Vietnam Veterans Are Brothers To The Iraqi Veterans

[kentuck]

I saw myself in a young Iraq War veteran yesterday. He's about 21 or 22 years old. He's only been out of the service for about 6 months. In February, he had flown into Islamabad and Pishawar in Pakistan. He served in Afghanistan and in Iraq. He was wounded twice and is now on partial disability. His wounds were not debilitating.

However, he knows that I served in Vietnam and every chance he gets, he comes over to speak to me, if for just a minute. Then it dawned on me! I was the same way when I came back from Vietnam. I needed someone to talk to - to tell about all the things that I experienced and what I saw that happened. I know that some people chose not to talk at all about their experiences but some felt a need to tell their story to anyone that would listen. The danger, the excitement, the fear, the culture, the violence - the stories that all these young veterans are experiencing now were experienced by other young men of the Vietnam War era. We Vietnam veterans have so much in common with these young men.

The common bond is that they, like us, are fighting in an unpopular and unnecessary war. Although a lot of time has passed since Vietnam, and sometimes we tend to lose perspective over time, I could see myself in this young man. He is searching. His politics are different from mine at this time. He carries a Bible with him at all times. I do not question his religion or his politics. We have much more in common than that...

[BOSSHOG]

1. I'm very fortunate to live in the same neighborhood

of an active duty guardsmen who served in Iraq. He's at least 20 years younger then me but he's adopted me as somewhat of a "Seadaddy." He comes over and we hang out in the garage, drink beer and just chat about whatever we want to. He invites me down to the armory for show and tell. I appreciate that he keeps me in touch with those in uniform today.

[jrandom421]

2. Not just brothers

Literally, we are their fathers and uncles. It is our duty to listen, to share, to guide and to help. My father and uncles, who came out of the internment camps to fight for America, did so for me when I returned from Vietnam. How can we do any less for our sons, daughters, nephews, nieces, and the other kids who grew up with our own?

[Stinky The Clown]

3. A quiet kick ....

.... for quiet men.

[FrenchieCat]

4. This pic reminded me of your post.....as it shows a triage of soldiers

possibly from Iraq back to Vietnam with my favorite political figure included.

Former US presidential candidate retired Gen.
Wesley Clark listens to a press conference by
veterans advocacy group VoteVets.org before
addressing the media in Washington. US troops
serving in Iraq and Afghanistan lack proper
equipment, are overstretched and face serious
health problems upon their return home, according
to a poll released by the group.(AFP/Nicholas Kamm)