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Hulk

(6,699 posts)

5. War is hell.

Sat Sep 21, 2013, 03:58 AM

Sep 2013

I wasn't in Nam for a month before our platoon of 23 was whittled back down to 15. We started with 8 when I entered the platoon. We went through two officers while I was there...in my short three months before I went home on a stretcher.

War is hell, and don't let anyone tell you any different. Dying by chemical weapons isn't any better or worse than dying by gun-fire, napalm, land-mines, or being driven crazy from fear, anguish, shock and despair. If you were lucky enough to push papers in the back, or send in supplies by plane or truck, then maybe you don't realize what I'm saying; but if you 11B bush stomper, you know it was hell.

I watch Platoon every so often, just to remind me of what I experienced. That movie says it all from my experience. I don't want any salute or thanks...I just want us NEVER to do it again...NEVER!

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VIETNAM VETERANS GET MEDALS FOR HEROIC ACTIONS... [View all] Indi Guy Sep 2013 OP

K&R Fantastic Anarchist Sep 2013 #1

So Sad That It Took This Long grilled onions Sep 2013 #2

At last they're finally getting the recognition they deserve pinboy3niner Sep 2013 #43

I would applaud if they turned around and threw the medals back at them. David__77 Sep 2013 #3

Go earn one. sulphurdunn Sep 2013 #8

Cheap shot. DURHAM D Sep 2013 #10

Plenty of heroes chose not to go. /nt Ash_F Sep 2013 #11

And many more DURHAM D Sep 2013 #12

Absolutely not. Ash_F Sep 2013 #13

It'll be a cold day in hell before I disown my opposition to the Viet Nam War. Paladin Sep 2013 #22

I am female so I did not have to make a tough decision. DURHAM D Sep 2013 #23

I lost a cousin to Viet Nam. Paladin Sep 2013 #31

In those days, "choosing" not to go was only an option for the karynnj Sep 2013 #15

Absolutely not. Many went to jail in protest. Many hid. Ash_F Sep 2013 #17

"Many" needs definition karynnj Sep 2013 #20

A thoughtful response. Ash_F Sep 2013 #21

I never disagreed with that - and like 95% of the people at my college, karynnj Sep 2013 #35

Contrary to popular belief, most troops who served in Vietnam were not draftees pinboy3niner Sep 2013 #39

I am tried of hearting this, people volunteered so they could avoid the infantry and thus Combat happyslug Sep 2013 #41

You seem to be reacting to arguments others may have made, not what I posted pinboy3niner Sep 2013 #42

Some could be called "heroes, in that they followed their beliefs, others were likely just cowards whathehell Sep 2013 #33

My own father is a Vietnam veteran... I have no hate for them at all. David__77 Sep 2013 #26

Similar to my experience - TBF Sep 2013 #47

With the VA, the medical care tends to be exceptional, but the admin side can be a real killer pinboy3niner Sep 2013 #49

Bullshit! Ernesto Sep 2013 #36

Marine Corps Draft (during Vietnam War): 42,633 pinboy3niner Sep 2013 #38

That's true............... Ernesto Sep 2013 #40

Semper Fi, brother! pinboy3niner Sep 2013 #45

Real classy. furious Sep 2013 #14

War isn't about class. David__77 Sep 2013 #27

Ok, that's a fair point of view. furious Sep 2013 #29

I will, and I regret if I communicated that poorly. David__77 Sep 2013 #30

Not communicated poorly at all. furious Sep 2013 #32

My fucking hero. WilliamPitt Sep 2013 #18

Not sure what you mean. David__77 Sep 2013 #28

If enough people misunderstand what I'm saying LanternWaste Sep 2013 #52

Good point. David__77 Sep 2013 #53

Haha, remember when Kerry got a bunch of flack from Republicans for doing this? Ash_F Sep 2013 #19

Ain't that the truth. David__77 Sep 2013 #25

Kerry is an arrogant dipwad. I can't believe he was ever nominated. Pterodactyl Nov 2013 #57

Kerry is an outstanding American statesman, who I hope will help Obama leave karynnj Nov 2013 #58

He can be a dipwad and a hero. Like McCain. Pterodactyl Nov 2013 #59

In his case, he isn't - he is a wonderful person karynnj Nov 2013 #60

I guess well have to agree to disagree. But I'll concede he is a military hero. Pterodactyl Nov 2013 #61

I've seen him speak - including in some small groups - and know some people who worked for him karynnj Nov 2013 #62

I have no preference for Rice. I don't think she would have been very good. Pterodactyl Nov 2013 #67

There must be two Pterodactyl's then karynnj Nov 2013 #68

Your sarcasm detector is on the fritz. Pterodactyl Nov 2013 #69

The invasion of Vietnam was a crime against humanity Ash_F Nov 2013 #63

Kerry fought bravely and with honor in Vietnam. Like the vast majority of his fellow ... Pterodactyl Nov 2013 #66

Any Vietnam veteran, ronnie624 Sep 2013 #24

My dad did two combat tours. He has no regrets as to his service. Throd Sep 2013 #48

Tell your dad, from a fellow vet, "Welcome home" pinboy3niner Sep 2013 #50

Good MichaelKelley Sep 2013 #4

War is hell. Hulk Sep 2013 #5

my salute to you heaven05 Sep 2013 #9

Welcome home. furious Sep 2013 #16

Yes...Yes bearssoapbox Sep 2013 #6

+1 n/t whathehell Sep 2013 #34

And to think this wasn't even the big battle for Khe Sahn........ 4bucksagallon Sep 2013 #7

More info on the "hill fights" Ernesto Sep 2013 #37

For Joe Cordileone and Robert Moffatt pinboy3niner Sep 2013 #44

THIS THREAD SHOULD HAVE MORE RECS pinboy3niner Sep 2013 #46

Gentlemen. Half-Century Man Sep 2013 #51

Well done, Marines Crabby Appleton Sep 2013 #54

Stats on this now soon to be relegated to a "forgotten war" in Vietnam........ 4bucksagallon Sep 2013 #55

Marines Cordileone and Moffat Finally Honored douglas9 Sep 2013 #56

I wish there were a way that every single man or woman who served in combat could get a very libdem4life Nov 2013 #64

A very heartfelt post. Ranchemp. Nov 2013 #65