WELCOME HOME: Vietnam Veterans' Stories
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- čas přidán 27. 12. 2015
- The “Veterans Stories” series features Metro Area Vietnam Veterans sharing their personal experiences from the Vietnam War. The nine veterans who shared their experiences are: Lee Blackmon, Decker A. Decker, Jack McCormack, John McInerney, Guy Palumbo, Steve Tagg, Joseph Giannini, Michael Sulsona and Michael Mullarkey.
A very special and poignant portrayal of soldiers serving their country who upon returning from a job well done never heard the phrase: “Welcome Home”.
The way they were treated when they got home was disgusting I respect these brave men salute
I was in Nam 69-70 I have bladder cancer 4 x lung cancer 1x. Thanks AO. I never smoked cigarettes !
One of my uncle's was killed in the Vietnam War. With that being said, I say God Bless the Vietnam Vets who made it back alive..
God Bless Our Vietnam Veterans! Thank You For Your Brave & Valiant Service - I Am So Glad You Came Home! My Brother Is A Vietnam Vet Who Went Thru A Lot But Chose Not To Share His Experience Publicly - But If He Talks To Fellow Veterans Privately, That Can Be Even More Helpful. It Is SO Important For Veterans To Share What You Can, Not Only To Document The History Of The War & The Country Where You Served - But To Share Your Invaluable Experience, Impressions & Opinions As They Have Changed Over The Years, & The Wisdom That You Have Gained Through Your Military Service In Such A Controversal War. Please Leave Your Legacy In Your Own Words For Future Generations Of Americans!🇺🇸
You guys are so beautiful and honorable men. I am so sorry for the way you were treated. You were young and doing a job that wasn't fun, but was a necessity in order for you to come home!! Let me WELCOME YOU HOME AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!!!!
I was 17 years old when I got to Vietnam-1966 through 1969 (My mom had to sign a waiver for me), I grew up fast and learned a lot, good and bad. (I am now 73 and still learning). I was stationed on the USS Providence and also stationed in Country at a place called "Monkey Mountain" close to DaNang,. I spent 3 tours of duty in and around Vietnam. 3 of my high school friends were killed in Vietnam, I was spared. I participated in the TET Offensive in Feb 1968, that was bad. Somewhere along the way I was exposed to Agent Orange (Nasty Stuff) I am now on disability for the effects of agent orange. When I was discharged and came home to the States we arrived in San Francisco, and there were a lot of protesters spitting on us and throwing rocks and eggs and called us baby killers. That was our welcome home. I tell you this to say to you, that whatever your position is or was on the Vietnam war, it was not the veteran who got us into the war, most of us went because we were patriots and loved our country. Blame the politicians, yes, but not the veteran. To all Vietnam Vets out there, you are not forgotten. As a previous combat Vet myself, I salute you my friend.
I was 82nd Airborne. A young 19 year old trooper in my squad, died in my arms from VC fire. That young trooper is my nightmare!!!! I should be the one who never made it home! "GOD BLESS THAT YOUNG MAN"!
Back when, we never heard, “Thank you for your service”. At best, no eye contact, or insults because of our uniforms. We stayed to ourselves and took care each other
We appreciate you and all veterans. Thank you for your service!
Thanks for what service, the killing of women and their babies. 👎🏾
Brings tears to my eyes. Vietnam Era Veteran, 1965=67. Welcome Home!
Thank you for your service.
Thank you for your service. I'm from Pakistan but every soldier deserves respect.
It will never end for those who served.
Betrayed by government.
Viet Nam '71.
Thank you for your service.
It never ends for anyone who went through this type of experience. It wasn't just us. The Korean troops really got screwed, that's why they call it The Forgotten War. Iraq, Afghanistan are currently creating a new group of men and women who will be looking at something like this 40 years from now. We can do some for the Viet Vets and Korean Vets, although we better hurry, our numbers are diminishing. People who really want to honor vets of past conflicts can beat do so by honoring and helping those in need. There are many groups that need help. The Disabled Veterans of America, The American Legion and others groups such as them, and the Veterans Administration would be glad to accept your help. Also, every county in the US has a Veterans Affairs Office that would be glad to guide you to many that need help. Give some time, you can't believe what it would mean to some of us.
Please disregard the word beat, in line 5, bad proofreading. That's a sin for a former union printer.
@@dbeaus Good Post and thank you.
I will be volunteering when I can get cash and stop working I am at age 68.
Yep the Korean vets really got it. SO much suffering caused by the corrupt uS gov. not supplying cold weather gear and not allowing the crossing of the Yalu River....such as the Communist UN wanted it to weaken the uS.
