I served at the time, but not in the RVN.
I agree about Kerry, Fonda Carter and their pals. Maybe it’s a matter of perception, but I don’t think most people consider us suckers, in fact I think most people look on service in the era with respect.
Twenty years ago, no, but in the eyes of history, Kerry and Carter lost.
My opinion only, your experience might well be different.
The deserved contempt for those who aided the enemy, and for those who used illegal means to avoid service, no they haven’t received the derision they deserve. The fact that Kerry holds public office should be an embarassment to the b ation
I will agree with that statement only to the extent that 20/20 hindsight has kicked in for most people whose memory of that time has grown dusty and clouded with time. You will recall that the DBM in those days, as they do today, did their best to portray the military in the worst possible light. I recall that things got so bad that in the SF Bay area (where I was stationed) we were instructed to not wear our uniforms off base or even reveal that we were in the military.
From the Tet offensive into the mid-80s, the DBM continued to portray us as murderers, etc. It wasn't until the late 80s that we suddenly became these great patriots who rushed to our country's defense at her time of need.
In the meantime, as a Vietnam Era veteran trying to find work and resume life in the real world, I struggled (with an electronics background!!) to find employment that would lead to longtime career opportunities. I even had one interviewer (for Rocky Mountain Bell) basically try to humiliate and embarrass me for my experience in avionics and radio and wanting to work at the phone company!! I came to discover later that it wasn't uncommon for many Vietnam Era vets.
Despite the DBM's best efforts today, returning Iraq War veterans aren't treated the same way we were when we came back. Hopefully, the people responsible for that still are ashamed at what they did (although I know most aren't). Again, as far as respect goes, it's only 20/20 hindsight and historical revisionism.