Gung-ho, until You KILL

[redneck13]

Ain't doubting what you say, but I was never asked anything. Only spit on, called a "baby killer", "murderer", "war-lover"......It wasn't until later in my life was I ever asked, (it wasn't by some civilian, but by professional's trying to help me) how many?, how often?, did you see any "bloodshed", or other traumatic events.....I'm sorry this happened to you....Keep the Faith, SF

[montana]

funny....nobody wanted to hear diddly bout any of it....now every one want in on it...was asked just this spring if the civilians could give me a welcome home. told them thanks but your 36 years to late and i dont want nothin from you... thanks wind...i was one that killed quite a few....but because of spelling and lack of ability to say what i think-feel...ill leave it up to you who are better at it

mine was not to reason why...mine was to do or die...sempers

[redneck13]

Montanna? I'm lucky, I got two welcome home celebration's, so to speak...Once, when I was with a group called the "LAST PATROL" out of Milford Tx. We gathered by the 100's, even had S. Vietnamese Plt., who marched with us. From the River Bottom just below the Big Golf Ball Resturant, you might have seen on the boob tube.....We stayed the night with a camp fire burning, "big", which was for a "light" to guide the POW/MIA home. We sang, drank, toasted a few, had some good chow. Then the next morning we marched downtown Dallas going to this Park, where the New Vietnam Veteran's Memorial was being Dedicated like a grand opening, By GB Sr. During the March people started coming out of nowhere, and started clapping, yelling, "YEAH", and "THANK YOU." It still sends chills up my spine.
Then, being part Native American, at Pow-Wow's, there's always during the ceremonies, the Veteran Dance.....People found out I was a "NAM" Vet, and they surrounded me, and it made me cry. So many "welcome home", "thank you's", so.....just my suggestion for you, take them up on it....Even if it's all these yr's later? It's their way of making up for other's mistakes, and degrading feelings at the time when you came back. You'll feel very special believe me. I hope you would re-consider, and expect a lot of emotions to fly. God Bless you my friend, and from me to you....."ONE BIG WELCOME HOME BROTHER", keep on keeping on, K? And one "BIG SEMPER-FI" to you. I'll toast with you anytime. If you ever want to just talk?, you can e-mail pbail57@aol.com any dat blame time you want. If we don't help each other, nobody else will, you can bet on that. "HOLD YOUR HEAD HIGH"....

[Camper51]

The only people who never forgot their warriors, and ALWAYS welcomed them home with ceremony, were the Native Americans. I am thankful to my ancestors even though I only have a little Arapahoe or Ute blood. EVERY Powow that I have ever attended has given thanks to all warriors, especially to those who were so scorned from the Vietnam era. Never have I been so proud to have worn the Marine uniform as when I wear my Marine Corps utility cover or a Marine hat to one of these events and anyone who was a warrior acknowledges me and acknowledges anyone else who was a warrior that they see.

[FistFu68]

THE QUESTION WAS ASKED! THE RESPONCE THEY GOT WASN'T WHAT THEY WERE EXPECTING! WHEN I LEFT THEM THEY WERE EATING,HUMBLE PIE.SILENCE IS GOLDEN!I'M NOT THE BIGGEST MAN IN THE WORLD

[redneck13]

[COLOR="DarkGreen"] I'm getting ready to leave next week for a place up north to a place where every Memorial Day week-end there'll be 300-500 people, it's called Teoshapay, or correct Lakota spelling, Tiyospaye, "TEE-OOSH-A-PAY"....which mean's, "A GATHERING OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS." I missed it last year....They even consider me an "Elder" and when we have the Veteran dance, it's so special. I help this dear, dear friend, who's 79 with 30% of his heart working, do a lil' dance. Then we go to the prayer wheel. Smudge, then enter, pass the pipe, and send our prayer's to Heaven to the Grandfather.
This is a peace I wish every Veteran could experience...and you don't have to have one once of Native Blood, as today the Native American's, enjoy our helping them. I'm part Cherokee-Shawnee, and there's never a harsh word, fights, because everybody is there to enjoy each other. It's too bad the White Man didn't learn more from our brother's Native American's. It's like the Marine Corps Windtalker's, mostly Navajo I believe, what an honor they should receive each yr. Memorial day......I pray and wish all Vet's but especially "War" Vet's, Marines, will find their way thru the maze of their emotions, and come out, and face some of the demon's, and find peace......Thanks Camper, and SF to you my Native Brother, Marine Brother, and let all our younger Warrior's, take heed to what we can provide them here on this wonderful site, and maybe we can help them some. God be with you./COLOR]

