VETS

Does anyone even recognize the sacrifices that our Vietnam vets endured, and are to this day enduring. Diabetes, prostrate cancer and various skin disease. Their lives are ones of frequent visits to the VA hospital, and more often than not, a treatment, and no strangers to bad news.
In the 70's no one knew what Agent Orange would do to soldiers, it wasn't known what Dioxins would be capable of.
Being or knowing a Vet is not something to take lightly, or dismiss as just another guy somewhere...end of story. During the Vietnam war American males were drafted, in other words, you went whether you wanted to or not. There were some who joined, but the majority were drafted. I happened to be one who joined. two months of basic training, and two months of advanced training. Then straight to Vietnam. Then straight to a unit and into the field with 30 or 40 other guys.

Life was difficult, but it was never boring. There was unexpected beauty in the jungles, and unexpected terrors at times. But eventually that waned into a Jaded soldier that feared little. We did what we had to, and made friendships that would be everlasting. Now many are gone, having fallen to the effects of toxins that were little understood. Those that survive..... we just get through life the best we can. Some more fortunate than others. If you were never there, then it would be best not to pretend, because you will be as transparent as your alter ego.

I know those who pretend to be soldiers, wear the uniform and play the part, having never spent a day in the  military. Never spent any time in complete deprivation that was everyday life for us. They were the same people dodging the draft any way they could. A few guys from my high school class were drafted the same time I joined, but none of my friends went, not one. Am I bitter? Not really, they were just scared. At 18 and 19 years of age, it's a daunting prospect, I was 19. At that age, I had hardly been out of the Corona area, everything I knew revolved around my hometown.