Comments about ‘BYU conference to salute LDS veterans’

I love the picture of the "Mahonri Moriancumer" jeep. It reminds me that on my mission, I similarly named my various modes of transportation. My bicycle became "Gadianton" because it had a "secret combination" lock, and later, when I had a car, my companion and I named it "Ma-hot-rod Car-iantumer" as a tongue-in-cheek variation on the jeep's namesake...

I can't wait to see the Vietnam version of "Saints at War." The WWII and Korean War versions were so wonderful. They had a profound effect on me. There are so many wonderful stories about LDS servicemen and their experiences.

We need to remember that LDS service members have served in many other conflicts since WWII, Korea and Viet Nam and remember their service as well:
Bosnia/Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq for both Desert Storms, and many other smaller actions such as Somalia.

Their service is just as valuable and should not be forgotten. Especially with the most recent conflicts, huge numbers of service members are returning home with post-traumatic stress disorder from the horrors of war they have experienced. They need our love, compassion and support as they struggle to readjust to life at home with invisible psychological injuries.

Just a small piece of miscellaneous information:

During the Viet Nam war around 30,000 American draft dodgers went to Canada. During that same time arounbd 37,000 Canadians went into the US military, many of them in combat in Viet Nam. One of them was my brother in law.

As I live in Canada, I must say that the US got the best part of the deal.

By honoring the LDS Vietnam vets, no one is slighting the service of those who have fought in subsequent wars. This particular article is about the Vietnam Vets. There is no reason to get offended that other vets are not being mentioned. Honestly!!!!

Dear BobP: Great point!!!!

BobP, you are right we did get the BEST part of the deal. I personally salute those Canadians who were willing to put it on the line for us (US) thank you!

I didn't perceive Man About Town as taking offense. The Saints at War series is very time-consuming, and doubtlessly costly, so I would say, be patient. I'm sure that in time some of the other wars will be highlighted also. My father was in WWII and I have a cousin who was deployed to Viet Nam. The veterans who have served in the Middle East and in other conflicts will have their opportunity.

Dear Montana Mormon: Absolutely correct. The Saints at War project is trying to collect stories about all vets for all wars. It has taken quite a while to get the Vietnam one produced. It will take more time for the other wars. No one will be slighted.

Sadly, the visiting dignataries did NOT visit soldiers or marines on the front lines. The military hierarchy did not want to put dignataries in harm's way. I don't recall hearing or reading of any dignatary visiting Pleiku during the year I was stationed a few miles north of downtown Pleiku June 1969-June 1970.

The big Army and Air Force bases were safer during the Vietnam War than driving I-15 between Ogden and Payson...until Pres. Nixon starting withdrawing Army Infantry units.