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Why Were Vietnam War Vets Treated Poorly When They Returned?
History.com ^ | 5/28/25 | Dante A. Ciampaglia

Posted on 10/16/2025 1:53:10 PM PDT by DallasBiff

Twenty-one-year-old Steven A. Wowwk arrived as an infantryman in the Army’s First Cavalry Division in Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam in early January 1969 to fight in an escalating and increasingly unwinnable war. By June, Wowwk had been wounded twice—the second time seriously—and was sent back to the United States for treatment at Boston’s Chelsea Naval Hospital.

It was after returning to the U.S. and while en route to the hospital that Wowwk first encountered hostility as a veteran.

(Excerpt) Read more at history.com ...


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Military/Veterans
KEYWORDS: vets; vietnam; waltercronkite
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I talked to a Vietnam vet recently and asked if he was spat upon returning, he said yes.

I thanked him for his service and he said "Thank You".

1 posted on 10/16/2025 1:53:10 PM PDT by DallasBiff
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To: DallasBiff

I wish we could round up all of the people still alive who protested that and, um, treat them to a party.


2 posted on 10/16/2025 1:54:07 PM PDT by MeneMeneTekelUpharsin (Freedom is the freedom to discipline yourself so others don't have to do it for you.)
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To: DallasBiff
Communists that's why.

3 posted on 10/16/2025 1:54:30 PM PDT by Governor Dinwiddie ( O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is gracious, and his mercy endures forever. — Psalm 106)
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To: DallasBiff

When I returned, it was suggested that I wear civilian clothes and I did.


4 posted on 10/16/2025 1:57:13 PM PDT by Mark (DONATE ONCE every 3 months-is that a big deal?)
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To: DallasBiff

The returning Vietnam war vets were treated on poorly by the dope smokin’, LSD takin’, drug rapin’ hippies who wanted to make someone else feel lower than themselves.


5 posted on 10/16/2025 1:57:19 PM PDT by Tell It Right (1 Thessalonians 5:21 -- Put everything to the test, hold fast to that which is true.)
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To: DallasBiff

Why are ICE treated badly now?

The high-level political left always needs a target to keep their activists focused.


6 posted on 10/16/2025 1:59:41 PM PDT by PGR88
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To: MeneMeneTekelUpharsin

You can. They’re at the “No Kings” rally.


7 posted on 10/16/2025 2:00:49 PM PDT by packagingguy
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To: DallasBiff

The Vietnam War Veterans were treated badly by scumbag antiwar democrats like John Kerry and the like. The democrats treated Vets the same way democrats are treating ICE, and the police, and our National Guard right now. They have not changed since then, except they are growing more vicious today. FOAD EVERY SINGLE PERSON WHO SUPPORTS ANY DEMOCRAT.


8 posted on 10/16/2025 2:01:42 PM PDT by Ponyexpress9790 (Every one that votes democrat is your enemy, there is no co-existing with traitors and terrorists. )
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To: Mark

I was active service on returning from the Gulf War and frequently in uniform.

A professor demanded I leave class unless I changed clothes.

Went to the dean and got a change of professor.


9 posted on 10/16/2025 2:02:03 PM PDT by TheThirdRuffian (Orange is the new brown)
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To: DallasBiff

When I returned in April 1971 my family and friends greeted & embraced me, that’s all I cared about.


10 posted on 10/16/2025 2:02:57 PM PDT by PROCON (Sic Semper Tyrannis)
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To: DallasBiff

The war was NEVER unwinnable in the theater of operations. It was unwinnable in the White House. Nixon very nearly won it with the Christmas bombings of 1972 but ended the campaign a week too soon because winning was not the goal then, just getting POWs back was all they wanted. One more week of unrestricted bombings and South Vietnam today would rival South Korea.


11 posted on 10/16/2025 2:03:06 PM PDT by Midwesterner53
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To: packagingguy

That a darn good point!


12 posted on 10/16/2025 2:03:24 PM PDT by jacknhoo (Luke 12:51; Think ye, that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, no; but separation.)
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To: DallasBiff

My dad and uncle mentioned what happened when they came home with the crowds at the airport yell ‘baby killers’ and spat. The VFW was no where around and when some vets approached them, the VFW didn’t want anything to do with them so they form their own group - Vietnam Veterans Of America - now dad says he’s approached by VFW guys wanting him to join; I will not relate here what he told them but basically “where were you when we came home asking for help?”


13 posted on 10/16/2025 2:03:47 PM PDT by SkyDancer ( ~ Am Yisrael Chai ~)
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To: packagingguy

Corrected:

That is a darn good point!


14 posted on 10/16/2025 2:03:57 PM PDT by jacknhoo (Luke 12:51; Think ye, that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, no; but separation.)
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To: MeneMeneTekelUpharsin

Yep.


15 posted on 10/16/2025 2:04:10 PM PDT by SkyDancer ( ~ Am Yisrael Chai ~)
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To: DallasBiff

When I came home from overseas during the war(Germany) I had a layover in Philth-a-delphia. I had my uniform on and was heckled and spit at. Nothing landed on me, but it was very unpleasant. I went into the restroom and changed into civies for the next flight.


16 posted on 10/16/2025 2:04:11 PM PDT by weston (As far as I'm concerned, it's Christ or nothing)
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To: Tell It Right

Exactly.


17 posted on 10/16/2025 2:04:50 PM PDT by SkyDancer ( ~ Am Yisrael Chai ~)
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To: DallasBiff
Twenty-one-year-old Steven A. Wowwk arrived as an infantryman in the Army’s First Cavalry Division in Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam in early January 1969 to fight in an escalating and increasingly unwinnable war.

We actually won all of the battles but the cowards in DC sold out our military and the "rules" where we could not cross certain lines were absolutely stupid.

Vietnam was a repeat of Korea, they bring in the chinks, but we can't cross a mythical line to kill them.

If we wanted to win in Korea, we'd have told the chinese, get the hell out or we will nuke your major cities.

North korea could never have stopped us without the chinese and the self imposed idiot rules.

18 posted on 10/16/2025 2:05:58 PM PDT by USS Alaska (NUKE THE MOOSELIMB TERRORIST SAVAGES)
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To: MeneMeneTekelUpharsin

I wish we could round up all of the people still alive who protested that and, um, treat them to a party.


A blanket party.


19 posted on 10/16/2025 2:07:20 PM PDT by dfwgator ("I am Charlie Kirk!")
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To: DallasBiff

Thank in part John f’n Kerry for that.


20 posted on 10/16/2025 2:07:35 PM PDT by rfp1234 (E Porcibus Unum)
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