Don't Worry Son, No More Vietnams

[unhappycamper]

Chris Ritter
Branch of service: Army National Guard of the United States (ARNG)
Unit: Co B 2nd 149 avn
Rank: SSG/E-6
Home: norman, Oklahoma

Served in: NAS North Island CA, USS Enterprise,USS Independence, NAS LeMoore CA, China Lake CA, Tinker AFB,OK currently at Muldrow Army heliport,OK 3 wes-pacs to Persian Gulf, Operation Praying Mantis-88,Iraqi Invasion 2003

In May 2007 I will have 20 years in the military. Joined the Navy in 87, switched to Guard in 2000. Currently a full time Technician in the OKLA Guard as a CH-47 flight crewman. Deployed 3 times to Persian gulf in 80's-90's and from March - September 2003 for the invasion of Iraq. Stationed at Arifjan (anyone remember the 3000+ warehouses?), Talil and flew daily to all points Iraq. I am very alone here in my opinion as this is Bible belt/red state country but am trying to make change one person,one soldier at a time. Scheduled to re-deploy as part of the "Surge To Victory?" May 2008.




http://www.ivaw.org/node/886

Don't Worry Son, No More Vietnams
by Chris Ritter | Sat, 06/02/2007 - 10:31am

I remember as a small child watching the action on the evening news of the Vietnam War winding down. At the time it fed my burning desire to carry on the family tradition of military aviation that stretches form WW II to present. Of course I was too young to understand the big picture then. I also remember finding my mother crying, head in hands when the last POWs arrived home. The finality that a beloved nephew, shot down in 1967 and still listed as MIA, would not be returning home.

When I realized my flightcrew ambition first in the Navy and now the National Guard I felt honored. When I enlisted in the Reagon era to "save democracy" I felt there was no greater calling. Relatives and the "Old Salts" always said, At least we learned our lessons son no more Vietnams. Of course America has always exerted it's influence globally. Sometimes right and wrong. In the aftermath of The Beiruit Bombing, Pres. Reagon took responsibility and brought the troops home.

I considered my self a moderate conservative until FEB 2003. It took a clearly miss-guided invasion of Iraq to shatter my elusions of blindly supporting the leadership. In time I grew bitter to have my fellow service members used for corporate greed. I felt as if I were drowning and no one else knew. Thankfully I found IVAW and knew that I was not alone. Slowly the Nation too began to realize that the invasion of Iraq and the occupation is wrong. Support the troops now means bring the troops home to the vast majority of Americans. One more life lost for the arrogance and pride of our administration is in-excusable.

I have been told by some "Old Salts" that this generation's kids needed the experience of war. As absurd as the very idea of wishing that sounds, I have to argue that the "good" kids (in their opinion)have and are already wearing uniforms and doing their duty. The Paris Hiltons and their followers most likely do not realize there is a war going on, or the trajedy that our service members and Iraqis endure.

[MikeNearMcChord]

1. I would also add to the Old salts, that it is

the kids who don't experience the reality of war and get the wrong ideas, are the ones who end up in government trying to find new places to go to war. Like the present group in the White House right now.

[sazemisery]

2. Dear unhappycamper, you are not alone in Oklahoma. n/t

[unhappycamper]

3. I'm in Boston, my Friend. n/t