmeatball | 1:24 p.m. June 11, 2008

The day following my wedding, my new wife and I went with my parents to a Memorial Day broadcast of the Music and the Spoken Word. They had a military band visiting and during the performance, they had all the veterans stand and be recognized. My father had served in Vietnam in the Navy. He was brought to tears by the gesture and I was shocked to learn that in the 30+ years since his return, he had never been recognized for his service until that moment in the Tabernacle. Upon his return home to the Bay Area, he was treated has described in the article. Ridiculed, belittled and yes, spit upon. It is probably true most Vietnam vets were welcomed home with open arms by those they knew and cared about. But it was the vocal minority led by the "hippies" who belittled them and ultimately caused our failure in Southeast Asia and are leading to our failure in the Middle East. Each time someone protests the war, they are crushing the morale of the soldiers. You cannot say "I support the troops, but not the war" like they are mutually exclusive.

crmeatball - continued | 1:29 p.m. June 11, 2008

continued from above. My father would tell me stories about how he and his shipmate's morale would plummet as they heard stories about the protests at home. The same is true now. Supporting the troops means bolstering their morale, lifting them up. Those who have not served in war have no idea of the sacrifice they are making for our freedom. So if you are against the war, make it known by voting for and electing officials who will change that particular policy. That is how our republic works (note I did not say democracy). Don't condemn the soldiers by condemning their actions. The post titled "Be critical consumers" asks us to research this before accepting the preposterous implications. Well, I have heard the "implications" from someone who experience them, I don't think any other research is necessary.

Morale? | 2:32 p.m. June 11, 2008

crmeatball implies that our failure in war is not because of poor management at the highest levels, or because of misanticipated realities on the ground, or cultural or religious or tribal or ethnic factors that weren't properly considered; instead, s/he suggests, our failure in Vietnam and in Iraq was because morale-deficient soldiers underperformed their duties. That, to me, is the more outrageous statement. It implies our soldiers aren't capable of recognizing a difference between disagreement over policy and disappointment in our troops.

Please, crmeatball, correct your statement. It is NOT our troops who are losing the war; it is the Bush administration. In your effort to paint anti-war protesters as to blame for a failed war, you by default put blame on soldiers who you seem to think are too thin-skinned to handle skepticism and dissent.

And if the people aren't speaking out against war policies through protest, debate, letters to the editor, etc., it is irresponsible to assume our salvation will come in the form of politicians we can vote for who hold the anti-war views we keep quiet about. The people ARE the government here; active involvement in the discussion is our key role.

re: Morale | 3:03 p.m. June 11, 2008

It's great that so many non-soldiers can sit around and hypothesize about how protesters actions affect soldiers morale. Here's how this soldier feels about it (and my feelings have been confirmed with every soldier I have ever discussed it with):

We are disappointed in our fellow citizens. But, it's not their fault since all they do is listen to the propaganda (yes propaganda, not "news") that the media puts out. The running body count coverage is offensive and is treated as some sort of score in a sick game against Bush (most of us aren't big fans of his either BTW). The cowardly reporters we have now must have the reporters from WWII, Korea and even VN disgusted. They sit in 4 star hotel rooms in the Green Zone and pay Iraqis to go out and collect stories for them. Then they put on their armor and helmet to do a story from the rooftop before stripping off the armor to head down the street for a coffee. If you want to know what a veteran soldier thinks... ask him, no the media.

Jane Fondas still out there | 3:19 p.m. June 11, 2008

For those of you who think the anti war protesters have changed that much since Viet Nam, don't kid yourselves. Take a look at Code Pink. They have programs like "No Military PREDATORS in our Town". Yep they dont hate the troops, just the war. Right. They don't hold "die-ins" and witch craft curses in front of recruiting stations. They don't attempt to vote in council members and force other council members to declare whole communities "Military-Free" zones.

Lets not forget the imbeciles who show up to protest funerals for our fallen soldiers with signs stating how they deserved to die.

Yep, our anti war protestors have sure changed since Viet Nam. (Heavy sarcasm intended)

MY SLC | 4:08 p.m. June 11, 2008

To Jane Fondas etc....