@@dbeaus LOL!
Got home went back to work where I worked before leaving for the service and not one person asked me where I had been!
I am so glad we made it home but then. disappointed abut the treatment we got upon our return. I was a training NCO and proud to be there with my men. I was hit by a mine around the town of Tan An and fill sorry to leave without accomplishing our mission.
I tell every single one of you Vietnam Veterans the same thing I told my daddy when he came back from Vietnam .."WELCOME HOME DADDY I LOVE YOU AND THANK YOU "❤️
I went too Vietnam in 1967 being fresh out of high school it was an honor to have help those that wanted to live in freedom and those men and women we lost will never know how hurtful it was to be treated like dirt on our return
Even a lot of WW2 veterans looked upon us as losers. That was hard to take.
I had skin problems in the mid seventies. VA treated me like crap. I stayed away from the VA for 35 years, fighting the skin problems on my own. Now I get the red carpet treatment. Only 3 out of 10 Vietnam vets are still alive. When the rest of us go, the VA will eventually be phased out. No more wars, no more veterans. The Iraq-Afghan war didn't create very many veterans. Th e VA here in Albuquerque treats the Air Force personnel from Kirtland AFB. If a VA hospital is close to an active duty station they may survive a little bit longer. I watched Trump's action against the VA heirarchy change. I saw some of the rude ones get "retired" very quickly. VA still not paying enough to get good doctors. Most are using Nurse Practitioners as primary care. Thanks to Veterans choice we can go outside the VA. First year resident in Albuquerque makes 40k, 50k as 2nd year resident and max out at 60k per year for 3rd year resident. What Dr. goes to school for half his/her life works for that kind of money?. True enough the government has great benefits. If you survive the "system" long enough. I have had four primary "doctors" in less than a year. I did learn that the big bosses at the VA get incentive raises and promotions based on the number of "empty" beds. This is the exact opposite of outside VA care.
Thank you all for your kind comments , and yes it was tough coming home.. You didn't talk about it , nor did you wear your uniform. I flew into SF on my trip home , they told us , don't wear your uniform . Sad
WELCOME HOME !!
Vietnam Veteran 1968-1970
Thank you all 😢 god bless you all 🙏
Thank-you all foryour service may God be with you all
Thanks for your services Sir and Welcome Home ❤️🙏🇺🇸🌹😇🌹😇🌹😇🌹😇🌹😇💕😇💕😇💕🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹
My Parents generation fought that war in Vietnam. I remember well growing up seeing the pains of that conflict, from the drinking, drugs, general hell raising. Once I grew old enough to understand what caused this pain I formed a love for all those who served in nam. Never will I forget the sacrifices made by these brave Americans. Anytime Vietnam vets cross my path I extend and hand, give a heart felt shake look them in the eyes and say "Welcome home brother, thank you for answering the call when so many didn't. I am proud of you"
I watched a Memorial Day Concert on PBS that had a veteran said "D" should be dropped off of PTSD. They said, "We saw what we're not supposed to see."
@@ivanmarquez4738 Saw what men shouldn't and enjoyed what men should never relish in. Combat can't really be expressed in words no one can possibly imagine what it's really like. See enough of it and the carnage it produces it will change you forever. The actions you will gladly take even seek out would horrify those who've never experienced it. It wasn't the killing that disturbed them so it was the fact they enjoyed it they can't shake. Civilians are not ready to hear such things nor will they ever be so they suffer in silence.
@@warrenchambers4819 My nephew had it witnessing his friends death next to him. He told me and his brother what happened and no one else. That's what he said to me. He took his own life, because he couldn't stand his nightmares anymore. His widow and daughter will never know
@@ivanmarquez4738 One is a normal reaction. The other is when it becomes disabling. You can be officially diagnosed for either.
