The atrocities being committed by both sides were widely publicised, and this led to a lot of anger at home, hence the "baby killing" term and the anger at the vets. Technology. It seems many in our country now want to be Vietnam Veterans even though they never stepped foot in that country. Why are Vietnam vets called baby killers? - Quora Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. One example: A 1967 Bucks County Courier Times article reporting that two sailors were spat on outside a high school football game by a gang of about 10 young men. https://veteransradio.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/WELCOM-HOME-FROM-VIETNAM.mp3, INTRO The author couldn't find a single reported incident of homecoming veterans being spat upon by anti-war protestors (the only Vietnam veterans spat upon that he could find were ones who were anti-war protestors). I am a combat-disabled Army veteran who served in Vietnam in 1968-69. There has never been, nor will there ever be, a charge to any veteran or family member for our services. flower shop killing, Stillwater officers shoot, kill suspect at apartment complex, 'We play whack-a-mole': Growing medical needs stress suburban fire departments, Two Harbors residents renew 20-year fight to block project on Lighthouse Point. He recalled, For Americans who did not come of age in the early 1960s, it may be hard to grasp what those years were like the pride and overpowering self-assurance that prevailed. When they marched across rice paddies, he said, they carried, along with our packs and rifles, the implicit convictions that the Vietcong would be quickly beaten and that we were doing something altogether noble and good.. On the other hand, what remains a common trait of veterans of both wars is their desire to help those left behind. Like most Veterans of any war, Vietnam Veterans had their share of traumatic memories they could not leave behind, but these men and women that served and fought in South Vietnam also had to fight a war with their countrys conscience when they returned home to the United States. What is most heartbreaking is that so many were left behind in both countries who suffered at the hands of despotic regimes. Made us question why we ever joined the fight But we took it out on you, and now its time to make things right V1: On the TV, in the papers, you were treated so unfair You got blamed for Vietnam instead of the ones who sent you there Some folks called you baby killers, called you monsters and worse I am not aware of many Vietnam vets who were not subjected to some disrespect, either personal or from the culture that called us "baby killers." Vietnam War Veterans With no idea of what was waiting for you back in your home town Many of them served in Vietnam. It was searching for elusive enemy forces while encountering Vietnamese civilians who just wished the Americans would leave and the war would end. For example, a bearded dragon can suffer from gout or kidney failure due to old age, too much protein in the diet, toxicity. It was about walking through jungles and rice paddies and elephant grass, and about being wet, infected and dirty. An overwhelming majority of Vietnam veterans served honorably and bravely. To the protesters and critics, by 1967 the troops had become objects of pity for serving on a dangerous assignment in a cruel and unjust war. Civilians, including mental health professionals, have an opportunity and an obligation to better understand veterans experiences and to join them in confronting difficult truths about the violence of war, its meaning and its consequences, they stated in the paper. Understanding this is essential: Those with responsibility to send the young to war need always to consider the enduring consequences of war and the human cost of undertaking this action. Documentary Untill several years latter of course, now the veterans of Vietnam are respected as well WW2 Veterans were greated with parades. In the Korean War and earlier, western governments were effective at controlling film reels and showing only the message that they wanted to promote back home. One of the sailors was stabbed. Below is an area where you can rate this program on a 5-star rating system. Despite Sirota's contentions, Vietnam vets were a bit crushed coming home. There have been extremely sad songs, some very scary, some hilariously comical, and some funny and off- color. Editorial Guidelines and Publishing Standards. Presumably, the American public wouldn't "support the troops" if the president ordered them to sack Los Angeles or whatever, but then again who knows? Required fields are marked *. Ukraine War Anniversary: UN and China Work for Peace, Devilish Zelensky, Kiev Hid Its Dead Soldiers in the Ravines. Our Vietnam experience ended more than 40 years past, and it deserves to be judged by history. Eighteen were Vietnam veterans and eight were deployed in Iraq. Within a few years, they quickly passed it along to their children. They said, ditch that uniform, boy, if you know whats good for you Why were people angry about the Vietnam War memorial? Vietnam vets were raised in a society that honored veterans. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. 