We were young lieutenants in Vietnam mid-1969 through mid-1970. Rick was an Army infantry platoon leader in the Central Highlands. Terry was an Air Force pilot based in the Delta. We have been friends, through hang gliding, for 20 years. We leave February 1 for three weeks, DEROS 22 FEB 12.
It's emotional just reading this, can't imagine what it is like for you. I vote you break your vow on politics and the morality of war. I am curious what your thoughts were at the time and how they may have changed with time. I was too young for that war, but was against it (predictably as a teenager in CA.) I still am against war, but I'm glad to see that anti-war sentiment no longer is directed at the soldiers as it was in those days.
Chris, Yes, it is very emotional. Rick and I had very different war experiences, before, during and after that year. Both of us were driven to tears and could not make it through the War Remnants Museum without, separately, going outside to gather our thoughts.
I appreciate your thoughtful comment and will leave it on the blog. Political and moral judgments, and just plain ignorant comments, will be removed as quickly as possible.
It is very difficult for me to avoid discussing the politics and morality of the event that controlled the path my life has taken. (For example, I never intended to be a pilot of any kind.)
I was politically aware well before, during and after my war years. After the Peace Corps, I spent 5 1/2 years in the military with 3 in the combat zones of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. I have very strong opinions on these subjects. I can respect the positions of my contemporaries from extreme pro to extreme anti on the war(s). I have a lot less than no respect for are those who were ignorant and/or avoided awareness of what was going on in their name. The military does the bidding of our democratically elected civilian government. We truly do have a government of, by and for the people.
Hi Terry,
ReplyDeleteIt's emotional just reading this, can't imagine what it is like for you. I vote you break your vow on politics and the morality of war. I am curious what your thoughts were at the time and how they may have changed with time. I was too young for that war, but was against it (predictably as a teenager in CA.) I still am against war, but I'm glad to see that anti-war sentiment no longer is directed at the soldiers as it was in those days.
Chris Arai
Chris,
ReplyDeleteYes, it is very emotional. Rick and I had very different war experiences, before, during and after that year. Both of us were driven to tears and could not make it through the War Remnants Museum without, separately, going outside to gather our thoughts.
I appreciate your thoughtful comment and will leave it on the blog. Political and moral judgments, and just plain ignorant comments, will be removed as quickly as possible.
It is very difficult for me to avoid discussing the politics and morality of the event that controlled the path my life has taken. (For example, I never intended to be a pilot of any kind.)
I was politically aware well before, during and after my war years. After the Peace Corps, I spent 5 1/2 years in the military with 3 in the combat zones of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. I have very strong opinions on these subjects. I can respect the positions of my contemporaries from extreme pro to extreme anti on the war(s). I have a lot less than no respect for are those who were ignorant and/or avoided awareness of what was going on in their name. The military does the bidding of our democratically elected civilian government. We truly do have a government of, by and for the people.