Was I spit on at the airport? Understanding The Homecoming Experience of Vietnam Veterans. From every section and corner of the country, well over a thousand people took the time to sit down, put their thoughts on paper, and tell me what happened when they returne dto the United States from Vietnam. We returned to political turmoil, peace marches, anti-war and anti-veteran activities and one giant lack of appreciation. the Puerto Rican Rambo and Sergeant Rock, is a former United States Army soldier. endobj WebWhy were Vietnam veterans treated so badly when they came home? Two young guys -- complete with beards, long hair, John Lennon glasses and garbed in the appropriate apparel that the times dictated -- came into sight. 6 0 obj endobj He went up to the garage and read the banner. To Those Who Died -- Thank You. 2. My Vietnam tour was from June 1968 to May 1969. Those who argue that the United States opponents won the war cite the United States overall objectives and outcomes. 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. I returned in September 1969 and was in Atlanta, Ga. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. I cried, it felt so good, even 17 years laters. To see people step forward with a picture of their dead son or brother to see disabled veterans step out to shake hands .. for all of us to wipe a little spit off our hearts. 2. 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. Why did Vietnam veterans recive a cold homecoming? No. 3 0 obj I was wearing my dress blue uniform with my Vietnam service ribbons, and I was carrying my sea bag over one shoulder. Even during the msot fervent days of anti-war protest, it seemed that it was not the soldiers whom protesters were maligning. 12. then include cold deserts). 1. 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. Who controlled the House of Representatives in 1982? Then I remember walking by myself through the San Francisco airport to complete indifference. For Vietnam veterans, this is a day when they finally receive the recognition and respect that was missing so many years ago. Webhow Vietnam veterans were treated upon their return home, several did detailed that experience, reporting disturbing opinions regarding the activities of the anti-war If the subject is understood, write it in parentheses before the sentence. <>stream Veterans views of the antiwar movement. <> I declined to comment. No. That was the message. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Why did Vietnam veterans receive cold homecoming The media, college professors, students, authors, movie makers, etc., were all telling us that our values were pure manure. I have heard about the spitting stories. These women did not spit on us, nor did they inquire as to how many people we killed. 38 0 obj <> I was repeatedly asked how I could live with myself after killing all those innocent people. But the homecoming was very different for most Vietnam veterans. At that relatively young age it is almost impossible to express having your feelings hurt an dhurt deeply, especially after trying to prove your "manhood" in Vietnam. I apologize for taking so long to send this letter. In my opinion, most veterans were not even sure what they felt at the time. What's sad is that when the smoke cleared and most of us were lucky enough to come home, our calls for help remained unanswered. My Lai Massacre: makes some Americans view US military as 'baby killers', Chapter 23 Section 2 Guided Reading Women Fig, Chapter 32 Section 2 Guided Reading - Waterga, Watergate: Nixon's Downfall Guided Reading, Eric Hinderaker, James A. Henretta, Rebecca Edwards, Robert O. Self, John Lund, Paul S. Vickery, P. Scott Corbett, Todd Pfannestiel, Volker Janssen. Richard Nixon won support during the presidential race by vowing to restore ______________ to the country. My initial thought was, wow, "real people." This was partly due to the logistics of the never-ending conflict. 4 0 obj The U.S. Constitution grants Congress sole authority to issue declarations of war. I had many occasions to visit East Berling, always in uniform, where I came in contact with epople of the Oriental race who were obviously from Vietnam. I could give you many such stories that would counterbalance the classic image of "Apocalypse Now," "Platoon" and "Full Metal Jacket." %PDF-1.7 % We were working hard trying to raise our children and teach them what we considered the real values of life. My husband and I love to read. Congress does this to take away some of the Presidents abroad powera, Purpose to force a negotiated peace settlement-north Vietnamese. During that time I experienced two spitting incidents. Why Did Vietnam Veterans Receive A Cold Homecoming? 