2023 The Regents of The University of California, University Development & Alumni Relations, Langley Porter Psychiatric Hospital and Clinics, Killing in War Leaves Veterans with Lasting Psychological Scars, Study Finds, Screen Time Tied to Suicide Risk for Tweens But Dont Panic, Out of Adderall? Why were the police so aggressive towards John Rambo in Are US veterans of Iraq, Afghanistan and Vietnam treated equally? After Vietnam, governments started to embed reporters with combat units and exercise control over what camera crews could film. But even those who came home in one piece were met with trauma some were spit upon, yelled at or called "baby killers." just for you. Partially because the Vietnam war saw far more coverage of war crimes committed by americans than other wars, for example, see the massacres of My Lai and My Khe when a company of US infantrymen killed, raped and mutilated their way through over 500 people (according to the vietnamese government, american sources claim 347 total dead and wounded but only account for the actions committed in My Lai.). To understand the war, we have to understand what motivated that generation of Americans not only to protest but also to fight, and later to seek some sort of closure. This show, for the first time, featured a Vietnam Veteran in a positive manner, and not as the typical drug-crazed lunatic, or the psychotic killer the left wing liberals of Hollywood seemed to relish portraying up until this time. WebBut, unlike their Nazi counterparts, U.S. soldiers could be redeemed: By confessing atrocities, the Vietnam veterans, once denigrated as "baby killers," were able to By April 30th, 1975 when Saigon finally fell to the communists, the Vietnam War was over for America but not the men and women that returned home. Mistakenly kill a civilian and push the populace into the hands of the Viet Cong or kill a Viet Cong before they got you. in '68 came the My Lai massacre spit on troops coming home and call them baby killers. Take that in conjunction with the usage of child soldiers by the north vietnamese (a practice the south shared) and you can see where the people took that image from. Some found it hard to get close to others because they had to hide that they killed in combat. James McCloughan, an Army medic who was awarded the Medal of Honor by former President Trump for rescuing wounded soldiers during the war, joined host Pete Hegseth in the episode along with several other veterans to detail their experience abroad and the hardships they faced upon their return to the U.S. "Vietnam veterans didn't talk about their war and about themselves," McCloughan recalls in the episode. Even Medal of Honor recipients were abused and "spat upon as 'monsters'," according to the head of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, WWII medalist Thomas J. Kelly. What did the Nazis begin using gas chambers instead of mobile killing units and shooting squads after a while. Many described confronting a dark side of themselves that they did not know existed before they had killed in combat. Vietnam was the first war captured on color video and broadcasted on the nightly news. To Honor Our Vietnam Veterans, Help At-Risk (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais), Vietnam veterans chronicle their stories from abroad and their difficult return home in new Fox Nation episode. Why Were Vietnam It also includes UCSF Health, which comprises three top-ranked hospitals,UCSF Medical Centerand UCSF Benioff Childrens Hospitals inSan FranciscoandOakland, and other partner and affiliated hospitals and healthcare providers throughout the Bay Area. Here are three examples of refugees from conflicts who have gone on to become great Americans and have given back to America in ways most of us could not. ", President Donald Trump bestows the nation's highest military honor, the Medal of Honor to retired Army medic James McCloughan during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Monday, July 31, 2017. The study was based on focus group and individual interviews with 26 war veterans who had killed or believed that their combat actions caused the death of others. Before. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! You were filled with painful memories from the things you had to see, The reason why the Vietnam War became so unpopular is that The overwhelming response to his original column led to four more columns, then to a book collection of the most notable responses. How to get a motorcycle license in vietnam? Thanking veterans for their service today does not absolve us of our guilt and we can never wash away the national stain of such treatment. This is a somewhat more serious subreddit compared to many others. In previous wars, civilians at home had no footage of the horrors besides government-prepared newsreels and the occasional lone wolf report. In the years after the war, as civilians they have continued to serve their country and their world and to make a difference. There were controversies about the memorial, but the disagreed upon concerns were addressed then settled, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is one of the most visited sites in our Nations Capitol today. Kill for Peace by Matthew Israel These Vietnam Veterans continued to do the same when the Iraq War started, and as our fellow countrymen and countrywomen began to return to American shores. They described how they felt after killing in combat and some opened up about hidden agonies. The Gulf war starting with the build-up of troops, weapons and supplies in August of 1990 with Operation Desert Shield, and then combat operations called, Operation Desert Storm, from January 17, 1991, until February 28, 1991, had two high ranking generals planning and carrying out the tactics that were Vietnam Veterans. Welcome back where you belong.you know there shoulda been a ticker tape parade We wanted to be left alone and thought we could forget our war experiences, but we learned that was an impossible task. With Whalen out, what's left behind for Gophers women's basketball? 