In what sense was the Vietnam war a "working class" war? [49 0 R 52 0 R 54 0 R 56 0 R 57 0 R 58 0 R 59 0 R 60 0 R 61 0 R 62 0 R 63 0 R] But I could never forget her face and those few kind words. In the wake of the Vietnam War, Cambodia fell to the brutal Communist regime known as the______________, 6. It was great to be home. 42 0 obj Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. I felt so good to be marching with thousands of Marines who were bursting with pride singing the Marine Corps Hymn. The couple just walked away and melted into the crowd. WebWhy they received a cold homecoming is because the us government turned its back on them and refused to take responsibility. Many Vietnam veterans blamed the antiwar movement for the chilly reception they got upon returning to the United States. What broke our hearts was being spat on by our country. Appligent AppendPDF Pro 6.3 They believed that it was not fair for antiwar protesters to question their actions during the war. Was I even welcome at the local American Legion post as a Nam vet? I probably would have broken him in two. At 7 in the morning I was sitting on the front proch having coffee and a young man came by delivering telephone books. Among other countries that fought for South Vietnam, South Korea had more than 4,000 dead, Thailand about 350, Australia more than 500, and New Zealand some three dozen. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. This herbicide mix was deployed in urban, agricultural, and forested areas in Vietnam to expose the enemy and destroy crops. I was in my dress uniform in San Francisco airport waiting for my wife to arrive from out of state, when a guy ran up to me, called me a war monger, spat on me and ran off. By hippies. <>stream We were told we were immoral because we believed in democracy and this country. Why did "hawks" criticize the Johnson administration's policies in Vietnam? A soldier, fresh from Vietnam duty, wearing his uniform, gets off the plane at an American airport, where he is spat upon by hippies.. 2023-01-20T17:35:10-08:00 Not Hollywood dead, not like in war movies, but dead and gone just like warriors in World War I, World War II, Korea and all the others. However, from a constitutional perspective, this conflict did not technically count as a war. %PDF-1.5 This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. What difficulties did US troops encounter in Vietnam? endobj At no time have I eve rheard him state that he had been spit on. What were some of the ways that young American men avoided military service in Vietnam? `GY }*wYZ. Although North Vietnamese and Viet Cong casualty counts vary wildly, it is generally understood that they suffered several times the number of American casualties. Yes, we were spat upon --- in Vietnam with Agent Orange and again when we came home with Uncle Sam's indifference to our plight. The stories were usually very specific. Author: Kennedys expansion stemmed in part from Cold War-era fears about the domino theory: if communism took hold in Vietnam, it would topple democracies throughout the whole of Southeast Asia, it was thought. It was like being bombarded all day every day with utter disrespect for all we were trying to live and teach our children to value. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. In early February 1972, I was in the honolulu airport -- in uniform -- with 200-plus other GIs who were returning to the world We were in Hawaii for a refueling; it was our first step on American soil, and it was very late at night. Why? 2. endobj We read everything we can get our hands on, but for the 10 years after the Vietnam War we read nothing about the war. Suddeny one of the females began calling me a baby killer and spat on me. I did not ask the question lightly, or out of idle curiosity. In that respect, it failed: the two Vietnams were united under a communist banner in July 1976. My initial thought was, wow, "real people." A teacher walks into the Classroom and says If only Yesterday was Tomorrow Today would have been a Saturday Which Day did the Teacher make this Statement? What Vietnam veterans received a Cold homecoming? Were you spat upon when you returned from Vietnam? 45 0 obj Graham was twenty-five, just months out of the army and back from Vietnam. How did the Vietnam War affect President Johnson's Great Society? how did it become one? For Vietnam veterans, this is a day when they finally receive the recognition and respect that was missing so many years ago. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Be sure to include all parts of a verb phrase and all parts of a compound subject or verb. This was partly due to the logistics of the never-ending conflict. 