0 War is immoral, this was isn't our concern, and war was draining our economy. I was not met by any spitting "hippies.". The veterans of the Korean War received a warm homecoming. Most returning veterans were 18 to 22 years old. How did the Geneva Accords change Vietnam? WebDuring the late 1980s and early 1990s, years after the Vietnam War ended, the proliferation of these spitting stories increased greatly. Who is Jason crabb mother and where is she? Cold deserts can be bitterly cold in winter and may receive Vietnam becomes divided along the 17th parallel. 19 0 obj The response was astonishing. WebStudy with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like Henry Kissinger, Ho Chi Minh, John F. Kennedy and more. 50 0 obj You see, most of us still want to put the war behind us. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Neighbouring Laos and Cambodia similarly fell to communists. endobj 80% of soldiers were from lower economic levels and college was a way out only those with $ could afford college. Vietnam was temporarily divided along the 17th parallel into North and South and a future election would be held to unify the country. %PDF-1.5 This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Why did Vietnam veterans receive a cold homecoming? It occurred to me that one of them resembled my best friend back home. I kept walking, to the tune of "baby killer, baby killer.". The stories were usually very specific. These and other incidents made me question, to this day, why I went. In what sense was the Vietnam war a "working class" war? In what ways did they show their opposition to the war? <>2]/P 6 0 R/Pg 50 0 R/S/Link>> In April 1968, the students at ____________ held a massive protest over the school's community policies. It came many years late, but dozens of Vietnam veterans gathered in Anaheim on March 29 to receive the homecoming they felt they had been denied when they returned home from war decades ago. on average. It was the first week in June. Identify the following term or individuals and explain their significance. HW%HY&YXh-G5\9U)8ulr.\LoZ?\ry{[pMI;%bIfRl>TFh= The first time I was in transmit from my ship to a temporary duty station. Is the singer Avant and R Kelly brothers? It does not store any personal data. It took us 10 years to be able to start to read again about that period, and to be able to discuss it. How did Ho Chi Minh respond to the return of the French? Furthermore, domestic unrest and the financial cost of war made peaceand troop withdrawalsa necessity, not a choice. 41 0 obj 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. For me it's been 16 years, and it's a shame that ridiculous movies like "First Blood" and "Apocalypse Now" had to be made before anyone cared enough to ask questions about us and our experiences. I started after him, but I lost him in the airport crowd. . <>>> At no time have I eve rheard him state that he had been spit on. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. WebWhy did South Vietnam surrender to North Vietnam? This herbicide mix was deployed in urban, agricultural, and forested areas in Vietnam to expose the enemy and destroy crops. What were some of the reasons that "doves" opposed the war? endobj when I returned from Nam I was an emotional wreck, but I kept it all to myself so my family and friends thought I was OK and acted like I had never left. Why did Vietnam veterans receive a cold homecoming? For years I had been hearing stories that when American troops returned home from Vietnam, they were spat upon by anti-war protesters. 17+ Astounding Vietnam Vet Facts Be Surprised In recent years, as we all know, there has been an undeniable shift in the public's attitude toward the men who fought the Vietnam War. 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.". To end US involvement in Vietnam; replace troops with South Vietnamese troops which establishes "peace with honor". As I walked through the terminal, I noticed several long-haired people but thought nothing of it until I was approached by a young couple who stoped me and asked if I were returning from Nam. I finally realized that I fought for my country and for my own beliefs. <> considerable snow. They went to college to get college deferment, got doctors excuses from service, and coast guard jobs. 2023-01-20T17:35:10-08:00 We were told that drugs were fine -- they didn't do anyone or society any harm. No. What prompted the war between the Vietminh and the French? 