Old and new Military Veterans

[muleman69]

Hang in there Marine, We did what was ask from us for our country. May the bed wetters get theres one day. USMC NAM

 

[bsekf]

I was one of the last married guys to get drafted in 62. I was lucky, spent time at the Presidio and then France. My wife was with me in France. Wouldn't do it again for a million dollars, but wouldn't take a million for the experience. Both our sons took advantage of the Army college fund.

I believe we have done our youth a huge disservice by cutting out the draft. I am disgusted at what I see in the schools, college included, and on the news. Our youth and most adults have no idea of the bravery of our kids in combat, past and present. They don't understand "all gave some and some gave all".

 

[Old Tanker]

Throughout history veterans have had a difficult time returning to civilian life. We always see a population that is not quite like what we think it should be. Returning from Vietnam my brother was spit at and ridiculed. My cousin’s family cat was found hanging in the front door for his kids to see. I am a cold war relic and few even know anything about patrolling the Berlin Wall, 130 miles East of the Iron Curtain, or why we did it. Just understand that all of us are in the same boat and are willing to listen, so keep reaching out. Take some time to read the “Liberation Trillogy” about WW2. You will see that even the greatest generation endured some real crap. One example is German Officer, POWs were allowed to dine in the Ft. Bliss Officers Club, while African American, U. S. Officers were asked to dine on cold cuts, outside. It is a brotherhood and we’re here to listen.

 

[INTJ]

Please forgive me if this is out of line or in the wrong place. I have a wife that followed me around and supported me through 7 combat tours, over 6 full years of combat. I don't know how she sat home and just wondered day do day if we were gonna live to come home. The pain from those tours is just starting to take hold about a year after retirement. Time to reflect and look at my daughter, my mind scrambling for thought while I watch her play. She's only 6 years old but somehow remembers me coming home, she lived through 2 combat tours herself. She asks if my Marines are ok as in present tense with that innocent voice and ice blue ice with true genuine concern almost as if she's reading my mind. My wife.....my wife is hard as nails, she has endured pain I cannot fathom. She was the one back home with the young wives doing her best to put on the happy face and tell the most heart felt lie she could muster to keep her from breaking completely down. Any Veteran that served understands this. I lie awake at night asking myself this question. Was it all worth it. Look at where the country is headed. All the lazy no good worthless Americans on welfare taking advantage of the system. A Government that cant make a decision about War or even get a plan together due to our Nations Greatest War Generals ideas being put on the back burner while the president does things his own way. Mediocracy is accepted and celebrated. Maybe I have a stick up my butt and am just venting.

But lately I do look around and the way things are going and think to myself....this is what I fought for. The honor and pride of fighting for my country and doing my part to come home wounded to a VA Hospital that treats you like your intruding on T TIME at the links later. This isn't a constant battle just sometimes I see things that set me off and make me ask myself what the hell was it all for. I apologize if I've overstepped my bounds I just thought maybe brother on here had a more eloquent way of putting things into words.


Very Respectfully

My combat time was nothing like yours. I served a total of about a year in deployed in Air Operations Centers scheduling USAF airlift. I was that crusty old major who spared no effort to get the ground troops in combat what they needed. Guys like you were who I worried about and supported.

I understand 1000% how you feel about the current state of our military and nation. Many of the best Generals were purged and replaced by progressive loyalists hell bent on implementing woke theology regardless of the impact on military effectiveness. Add to that how our national leaders are doubling down on stupid, and it seems like the nation we served no longer exists.

That said, I--like many here--have lived long enough to know these things run in cycles and people who value what we value are now very aware of what is going on. Things will get better for the USA very soon.

As for any issues unique to combat vets, @Jet is an outstanding resource.

 

[JASmith]

Glad you made it through!

I feel for your experience! I am reasonably sure that improved transport meant your OPS tempo was a lot higher than it was even for most of us the ‘Nam.

 

[AccelR8]

If you have a spouse that is understanding and compassionate, that's more than half the battle right there.
Not all of us have that.