No one ever joined the military for a politician, we join for our nation, and our commitment to keeping us free, that's why I enlisted, Love of country
All these guys want is to be respected and loved like anyone else, thr special in so many ways ,I'm proud to have them as my friends
I was a REMF. One of those 5 that supported each grunt. I was always asked "did you kill anyone?". I could only say that "I did my part of what my country asked me to do". There are many of us who never saw a single day in the bush. No one cares that I was promoted to E4 with less than 6 months of my active duty. I served my year working in a room with no windows and one door. Only a very few were allowed in that room, maybe 10 or less. I worked 12 hrs. on and 12 hrs. off for 6 months straight with no days off. The things I saw and read couldn't be talked about on the 12 hours of sleep we were given. In fact I was told that my unit was not in Viet Nam. Funny I remember the dry season days trying to sleep with helicopters flying almost at roof top level. I remember after 12 hours in my little room, eating and getting in to my hootch. I remember trying to sleep and the mosquitos feasting on me despite the bath I took in mosquito repellent. My job? Passing our nations secrets to CONUS and all over Viet Nam. I saw first hand the truth and the lies my country did during that 365 days. I couldn't write home but to say it's hot as hell or it won't stop raining. There are many like me that will never get recognized for the job we did. I did mine to the best of my ability. This is my message to the ones like me. I know you, you did an important part of the war. Don't be ashamed that you didn't catch a bullet or engage in hand to hand combat. You did what your country asked and that should count for something. Icame close to getting hit by an ARVN artillery unit that fired on my unit by mistake. The VC put a couple of rockets on the AF base Bien Hoa. I was in my little room, surrounded with millions of dollars worth equipment, just doing "bread and butter. bread and butter" and never missed a lick. Lost a good friend that I played highschool baketball with. His name is Amber Andrews "Pete" Hamilton. Another friend was Donald T. Elledge, a Green Beret, an advisor killed by a VC sniper. I guess one could say I have "survivor's guilt". Now I am 74 years old. I have all kinds of skin problems. My unit was at the southeast end of Bien Hoa AFB. Many agent orange flights took off and landed there. The nozzles on all the planes leaked all the time. I had an AF buddy tell me that. So I got a very sopecial dose of it. I remember the smell almost everyday. Since I do not have a combat MOS the VA says sorry son, we don't see anything. Well friends, there were no grass or trees in my company area. Our berm line looked like a moonscape. The government today says I am half crazy. How in the hell can one be half crazy? I was threatened with prison numerous times if I talked about "anything I had seen or done" up until I ETS'd and the future. So to my fellow REMF's, your service is to be honored as all the rest. No medals, no attaboys. .
When I came home in August 70, we had our flight held up in Alaska for 7 hours. When I asked the Colonel in charge of the flight why, he said that's so we can get you back after dark. We were not allowed in the bar in Fairbanks. When we arrived in Ft. Dix, they taxied past what you could call a terminal and took us out to some building on the outskirts of Dix. No one there and it was raining. They brought out one of these mobile ladders and that is how we deplaned. I dated my future wife for 1.5 years and never told her I was in Vietnam, never talked about it in college, never on the job. Not that I was ashamed, just didn't see any sense talking about it. Come to think about it, I still don't. I am now a member of the Disabled Vets of America, time to do something for those who need help.
Thank you for your service.
I was there all 67 please remember the ones that didn’t make it back home!!!!!!??
Thank you so very much for this video. I was a combat medic, (1969-1970) I will always honor the memories and brave men and women who I served with. Their will never be a stronger bond between men who suffered ridicule and torment. WE WERE HERO'S THAT PROUDLY SERVED OUR COUNTRY. These marshmallow babies that are coming out of colleges now, don't have a clue about real life. I am 69 years old now, but guess what? I can put a 5 inch group at 500 yards. Russian M-9 Mosen -Magant sniper rifle. Keep your powder dry and aim true.
Thank you for your service.
Thank you for your service.
Just call me, Doc, Doc.
Wow!!! God bless you and thank u for serving!!! My brother was in supplies in 'Nam 1968/1969...after the supplies were delivered to the troops in the field, since the helicopters were mostly empty, they would load as many soldiers as they could to get them out of there!!! They weren't medics, just guys who wanted to save as many of their "own" as possible!!! Those flights still haunt him today...as they were lifting off. CHARLIE would come charging them with all the weaponry and he remembers thinking, "is this it? Am I going to die ?"
Yes, I agree, don't blame the warriors, blame those darn politicians!! I truly believe that all high schools in America should be required to sit and watch these shows about our brave young men!!! Might be more respect and understanding and patriotic feelings towards our wounded warriors!!! I cry when I hear their stories...I was a USO girl at the Philadelphia NAVAL Hospital from the age of 17 to 21...the stories I heard, the sights I saw, the beautiful young men's whose lives were forever changed, broke my heart...
I wouldn’t worry about the Combat Readiness of our young, lethal Marshmallows…There will always be the 3 %…. The Generational Families all over the country have and will do their Duty ‘ up to and including their Death… just like the Marshmallows of WWII… Korea and Vietnam…. Don’t be too tuff on the New Guys Brother…..Semper Fi
Thank you for your sacrifice
Thank you all. ❤
They were all heros to me and gave all for us back home. Thank you. Welcome home. I married a vet. He gave up scotch and that saved his life
I dnt care what anyone says but vietnam soldiers are my greatest generation. And I'm proud too say that. USA USA USA 🇺🇸 sempi fi
I`ll always be proud of you guys...miss you Dad
I was a Vietnam veteran before it became popular.
