For some of us, there's no escape from the Vietnam War

[pinboy3niner]

The latest trigger for the war and its trauma is the news that chickenhawk Ted Nugent has accepted an invitation from an idiot RWNJ congressman to attend President Obama's State of the Union address.

I recently discovered that Ted and I reported for our draft physical the same year--1967. Ted's experience was more memorable than mine (http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/nugent.asp).

The Army didn't start out so bad. After Basic, Leadership School, Advanced Infantry Training, and training troops they sent me to Infantry Officer Candidate School for 6 months and I came out a 2nd Lieutenant at 19. At 20, as a 1st Lt., I was leading an Infantry rifle platoon of the 101st Airborne Division in the jungles of Vietnam. I'm only half-joking when I say that the instant hot chocolate my Mom sent me from home helped me face those challenges.

My war ended when I caught AK fire that blew away half my teeth and jaw and put a baseball-sized hole in my shoulder. The Army promoted me to Captain, and after 18 months in the hospital they retired me for partial disability.

Many years after the war I returned to Vietnam three times. I laughed--and cried--with former allies and enemies--ARVNs, VC and NVA. I have more in common with them than I ever will with chickenhawk wannabe-Rambos like Ted Nugent.

For my brothers--and sisters--who served, who may also be triggered by the latest news, just remember one thing and it wil be okay: FUCK Ted Nugent!

[Cooley Hurd]

1. Proud to kick and recommend this.

[tblue]

2. That war destroyed my cousin.

I'm glad you made it and are hear to tell us. Bless you, sweetie.

[pinboy3niner]

7. I'm very sorry about your cousin

Last edited Tue Feb 12, 2013, 02:10 PM - Edit history (1)

I knew more than 60 guys who died in the war, and many, many more who had to struggle with the trauma afterward. Some didn't survive it.

If it's any consolation, some of us somehow managed to survive the trauma and we're still kicking and tilting at windmills...

.... But be that as it may, those of us who did make it have an obligation to build again. To teach to others what we know, and to try with what's left of our lives to find a goodness and a meaning to this life.

--Epilogue, Platoon

[AndyA]

3. Thank you for serving, and I'm sorry about your injuries.

People like Ted Nugent should be condemned for the cowards they are. It takes a REAL American hero to serve their country, especially when serving isn't convenient for them (like Dick Cheney, Mitt Romney, George W. Bush, Ted Nugent, etc.), and especially when they may not support the reasons for going to war.

All of the people who served in Vietnam are heroes in my book. We lost so many young people to that war, some of whom may have made a real difference in the world, given the chance.

Agree 100% with your closing sentiment about Nugent.

[niyad]

4. heartfelt k and r

did not know who this nugent person was until recently--but he makes me, a generally non-violent person, want to plant my spiked heel some place truly painful and personal.

[pinboy3niner]

8. Plant your spiked heel, lol

I'm not a violent person, and if I were to meet that shitbag in person I would not react violently. I'd find another way to register my disgust, hopefully with the cameras rolling and me wearing a VN vet cap or 101st Screaming Eagle patch...

[lastlib]

5. YOU, sir, are a true hero and patriot!

(It's not much, but it comes from the heart.)

I would tell you that you and your comrades who served and sacrificed are ten thousand times the man that a POS like Ted Nugent could ever hope to be. The fact that he is going to the SOTU with Stockman (another POS, IMHO) is a major slap in the face to you and all the others who served.

Again, I salute you:

[Warpy]

6. My ex went in clean and sober

and staged a psychotic break. It must have been a convincing one, they made him 4F instead of the usual 1Y.

That war was so unpopular that any way someone got out of it was seen as a good way. With the draft, the military had plenty of young guys to suck off the street and ruin.

Most of the guys I know who got sent there came back angry and a lot were completely shattered by the experience, both from the war itself and from the idiotic way the military rotated them in and out of it.

One of my best friends still reacts so badly that when there's a promo for a war show or film on TV, he breaks out in tears and has to leave the room, and he's one of the toughest guys I know.

The only guys I know who consistently survived with relatively little damage are the INDN guys around here. I don't know if they went down the peyote road when they got back and got healed or if being raised in a warrior culture helped. I just know the glue that holds them together is a bit stronger than it was for the innocent suburban kids they threw into that insanity.

I don't condemn Nugent for escaping that war, I know too many who did. What I do condemn him for now is wrapping himself in the flag and surrounding himself with guns like some tough Rambo clone.

I know the real tough guys, the ones who went and who faced those demons down when they got home. Most of them never want to touch a gun again as long as they live.

[Ernesto]

9. BIG K&R..............nt

[meegbear]

10. K&R!!!

[GiveMeFreedom]

11. Thanks pinboy3niner

I served at 17, joined the navy. 75-79 VP-1 USN, Barbers Point, HI. War was over, but not the hatred and indifference for service members.

A guy who shits and pisses himself to get out of the military, deserves it. I would not, could not serve with a person like that. But I feel good about myself, comfortable in my skin compared to Ted. Ted's a dick.

FUCK Ted Nugent!

[catchnrelease]

12. A big kick!

From the wife of a Vietnam vet.......

[Glorfindel]

13. I agree with you, pinboy3niner

I was in Vietnam before you, from Dec 66 to Dec 67. I have often thought of going back, and maybe will some day. Ted Nugent is a foul piece of shit and not worthy of any consideration, let alone righteous indignation, but I join proudly with you in saying, "FUCK Ted Nugent!"