It was a different time. I was a teenager, and didn’t have a clue. Just remember the nightly “body count” on the evening news. I have known people who experienced it, and it never leaves them. It was a different time, but war never changes. Thoughtful story, Jim.
Reading that hurt, Jim. That war was wrong on so many levels, but for a young man (and they mostly weren't much more than boys) to go through that and then suffer abuse and PTSD is just shameful. And the conscientous objectors suffered shame and abuse too. Those young men then are the leaders of the country now, yet somehow war is endemic. It makes me weep for the future of mankind.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment Virginia. I have noticed from the comments that people who lived through that era are still deeply troubled by it, myself included obviously. I think if nothing else, we have learned to treat our subsequent veterans with respect and not blame them for the follies of our leaders.
"And when they are done they appear young and unbroken." "Here’s a number to call if you’re having trouble readjusting..." If? How many of my friends returned home to Santa Cruz in '67 and '68. None were unbroken, all were changed. They left their souls in the jungle. And for what? I burst into tears even now just thinking of it. Beautiful words, Jim.
Thank you, Sharron. I seem to have stirred-up some long-simmering emotions among people of our generation but perhaps that's a good thing. "For what?", as you ask. That's the question that must be answered every time our "leaders" bang the war drum.
“Thank you for your service” is what they say now. Thank you for doing whatever it was we thought you should be doing at the time—before we changed our minds— before we decided it was pointless."
Should have said it then. What a complicated time -- I'm too young to have truly understood it. But thank you for taking me a step closer.
Great job Jim, this short piece brought back memories of my trip back to the states in 1970. Landed at LAX and had many reactions very similar to the ones you describe. It was a bad time to be traveling in uniform due to all the unrest- Nice work!
I didn't comment on this at the time I read it. I needed to digest it first. The authentic details and perspective made me assume you were a Vietnam Veteran. Great job of putting yourself in their shoes. The line that moved me the most was: "And when they are done they appear young and unbroken." But they were no longer young, and they had been broken. How could it have been otherwise? I am grateful I was spared that misery by a couple of years.
The combat vets of that war I came to know battled addictions of one kind or another their entire lives, but found sobriety in their later years. The flashbacks and nightmares remained, but they had discovered a way to deal with them. Many carried a deep-seated anger that bubbled up now and then. Few of those friends are left. One by one, the war is finally over for them.
This piece is remarkable not only for what it says, but for the reader engagement it prompted. Reading through the comments was almost as gratifying as the story itself.
Thank you, K.C. Yes, I too was spared but I was close enough to have to consider whether or not I would serve or try for some sort of deferment if drafted. I have a family members and friends who were not as lucky and they have paid a lifelong price.
I am fortunate that I was 14 when Vietnam ended. But I remember my birthday being the number one pick for the draft. My father-in-law served in Vietnam. My Grandfather in WWII. My Dad snuck in between Korea and Vietnam. I considered the Air Force, but I decided to load airplanes instead.
Well done, mate. I didn't serve in Nam but I was around at the time. I had friends who were there and saw how broken many of them were by what they witnessed.
Jim, I was not confused then and am not confused now. I marched on Washington protesting the war in Vietnam, but never ever questioned the patriotism of the people serving in the military. The politicians were wrong wrong wrong in trying to run the war. My opinion then and now is if we find we have absolutely no alternative to war, then we should go all in. After WWII, the USA has allowed politicians to conduct half-ass wars. No wonder our allies doubt us. No wonder we doubt ourselves. With the current rise of dictatorships, we may have some hard decisions in the near future. I hope we are up to the task.
You are a wise soul, Helen. I was confused at the time about what to believe. I went to an anti-war rally because a cute girl in high school invited me. My mother was very disappointed when she found out. Mom came around slowly when it looked like I might be drafted. I agree with everything you said here and I appreciate the comment.
To be heard and appreciated in the same comment. What an uplifting gift. Thanks so much, Jim. I'm following the Ukraine war daily via the internet. Reminds me of the Vietnam War in the living room via TV. As a species, we have to do better.
Jim, great job on this. There is an awful lot of people who might think they understand all of this because of what they've read about, or heard about, or saw on a documentary...or watched in some f'n movie theatre. But I get it, brother. I get it. Thanks for posting. - Jim
It was a different time. I was a teenager, and didn’t have a clue. Just remember the nightly “body count” on the evening news. I have known people who experienced it, and it never leaves them. It was a different time, but war never changes. Thoughtful story, Jim.
Thank you Sharon. I was a junior in high school when the draft ended but I had friends and relatives who went and were forever changed.
Terse and powerful. So much emotion packed in, even between the lines. Very moving, Jim.
Thank you Jim. I'm happy to know that it evoked some emotions.
