Vets!

[WayneB]

I am not sure how many of you served in the military, but I went in the Army back in 1967 and stayed in until 1976. I remember coming back to the states in 1970 and just before departing we were told we did not have to wear our Class A uniform due to all of the problems with hecklers coming when coming back into the states. Our plane landed at SEATAC and sure enough there were tons of people, mostly young yelling BABY KILLERS and other things at all of us. Just made me so proud to come home!

Anyway I spent a whole bunch of time not talking about my experiences or even mentioning that I was a VET until about five years ago when I got my first VET Plates for my car.

Below is an email I received yesterday and just thought I would pass it along to all the vets and to other people that are out there and just might care that someone served their country.

Wayne

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Ann Margret....
This is a good counter-balance story to the Jane Fonda,
"Vietnam Woman Of The Year," story.

Viet Nam 1966

Richard, (my husband), never really talked a lot about his time in Viet Nam , other than he had been shot by a sniper. However, he had a rather grainy, 8 x 10 black and white photo he had taken at a USO show of Ann Margret with Bob Hope in the background that was one of his treasures.

A few years ago, Ann Margret was doing a book signing at a local bookstore. Richard wanted to see if he could get her to sign the treasured photo so he arrived at the bookstore at 12 o'clock for the 7:30 signing.

When I got there after work, the line went all the way around the bookstore, circled the parking lot, and disappeared behind a parking garage. Before her appearance, bookstore employees announced that she would sign only her book and no memorabilia would be permitted.

Richard was disappointed, but wanted to show her the photo and let her know how much those shows meant to lonely GI's so far from home.. Ann Margret came out looking as beautiful as ever and, as second in line, it was soon Richard's turn.

He presented the book for her signature and then took out the photo. When he did, there were many shouts from the employees that she would not sign it. Richard said, "I understand. I just wanted her to see it."

She took one look at the photo, tears welled up in her eyes and she said, "This is one of my gentlemen from Viet Nam and I most certainly will sign his photo. I know what these men did for their country and I always have time for 'my gentlemen.''

With that, she pulled Richard across the table and planted a big kiss on him. She then made quite a to-do about the bravery of the young men she met over the years, how much she admired them, and how much she appreciated them. There weren't too many dry eyes among those close enough to hear. She then posed for pictures and acted as if he were the only one there.

Later at dinner, Richard was very quiet. When I asked if he'd like to talk about it, my big, strong husband broke down in tears.. ''That's the first time anyone ever thanked me for my time in the Army,'' he said.

That night was a turning point for him. He walked a little straighter and, for the first time in years, was proud to have been a Vet. I'll never forget Ann Margret for her graciousness and how much that small act of kindness meant to my husband.

I now make it a point to say 'Thank you' to every person I come across who served in our Armed Forces. Freedom does not come cheap and I am grateful for all those who have served their country.

If you'd like to pass on this story, feel free to do so. Perhaps it will help others to become aware of how important it is to acknowledge the contribution our service people make.

A True Patriot Will Pass This On. A Foreigner In This Country Might Not.

Don't be too busy today..
Share this inspiring message with friends and family.
On behalf of those who DO appreciate all that you did for us,
'THANK YOU!' to each of you who receive this message who have served
to protect our Freedom.

 

[NativeSon]

I, too, saw Ann and the Bob Hope show in '68 aboard the USS Hancock on Christmas eve. It was one heck of a show for someone who had just come aboard and was half way around the world for the first time. At the end of the show Bob and his entire cast came out and to close the show we all sang "Silent Night". Here was a the hanger bay full of crusty Sailors & Marines and there was not a dry eye aboard that ship. I thought at the time here was a whole ship full of guys that would give anything to be home for Christmas and these people-Bob, Ann, Rosey Grier, The Gold Diggers, and many more volunteered to come and spend Christmas with us. I will never forget them, they were all great Americans, and they hold a very special place in my heart.

Charlie

 

[Bird]

Our plane landed at SEATAC and sure enough there were tons of people, mostly young yelling BABY KILLERS and other things at all of us.

It's hard to believe such people exist, but unfortunately, we know they do.

 

[lostcreekranch]

I was lucky in that we brought our aircraft back to the states for upgrades when I returned from SE Asia so, did not have to run the gauntlet at SeaTac.

Unfortunately there are still quite a few anti-military crazies out there. Next time you run into men and women serving in our military, thank them for their service, I always do.

