By: David Conde
The veterans club I belong to celebrated a tribute to World War II soldiers. This represents part of an effort to bring them forward to be recognized before they are gone.
As it happened, World War II and later Korean War veterans came home to transform a nation. Their return, especially that of the World War II soldiers was celebrated for a job well done.
Not so when it comes to those that served in the Vietnam War. In the 30+ years I have been close to the veteran community, this war is by far the event that has most negatively impacted the lives of the veteran community. Vietnam experiences whether told or not told, nevertheless continue to affect the lives of those that fought and survived them. Among the most important stories are those surrounding the secrecy of soldier travel on the way home after deployment.
Their flights were deliberately scheduled to arrive in the United States in the dead of night so they would not have to face the protesters against the war. Also, as part of their orientation before returning from the conflict, soldiers were asked not to wear their uniforms because it would attract attention of the wrong kind.
The story illustrates that the fight for one’s life in Vietnam was only a prelude to the fight for one’s dignity back home because an ungrateful nation had turned on itself. What was a struggle for survival in the field turned out to also be a humiliation of our returning warriors.
9/11, our second “Pearl Harbor,” changed all of that. Although the drums of the 1991 Gulf War announced a new era of respect for our military, it was the terrorist attack on New York, in the skies over Pennsylvania and the Pentagon that helped to renew and repair America’s personal relation- ship with our fighting men and women.
The theme of “thank you for your service” and all of its trappings arrived with military service in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Middle East. A new patriotic zeal gripped the country and nothing was too good for those fighting in the field.
The irony is that America’s warriors of the 21st Century that the people of our country are so interested in thanking are trained career professionals just doing their job. The voluntary aspect of this work in effect changed the dynamics of service and relationships back home.
However, the ones that really needed the thanks were the drafted grunts that had to fight as an obligation to pride and country. They died by the thousands in the fields of Europe, the Pacific, Korea and Vietnam and deserved our best gratitude no matter the politics of the moment.
History tells us that all received their due with the sig- nificant exception of soldiers that fought in Vietnam. History also tells us that those that could, found a way to opt out of doing their duty.
Graveyards are populated with warriors that did serve and in doing so, made the ultimate sacrifice. Those that went to Vietnam and survived still carry the scars of moments of horror in the battlefield as well as the scars of abuse and rejection once they got home.
The United States is facing military adversaries in many parts of the world and will no doubt have to make many future decisions about war and peace. These decisions must have a demonstrated support of the American people because our soldiers need to know that what they are doing is important to our existence.
The views expressed by David Conde are not necessarily the views of la Voz bilingüe. Comments and responses may be directed to news@lavozcolorado.com.
