Why Did So Many People Hate The Vietnam Veterans?
When I think about the Iraq War which I personally support (I plan to enlist with my boyfriend when we both graduate this June in the Army) I think of what my grandparents say about the Vietnam War. First my grandparents have an uneasy relationship with each other all because of their respective Vietnam experiences. My mother’s parents both met while actively demonstrating against the Vietnam War. They tell me tantalizing bits and pieces of their life style but never want to tell the whole story. For example they believed in free love and acid and some other stuff like that. When I try to ask them more they shut up and change the subject. Free love I believe is sex outside of marriage(they are married) They hated the Vietnam Veterans and my other grandfather is one who saw heavy combat. He still gets PTSD symptoms even today. Once over Thanksgiving they got into an argument and called my other grandfather a baby killer. Hell broke loose. He started to cry and had to go home.
Tagged with: Hate. • Many • People • Veterans • Vietnam
Filed under: Free Baby Stuff
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The 1960′s was the worst most hedonistic time in the Nation’s history. The whole decade was “do what’s good for me and screw everyone else.” If the WW2 generation was our greatest the baby boomers of the sixties was our worst.
They hated Vietnam only when the draft deferment was ended and rich kids had to go to Vietnam like the poor white and black kids from working class places like New Jersey and Mississippi.
It is interesting to note that the free love generation make up many of the Republican leadership. Seems even they repudiate the sixties. Fortunately, there were many good soldiers that went and fought well and honored their country in a lost cause. Let’s remember them and let the hippies and yippies fade into oblivion.
They had to blame someone…and yeah, they were called baby killers..which was unfair..They went for the same reason you want to go, patriotism (delusional, but real).
Your parents are looney. My uncle fought in the Vietnam War. It was be killed or to kill situation. Your parents need to get a reality check, soldiers do as they are ordered and RISKED their lives, you’re parents did nothing to help America.
It would be different if they (the veterans in vietnam war) had brought USA good name internationally by winning the war!
Their lost is Americans lost as well.
If go any where the people would mention about the lost.
So they hate those soldiers.
Luckily, the majority of Americans didn’t hate the Vietnam Vets — but enough of them did, and vocally enough, that it made major news. Considering what the vets went through, this is a shame.
However, your question was WHY the people who hated the Vietnam vets did so? The answerer above me gave the most famous example. I’ll provide you with a link. Generally, some vets got so caught up in the war, so motivated by fear and by the belief in our absolute rightness, that they (some, a minority) began to kill women and children, to rape innocent women, to behave in almost inhuman ways.
For those vets, it was the war that turned them in the first place. But you can see how idealists like hippies might’ve been as horrified as a vegetarian being told about what goes on in a slaughterhouse. Their mistake was blaming the soldiers and not the administrators who sent them into that foolish war in the first place.
I love it when people say they support the troops but not the war. It’s an obvious lie now like it was then. Like you said, one little provocation and it was BABY KILLER!! Protesters should be bulldozed. They have nothing of merit to offer.
Liberals then like they are doing now painted all service men and women as heartless killers and treated them worse than something you wipe off your shoe….Real tolerance…..Good Luck
The Vietnam War, to my knowledge was the first war that went on and on and on, and civilians just started to resent the whole damn war. Don’t forget as well, that Vietnam was the first televised war…so we were seeing some pretty horrific things on TV that we may have glamourized before. We had seen it all for way too long, and so when military personnel started coming home we were just too weary of the whole war to be supportive of them…sad and wrong but true. There was also some opposition to what was going on there, and many civilians got this confused with the soldiers themselves…when really the only thing a soldier is allowed to do…is exactly what he/she is told. So nothing about how the war turned out, was ever any soldier’s fault. They followed orders from someone else. You aren’t really paid to think for yourself in the military. In fact, most times in a military operation, nobody really gives a damn what you think because your position as infantry or whatever is such a small piece of the big picture, that you couldn’t possibly see it from where you are…so giving your opinion or standing up for your own individuality in the military can actually do more harm than good. And of course, civilians just didn’t get it.