Iron Triangle, 1969
🎖💜♠️🪖🇺🇸
as a marine infantry bet 87 91 I do thank you for being my heroes
Welcome home brave soldiers...with respect
I was coming through LAX on my way home from Nam in 1966 when I encountered a group of Hippies yelling baby killer at me. It took me completely by surprise b/c as a Navy Corpsman (Medic) I hadn’t killed anyone, and we were not well informed about the mood of the country.
You know these guys and gals that served deserve respect because alot were drafted and alot volunteered and when there tour was over some of the civilian would throw stuff at them or spit at them and the reason i know because My brother was there and i am sure dam proud of him, i also served our military that's why we could all ways talk to each other God bless his soul and All the military people for giving there best.thank you All.
Great interview .. respect .respect .respect .
I was in an Infantry unit, that was deployed from the Danang area and moved up to Phu-Bai in an effort to stop the NVA in their 1972 Easter Offensive. We were one of the last combat Infantry Brigades , 196th to be left to support the South Vietnamese at this time. We were never acknowledged as being in this , because the South Vietnamese were supposed too halt the invasion. We were active in stopping NVA from moving in from the west of Hue/ Phu-Bai . Most Americans back home had no idea of what we were doing because of the anti--war protests back home.
Welcome Home & Thank you for your service!
Thanks you all
May God be with you all
I've commented before on thins but I need to do it again. Our cause was just, we did what our country ordered us to do and we are at long last getting the "welcome homes". Took me a long time to realize that while I didn't serve in country, I served and was lucky. Survival guilt?
NO! You were lucky....trust me.
Survival guilt is a killer, I’ve had it for over 50 years. We all served and really didn’t get to choose what would happen
Thank you all, God bless you.
Excellent!
Thanks you all for your service and sacrifice and welcome home
WELCOME HOME, THANK YOU, GOD BLESS YOU ALL 🙏
That dude in uniform!!...Tuff!!🇺🇲🍺
God bless you all and thank you all so much for your service… welcome home, We have your back.👊🏻🇺🇸
There was no help for the Vietnam Veterans when they came home from War. So Sad! Never Trust the American Government!
Thanks for sharing! I was there in 1969 and when we got to the San Francisco airport on 15NOV69 the protesters were there and tossing urine and feces and hatred and I went inside and stopped at the first restroom as it had been a long flight. I then saw an enlisted marine throwing his uniform into the trash and changing to civies. This was our welcome! I later flew in Desert Storm and the reception was such that I resented it having gone through what I did returning from Vietnam. Best of luck to all of us.
Welcome home heros! You were doing your job under crazy circumstances but you made it. I've known many vets from Nam even though I was way too young to serve. Those heros will always have a place in my heart for what you all had to go through to stay alive. I salute each and every one of you that served that messed up war. You did your best, now Welcome home warriors.
Bless you all.
The marine SGT’s tunic look sharp!!
Times have changed the vast majority of people were to see others spitting on our soldiers and disrespecting them would get a good azz whooping on the spot and would learn not to do that again RESPECT our troops past and present alot of these troops stared death in the face and lived to talk about it God bless our troops
I joined the Marine Corps because my Grandfather was a Marine!
When it comes to the people that say welcome home now, the young people, I’ll accept! When it comes to the people who spit at me and called me “ baby killer”, to hell with them! I won’t accept their apology because I truly don’t believe it’s sincere!
As I part of that generation can put a lid on the true American such as these and many unsung heroes that ro rhis day such as myself still live in the communities with eyes still focussed of the true American peoples . When we watch the red white and blue does its dance in the wind.
thank you for your service
No help for these poor young American soldiers! So sad!!!
I admire and respect you vet. Vietnam 697071
It doesnae matter where politicians in say the UK & the US send their youth into battle, it is not the soldiers who pick the fights.For me, the thought of rubbishing Scottish soldiers who fought on the orders of the British state is just completely unthinkable, these are lads that came from my community, my school pals or family. I would never have turned on these laddie's ever. They are our ain kith & kin & deserve our support & respect.
We had NO right business to join this war. This war was completely POINLESS to America. We lost SO many people. I can't imagine fighting in a jungle getting killed by your own people on accident. Seeing people die, and suffering around you. Then coming home just to get even more disbelief. Being treated like you did NOT just survive a war, and fighting for your president's beliefs. And his beliefs were WRONG to send out these people. IMAGINE ALL THIS PAIN! This is unfair, unreasonable, and callous. This is just sorrowful for hear. Sorry to all these people who DID NOT get what they deserved.
