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Showing Original Post only (View all)For some of us, there's no escape from the Vietnam War [View all]
(X-post from Veterans Group)The latest trigger for the war and its trauma is the news that chickenhawk Ted Nugent has accepted an invitation from an idiot RWNJ congressman to attend President Obama's State of the Union address.
I recently discovered that Ted and I reported for our draft physical the same year--1967. Ted's experience was more memorable than mine (http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/nugent.asp).
The Army didn't start out so bad. After Basic, Leadership School, Advanced Infantry Training, and training troops they sent me to Infantry Officer Candidate School for 6 months and I came out a 2nd Lieutenant at 19. At 20, as a 1st Lt., I was leading an Infantry rifle platoon of the 101st Airborne Division in the jungles of Vietnam. I'm only half-joking when I say that the instant hot chocolate my Mom sent me from home helped me face those challenges.
My war ended when I caught AK fire that blew away half my teeth and jaw and put a baseball-sized hole in my shoulder. The Army promoted me to Captain, and after 18 months in the hospital they retired me for partial disability.
Many years after the war I returned to Vietnam three times. I laughed--and cried--with former allies and enemies--ARVNs, VC and NVA. I have more in common with them than I ever will with chickenhawk wannabe-Rambos like Ted Nugent.
For my brothers--and sisters--who served, who may also be triggered by the latest news, just remember one thing and it wil be okay: FUCK Ted Nugent!
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I don't think any mother gets over the loss of a son or daughter in such a terrible way....
OldDem2012
Feb 2013
#81
My eldest first cousin was killed in 'nam in 1968: his widow still grieves him and I
indepat
Feb 2013
#31
I hope there is a special place in hell for chickenhawk POS's like Nugent. nt
stevenleser
Feb 2013
#9
I've argued over the value of my service with my brother who is also a VN veteran.
HereSince1628
Feb 2013
#30
One of your statements really summarizes quite well my feelings about my service
Victor_c3
Feb 2013
#86
And we had to kill the guy we set up with our money and guns in both circumstances
Ikonoklast
Feb 2013
#100
The response here is overwhelming--and my heart goes out to all those who lost someone
pinboy3niner
Feb 2013
#51