Our next war in the Persian Gulf…was very different, and for the first time, the American public was able to keep the people involved, separate from the deeds they did. So there was a lot more support for military troops, regardless of how you felt about the war. And when someone came home, we were just damn glad about it…because they were in one piece. Vets from all wars started to get a lot more respect after that. Another thing about this war too, was that it was short, and by the time it was over, the country was still riding the wave of patriotism that kicks off every war.
Now we are back in the Middle East and there is a lot of difference of opinion about whether that is a good thing…and even though it is starting to drag on and on, it is pretty much common knowledge that supporting your troops as persons, is very important, both while they are there, and when they come home.
We also know more about the long lasting affects of combat. Whereas before we might have regarded a disabled vet as a hopeless cripple, and not understand how they couldn’t just forget their experiences instead of going crazy with them…now we recognize that vets are still people, and that it’s no surprise that they need a little help when they get home, that they deserve such help without feeling ashamed, and that they are much more productive citizens in the future, and less of a social liability, if we do support and help them.
…I’m a V.V. you don’t hate me do you…?
One thing could be the acid they did. It was people they them that got the US to pull out that were the baby killers.
Understatement can be a terrifying thing. Susie Hem was five years old when Pol Pot and his murderous Khmer Rouge swept into Phnom Penh in early 1975. Rudeness? More than 1.5 million killed. Torture on a massive scale. Anyone with glasses condemned as an intellectual, taken out and hacked to death.
This is the blood on their hands.
It will happen again If we pull out of Iraq. Iam sad to say this will only make the old hippies jump with joy.
Liberals at the time, much like today, loathed the military and as they grew older, their hatred for the military remained. Hippy liberals will never get it. It’s the military that fights so they can protest and spit in their faces. It’s really sad that we still have those types in our country………God Bless the U.S. Military services!!!!!
God bless your Grandfather (the Veteran) I will refrain from stating my feelings about your Moms parents. See Jane Fonda, and buy them a retirement home in Hanoi
I don’t hate them. I feel sorry for them. It seems people only get credit in War if they die…at least they are called heroes. If it happens to come back (alive) from a War, without a member or with psychological traumas, nobody seems to care even the govern responsible for their tragedy. I saw that movie made with Tom Cruise called “Born on 4th of July” (I think this is the name of the movie) I got a good idea about Vietnam Veterans. I don’t hate them, I only feel sorry for them.
It’s just those that hate America. The cowards in other words.
As a disabled career Veteran (US Navy and US Army) I first must say Good for you! You will enlist and you will be part of a brother/sisterhood that is unique amongst those on this planet.
Whatever your parents were in the 60′s is part of what is Americana. Part of the American culture and now part of our history. But I beleive that in those days people confused the war with the soldier. To them it was one and the same. What they failed to see was that the people who were sent to fight that war, answered a call to duty and for that they should be honored. Instead they rediculed them and hated them for it.
Today, however, we should not feel sorry for the Vietnam Vets; we should understand them and open our hearts to them; to any combat vet of any war for that matter. Some scars are not visible and run deep.
The Military Industrial Complex; didn’t plan that war well; there were no lines, no clear objectives to win and if there had been, and if the war had ended sooner it may have been different. Also it was the first time the war went right to your living room via TV. Finally the war was being fought by draftees. These brave people didn’t have a choice; but they answered the call to Duty. In the eyes of some; this was viewed as a weakness. How wrong they were.
It should be understood that we need a well trained and well equipted Military for our protection as a soverign country.
Today we have matured as a country and realize that the soldier does what the soldier is ordered to do. That the war is a political device. But we honor the soldier because we know that he is just doing his duty.
Having said this; I do not support this war in Iraq; never have; even at the onset. The war should have been fought in Afghanistan; and all our resources should have been focused there. Iraq was the stupidest thing Mr. Bush could have ever invloved us in. Iraq now is a breeding ground for Terrorists. When Saddam was there he hated terrorists. For better or worse we invaded a soverign country for no real reason. And I mean no real reason.
If we were on a crusade to liberate a country we should have gone to more deserving countries where there has been genocide going on; like Sierra Leone or any one of those African countries where there is whole sale murder going on. (Even to this day; yet nothing is done; no oil there)
Which brings me to the point that the soldier does his or her duty in spite of the politics and for that there is a greater glory unto them.
