I received word that my friend had died. He has suffered PSDS, Agent Orange damage, multiple wounds and mental illness due to his 3 tours in Viet Nam. Agent Orange had caused liver cancer and a brain tumor.

At our 35th class reunion, he spoke very candidly about the war and his treatments for mental illness. The thing that struck me about him was how bad he felt returning from Viet Nam on a stretcher and bandages. Upon his departure from the plane and on a gurney, he was repeatedly spit on. He said thru his times in hospitals, he was able to forgive them.

 

Rest in peace, my friend.................I know you now longer suffer and I feel good about that.

Ron,

Sorry to hear about your friend. I feel your loss. Today, one of my Vietnam Navy buddies was buried.

Ron, 

I'm truly sorry for your loss. 

What he endured  was just awful. Poor guy had it rough.

His story made me angry all over again. Unlike your friend, I can't find it in my heart to forgive.

Thank you for sharing Ron, it's hard for me to imagine that treatment the Nam vets received, I was just a kid and was not subjected to any of it on the news nor did I really understand the war was even on. I barely remember Vietnam images on the evening news with Kronkite.

Seeing how well our veterans are treated today by "We the People" and yes, even Uncle Sam has gotten better, we have come a long way for sure. I just wish our veterans did not have to go through what they did during that time. It is saddening when I think about it.

I have a question, and forgive my ignorance on the subject, but has our government finally recognized and acknowledged the effects of Agent Orange?

John,

I'm not sure if things have changed on every front but I found this on the agent orange-

Eligibility - Service in Vietnam or Korea

VA presumes that Veterans were exposed to Agent Orange or other herbicides if they served:

• In Vietnam anytime between January 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975, including briefvisits ashore or service aboard a ship that operated on the inland waterwaysof Vietnam
• In or near the Korean demilitarized zone anytime between April 1, 1968 and August 31, 1971

Other areas that have waffled back and forth are the classification of who is or isn't a Vietnam War Veteran. At one point, only "in-country" military personnel were considered "true" veterans. Everyone else was labeled as a Vietnam "Era" veteran. Sailors on ships (Blue Water Sailors), pilots who flew missions, etc were classified as the latter. Senator John McCain was included in this group because he was held prisoner in Laos. It seems the Washington legislature has the power to make these classifications. I'm not sure which we are now.

 

I hate to admit it but I have to side with Gene. I am so thankful today's vets are receiving the proper homecoming they deserve. But, I still harbor lots of anger (and don't even get me started on Jane Fonda).

 

I am glad to be able to give back, thru this site, a little of what we didn't get when we came home. However, there is something that really bothers me- so while I have the soap box out...

Yesterday, I saw more than one "celebrity" on TV asking us to donate money to several veteran's causes. Don't get me wrong, these ARE worthy causes. My problem is why should we, as private individuals, be asked to support something that which, if anything  , should be provided by the government. Why do illegal aliens, dead beat free loaders and corrupt business CEO's receive government subsidies and our veterans get lousy medical care and can't afford  to feed and/or house their families. Veterans having to wait a year for an appointment or soldiers receiving food stamps is not an acceptable way to treat our military.

 

I apologize for hijacking Ron's thread with my personal rant. I'm taking the soap box to the basement shop and converting it into firewood.

Ron - my heart and thoughts go out to you sir.  Yes, he is definitely in a better place without pain.