"the imbeciles who show up to protest funerals for our fallen soldiers with signs stating how they deserved to die"

I think you are referring to the Westboro Baptist church which also protests gay funerals.

crmeatball | 4:24 p.m. June 11, 2008

Just to clarify, I did not say, nor mean, that the troops lost the war. I said the schism caused by the protesters led to our failure. Our failure in Southeast Asia is not limited to the collapse of democracy there and the millions of lives extinguished following our pull-out. The failure includes how our Vietnam Veterans were treated once home.

I also did not mention the effects on the current war. I don't believe it is a failure. It is a resounding success. Why? Because a people have been freed from a tyrant. Sure, some of the other "justifications" may be somewhat ambiguous, but on the merit of freeing a people from tyrannical oppression is justification enough. Nor did I say that the soldiers were thin skinned to handle skepticism. However, as mentioned in another post, the soldiers are disappointed with their fellow citizens. Those soldiers need to be proud of who the represent, not disappointed in them.

Vietnam Vet's wife | 4:25 p.m. June 11, 2008

Sorry, Be Critical Consumers. I was there! Were you?

Dan | 4:56 p.m. June 11, 2008

Add "Be Critical Consumers" to the list of lurkers with nothing better to do than post obscene things to the Deseret News comments page. Thank you for making baseless claims without any proof at all.

I'll watch | 9:37 p.m. June 11, 2008

Re: MY SLC and Be Critical Consumers. I'll introduce you to my father in law who was spit on. You can try telling him it didn't happen because he didn't "document it". Should be fun to watch. I'll even call the paramedics for you.

MY SLC | 10:07 p.m. June 11, 2008

No Proof! Didn't happen folk lore sorry.

fg | 10:15 p.m. June 11, 2008

I was never spat upon. I think the media helped redirect our thinking at that time. 1967 was hard time in Vietnam, my neighbor returned with shrapnel still in him that year, he was welcomed by friends and family. A couple of years later I was a draftee turning my head and coughing.

Most people I knew were against the war but supported the troops, but public displays were limited. Maybe this was a lesson learned from that war?

I think the spitting incedents were blown out of proportion in many cases, just like those who claim it never happened now. The truth lies somewhere in the middle. I did have a friend who came through San Diego on one of his returns that had a flower put in his gun barrel along with the others with him by a cute "hippie chick". Similar incedents graced the cover of time magazine and other media at the time.

Tracy, it was appreciated, and if you want me to find a cute "hippie chick" to come put a daisy in your barrel, let me know, I'll see what I can find.

to MY SLC | 10:29 p.m. June 11, 2008

You ought to check out some of the contemporary news stories of the demonstrations that went on on the college campuses, too. My husband was in Vietnam, and believe me, I remember how those demonstrations, and the ones where the troops were returning, affected the soldiers.
Of course, I know people who deny that the Holocaust happened, too. And I knew people who experienced that.
Benefits of age, I guess.

MY SLC | 10:39 p.m. June 11, 2008

I very well remember the summer of 67 and 68! the summer of hate. Bobby Kennedy was murdered and so was Martin. It was a horrible time in the USA. The cities were burning and the Chicago Democratic convention.

I think fj above put it well, the truth of what really happened to people is somewhere in the middle of what is being remembered.

All in all the late 60's were a sad time for all of us.

MY SLC | 10:46 p.m. June 11, 2008

By the way I was @ Utah State University waiting to see if I would get drafted. I did.