[redneck13]

I know where you're coming from, I too was raised where I had not better not take any crap from anyone.....This situation was different.....We had to get a police escort just to get thru that bunch of no count Sumbeeches!!! It weren't my choice.....I was ready to put somethin' on 'em they couldn't wash off, if ya know what I mean.....But, I wanted to just get the hell out of there, and I still have the memory of one of them, faces, who spat at us, on us, so if that person ever came into my view again, things might just be a bit different, if a Marine hasn't already set that person straight. This is what can be expected by some who are protestor's to our troops. They will have the memories, flashing of the one they fell, or more than one, and they did it because their country asked them too. And then they wonder..."WTF" is wrong with these people? If I only had my weapon.....But, the fact that they remember.....the "KILL", they will not want to respond to the insidious act, just leave me alone.....Good reply my friend. SF

[FistFu68]

HELL MY FAMILY CLAN,HILLBILLY HIGHLANDER'S REALLY DO IT UP BIG,BAGPIPE'S UP THE YAZOO!!!IT'S A HIGHLANDER WARRIOR BROTHER~HOOD! BRAVEHEART HONKY TRIBUTE! MARINE'S GOING ALL WAY BACK TO VIKING'S/AND I AIN'T TALKIN' MINNESOTA! SPIRIT~BROTHERS 10/4

[redneck13]

Meaning no disrespect Fitsu.....but you and I both have got off the main subject matter just a hair :-)....I respect your reply.....I too come from "Hillbilly" "Redneck" "CountryFied" people......But we have to try and maintane the integrity of the subject matter, that is....Being trained to be gung-ho, until that first time you have to take a life in "Combat." Again, I mean no disrespect to you, and I know some of what you're saying will help those who might experience some of these "IDIOT'S" who will be at airports etc., calling you names, etc.
I want to keep it where we talk about what it's like to have to take a life in combat......I know for some it easy topic talk about, but, we don't have to go into vivid detail's, just thoughts feelings afterwards, Okay? Lot's or respect to you, SF KEEP ON KEEPING ON. Some gave it all, some fell, FOR THE RED WHITE AND BLUE, AND SOME GAVE IT ALL, AND SOME FALL.

[FistFu68]

AT THE TIME IT'S WHERE THE DICE OF MIND & BODY ARE THROWN/ IF YOU SURVIVE,COMBAT,AND HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE **** AGAIN,KNOWING WHAT CAN & DOES GO DOWN.TAKES IT'S TOLL,I KNOW IT DID ME. BUT I'D PROBABLY DO IT AGAIN IN A HEARTBEAT~COULDN'T LET MY MARINE'S DOWN! GOD~SPEED 10/10/ 20/20 (LONG LIVE FORCE)

[PatrioticBird]

I agree with that. Some do get the killer bug. Just what every marine has trained for is what you will be called to do there in a combat zone. Its not about the ribbons or medals, its about the honor you have after knowing what you did, helped families just like you and me. Rely on your training, and your equiptment. Check out usmc.mil A devil dog took a round right in the kevlar helmet and just had a little scratch. Your equiptment (no matter how uncomfortable and hot it gets) will reduce damage if worn correctly. Go do your job and come home safe!! SEMPER FI

[SurferDave]

My two sons asked me. I asked my father the same question about the Philipines in wwii. I guess, because my sons were so young when they asked, I said NO. You know, I even practiced over the years what to say; I never have finished that thought stream. Too many memories come back. I think Wind’nface has it right. Not just killing, but witnessing death changes a person. Funny thing, mine was in the Philipines as well.

What to say… well, what you have to say.

I remember my father’s explanation. “Men react to combat differently. (pause) some cower, some react, some experience exhilaration, some mess their trousers, some even react with arousal.” I never asked him which he was. Somehow the reality of it all struck me even then.

For me personally, it took years to even begin to deal with that reality. Baby steps, my Higher Power, some very close friendships and yes a good dose of therapy. I still have nightmares from time to time. Faces in my mind… Most of the time, all is well.

I believe fervently, that this is why no Marine or Soldier for that matter ever truly wants to go to war. And for those who have, it is intensely personal. One of my favorite quotes is, “War is prolonged periods of tedium, accentuated by brief moments of extreme terror.” I find we are those who respect deeply the effects of it.

For those preparing to face it, please remember, you do not go through it totally alone. When it bothers you, please, please seek help. A good friend helps to lessen the weight of it all.
Sincerely, Dave