So I'm a "Vietnam Era'" vet and my Brother is a Combat Vet...

[catnhatnh]

We're 4 years apart and close. And also worlds apart. Because you either are or aren't.

He's chasing some benefits now and has supporting documents from a couple of Officers who saw him in combat. They speak well of him...

For our combat vets here, I stand in awe. For all vets, you have my respect. But there is a difference.

[Sonoman]

1. Yep.

I spent my time in that mess. But then I went to Iwo, Inchon, and Chosin and came away wondering how anyone could have held up in those conditions.

Hats off to all.

Sonoman

[Bigmack]

2. Don't ever forget....

lots of us combat vets are here on DU, too. Some guys become rightwing out of combat, but lots become what I like to think of as educated about the politics of war.

I'm certainly not in the same league as these two Marines, but they say what I feel best.

"I believe that if we had and would keep our dirty, bloody, dollar soaked fingers out of the business of these (Third World) nations so full of depressed, exploited people, they will arrive at a solution of their own. And if unfortunately their revolution must be of the violent type because the `haves' refuse to share with the `have-nots' by any peaceful method, at least what they get will be their own, and not the American style, which they don’t want and above all don’t want crammed down their throats by Americans." –
Gen. David Shoup, United States Marine Commandant Medal of Honor recipient. 2 Purple Hearts (Gen Shoup was my commandant during the first part of my time in.)

"War is a racket. It always has been. It is possibly the oldest, easily the most profitable, surely the most vicious."....
“I spent 33 years in the Marines. Most of my time being a high-class muscle man for Big Business, for Wall Street and the bankers. In short, I was a racketeer for capitalism.”
Gen. Smedley Butler, USMC two time Medal of Honor recipient. 8 Purple Hearts

[jaysunb]

3. +1

My experience in Vietnam and reality were never confused, but many of my fellow soldiers (mostly the enlistees) came home with the same influence they left w/ or worse.
I volunteer at the VA and sometimes have to just shake my head. :shrug:

[madokie]

4. I spent 15 months in country Vietnam

my brother 4 years my senior was on the USS Ranger CV/CVA-61 while my brother 4 years my junior was on the USS McDonough DLG 8. All three of us were in the Navy at the same time, me being first, my older brother next followed by my younger brother.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Ranger_%28CV-61%29

http://www.seaforces.org/usnships/ddg/DDG-39-USS-MacDonough.htm