Veterans Support Group

There is a very famous Shakespeare Quotation that I swear I am going to memorize. it is from the Play King Henry the V. It is where the phrase, we few, we band of Brothers comes from. When I am a man, among men. and the talk turns to war and things of warriors, I get to stand tall, for I went when I was called. I consider the thanks I received to be the honor of having stood with those who bled. I can show my scars, and those who were not there; who did not go; who don't love their country; who hold me in contempt; cannot look into my eyes. I can look into theirs, and pity them and my country which seems to forget so quickly. I have a son at war right now, and except for you guys, The rest of America is at the Mall. Semper Fidelis.

Thank You Guns. I never have been so grateful that I am one of the few, that band ofbrothers. For the good of my own soul, I wish I could have done more.

I cant even imagine what you went through Gunny! BUT YES you deserve medals also. I belive in my heart the Nam vets had it the worst of the worst. I have many friends and School buddys that never came home the same either. It must have been a thousand times worse for YOU! Thank you Sir for seving our country. I wish I had medals to give you. Big HUGS and lots of Love Gunny!

Hi Gunny, yes the way awards were handled in RVN was hit and miss. The Army I witnessed was totally dependent on the unit commander for award recommendations. If he seen or was informed of an act that warranted an award it was his responsibility to see it thru as a recommendation and ultimately awarding it to the soldier. That old saying "that many wrongs do not make a right" applies. As a paper pusher in RVN I frequently seen cases that were overlooked, like yours just because that Unit Commander is out on some barren piece of real estate with little or no support to help him with the things that will be important after the war. Just like the Iraq war, it is a different war with different demands on the unit commander. The female medic receiving the Silver Star was doubtless a matter of someone in her convoy pushing it up the chain of command to get her some recognition, and at the same time to earn some kudo's for his unit as a whole. Yes, virtually all of us Vietnam Vets have a degree of resentment when it comes to the recognition the modern day (Irag War) soldier/sailor/marines are receiving when comparing it to the lack of any support for the Vietnam Vet. I was a lifer, so my recognition is my monthly retirement check, but those who were not so lucky have to put it behind them or it will eat them up inside and make the private moments you have about the Vietnam War all the more difficult. Hang tough, and accept the fact that we happen to be veterans of an unpopular conflict which many refuse to call it "War". The more you talk about these kinds of concerns, the more you will realize there are no pat answers to any of it, but you will feel better just by talking about it with others in the same fix.

go for it gunny,i know a lot vietnam vets did not get what they should.

In my opinion, EVERY vet should get the right treatment and care. I don't care what war or era. There are many young vets today too that the gov is sh*tting on. It's not just Vietnam vets. My best friend who got f#cked up in Iraq while a mortar attack (already discharged now), they took his purple heart away cuz some numb nuts in his chain of command didn't like him! So before people go on ranting about us younger vets, maybe you should know all the facts about what's actually happening. Yes, that female got some medal, but there are so many other vets getting shi*tted on at the same time. Especially once we are now out. NOBODY, old vet or young vet should be getting f#cked over! i've seen many young vets get dumped on. Instead of trashing other vets, it's best to realize who the back stabber is, our gov. We veterans deserve better care period. And that's for every and all veterans, young and old.

Right on Bluesun! You got that right