50th Anniversary of the End of the Vietnam War, 21 December 2014-Christmas in the Military, National Vietnam War Museum in Texas PLUS CPT Thomas Stempky Gunship Platoon Leader in Vietnam, Tim OBriens Vietnam & Phil Weitlaufs War Dog Memorial, Welcome Home from Vietnam PLUS Legion Logistics and Dave Bray USA, Navy SEAL Sarraille Everyday Warrior and Senator Peters on the PACT Act, Reluctant MOH Recipient Bellavia and Jason Jones, NVBDC and MPVA with 2023 AUTO Act Info, Whiskey On Your Stone & All Present and Accounted For, Dave Bray USA Rock n Roll Patriot, Songwriter and Performer, Nick Wilson, Chief Revenue Officer, Legion Logistics. I do not wish to have my record of service dishonored again. Most importantly, today she is a key member of Shona ba Shona, an organization dedicated to helping Afghans escape to safety. You can listen to her describe her life and work with the 12th Sergeant Major of the Army, Jack Tilley, on his Your Mission Continues podcast. She and fellow veteran and founder of Shona ba Shona, Jason Ghormley, describe their experiences and the work they are doing to help Afghan refugees. But Lembcke is refuted by many other sources, including Jim Lindgren, a Northwestern University law professor who cited news accounts that documented many spitting incidents. Those Vietnam Veterans fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq enhanced their individual respect and admiration as Vietnam Veterans, and the rest of us at home that had served in Vietnam benefited from their service all these years later. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Why were U.S. Soldiers called 'Baby Killers' during the Vietnam Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. Matthew Israel Mr. Schultz and Mr. Noyes both said they were called baby killers when they came back from Vietnam. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. He also was part of a motorcycle club and was asked to start wearing the VietNam patch because not wearing it was upsetting members who weren't really ever in VietNam (they may have been "VietNam Era" veterans) but referred to themselves as VietNam veterans. National and state surveys did exactly that and many answers are unsettling. There was no Welcome Home for the veterans of Vietnam Covert Operations In Vietnam: The Incomplete History of US-Norway Collaboration. In the era when the North Vietnamese invaded the South, the world was facing Russian colonialism, the spread of communism, nuclear arms, the Cuban missile crisis and other threats to world peace. Go to Fox Nationto start a free trial and watch the extensive library from your favorite Fox News personalities. When Vietnam veterans were called baby killers and spit on upon returning home why didn't they hit the people doing it? The race became a referendum on the issue, which was bad news for Mayor Lori Lightfoot. Then I joined the Air Force in 76 and was stationed just outside San Francisco. is officially recognized by the Smithsonian Institute being the first television show to reflect this positive image and Vietnam Veterans, and their families are grateful. Policy and politics out of Washington had failed, not the military. And he espouses that post-traumatic stress disorder was an invention of the government to garner support for the war. Vietnam Veterans always felt we did the right thing when we answered the call to stop communism in South Vietnam, the biggest threat to global democracy in the latter half of the 20th century. These brothers/sisters did not live to see the attitudes in this country about Vietnam Veterans change, and personally, a WANNABE is showing disrespect, dishonor and trying to steal the valor ofthese brave men and women when the WANNABE claims to be a Vietnam Veteran! They witnessed the suffering of the Vietnamese and they served even when an ending to their war and a clear meaning for it seemed increasingly elusive. WebOther people being guilty of your misdeeds does not make you innocent of your misdeeds. Official census figures for August 1995 showed 1,713,823 Vietnam Veterans were still living. President Donald Trump bestows the nation's highest military honor, the Medal of Honor to retired Army medic James McCloughan during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Monday, July 31, 2017. That movie bore as little relation to the conduct and experience of the Vietnam War as South Pacific did to World War II except the latter was kinder to those serving. "They were very humble individuals for two reasons. A human reaction to the crowds and returning Afghanistan and Iraq War Veterans by Vietnam Veterans could have been bitter and resentful, but those that fought in Vietnam wanted to make sure our returning warriors were