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50 Years Later
The late 60’s and early 70’s saw mass protests of the Vietnam War on college campuses across the nation. The war had become unpopular thanks in large part to Walter Cronkite and CBS News. Cronkite declared the Tet Offensive in 1968 a disaster for the U.S. and the Republic of South Vietnam. The war was now, in his opinion, unwinnable. History reveals that Cronkite was wrong. The North Vietnamese and Viet Cong suffered crushing defeats which took them several years to recover. Had the U.S. pressed forward the war would have ended quite differently, possibly even in the next year or two.
Contrary to today’s citizen respect for the military, Vietnam veterans were vilified in movies, television, and other media as baby killers or psychopaths about to explode. Troops in uniform were spit on and openly reviled in airports and other public places. We were told not to wear the uniform in public unless necessary. While I watched this unfold on television, I never was subjected to anything personally while in uniform.
I came back to the United States about halfway through my tour for a week of R&R. At home it seemed like I had dropped in from outer space. While my friends were glad to see me, we seemed to be very disconnected. A couple of years had passed since we were classmates and they had all moved on with their lives. We no longer had much in common. I was glad to return to the unit after the leave was over.
When I left active duty in 1973, I remained active in the Army National Guard and Reserve, eventually retiring in 1992. In the years following Vietnam, I was never really away from people who shared similar Vietnam experiences. Outside of my Guard and Reserve contacts, I didn’t really talk about my Vietnam experience. I felt that most weren’t really all that interested and in truth they probably weren’t. The world had moved on and Vietnam was just an uncomfortable memory.
Although I had left Vietnam in 1972, in many respects, I didn’t feel welcomed or appreciated home by my fellow citizens. I was just “back.” After the Gulf Wars and 9/11, respect for military service and veterans increased among the U.S. population. If I wore a hat or T-shirt identifying my Vietnam service, people occasionally said, “Thank you for your service,” or “Welcome home.” However, most times it didn’t seem very sincere but more like something you were now supposed to do. I did not often wear anything identifying my Vietnam service.
In 2022, I attended the Centaurs in Vietnam reunion in Mesa, Arizona. As part of the activities we participated in the Mesa Veterans Day Parade. I rode in the back of a 2 ½ ton truck as I could no longer walk a long distance. I couldn’t believe the numbers of Arizonians who lined the parade route. There were Moms with babes in arms, small children, middle aged persons and older persons. Nearly everyone had a small American flag. They were applauding and waving at us as we passed by them. I made eye contact with many who enthusiastically waved at me as I did at them. Several people, looking directly at me, said, “Thank you.” While I couldn’t hear them, I could read their lips. I was deeply touched. Frankly, I got a little teary eyed. They didn’t have to be at the parade. They were giving up part of their Saturday. They were there just to recognize veterans’ service to the United States.
Then it sunk in on me. After 50 years since I left Vietnam, I was welcomed home. I won’t forget that day.