44 0 obj Needless to say, my son doesn't venture to church very often, even after all these years and different ministers. 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. Striking her would have been playing right into their hands, since I saw one of the group had a tape recorder and a camera ready to record my reaction. 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. 4 When did American troops return home from Vietnam? Did 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. endobj Graham was twenty-five, just months out of the army and back from Vietnam. endobj The Vietnam War lasted from 1964-1973the Congress does this to take away some of the Presidents abroad powera, Purpose to force a negotiated peace settlement-north Vietnamese, South Vietnamese surrenders to North Veitnam, NV full scale invasion of SV and the capture of Saigon-there were no US troops there when the NV won, Vietnam veterans receive a cold homecoming, 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, Many Americans lose faith in their government, This is due mainly to the Watergate Scandal: nixon S administration found corrupt 64 0 obj Agent Orange is a mixture of herbicides used during theVietnam Warby the U.S. military to defoliate forests and clear other vegetation. I have never told a soul what I tell you here but it is true and I will swear on it. endobj Considering the source, I passed it off. Who canceled the Vietnamese elections? We weren't spat upon by one person, but by the entire country. Those who argue that the United States won the war point to the fact that the U.S. defeated communist forces during most of Vietnams major battles. This was the war that set the media war dogs Each sentence contains an error in the use of modifiers. He reflected Monday on the cold homecoming many Vietnam servicemen experienced upon returning. The U.S. military reported 58,220 American casualties. A Vietnam vet could take being spat on by one person. <> It lasted from 1954 to 1975. 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. In the 1960s my husband and I were in our 20s and raising three little boys. During my military career I received nothing but respect from all the civilians I came in contact with. I believe that most of us were well received, although we probably felt unfomfortable adjusting, some having guilty about surviving while many of their compatriots didn't make it. He earned 38 military decorations during his career, and has been called the most decorated U.S. soldier of the Vietnam War. For the thousand-plus people who wrote to me, there was probably a measure of cahtarsis just in the act of writing. And the dozen or so Vietnam veterans I've talked to (I can't talk to World War II vets) all told similar stories. WebHomecoming by Dennis J. Stauffer I left Vietnam nearly 14 years ago and tried to put that phase of my life behind. one woman was standing alone and clapping her hands and sayig "Welcome home." As they were smiling and seemed friendly, I said yes. Richard Nixon, arguably, tried to prolong the Vietnam War during the 1968 presidential campaign in an effort to win the presidency. Vietnam Congress repeals the Tonkin Gulf Resolution. How long can a foreign object stay in your ear? 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. South Vietnam surrenders to North Vietnam. 3 0 obj<>stream 20. Vietnam veteran What is the reflection of the story of princess urduja? The U.S. military has estimated that between 200,000 and 250,000 South Vietnamese soldiers died. May I share my homecoming experience with you? After all, most protesters had not been to Vietnam. WebThe Vietnam Veterans Memorial was completely funded by veterans, individuals, corporations and other organizations. But I know, there were not many veterans who didn't envy the hostages and feel despair about their own "return.". endobj Each stated how happy they were that we were able to come home safely. what were the terms of the Geneva Accords? Personally, my famiy and friends telling me that it was good to have me home again was all the welcome home I ever needed. L'5ffO:NgrrQ 7$5[6'y"}K2.