Rick

USAF 67-73

 

[mjarrels]

Once there was a army guy in uniform behind me at the Va ABC store buying a bottle of bourbon, I paid for it and thanked him for his service.

mark... USN Retired

 

[wolftree]

WayneB,

Thank you for that story.

After the Fall of the Soviet Union, Russia released papers to the United States. In those papers was proof that the KGB had funded the antiwar protests. They paid for the printing of flyers, posters and probably bought many kegs of beer.

I have only seen one media source comment on these papers, Playboy magazine. I guess the others did not wish to admit they had been sucked into this media hype that surrounded the antwar protests and realize that much of it was just drunk college students on a Saturday night.

 

[dave1949]

Wayne I'm glad you are airing out your feelings. It's a healing process that many Vietnam Vets face, and sadly some have not been able to.

What's important is that when it was time to stand up and be counted, you were there. The strange thing about Vietnam, and no doubt the source of lasting resentment and conflict, is that anti-war protesters could legitimately feel the same way. When it was time to stand up and say "this is corrupt and wrong", they were there.

Maybe Vietnam was the first time people were confronted with understanding the difference between "anti-war" and "anti-military." I think that difference is better understood now, but it was a learning process that wasn't always pretty along the way. The vast majority of Americans respect Iraq War veterans even though many saw the war as a mistake.

I am not a vet. When I took my induction physical in 1968 they weren't all that impressed with my physical attributes, so they hedged their bets and gave me a 1Y classification IIRC that amounted to "if we run out of better specimens, we might call you." At the time, given the passions of the day, that sort of made me feel like the net in a volleyball match.

Like many I suppose, I was not strongly pro or anti Vietnam war until it became obvious that our government and military leaders were lying to us. I sure didn't call anyone baby killer, or even consider that those serving in the military ranks carried the blame for that.

I think that is the curse bestowed by history on our generation and especially our generation's veterans; to live in the time of a turning point that was divisive.

 

[jinman]

Bob Hope not only took his show to Vietnam, but he brought it to the forces in the Mediterranean. In 1970, he had Johnny Bench, Gloria Loring, The Gold Diggers, and Ursula Andress with him on the deck of the USS John F. Kennedy while it was anchored near Crete (Souda Bay). I still have pictures of that show stashed in my collection. Ursula Andress kept all the troops going nuts with her hot pants jumpsuit that kept coming unzipped. Somehow we didn't notice that the flight deck was hard as a rock. That show lasted about two hours and it was cold outside, but warm in all our hearts. God bless Bob Hope and his memory.

 

[creekbend]

The personal that have actually experienced All Out Combat, usually don't tell about the episodes. This is why, I only say that I served a Tour of Duty-No Specifics. I will say that many many things, from my experience, have been HIDDEN from the Nation's Citizenry. BTW, have you heard the news about the fiasco by the VA, not only the Hospitals-Walter Reed and others, but the pay raises given to the Top, even though they have and are performing a terrible job, regarding VETS?

 

[QRTRHRS]

Bob Hope not only took his show to Vietnam, but he brought it to the forces in the Mediterranean. In 1970, he had Johnny Bench, Gloria Loring, The Gold Diggers, and Ursula Andress with him on the deck of the USS John F. Kennedy while it was anchored near Crete (Souda Bay). I still have pictures of that show stashed in my collection. Ursula Andress kept all the troops going nuts with her hot pants jumpsuit that kept coming unzipped. Somehow we didn't notice that the flight deck was hard as a rock. That show lasted about two hours and it was cold outside, but warm in all our hearts. God bless Bob Hope and his memory.

I ended up in Germany in 1970. Bob Hope's tour stopped at our post. Luck would have it, I had to pull guard duty. During my break time, I hit the club for a pizza and there before my eyes was Ursula Andress. You bet those pants were hot! I think Ann Margret may have been with the tour but it's been too many years.

Countering those frothing at the mouth know nothing protesters, when I got out I headed to my sister's town to reclaim my 69' Ford Torino which I gave her to use while I was away. While waiting at the bus station in my class A's, a couple of gents that had been sitting in a bench acrossed the street got up and came over and shook my hand. They were both WWII vet's. I explained that I had not really done much other than to show up compared to so many of my peers. No matter they said.

A far better experiance than I had coming through Laguardia when I had to come home on leave in the middle of my tour.

Anyway, I too have stayed mostly low key about my service out of respect to those that had it tough. The miss informed? I suspect that they are still in denial.