I salute you; and wish you well in your endevours in the military.
God Bless you and God Speed Home!
And if you ever get a chance to read Shakesphere; read Henry the 8th; St. Crispins day Speach in whole, the Battle of Agincourt; here is a passage of it (forgive me for paraphasing):
“If you have no stomach for the fight, leave now.
Give this man his money to speed his departure.
For we do not wish to die in this mans company.
Whoever lives past today and comes home safely will rouse himself every year on this day, show his neighbors his scars, and tell them embellished stories of his great feats of battle.
These stories he will teach his sons and from today until the end of the world we shall be remembered.
We few;
We happy few,
We band of brothers;
For whoever has shed his blood with me in battle shall always be my brother.
And those men afraid to go will think themselves lesser men as they hear of how we fought and died together.”
Lets learn from our history so that our mistakes are not repeated; Knowledge is POWER…
Ignorance and stupidity. They blame the soldiers for the actions of their political leaders. They have idealistic views of the world that don’t often match up with real life. There is no problem with being anti-war, everyone is entitled to their opinions, but everyone needs to understand that wars are started by politicians, not soldiers. The military fights whoever the government tells them to.
By treating veterans like this and defiling memorials in their protests, they are insulting the very people that have given, and continue to defend, their right to voice their opinion without fear of recourse.
Your mothers parent’s ( Grandparents ) are @ssholes,, Unfortunately this country has a never ending supply of them !
My Uncles = WWll
My Dad = Viet Nam + Korea
Myself = Lebanon + Philippines
My Son = Iraq
To all Vets – Thank you.
I love vietnam vets. They tell some of the most greusome stories. But thats just me, I love hearing about grenades & stuff. however you should’ve punched the person in the mouth that said that about you’re grandfather. They should appreciate what hes done for the country & respect him as a veteran & elder of the family.
Quite honestly I believe a lot of the hatred was about guilt, you see we went where no one wanted to go whether we wanted to or not I might add.
And we went the babes in the woods so to speak but came back ready to take garbage from no one because we learnt the hard way we had to stand up for ourselves the major ESO at the time wouldn’t thankfully that has changed somewhat.
Australia lost its innocence in that era when our own leader lied in parliament as to the reason we had to go he “Menzies” said we were asked to go when parliamentary records show he offered us up to go.
Proof available under the Freedom Of Information act I have my questions about Iraq I mean we put the sod in power in the first place the same as we did with Mugabee “owned up to by Malcom Fraser” 3 nights ago on TV I sometimes wonder why politicians can’t mind their own business when it is always ADF personnel that have to carry the can. years later down the track the true cost of war is not 4billion today we have spent. Yes 4 billion Australia has spent so far the true cost will be borne by the ADF personnel in years 2 come when the indifference of the DVA and politicians comes home to roost. When the ADF personnel need support in one form or another.
This is why Vietnam Veterans are so vocal in support of todays troops we do not want others to feel what we did, and we have to stand up for them now.
David
I don’t think they even know why they do. You see many americans are like sheep. they just follow. It seems like they need a cuase, or something to fight. Not know everything they still continue to hate and argue. Most americans are very close minded, and ignorant. they here what they want to hear, make a descion and go gun ho about it, befor they actually get to know the whole truth…. I mean just read some of these questions and answer….
Your first problem is that you support the Occupation. Note the correct reference. Second, if you support this “occupation” then it is highly understandable as to why your Grandparents are taking you to the woodshed. Your obvioiusly a part of the problem–their wisdom is sacred—don’t be fooled by your own ineptitude!!
Incidents like My Lai.
I think that vietnam is America’s shame, not for what happened there, it was war and our young soldiers did everything they could to win it. We lost it because of many bad political decisions like relying only on technology and bad training. *
The worst was the treatment our guys received when they came home, welcomed by hyppies demonstrators, with flags calling them baby killers and sppiting on their face. I have not seen that as i was not already born but how is it possible to do such horrible things to guys who only served their country. I am so surprised as our country emerged because of all those guys who bravely for to allow america to exist. I sometimes think americans are really stupid, because too emotionnal.