`F$h*,au(1 _U{.k.n"PpuB8v4-7 Mq#3h##0T-{9+=8y6j,8Q&7uQlk]ie/S2$m^HE9J6q 46 0 obj It was the fall of 1970 and I was in Sacramento, Calif., bus station. They felt Johnson should escalate war more quickly. The couple just walked away and melted into the crowd. Jackson Cit Pat: Vietnam veteran remembers cold homecoming, savors appreciation ceremony | Congressman Tim Walberg <> It seemed to me that if the spitting-on-soldiers stories were true, we should know it. `GY }*wYZ. Why did Vietnam veterans endobj Yes, we were spat upon by an older gentleman in a red, white and blue outfit who answers to the name of "Uncle Sam." 2023-01-20T17:35:10-08:00 5 0 obj I don't mean to make it sound melodramatic, but I've never forgotten it. In early February 1972, I was in the honolulu airport -- in uniform -- with 200-plus other GIs who were returning to the world We were in Hawaii for a refueling; it was our first step on American soil, and it was very late at night. WebHomecoming: When the Soldiers Returned From Vietnam is a book of selected correspondence published in 1989. DiH"nE#y04tJ4j:$;S{NipK[td. I was in the U.S. Navy from 1967 until 1971. endobj 1. It lasted from 1954 to 1975. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. It blew me away. Is it OK for a 13 year old to shave their legs? I would like to get my 2 cents' worth in. Told to report back to the plane in an hour, the vast majority of us headed immediately for a cold one in the airport lounge. In each of the following sentences, underline the simple subject once and the verb twice. Draw three lines under each lowercase letter that should be capitalized and a single slash (B/ ) through any capital letters that should be lowercase. What did Operation Rolling Thunder do in North Vietnam? Vietnam veterans receive a cold homecoming. After hasty attempts of Vietnamizationthe process of training and arming South Vietnamese troops for fighting alone after U.S. forces would pull outall U.S. troops were evacuated by March 29, 1973. 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. WebWhy they received a cold homecoming is because the us government turned its back on them and refused to take responsibility. They mainly noticed that ursa major is the scientific name for the big dipper. I served by tour of duty at Bien Hoa Air Base. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The protesters couldnt confront Johnson or Nixon <>11]/P 24 0 R/Pg 50 0 R/S/Link>> They stopped to question me about my feelings about the war. What Vietnam veterans received a Cold homecoming? We read everything we can get our hands on, but for the 10 years after the Vietnam War we read nothing about the war. I felt so good to be marching with thousands of Marines who were bursting with pride singing the Marine Corps Hymn. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. For each of the following sentences, choose the correct word or words in parentheses. Instead I can happily state that I was responsible for helping to save the lives of several of our aircrew members whenever their planes came in disabled. What did It is even harder to think about good Americans who gave the ultimate sacrifice -- they died for their country. Thanks to him, his chemical companies, and "Operation Ranchhand," you might say we were spat upon and didn't even know it. - tunnels made by vietcong that allowed them to stand air strikes Another topic covered wasBack in the World. The following The heated arguments within the United States over military involvement in Vietnam kept most people from welcoming the veterans or I remember looking down at the scarred landscape, waiting until we got enough altitude to be completely safe. <>/ExtGState<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> &;&BE"7;2wk{z X1}&Ds(=6m7WH\cVaadQdr4c{SB;&F54zF~-t~z2g.?/ 8`}a~XV@s. Both have low precipitation and high evaporation rates. How do you convert bonds to common stock? An airport security guard saw this and came over to help me. As the plane took off, the cheering and tears exploded with the feeling of being off the ground. I'm sure they hoped I would react violently. War was no longer just for soldiers -- it was there in color and all its horrors every day on the TV with our children asking over an dover, why were our soldiers doing that? 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. 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 <> endobj While waiting for a bus home there, an elderly woman came up to me, looked me square in the face, and called me a hired killer. No, I was never spat upon by a civilian, I was just ignored by a country that didn't care. The banner said "Vietnam -- 10 years -- We Remember. How did most Americans react to President Johnson's decision to commit troops to the war in Vietnam? Congress authorized troop deployment in Vietnam, but, because it did not issue a declaration of war on North Vietnam or the Viet Cong, the Vietnam War is, technically speaking, not considered a war in the United States. SHARE VIETNAM VETS RECALL THEIR HOMECOMINGS -- OFTEN PAINFULLY Email Flipboard For years I had been hearing stories that when American troops returned Vietnam War (Chapter 22, Section 5) Flashcards | Quizlet What does it mean when you wear a bandana in your back pocket? <>15]/P 25 0 R/Pg 50 0 R/S/Link>> These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Diems heavy-handed tactics against the Viet Cong insurgency deepened his governments unpopularity, and his brutal treatment of the opposition to his regime alienated the South Vietnamese populace, notably Buddhists. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. application/pdf stream Why did Vietnam veterans receive a cold homecoming? - Answers endobj A young lady dressed in bell-bottoms, love beads and a peace symbol came up to me as the elderly woman walked away. %PDF-1.4 3 0 obj <>31]/P 28 0 R/Pg 50 0 R/S/Link>> Analyze why Vietnam veterans received a cold homecoming? These are the stories -- some shocking, many disturbing, some loving -- that I have compiled in "Homecoming.". Why did society hate the Vietnam veterans in the seventies? Appligent AppendPDF Pro 6.3 Quizlet On board the plane, I noted several other Vietnam vets in uniform. I started crying and said, "I'm sorry it's 10 years late. I took it. <>17]/P 25 0 R/Pg 50 0 R/S/Link>> endobj Were my parents able to tell people without accusations that their son had just returned from three years in Vietnam? 2023-01-20T17:35:10-08:00 Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. He reflected Monday on the cold homecoming many Vietnam servicemen experienced upon returning. xXKsHWLq2U=XBx$A'@6G#YJru\=z4,oM1zxaaQFdS_ qeoGIjO` 1}#B `|4yAr4~~G>q6G!r=LS[Q5gsq|^u(DGIh|>6kK8 NO}HgipK, Were They Spat On? Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. In the wake of the Vietnam War, Cambodia fell to the brutal Communist regime known as the______________, 6. SDS: Students for a democratic society It has been my experience that people who come up with statements such as this are the same type who walk around with a chip on their shoulders just begging for trouble. What was the homecoming like for Vietnam Veterans? What is the answer punchline algebra 15.1 why dose a chicken coop have only two doors? nb:.V}PU(*)Pv}PhI![?cvR{hF{.i`7[_l`?,=`{d+Ugtgka| This is due mainly to the Watergate Scandal: nixon S administration found corrupt Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. I came home from Southeast Asia on Aug. 19, 1971. @p+B72H4FT~ q4=;Cb3L%^DzY*IUh^Brv3W}r$.| ^ vDJfp=q#_N 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? This was partly due to the logistics of the never-ending conflict. 7. VIETNAM VETS RECALL THEIR HOMECOMINGS -- OFTEN They aimed at my feet. 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. But did that make sense? Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. <>/MediaBox[0 0 612 792]/Parent 9 0 R/Resources<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageC]/XObject<>>>/StructParents 0/Tabs/S/Type/Page>> WebHomecoming by Dennis J. Stauffer I left Vietnam nearly 14 years ago and tried to put that phase of my life behind. WebWhy did Vietnam veterans receive cold homecoming? I`ve always felt that disrespecting To Those Who Returned -- Welcome Home.". They believed that it was not fair for antiwar protesters to question their actions during the war. They weren't really protesting much of anything. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Its genesis was a controversial newspaper column of More generally, they receive little "precipitation" (this can I guess guys who lose a war get pretty unpopular. Instead, most Vietnam veterans returned to a society that did not seem to care about them, or that seemed to view them with distrust and anger. Then a few years later came the biggest insult to all Vietnam vets. <>3]/P 6 0 R/Pg 50 0 R/S/Link>> endobj 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 Explain the significance of the following key terms The Silent Majority and the Pentagon Papers. Most veterans moved a piano for over a year (and much worse) and the door was closed on all of us. But I also did nothing to shame myself or my country. 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. uuid:180705bb-b618-11b2-0a00-907dfefefc7f Most of them look like the hippies that were supposedly doing all the spitting back in the '60s. In the following sentences add semicolons, add colons, or change commas to semicolons or colons where needed. ;&~em)UQvyX#P( But I could never forget her face and those few kind words. I've never even heard a harsh word cast in my direction, let alone a spit! 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.