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Originally posted by shawshank62
This is for those who didnt actually go into vietnam. I would love to have you answer the questions and share any other memories with me that can. |
Well, just a short note . . . . . .
Vietnam ended Apr '75, I enlisted May '75 (I didn't wait to get my draft number, as I entered the Army (May 27, 1975), 2 days before my 18th birthday and signed the paperwork on my birthday.
)
I came from a C.O. (Conscientious Objector) family/religion.
I was THE only pro-military member of my graduating class in High School.
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1. How did you feel about the war in Vietnam when it began?
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I didn't think much about it since Vietnam started around 1959, and at 2 y.o., I didn't think much about politics or war!
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2. Did your opinion change as the war progressed?
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No, I always loved my country, and even though it was against my religion and up-bringing, I wanted to serve my Country.
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3. Were you ever involved in a demonstration during the war? (for or against)
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No, there wasn't much protesting in Northern Minnesota, everyone was more interested in Hockey and partying in Canada!
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4. What should the government have done differently?
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The government should keep its nose out of the military!
The government should tell the Army what it wants done and let it get it done!
I have seen copies of the "orders" that stated, "you will
not fire until you have been fired upon"! (Translation = Until you've given your enemy the chance to put his rifle barrel up to your head and blow your brains out, you are not to fire!)
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5. What do you think young people should understand about the War in Vietnam today?
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It was not one of our proudest moments! Not because of the military, but the way that it became politicalized. For the most part, our military did what it was allowwed to do by politians, not what they were trained for.
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6. Were you ever personally affected by a death in Vietnam?
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Yes, I lost a cousin (Medic) and some friends. My cousin refused to bear arms and was shot by the Viet Cong for wearing a Red Cross. Another cousin went with the same attitude, but quickly changed it and carried/used weapons (even as a medic).
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7. Did life in general change greatly compared from before the war to during the war?
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Yes, as the press became more involved, the politics became more involved. This led to many people getting more up-to-date info and reacting. Unfortunately, the press didn't always report the facts, and in many cases printed false info to solidify their liberal beliefs. You'll find this just as true today.
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8. What was your opinion about how president handeled the war? (Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon)
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Let's start with the 1st president involved . . . . Eisenhower . . . . . . None of the presidents in power during Vietnam gave the military the opportunity to do their job! Politics prevented the military from doing what the initial intent for the U.S. participation in the Vietnam Conflict. (The halting or slowwing of the spread of communisim.)
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9. What were your feelings on the U.S. strategy of fighting a limited war?
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Define limited?!? If limited means throwing American lives away like we did in Vietnam . . . . I'm against it! If limited means using the minimum required to get the job done and letting the military do it right . . . . I'm for it!
How's that for some answers???
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