19. HW%HY&YXh-G5\9U)8ulr.\LoZ?\ry{[pMI;%bIfRl>TFh= South Vietnam surrenders to North Vietnam. We were told that drugs were fine -- they didn't do anyone or society any harm. What was the challenge that the Framers faced when setting out to write the Constitution, and how did they meet it? In Vietnam I only tried to do my job and maintain my sanity in a world gone crazy. I kept walking, to the tune of "baby killer, baby killer.". Both have low precipitation and high evaporation rates. To win Vietnam's independence from foregin rule. WebHomecoming by Dennis J. Stauffer I left Vietnam nearly 14 years ago and tried to put that phase of my life behind. favored stronger military force in Vietnam, allowed students to put off military duty (mostly wealthy upper class people, founded Students for a Democratic Society, system that calls up citizens for military service, Served in disproportionate numbers in Vietnam, after the Tet Offensive, the renowned journalist ____________ declared that the Vietnam War seemed destined "to end in a stalemate.". xZmo8 (/R'YtmWJ,,%E%Y\\Eg>C}]\|tb>^-7n$_22%w!}6|q!? 2 0 obj many supported his decision because he was following the policy of confronting communism. WebThe Vietnam War was a protracted conflict that pitted the communist government of North Vietnam and its allies in South Vietnam, known as the Viet Cong, against the government of South Vietnam and its principal ally, the United States. These and other incidents made me question, to this day, why I went. 18 0 obj It was not built with federal government money. WebVietnam veterans. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Richard Nixon won support during the presidential race by vowing to restore ______________ to the country. 9 Noteworthy Bog Bodies (And What They Tell Us), 12 Novels Considered the Greatest Book Ever Written, Inventors and Inventions of the Industrial Revolution, https://www.britannica.com/list/9-questions-about-the-vietnam-war-answered. @p+B72H4FT~ q4=;Cb3L%^DzY*IUh^Brv3W}r$.| ^ vDJfp=q#_N The protesters couldnt confront Johnson or Nixon My Lai Massacre: makes some Americans view US military as 'baby killers', 1. Ho Chi Minh led a long and ultimately successful campaign to make Vietnam independent. The banner said "Vietnam -- 10 years -- We Remember. 4 When did American troops return home from Vietnam? They came back to find the United States torn apart by debate over the Vietnam War. By nearly every metric, the Vietnam War was, in the common sense of the word, a war. AppendPDF Pro 6.3 Linux 64 bit Aug 30 2019 Library 15.0.4 Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. 7. Correct the capitalization in each sentence. The terms of this expansion included yet more funding and arms, but a key alteration was the commitment of U.S. soldiers to the region. He reflected Monday on the cold homecoming many Vietnam servicemen experienced upon returning. <> Domestic support for the war plunged as U.S. deaths rose. The Hawaii Vietnam Veterans Project surveyed two samples, one of Native Hawaiians (the indigenous peoples of the Hawaiian Islands, who constitute about 22% of the permanent population in Hawaii) and another of Americans of Japanese Ancestry (the descendants of Japanese immigrants who comprise about 24% of the permanent 3 0 obj<>stream Neighbouring Laos and Cambodia similarly fell to communists. The stewardesses would not allow us to sit in the coach section, and insisted that we sit in the first-class section. A soldier, fresh from Vietnam duty, wearing his uniform, gets off the plane at an American airport, where he is spat upon by "hippies." I landed at Travis Air Force Base in California, went to the Oakland Army Terminal, and was cleared to go home for 30 days' leave. Yes, we were spat upon! I bought a ticket for a flight to Chicago that was scheduled to depart at approximately 4 p.m. Pacific Time. This was partly due to the logistics of the never-ending conflict. SDS: Students for a democratic society Come\underline{\underline{\text{Come}}}Come with me to buy Mothers birthday present, please. I was not a hero. I'm sure they hoped I would react violently. Veterans views of the antiwar movement Many Vietnam veterans blamed the antiwar movement for the chilly reception they got upon returning to the United States. I cried, it felt so good, even 17 years laters. Rewrite each sentence so that it is clear and correct. Heather Vlieg A young lady dressed in bell-bottoms, love beads and a peace symbol came up to me as the elderly woman walked away. This is due mainly to the Watergate Scandal: nixon S administration found corrupt He said he could not and would not shake my son's hand because of the killing my son was involved in. The group of antiwar protesters who many believe had come to the Democratic National Convention to provoke violence and chaos were called the ________________. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. What is the answer punchline algebra 15.1 why dose a chicken coop have only two doors? In response to Westmorelands requests for more forces, the American presence in Vietnam grew to well over 500,000 troops. What factors led to a decline in the morale of many US soldiers? All that can be said is that I'm referring to the "heroes' welcome" given to the hostages held in Iran. It does not store any personal data. After serving in Vietnam from June '66 to June '67, I returned to the States to a wonderful reception. Ngo Dinh Diem, he thinks the communists will win. I started after him, but I lost him in the airport crowd. 40 0 obj "It was a time when America itself was in turmoil," he said. <>0]/P 17 0 R/Pg 50 0 R/S/Link>> Vietnam and anything associated with the Vietnam War was not popular. 12. 41 0 obj Nothing. The stories were usually very specific. All the countless others that left chunks of their young and healthy bodies behind returned not as heroes but to a complete lack of appreciation. 1. He earned 38 military decorations during his career, and has been called the most decorated U.S. soldier of the Vietnam War. What was the homecoming like for Vietnam Veterans? Clemons, a pastor at the Lane Memorial CME Church in Jackson, received a commemorative pin and a "thank you," from U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg in a Memorial Day ceremony at South Jackson Community Church. Most veterans moved a piano for over a year (and much worse) and the door was closed on all of us. The curation of this content is at the discretion of the author, and not necessarily reflective of the views of Encyclopaedia Britannica or its editorial staff. We didn`t want to be there, but we felt stronger about going to Prison for draft dodging, than we did for defending our Flag & Country. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, consult individual encyclopedia entries about the topics. Most returning veterans were 18 to 22 years old. Thirty three veterans gave interviews on various topics relating to Vietnam including: basic training, the trip to Vietnam, being in the field, helicopter and aircraft stories, support groups, the Vietnamese, and their general thoughts on the war and the country. ^8 When I entered the bar, I found several waitresses wiping ahstrays, and a bartender wxplaining to 200 Vietnam veterans that the loung had closed five minutes earlier, and she was really sorry, but no, they couldn't serve us coffee, either. I have heard about the spitting stories. Most plants need sunlight in order to grow however there are a few kinds of plants, such as mushrooms, that can grow without any light at all. I have a ture story that involves a "hippie.". 20 0 obj endobj FSM: free speech movement It would be difficult to imagine a more powerful phrase than that one, and to analyze it too deeply is not appropriate; Mr. Leary has said it as well as it can be said. An airport security guard saw this and came over to help me. With that they both started calling me names -- Baby Killer and Fascist Dog, among others -- before the girl spat at me as her friend shoved me. Americans were torn and bitter about the war and didn't not honor returning soldiers, President must notify congress within 48 hours of committing troops-put in place to curb the presidents war making power, Mainly due to its unpopularity & controversial. As the plane took off, the cheering and tears exploded with the feeling of being off the ground. For years I had been hearing stories that when American troops returned home from Vietnam, they were spat upon by anti-war protesters. I declined to comment. 3 0 obj stream We returned to political turmoil, peace marches, anti-war and anti-veteran activities and one giant lack of appreciation. It never occurred to me to do anything else. <> I also kept quiet because the war was not a welcome topic outside the walls of veterans clubs. How did the Geneva Accords change Vietnam? No. - destroyed notion of traditional home front. <> <>11]/P 24 0 R/Pg 50 0 R/S/Link>> Purpose was to remove Vietnamese and VC supply centers from Cambodia-many Americans see escalation of war & become angry, First Student strike in US history occurs, Purpose to protest the invasion of Cambodia. His seminal role is reflected in the fact that Vietnams largest city is named for him. