Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

GGJohn

(9,951 posts)
18. As a helicopter driver in Vietnam,
Mon Dec 29, 2014, 12:57 PM
Dec 2014

I still wrestle with the fact that I was responsible for the loss of HUMAN lives during CGS ops of troops like you.
You can be grateful that you survived, but still feel empathy for those, friend and foe alike, that lost their lives.

I'm no hero, never claimed to be a hero and would vehemently object to anyone calling me a hero, I did my job, that's all.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Proud to be the first rec Mr Scorpio riderinthestorm Dec 2014 #1
Bravo! and thank you. marym625 Dec 2014 #2
Good for you, Mr. Scorpio.. whathehell Dec 2014 #3
Yes to all. Orsino Dec 2014 #4
Many combat vets took the lives of others pinboy3niner Dec 2014 #5
Plus 100000 JustAnotherGen Dec 2014 #6
yes Tuesday Afternoon Dec 2014 #8
'Undeserved guilts' is the key phrase pinboy3niner Dec 2014 #12
+1 catchnrelease Dec 2014 #21
Good for you Victor_c3 Dec 2014 #7
I hope you will consider running for public office at some point. Our democracy desperately KingCharlemagne Dec 2014 #9
Another great post from one of DU's finest posters. Thanks MrScorpio. Scuba Dec 2014 #10
human indecency DustyJoe Dec 2014 #11
As an Infantryman, I still feel remorse at the loss of life pinboy3niner Dec 2014 #14
perhaps you ought to learn the history of the involvement of the US in indochina--it isn't pretty. niyad Dec 2014 #15
I dislike the contests over "right views" HereSince1628 Dec 2014 #16
and thank you for your reasoned response. but I can certainly comment on smugness when I see it, niyad Dec 2014 #17
As a helicopter driver in Vietnam, GGJohn Dec 2014 #18
That was my point DustyJoe Dec 2014 #24
I also feel more sorry for the ones who went and did their job. Hoppy Dec 2014 #13
Self Absolution is Easy The River Dec 2014 #19
Well said, Scorp... N_E_1 for Tennis Dec 2014 #20
"I have no blood on my hands" I beg to differ. Just because you were removed from the actions you masmdu Dec 2014 #22
When I joined the Army, I avoided all the MOS that killing was its job description JonLP24 Dec 2014 #23
k&r... spanone Dec 2014 #25
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Out of my 22 year militar...»Reply #18