Hello All
I am a Vietnam Veteran, I went to "The Nam" in April 1968, yes about a month and a half after the "Tet Offensive". The state side protest have been going on for a couple of years now. I was fresh off the farm, and right out of radio school.
The plane made an uneventful trip from the states to "Ben Hoa" international airport. Yes it showed all the signs of being a beautiful Orential structure, it was a little worse for the wear. It had seen, a few battles and the scars were there for all to see. Poc marked walls and some walls with signs of high explosives being detonated very close.
As the plane rolls to a stop on the tarmac, the "stewardess" (they were proud of that name then) was anouncing that we had landed in "South Vietnam" and gave us the local time and temperature (82 degress). Well the doors were opened and then the Nam came to us, in the form of a horrible sweltering 82 degress with a humidity of around 95%. Yes it was enough to take your breath away. Did i mention it was 9 pm local time. I was wearing starched Kaki uniform, which stuck to me and made me think what the hell am i doing here????
We were herded off the plane and loaded into green buses, with wire on the windows, no glass. (to keep the hand gernades out) Move to Lang Bin Replacement Center. Well this is where the new green troops get to see the troops that they are replacing. They see you but they didn't care that you were there, Just that they were going home. After 3 days at the center, My First Sarge came and picked up 4 of us ( i recognized them from Ft. Monmouth New Jersey, Where i had been in Radio school. Well the jeep ride was all of 4 blocks to company Headquarters. Yes, company headquarters was next door to the replacement center. I will mention that on the other side of our compound was "Silver City" (the military equalivent of San Quenton) The first Sarge says that if we listen up we can have a bunk here if not we could go next door.
After a few days of getting settled in we are assigned to our detachments, yeah no more easy life -- we grab our stuff and head to the heliport for transport out in to the country side. Here is where it all gets fuzzy - i can remember where i was but to put it all in a time line is not possible inside my head. Lets say i made it out (19 months and 5 days later)
It is January 15th 1970, i am in San Diego, and holding a form DD 214 ( discharge papers) I am on the phone to home and trying to book a flight all at once. Luck is with me I can fly (Military Standby) for a discounted rate. Sweet -- grab the bus and head to the airport for the big bird home. Well there is no such thing as a Flight from San Diego to Oklahoma City. So i take one to Dallas with a 2 hour lay over there. It is so nice to board the plane with real people, in real clothes. 24 hours before everyone was dressed in Camo -- now here are guys in jeans and tie-dye and girls with round eyes wearing mini skirts -- OMG those were the days.
Well all is well I am now in Dallas -- getting a bite to eat, waiting on my fight to HOME when out of nowhere this good looking girl in Hip Hugger jeans and a beautiful lace top is standing at my table. I say hello to her and she doesn't reply. (This is the part that i relive every Veterans Day) She proceeded to go on a verbal tyraid with me being the target. Yes i am in my dress green uniform with what few ribbons i did recieve while in Nam. She is going on about how we should not be in Nam and that i should burn in hell for my part of the war. (i tried to tell her i had done my time in hell) She says i am a baby killer and that i should send my family to nam for the north vietnamese to kill and rape. Well i am sittin here trying to be nice -- looking around for some one to come rescue me. No one in sight, then she spits in my face and on my food and tells me i am not welcome home and that i should just go fall off the earth.
So today is a day of rememberance of good and bad times for me.
HERE IS MY WISH -- NO MORE WAR- BUT IT IS VERY STUPID TO THINK THAT MAN CAN GET ALONG .
SO INSTEAD I PRAY THAT ALL WARRIORS CAN COME HOME HEAD HELD HIGH AND PROUD OF A JOB WELL DONE.
WELCOME HOME FELLOW VETERANS, MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS...BILL