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Thanks to him, his chemical companies, and "Operation Ranchhand," you might say we were spat upon and didn't even know it. -jungle terrain, snakes To prevent Communism from spreading. The whole purpose of the cold war was to avoid an atomic warVietnam was a fuse that could have led to an atomic explosiona fuse that world leaders wanted to ensure didn't detonate. endobj I entered civilian life with no problems and continued withy my life. I was repeatedly asked how I could live with myself after killing all those innocent people. Rather than being greeted with anger and hostility, however, most Vietnam veterans received very little reaction when they returned home. One fellow was leaning against the wall, the other half-kneeling, half-sitting on the floor. <> We were the visible manifestation of the unpopular war. endobj 64 0 obj Judge Newman issued a withering rebuke of Murdaugh in Friday's sentencing. I wish some attention would be paid to the humor, compassion and heroism exemplified by our men in Vietnam. Veterans views of the antiwar movement Many Vietnam veterans blamed the antiwar movement for the chilly reception they got upon returning to the United States. I was there two times, 24 months in all, Marine Corps pilot; when I returned each time I returned to a supportive group of friends and family. All Rights Reserved, VIETNAM VETS RECALL THEIR HOMECOMINGS -- OFTEN PAINFULLY, Bidens not in a rush to announce hes running for reelection, The 2023 Utah Legislature has wrapped. WebWhy were Vietnam veterans treated so badly when they came home? But many returning vets needed more help, and if the country woul dhave opeend its hearts to us, like it did to the Iran hostages, then the pain would have been easier to bear. this may not seem so bad, but when you are a wide-eyed 20-year-old who is soon to learn that he was lied to by his country and made fun of by a lot of people who would never serve in any way, it hurts. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Let. It is even harder to think about good Americans who gave the ultimate sacrifice -- they died for their country. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Virtually no one sent a letter with a simple confir,mation or denial of being spat upon; the letters were long, sometimes rambling, invariably gripping essays on what it felt like to come back home after that war. Robert Kennedy was assassinated by a Palestinian immigrant who said he was angered by Kennedy's support of ___________. when the task is complete the neighbor goes in his house wihtout a wrod and closes the door. In retrospect, putting aside the issue of the rightness or wrongness of the war or how it was handled, all I know is that when my country asked me for help, I answered the call and to this day, in spite of everything, I'm proud of that. endobj What did Operation Rolling Thunder do in North Vietnam? I coul dhave dwealt with being spit on by a hippie. During this time my oldest son, still on active duty today in Germany with the U.S. Army, did his tour at Long Binh about seven miles from Bien Hoa. endobj He was tall and lean, with deep-set brown eyes and a receding hairline. There were no victory parades or welcome-home rallies. What is the labour of cable stayed bridges? Nearly 40 years after the war, American vets who live in Vietnam are working to foster reconciliation between the two countries, while other former US soldiers are The United States committed some 550,000 troops to the Vietnam front at the height of the conflict, suffered more than 58,000 casualties, and engaged in battle after battle with communist forces in the region until its withdrawal in 1973. The questions and answers in this list are taken from the Top Questions sections of the articles on the Vietnam War, Ho Chi Minh, Ngo Dinh Diem, William Westmoreland, Richard Nixon, and Agent Orange. We were told that we were materialistic asses because we wanted a nice home for ourselves and our children. If they were myth, we should know that, too. Cold deserts can be bitterly cold in winter and may receive V;.;Tqs?__D`ngP/S:LG-Jf}Xl\d#?r=H+J(CP\BQhG? I have never told a soul what I tell you here but it is true and I will swear on it. uuid:180705bb-b618-11b2-0a00-c02f5b020000 Political turbulence there and two alleged North Vietnamese attacks on U.S. naval vessels spurred Johnson to demand the passage of the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution in 1964.