I cry when I herd ppl spat on our soldiers. Those spitting cowards wanna spit spit on ur Gov that made the decision. Our soldiers dnt ask why they just do. If we had no support in nam let alone back home. What do u think that do to our boys morale
Feel sorry it won't be heard never will respect to all who served
Damn!
I like that stewardesses statement
“Don’t blame the warrior” My Lai was not an isolated incident.
Not true. There is NO evidence a mass killing, on that scale, every occurred again in South Vietnam (except those done by the North Vietnamese).
Should've sent chuck Norris. Karate chops & bitch slaps 4 everyone & it's over. But they sent my grandfather who took 2 bullets 2 the face & still reenlisted. He served the entirety of nam & Korea.
some really wanted to fight the VC, some didn't want too that was the reason the U.S. withdrawal ...
NY Vietnam vet boys
HM3 BOMBELLA 2ND MED. BATTALION
1968-1972
So it's like you had abusive parents and 40 years later they welcome you in and say, "oops. Sorry"
One thing that really pisses you off is when you get shot at and your Officer in charge won’t let you shoot back!!! This actually happened once in Nam!
You should watch full documentaries on vietnam the political and all. It was not the officers fault those were his orders and many like him in the beginning. You must do research before posting.... you must understan it all.
@@jacobsladder6715 ;
I went to college after I came back from Vietnam! I later took postgrad coarser on Vietnam ( the geo-political and the war)!
I never have had a drug or drinking problem or for that fact any lasting affects from Vietnam! I think it was handled poorly! Of coarse hindsight is always 29/20 but what are you going to do? Not a darn thing!
My dad served two tours there and seen actual footage there and if it don't getyour attention don't no wtf will
Indochina call of duty😢😂❤
No one spit on a Vietnam War vet coming home...
The truth is something in between.
To allyou that did not welcome them home my words to yous you are no good people to not welcome them home you spit on them called them baby killers if ihear you say that to one of them vets you get knocked out teeth givethem more respect than your tongues to run them down
That horror movie sound is AWFUL.
The military did NOT....I repeat....DID NOT "lose the war". In early 1973 the North Vietnamese signed a peace treaty. For the United States (and the American Military) the war was OVER! The fact that the North Vietnamese eventually took over the South (TWO YEARS, mind you, AFTER the American military had been sent home) had no bearing on the job the military did in Vietnam. The VC had been destroyed in the 1968 Tet Offensive. The North Vietnamese Army had been obliterated when they tried to invade the South in 1972. Their capital city was almost leveled in December of 1972, to the point, that the reticent North Vietnamese government agreed to sign a peace treaty. One might as well say the allies LOST WWI because Germany again attacked France, 10 years later, and took it over. The North took over the South ONLY because the AMERICAN CONGRESS cut all funding to the South Vietnamese military ( in the MIDDLE of the North Vietnamese invasion!) AND failed to fund the B-52 bombing (in 1975) that obliterated the North Vietnamese invasion in 1972. Without the help of the American (Democrat) Congress, the North Vietnamese would NEVER have taken over the South and there would STILL be a free and independent South Vietnam. So ANYONE who says the American military "lost" the Vietnam War.... is spewing BS!
The peace treaty was set up to give us peace with honor and for North Vietnam to get out our troops. Nobody expected the US to give a rat's a-- after our boys were safely home. Nixon knew that
@@SandfordSmythe Not true. Richard Nixon PROMISED to use B-52's to crush any future North Vietnamese invasions. The fact that did not happen was because Nixon was threatened with impeachment was forced to resign BEFORE the North invaded again. When that invasion occurred in 1975, the Congress REFUSED to provide funding for those B-52's AND REFUSED to continue funding the South Vietnamese military. Nixon's removal from office was awfully convenient for both the Democratic Congress AND the North Vietnamese...wasn't it?
@@badguy5554 Are you aware that his nickname in politics was "Tricky Dick "? God bless that man.
@@SandfordSmythe Hey...the name "Tricky Dick" was given to him by his Democrat opponents. DUH! As if THAT means anything relative to how the general public felt about him. Hey...the guy TROUNCED his peace-nik opponent, George McGovern, in the 1972 election, so whether they thought he was "tricky" or not that didn't seem to be an issue for a LARGE majority of voters.
@@badguy5554 Are you aware that George McGovern was a bomber pilot over Germany? The same unit depicted in Catch 22.
All these guys want is to be respected and loved like anyone else, thr special in so many ways ,I'm proud to have them as my friends