respected and thanked for their service and for doing so rose above their own emotional and mental pain. This song was a group write, along with the very accomplished Nashville songwriter, David Kent. You couldn't even get back into the workforce," Joe Rosato, author and Navy Veteran told Hegseth. For many of these veteranssome of whom may already suffer from post-traumatic stress (PTSD)the guilt, shame, anger and isolation they suffer compound psychological trauma related to their war experiences. People did "support the troops" during Vietnam, they just differed on the issue of the justification for the war. WebAnswer (1 of 2): I served with the USMC in Vietnam in 1966.1967 and when I got home, I didnt want anything from anyone, because I had my life and all of my parts too. Homecoming was later criticized by those who did not believe that Vietnam veterans had been spat upon. WebWhy were Vietnam vets treated badly when returning home? You can also access information from the CDC. Why were The study was based on focus group and individual interviews with 26 war veterans who had killed or believed that their combat actions caused the death of others. The theme for Welcome Home from Vietnam was a suggestion from one of the alumni members (an Iraqi War Vet) to honor our Vietnam Veterans for the upcoming March 29th commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the official ending of that war. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. The researchers urged the public and health care workers to allow veterans to express themselves to help them work through these conflicts. Due to high publicity from television coverage. My dad was a vet during the war, but was always stationed in the US. Mr. Schultz served in the U.S. Army as an artilleryman operating howitzers in Vietnam from February 1969 to April 1970. When Richard M. Nixon was sworn in as the 37th President Of The United States on January 20th, 1969 troop withdrawal from the Vietnam War would start in August of that same year. FDD is a Washington, DC-based, nonpartisan research institute focusing on national security and foreign policy. Their father served as an officer in the South Vietnamese Army and trained with U.S. Special Forces, but they have never learned what happened to him. Upon You got blamed for Vietnam instead of the ones who sent you there Why were Vietnam veterans often treated badly when Why Any American who wishes to honor veterans of Vietnam can make a difference today and contribute to the various organizations that are helping Afghan refugees. It was the echo of that call, just a few years later, that motivated hundreds of thousands of young men to enlist for Vietnam, for the chance to ensure the success of liberty and many others back home, at least at the outset, to support the fighting. Eighteen were Vietnam veterans and eight were deployed in Iraq. Other spitting incidents were reported by Pulitzer Prize winners Max Frankel in the New York Times (November 1969) and Carl Bernstein in the Washington Post (May 1970). Sergeant Major El Sar is now the Command Chaplain Sergeant Major for the U.S. Army Japan. And for those who serve, the memories endure long after the fighting stops. I was not a baby killer. How did the US citizens view The Operation Song Alumni Group has been meeting for their spring 23 songwriting sessions and the fruit of their most recent session (February 3, 2023) is a song titled Welcome Home From Vietnam. To hear the heartwrenching and inspiring accounts of the decorated veterans featured in the new episode of "Modern Warriors," join Fox Nation and watch it today. Video was a collaboration between For more information about CERTIFICATION with NVBDC. Made us question why we ever joined the fight U.S. Army Sgt. Talk to both a Vietnam and Afghan veteran and they will tell you about their service with their allies and the relationships they built through their experiences fighting a common enemy and their desire to ensure the safety and well-being of those they fought with and fought for. Maguen and the studys first author Natalie Purcell, PhD, who directs the Patient Centered Care Program at the SFVAHCS, have initiated research, outreach and model therapies for veterans with moral injury. Why did people call the Vietnam Vets baby killers? Kelly recounted how about 200 anti-war protesters showed up one year to harass the Medal of Honor recipients at their annual dinner. Posted by Dale Throneberry | Feb 28, 2023 | Music, Vietnam War | 0 |. Why did they call the Vietnam soldiers baby killers? - TimesMojo Losing limbs, and losing best friends, losing half your sanity He worked with a ton of vets who would tell outrageous, obviously false, stories. Why Were Vietnam Soldiers Called Baby KillersYour bearded dragon can die from organ failure and it can sometimes seem as a sudden death. The baby boomers who were of military age and eligible to serve in Vietnam, but chose to protest and disrespect Vietnam Veterans, never wanted to be associated with the patriotic and brave men and women who chose to serve. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, And what made it even worse was how it ended It was shameful, it was ugly, it was rude For More Information: www.OperationSong.org. Their Impact of Killing (IOK) treatment program emphasizes self-forgiveness and helping veterans make amends, heal relationships, plan for their future and move forward. Their leaders did not, although they were seldom honest about this. The girls arent linin up to kiss you like the end of WWII If there is evidence that person committed a misdeed, then they must be accused of that misdeed, and there can not be any justification for not accusing them. In 1968, the chant from protesters was Hey, hey, L.B.J. The myth is also wielded as a cudgel to browbeat anti-war public opinion with shouts of "support the troops!" Vietnam Many veterans feared that, if they talked about killing, they would be judged or mischaracterized by other peoples notions of what it means to be a combat veteran, Purcell said. Her father was killed by the Taliban for helping American NGOs escape to Pakistan in the 1990s. The impact of their indifferent, if not hostile, reception was all the greater because they had assumed the responsibility of citizenship they understood was theirs. The Vietnam Veterans wanted to make sure no Americans returning home from fighting for their country ever received the negative treatment as they did during the Vietnam War. Many Vietnam Veterans, including this writer, tried college but the anti-Vietnam Veteran attitude that prevailed at that time on college campus made many of us turn on backs on higher education. WebAs one Vietnam veteran writes: Vietnam vets were a bit crushed coming home. You look at WW2 for example they French wanted to be liberated from German control and helped where they could, I am sure in Germany bad stuff happend especially when the Soviets invaded. Vikings, Thielen talking through contract and role with cap decisions looming, Gophers beat top-ranked Ohio State 3-1 to win WCHA Final Faceoff, One of state's richest families feuds over $1 billion estate. We are still seeing the effects play out in Afghanistan. Why were Vietnam veterans called baby killers? - Answers Television news showed GIs using their cigarette lighters, the In 2004, the VA called the house and said because of Agent Orange, I was welcome at the VA and I went and still there. I don't believe the use if Agent Orange was widespread knowledge during time, not that it was a secret. Vietnam Veterans, estimates are anywhere from 2.7 million to 3.3 million men, including 10,000 women; and the protesters, at that time, set the standard on how many others viewed those that served in South Vietnam, mostly negative. New recruits for the Vietnam War being sworn in, in St. Paul, Minn. See how this article appeared when it was originally published on NYTimes.com. WebA persistent but unfounded criticism leveled against those who protested the United States’s involvement in the Vietnam War is that protesters spat upon But always that nagging question, why do I hurt like this?. That sounds, unbelievable, but it is very believable to me having come upon many of these WANNABES since the attitude in this country has done a complete turn around about Vietnam Veterans by many citizens. As we reflect on American military history on this Veterans Day we can draw a simple parallel between our attempts at peace with honor in both Vietnam and Afghanistan. Of all the tropes about the Vietnam War, one stands out far above the rest in American memory: It was the baby boomers war. Send this article to anyone, no subscription is necessary to view it, 'Moonshot' CNA program trained hundreds. David Maxwell, a 1945 Contributing Editor, is a member of the board of directors of Shona ba Shona. He is a retired US Army Special Forces Colonel who has spent more than 20 years in Asia and specializes in North Korea and East Asia Security Affairs and irregular, unconventional. They were not a band of rebellious fraggers assassinating their officers or marauding killers piling up body counts of the innocent in a haze of marijuana smoke. On the TV, in the papers, you were treated so unfair Vietnam War Protesters have NOTHING to Apologize For Although the history of the past 50 years is complex, it's fair to observe that the spread of communism has been contained. Nick Wilson, Chief Revenue Officer , for Legion Logistics talks with host Jim Fausone about the company, its veteran owner and why NVBDC certification as a veteran owned business was so important to Legion and the power of NVBDC networking. Of all the tropes about the Vietnam War, one stands out far above the rest in American memory: It was the baby boomers war. Written in Collaboration with Operation Song Writer David Kent and the Operation Song Alumni. So it was a "damned if you and damned if you don't" situation. 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As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. The episode release comes as Fox Nation dedicates November's content to honoring those who've served as part of the platform's "Patriots Month" initiative in commemoration of Veterans Day. Its genesis was a controversial newspaper column of 20 July 1987 in which Chicago Tribune syndicated columnist Bob Greene asked whether there was any truth to the folklore that Vietnam veterans had been spat upon when they returned from the war zone. We have an incentive to do just that, exposing these liars, for 58,261 of our brothers and sisters that made the SUPREME SACRIFICE for our country on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, THE WALL!