Posting for a friend

 

[Willie]

Please forgive me if this is out of line or in the wrong place. I have a wife that followed me around and supported me through 7 combat tours, over 6 full years of combat. I don't know how she sat home and just wondered day do day if we were gonna live to come home. The pain from those tours is just starting to take hold about a year after retirement. Time to reflect and look at my daughter, my mind scrambling for thought while I watch her play. She's only 6 years old but somehow remembers me coming home, she lived through 2 combat tours herself. She asks if my Marines are ok as in present tense with that innocent voice and ice blue ice with true genuine concern almost as if she's reading my mind. My wife.....my wife is hard as nails, she has endured pain I cannot fathom. She was the one back home with the young wives doing her best to put on the happy face and tell the most heart felt lie she could muster to keep her from breaking completely down. Any Veteran that served understands this. I lie awake at night asking myself this question. Was it all worth it. Look at where the country is headed. All the lazy no good worthless Americans on welfare taking advantage of the system. A Government that cant make a decision about War or even get a plan together due to our Nations Greatest War Generals ideas being put on the back burner while the president does things his own way. Mediocracy is accepted and celebrated. Maybe I have a stick up my butt and am just venting.

But lately I do look around and the way things are going and think to myself....this is what I fought for. The honor and pride of fighting for my country and doing my part to come home wounded to a VA Hospital that treats you like your intruding on T TIME at the links later. This isn't a constant battle just sometimes I see things that set me off and make me ask myself what the hell was it all for. I apologize if I've overstepped my bounds I just thought maybe brother on here had a more eloquent way of putting things into words.


Very Respectfully

It is hurtful to watch what our country is quickly turning to. Veterans especially don't like what they are seeing, after serving to keep this country secure. My blood boils at the things going on currently, after the progress we were seeing.

The lucky ones make it home, but even those never really leave the battles they fought. The longer they're in combat, the longer it takes to gain control again. The VA and Military hospitals can handle the physical wounds, but have little success with the mental
torment of battle.

This country is full of combat veterans trying to deal with wars past. God bless them all!

RVN 1968-70

 

[GerryM]

Thank you for your service and for going into harms way to protect us from those super bad guys.
I served 3 years and most of it in germany . Nam was going on along with the cold war and bay of pigs.
we all did our duty but you are very very special serving in harms way God bless you and your wife for bearing the high cost of war thank you again from the bottom of my heart

 

[dbaird]

Please forgive me if this is out of line or in the wrong place. I have a wife that followed me around and supported me through 7 combat tours, over 6 full years of combat. I don't know how she sat home and just wondered day do day if we were gonna live to come home. The pain from those tours is just starting to take hold about a year after retirement. Time to reflect and look at my daughter, my mind scrambling for thought while I watch her play. She's only 6 years old but somehow remembers me coming home, she lived through 2 combat tours herself. She asks if my Marines are ok as in present tense with that innocent voice and ice blue ice with true genuine concern almost as if she's reading my mind. My wife.....my wife is hard as nails, she has endured pain I cannot fathom. She was the one back home with the young wives doing her best to put on the happy face and tell the most heart felt lie she could muster to keep her from breaking completely down. Any Veteran that served understands this. I lie awake at night asking myself this question. Was it all worth it. Look at where the country is headed. All the lazy no good worthless Americans on welfare taking advantage of the system. A Government that cant make a decision about War or even get a plan together due to our Nations Greatest War Generals ideas being put on the back burner while the president does things his own way. Mediocracy is accepted and celebrated. Maybe I have a stick up my butt and am just venting.

But lately I do look around and the way things are going and think to myself....this is what I fought for. The honor and pride of fighting for my country and doing my part to come home wounded to a VA Hospital that treats you like your intruding on T TIME at the links later. This isn't a constant battle just sometimes I see things that set me off and make me ask myself what the hell was it all for. I apologize if I've overstepped my bounds I just thought maybe brother on here had a more eloquent way of putting things into words.


Very Respectfully

I also am a vet.Bless you brother-just keep hanging on. Our country is in a mess BUT what would it be without the dedication and sacrifice of vets? Could be a lot worse. If we could get rid of those liberals in the White House maybe we could get this (once) great nation back on track. Love all you vets. Thank you

 

[outasite`08]

Don't dwell on the things you can't control, put your time and energy into those you can. Start from within and work outward to the degree you are able.

Eliminate national news reports. Don't worry, if anything important is happening you will find out about it anyway. If you feed on it, it will work against you and make you miserable. Politicians come and go, your family is for life.

RKS ,that is good advice for anyone. As most Vets here have expressed their ways to cope,your addition serves us all. OIF/OEF can take this to the bank. Family and prayer goes a long way.I never saw combat between 1971 and 1991. Lucky! But just being away from family sometimes makes you feel all alone. I prayer for this young man and all Vets. And lately for our country,more then ever. Jeff