I want to wish all the veterans here a Happy Veterans Day!
One year ago I posted the following post on a woodworking site that I once frequented. Shortly after posting another poster called it a rant and the lefty leader of the forum had it taken down with the lame excuse it was a political rant and not allowed on the site. Judge for yourself.
As a veteran, I respect each and every one of the posters here who served in whatever form, fashion or place. The respect that veterans now receive is humbling and in some cases, long overdue.
Remember the '70's? Free love, hippy freaks, drugs and more drugs, Hari Krishnas in the airports, flower power and all that crap. I do! I returned from three deployments in Vietnam to a country which was tearing itself apart. Being a veteran was on the same level as a murderer or worse. The lefty freaks spit on us, cussed at us and called us every vile name they could come up with. When I was separated from the Navy in 1970 in Long Beach, we were told not to wear our uniforms off base because it was highly dangerous and not to go alone but in groups. Even then we stood out from the crowd, clean shaven and personally clean dressed in out of date clothes. We endured a lot of abuse.
Going home through the airports wasn't a pleasant experience. In order to fly military stand-by at a reduced rate I had to be in uniform. My dress whites made me stand out in the crowd and there was not one word spoken to me that was worth repeating. Nobody paid any attention to a returning veteran, other than for insults, and we were treated like low life baby killers or worse.
Once back home I put away the uniform and never spoke of what I had seen, where I went or what I did. Being a veteran wasn't something to be so I simply wasn't. Personally I am ashamed of myself for not being proud of what I did and hiding it. I forgot the oath I took "to defend and protect the Constitution of the United States from all enemies both foreign and domestic". An oath which has no expiration date. And I forgot the others who sacrificed so much more so I could live in a free country.
Happily that tide has turned, veterans are now recognized for their service and sacrifice. If I see an active duty service member in public, I will go out of my way to say something nice or pat them on the back. When I see someone with a cap on with a Vietnam veteran patch, I always say "welcome home" and strike up a conversation. Sure beats the cussing and insults we endured so long ago.
I thank everyone who posted here for their service to the country I am very proud to call my home.
US Navy Mobile Construction Battalion 4, Construction Electrician Petty Officer Third Class
Vietnam - 1968 Northern "I" Corps, helped to rebuild Camp Evans and helped to rebuild the runway there.
Vietnam - 1969 Northern "I" Corps,
Vietnam - 1970 Naval Support Activity, Danang. Line crew then assigned to a generator contact team servicing portable generators up to
250kw. Licensed to operate generators up to 250kw.
Separated from active service at Long Beach, CA.
