My late husband was drafted and went to Nam. I met him about 4 years after his return. I already had a degree and went on to law school while we were married.
He hated the college kids we'd be around. He hated my law school friends, many of whom avoided the war via college. He just couldn't get over how one day he was working on the line in Detroit and then, because he was a regular working class guy and didn't go to college, he was in the jungle.
Then later, these same college pukes would be the ones to deny him a job because they were afraid of hiring a war vet who might go crazy on the job or didn't like the military and wouldn't hire a vet at all.
Looking back, I don't know why I was surprised at the depth of his animosity.
"Then later, these same college pukes would be the ones to deny him a job because they were afraid of hiring a war vet who might go crazy on the job or didn't like the military and wouldn't hire a vet at all."
That's interesting.
I'm just a working stiff who paints houses. Some of my best customers - with whom I have built personal relationships - are doctors and lawyers. Perhaps in a negative sense, I presumed they got their degrees as a result of staying in graduate school to avoid the draft.
They've treated me especially well. I've attributed this to their guilt about not serving during Vietnam.
Maybe some of those people your husband saw as adversaries grew up? I hope so.
Either way, I'm sorry he's not here to see the newfound respect he has earned.
Yes, looking back it's hard to believe that there were people that thought of and treated the returning military so shabbily. One of the most shameful things about that period. IMO the media and academia had a significant role in demeaning the vets.
Fortunately, in spite of the attention the Sheehan types are getting, they have not been able to get any traction with that sort of attitude. I think that even the MSM and the DIMs realize they can't float that pile now. But I have no doubt that a lot of the DIM party leadership would like to, if they thought they could get away with it.
How sad. Well, I reckon he's in a better place. God rest his soul.