Incoming Troops, Outgoing Vets: Soldiers From Other Wars Help Those From Iraq at BWI

The Washington Post ^ | November 11, 2003 | Steve Vogel

[BillF]

As the automatic doors leading out of customs at BWI Airport swung open, a loud, sustained cheer rang out. The troops just off the plane from Iraq -- looking gritty in their desert camouflage uniforms -- stopped short.

"Welcome back. Good to have you home," said Bill Self, a Vietnam War veteran, extending his hand to each soldier arriving for two weeks of home leave. Beyond him, a second line of veterans was waiting with telephone cards allowing the soldiers to make free calls across the country.

At the end of the gantlet stood Ray Shipley, 75, a Korean War veteran from Bowie who served in both the Army and Air Force. He knew that every second of leave is precious and wanted to make sure the soldiers didn't waste it sitting in an airport. Like the old buck sergeant he is, Shipley hurried them off to the appropriate ticket agent.

[BillF]

Great article. Only available for a couple more days.

I just saw the article today.

[BillF]

Maybe we could help or coordinate with this operation for the proposed BWI project?

[BillF]

Thought that you would be interested in this.

[BillF]

Nice story.

[VOA]

ping...just to see what's happening with the soldier transit at BWI.

[armymarinemom]

Thought that you would be interested in this.

You bet I am:) The USO will coodinate with groups on this effort. If enough people start showing up they are going to try to arrange free parking at one of the hotels with a shuttle service.
A good welcome home by strangers means a lot to our troops. The feedback that they get from the media is often negative and they need to hear from Americans that are behind them. The vocal minority is getting better press.

[DustyMoment]

It is particularly appropriate that veterans from Korea and Vietnam take part in this. We were ignored, abused and mistreated when we came home from what were "unpopular" wars (I tremble to think that any war was "popular").

Although I am not physically there, I join my brother and sister veterans in ensuring that the Iraq War vets know they are appreciated and supported and that their efforts have neither been forgotten or ignored.

[Maigrey]

I thought you would be interested in seeing this.

[MeekOneGOP]

Thanks ! Good article ...

"These guys are fighting over there, and there are all these arguments. Somebody should tell these guys, 'Hey, you're fighting for us, and we appreciate it,' " Shipley said. "It's not their fault that we get in the predicaments that governments put us into."

It is a lesson some of the veterans know well. Self is a former Navy corpsman who served with the 3rd Marine Division in Da Nang in 1965 and 1966.

"I went through the same thing in Vietnam," Self, 74, said. "There wasn't anyone to see me when I got home, so we're here to make sure that doesn't happen again."

Many veterans of Vietnam, returning to a deeply divided United States, were greeted with scorn, even spitting or hostile epithets, when they arrived home in uniform. As yet, the nation's ambivalence about the Iraq war has not extended to the men and women fighting it. Self, Shipley and the other veterans want to make sure it stays that way.

[VOA]

I don't know if the article at this URL might be of interest (if you are in Maine):
http://www.realcities.com/mld/krwashington/news/special_packages/galloway/6437354.htm

(in case you don't know, the writer Joe Galloway was the co-author of the book
"We Were Soldiers Once...And Young".

[armymarinemom]

in case you don't know, the writer Joe Galloway was the co-author of the book "We Were Soldiers Once...And Young".


Thanks for posting the link. I'm the mom in the story. Mr. Galloway was kind enough to autograph three copies of his book with messages for each one of my sons while he was here. What impressed me the most about him is that he spent more time with the Joes than he did with the officers for this interview. When we discussed the Anti-War protestors he said"The Hell with them!!!". (Sorry don't boot me for the bad word.)
He may write some critical stories about the brass and leadership from time to time but he has no love for the commie protestors.

[VOA]

I'm the mom in the story.

It IS a small world, after all.
Galloway seems to be the sort of combat journalist I can like: whether it using a pen/pencil
or a submachine gun, he directs his fire in the right direction.

I'm logging off in a few minutes...and packing two care packages; one to a US Army chaplain
in the Baghdad area, one to an artillery soldier north of Baghdad.
Cheers to your loved ones now serving.

[TexasCowboy]

Thank you, Maigrey!

You bet I'm interested in this!

How 'bout it, Houston?
Can we put this together as a HAT project?

Eaker, how about co-ordinating with the VietNam vet who organized that parade in which we participated?
When we drove down Westheimer with our flags waving?

This is something we can get our collective teeth into!
I don't think it would necessarily have to be only vets in the welcoming committees, although the more we can round up, the better.
These guys and gals just need someone to say, "Thank you", when they get off the plane and help them get home as fast as possible!

What say ye, HAT??!

[Allegra]

These guys and gals just need someone to say, "Thank you", when they get off the plane and help them get home as fast as possible!

What say ye, HAT??!

I would be honored to be part of something like this.

[Eaker]

Eaker, how about co-ordinating with the VietNam vet who organized that parade in which we participated?

I'll see what I can do and let you know.

[VOA]

Howdy,
This topic got batted around on a previous thread, especially about greetings at
DFW airport:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1012502/posts

I was just involved in the thread because I'm a transplanted Okie who has
flown through DFW a few times...but the address of the USO in post 46 on that thread
might be a helpful place to start. (There might have been a Houston USO office as well).

Good luck; there surely must be more than a few soldiers passing through the Houston airports now.

[humblegunner]

Absolutely!

I'm in.

[TexasCowboy]

Okay! Monday I'll contact the USO in Houston and get the details of how to put it together.
Then I'll contact the people I know at the American Legion and the VFW in Katy and put out the word about what we intend to do.
This is going to be a fun project!

If y'all see anyone at Hobby or HIA hasseling our troops coming home, please bust them in the mouth! I'll pay your fine!

[Allegra]

You ROCK, TC.

You're right...this will be such an uplifting experience. I can't promise to have dry eyes during such an endeavor. :)

[TexasCowboy]

"I can't promise to have dry eyes during such an endeavor. :)"

Well, my tough guy image is already shattered.
We can share the Kleenix box.