Reading that hurt, Jim. That war was wrong on so many levels, but for a young man (and they mostly weren't much more than boys) to go through that and then suffer abuse and PTSD is just shameful. And the conscientous objectors suffered shame and abuse too. Those young men then are the leaders of the country now, yet somehow war is endemic. It makes me weep for the future of mankind.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment Virginia. I have noticed from the comments that people who lived through that era are still deeply troubled by it, myself included obviously. I think if nothing else, we have learned to treat our subsequent veterans with respect and not blame them for the follies of our leaders.
"And when they are done they appear young and unbroken." "Here’s a number to call if you’re having trouble readjusting..." If? How many of my friends returned home to Santa Cruz in '67 and '68. None were unbroken, all were changed. They left their souls in the jungle. And for what? I burst into tears even now just thinking of it. Beautiful words, Jim.
Thank you, Sharron. I seem to have stirred-up some long-simmering emotions among people of our generation but perhaps that's a good thing. "For what?", as you ask. That's the question that must be answered every time our "leaders" bang the war drum.
“Thank you for your service” is what they say now. Thank you for doing whatever it was we thought you should be doing at the time—before we changed our minds— before we decided it was pointless."
Should have said it then. What a complicated time -- I'm too young to have truly understood it. But thank you for taking me a step closer.
Thank you, Clancy. I would like to be able to say "Lesson learned," but I'm afraid that's not the case.
Great job Jim, this short piece brought back memories of my trip back to the states in 1970. Landed at LAX and had many reactions very similar to the ones you describe. It was a bad time to be traveling in uniform due to all the unrest- Nice work!
I kind of had you in mind, my friend. It was shameful for people to treat soldiers that way. Thanks again for you service...and your friendship.
I didn't comment on this at the time I read it. I needed to digest it first. The authentic details and perspective made me assume you were a Vietnam Veteran. Great job of putting yourself in their shoes. The line that moved me the most was: "And when they are done they appear young and unbroken." But they were no longer young, and they had been broken. How could it have been otherwise? I am grateful I was spared that misery by a couple of years.
The combat vets of that war I came to know battled addictions of one kind or another their entire lives, but found sobriety in their later years. The flashbacks and nightmares remained, but they had discovered a way to deal with them. Many carried a deep-seated anger that bubbled up now and then. Few of those friends are left. One by one, the war is finally over for them.
This piece is remarkable not only for what it says, but for the reader engagement it prompted. Reading through the comments was almost as gratifying as the story itself.
Thank you, K.C. Yes, I too was spared but I was close enough to have to consider whether or not I would serve or try for some sort of deferment if drafted. I have a family members and friends who were not as lucky and they have paid a lifelong price.
I appreciate your thoughtful comments.
Beautiful
Thanks Jimmy. That means a lot coming from you.
I am fortunate that I was 14 when Vietnam ended. But I remember my birthday being the number one pick for the draft. My father-in-law served in Vietnam. My Grandfather in WWII. My Dad snuck in between Korea and Vietnam. I considered the Air Force, but I decided to load airplanes instead.
Excellent piece.
Thank you Mark. And thank you to your family members for their service.
Cause us to remember. Thank you Jim.
Worth remembering today. Bless you brother Ron.
Just great, Jim!
Thanks James. You and I are old enough to remember.
The leaders make the commitments, the people pay the price.
So true. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Excellent application of brevity in defining a potent poorly identified state of abandonment
Thank you for reading and for your prosaic comment.
Well done, mate. I didn't serve in Nam but I was around at the time. I had friends who were there and saw how broken many of them were by what they witnessed.
Thank you Thomas. I missed the draft by a year but I, like you, knew so many that served and a few who never returned.
War... what is it good for? Thinning out the competition for childbearing women.
Thank you Helen. It was a confusing time for young people.
Jim, I was not confused then and am not confused now. I marched on Washington protesting the war in Vietnam, but never ever questioned the patriotism of the people serving in the military. The politicians were wrong wrong wrong in trying to run the war. My opinion then and now is if we find we have absolutely no alternative to war, then we should go all in. After WWII, the USA has allowed politicians to conduct half-ass wars. No wonder our allies doubt us. No wonder we doubt ourselves. With the current rise of dictatorships, we may have some hard decisions in the near future. I hope we are up to the task.
You are a wise soul, Helen. I was confused at the time about what to believe. I went to an anti-war rally because a cute girl in high school invited me. My mother was very disappointed when she found out. Mom came around slowly when it looked like I might be drafted. I agree with everything you said here and I appreciate the comment.
To be heard and appreciated in the same comment. What an uplifting gift. Thanks so much, Jim. I'm following the Ukraine war daily via the internet. Reminds me of the Vietnam War in the living room via TV. As a species, we have to do better.
Jim, great job on this. There is an awful lot of people who might think they understand all of this because of what they've read about, or heard about, or saw on a documentary...or watched in some f'n movie theatre. But I get it, brother. I get it. Thanks for posting. - Jim
Thank you Jim. Time has brought some clarity.