Jess | 4:04 a.m. June 12, 2008

Spitting myths grew out of the early Oakland Induction Center Demonstrations and became the equliviate WMD tale for Pro War media propaganda and revisionist chickenhawk writers. Makes nice folk tale, but in fact without the demonstations we would still be there . . . This drafted Viet Vet came home to no fanfare but a loving family and good friends - and several free drinks from apprecitive strangers. "Welcome Home" our troops, greet them with the passage of the Webb/Hagal G.I. Bill instead of Made In China Ribbon Stickers . . .
Sgt USA RVN 70-71

Anthony | 9:25 a.m. June 12, 2008

I belive that if there was a draft, you would not see the same welcome home. Its much different when every one has to get in the game. Then the ones who agreed to play become part of the problem, in their view. Semper Fidelis USMC Vietnam 67-69

Larry T | 11:21 a.m. June 12, 2008

I returned from Vietnam Aug 68. We landed at Travis AFB. We were taken into a large room and told that we might have folks spit or throw things on us. I pondered how to handle this. I got off the bus at
S.F. airport and was greeted by three "folks" who approached me, preparing to spit on my USMC uniform.
I dropped my seabag and hand bag and explained to these three fine folks what would be the end result if they spit on my uniformed. They swallowed hard and decided not to test my explanation. As other folks behind applauded my actions I felt welcomed back to the USA. When I arrived in my hometown I was greeted by 26 Friends and family. I did not need a parade. I joined, I was not drafted. I served because I felt it was the right thing to do. To those who don't agree, that is your right. Freedom is free only to those who refuse to fight for it. I bear no grudge or ill feelings to people who don't see things my way, but please no flag burning. The price paid for that right cost far too much.

Documentation | 11:25 a.m. June 12, 2008

For the leftist revisionists; the holocaust happened, the Civil War was not fought to end slavery and Viet Nam vets were spit on.

Please read "Homecoming" by Bob Greene for your "documentation" by hundreds of witnesses.

Al | 11:36 a.m. June 12, 2008

I have mixed feelings on the draft. I served from draft time until well after it ended. We lost a cross-section of American society in the miltary when the draft ended that I don't think returned until the early 90's. I think this diversity of culture and background in the miltary was healthy for society. Yes, most young men served when called in the 60's.

Why did our efforts in Vietnam fail? The Republicans lost all power in Washington (Watergate, etc.) and the Demo-controlled Congress pulled the funding. Many scholarly types have studied the cicumstances and have reached this same conclusion.

Militarily we were using "surge-like" tactics beginning in about 1971 and it was working. However without funding the South Vietnamese government collapsed. For Iraq and any armed conflict - the best support for our troops is to give them the means to reach a victory.

I wonder if we have the will in this country to ensure this over the next few years.

Thanks for all the Vietnam Vets and spouses that contributed to this article. Your positive comments have made feel good about a period of time I can recall in vivid detail.

One Source | 11:45 a.m. June 12, 2008

All of you libs who claim it didn't happen can trace your myth claims to a single source--Jerry Lembke. What is his proof that it didn't happen? Nobody photographed it and none of the liberal anti war newspapers in LA and San Francisco ever ran a picture of it happening. Thats it, period. Has he got witnesses that can disprove any of the thousands of first hand accounts that have been compiled? I guess domestic violence doesn't really happen that much either since no one has photos of husbands actually hitting their wives. No photographic documentation must mean that battered wives are just a myth.

erm | 10:49 a.m. June 13, 2008

I remember it different. The surge in Vietnam failed. If you were there you remember ARVN you also remember Operation Lam Son 719 that took place in Laos, and how we lost half our men and most of our equiptment. In 1972 the surge was mounted by the ememy and without airpower we almost lost everything. Ground troops were out in August.

american woman | 3:33 p.m. March 30, 2009

May God forgive those who disrespected our returning vets. I don't.

Bill | 4:04 p.m. March 30, 2009

I'm Vietnam Vet. I remember coming home and sitting in a bar at the airport in December 1972. A friend ordered each of us a drink. The waitress said she couldn't for me as I was underage. My friend explained further where we came from. Again she stated sorry and was emphatic about it.

I remmeber walking down the streets with my uniform on and was called a baby killer. The funny thing is I was at Cam Rahn Bay AB and Tan Son Nhut AB (Saigon). Never fired a shot, was shot at from a distance (rocket attacks) but nothing to really say.

The problem is I was proud of my service and still am. I spent 20 years defending this country's constitution to give some of you the right to protest the Iraq War. I would do it again today if I was able with no reservations. How many of you who are protesting it would do the same?

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