For the vets that remember me, I was the voice behind my radio show “Captain America” 1969/1970. I learned after a number of years after the war that I served as an inspiration to those veterans who so faithfully helped follow the very same principals that we all want today “FREEDOM”. To this day I still serve helping veterans when I can with the understanding that we are and we can. Remember everyone “Never Give Up”, just like the frog going down the crane’s throat, and at the same time the frog is choking the crane. Yes for many the war still continues especially those who suffer with PTSD. I never continued into radio broadcasting after I came home from Nam. For the last twenty years I worked inside a maximum security prison, seeing and helping many. Inside our prisons are those veterans who served honorably and came home with so many complex problems. GOD BLESS AMERICA.
To: 911
I first read your comment and got pretty frustrated with it. Then I realized you must be uneducated by the looks of your horrible spelling (not that I’m the best). The Soldiers in Vietnam did not lose the war!! The U.S. CITIZENS and GOVERNMENT lost the war, the Soldiers never lost ground that they took in North Vietnam. They lost numbers of lives but that is war, they had reached success against an elusive enemy on their homefield advantage. What happened after the U.S. CITIZENS demanded their children come home? The GOVERNMENT pulled them out. One of the primary missions was to defend South Vietnam while they were regrouping and could once defend themselves again (French failed at this defending, hence why we came in). What happened after the Soldiers got pulled out? Saigon fell in 1975…overall, the SVA failed and the citizens of the U.S. and the government. The Soldiers held their ground always and followed orders! I leave this on that note before I misjudge you 911. Get real!
To: Nick
Bad training…relying only on technology? Are you joking, I hope so. You put your ass in a U-shaped ambush and I would watch you piss yourself if someone didn’t have a radio to call in a nearby unit or something to save you or take out the enemy. Bad training huh, you obviously haven’t the slightest clue. I guess if we left it to you we would have had 8 million Jason Bournes over there huh?
For all of you who support the Vets, good job and thanks. To all of you that judge them and make random thoughts please read a book called “The Killing Zone,” by Frederick Downs. If you still don’t see the picture then you have some issues.
I got a new boss awhile back. He told us he had worked for the company before, and this was just temporary until they found something more in his line of work. He had just gotten back from Iraq where he was the CO of a medical unit. I thanked and told him how grateful I was for his sacrifice.
He told me not to mention it as he was embarrassed by the way everyone was treating him since he came home.
I hope that the service members returning, accept the good will of the public and be grateful it’s not the other way around.
In early 72 after many years of continues combat (Vietnam) and looking forward to coming home, a stop in Hawaii with no medical records (lost and not found EVER) netted 20+ shots and a flight to Travis A F B. Next I had to pay my own transportation to Treasure Island, so I went home to L A.
At the airport I was spit on, hit, kicked, and called baby killer, among other things the first minute I got off the plane while the police watched and did nothing. I was forced to fight a group of anti war protesters, when I started to win I was threatened with arrest, handcuffed and thrown out of the airport, (I was not aware that I was not welcome back home).
I hitch-hiked back to my old neighborhood and the guys that picked me up asked me what I thought of Jane Fonda? I told them I thought she was great. Then they told me what she was saying about the returning vets. They dropped me off seven or eight blocks from where my dad used to live, (he had moved while I was gone). I had everything I owned in two sea bags and two suitcases. I got them across the street with much difficulty, sore arms and all. An old lady that I didn’t even know prevented another confrontation and helped me adjust to a civilian life where Vietnam veterans were hated.
Is there really a reason to hate Vietnam Veterans? They are dying at the rate of 300 a day across the country it is time to show some respect. I served proudly and paid the price. It is time for everyone in the country to grow up. The country has been brain washed for to long.
I just have to say, This is America. Look at our freedoms. Now, Freedom isn’t free. I dont belive in free love, sex outside of marriage. That’s not how it is in the bible. I say honor our veterans and remeber what they sacrificed. And let the hippies fade…Am i for the war? NO, but because of the war, were lucky other nations didnt fall to Communism. We thank Jesus for that. But America needs to grow up. Stop trashing veteans like me. I dont want to hate anyone, but please respect us. Jesus loves yall!