Back in the Fight (Vietnam Veterans Return to Duty in Iraq Seeking a Better Outcome)

The Washington Post ^ | Saturday, February 18, 2006 | Jonathan Finer

[MinorityRepublican]

BAGHDAD -- As a young Marine officer leading patrols in Vietnam, John Holly swears he survived by knowing the tangled terrain better than his enemies did. As a private contractor in Iraq dealing with logistics and supplies, he now must navigate a bureaucracy he finds nearly as complex.

Maggie Godson sweated out the 1968 Tet Offensive at an Army firebase as a Red Cross worker sent to boost the morale of frontline troops. Almost 40 years later, the mother of two returned to war, reviewing transportation and facilities contracts in Baghdad.

Charles Thomas was wounded three times in Vietnam-- the last time by a rifle shot that shattered his ankle as he stepped off a helicopter into an ambush -- and limped home questioning whether U.S. soldiers should have been sent there in the first place. Now in Iraq, he says he is unequivocally proud of his mission.

"What I'm doing now's the kind of thing we should have done more of in Vietnam," said Thomas, 59, from North Potomac, who manages development of Iraq's sewage and water systems. "The thing I regret most about my time [in Vietnam] was we were just plain fighters. We didn't go out and help people with their everyday lives."

Decades removed from the conflict that molded -- and, for some, scarred -- their generation, dozens of Vietnam veterans have signed up for duty in Iraq. Some are still in uniform, graying guardsmen and reservists activated as part of the largest call-up since the last time most saw combat more than 30 years ago.

[MinorityRepublican]

Tommy Clarkson is one of many Vietnam veterans returning to duty in Iraq seekinig a better outcome. (Courtesy Patty Clarkson)

[SandRat]

PING to All you!!! Back in the Saddle Again!!!

[TheCrusader]

That's a great photograph.

[ALOHA RONNIE]

.

And leading the way in Spirit...


The Man Who Predicted 911: Vietnam Veteran RICK RESCORLA, ..R.I.P.

http://www.RickRescorla.com

http://www.armchairgeneral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24361

.

[Kurt_Hectic]

He still looks like a tough coockie

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[Racehorse]

Not all of them are guys. Godson, who has been married for 35 years and has two grown sons, came to Baghdad in 2004. She is working overseas for the first time since crisscrossing Vietnam by chopper with her fellow "Donut Dollies," named for the trailers full of pastries and coffee that volunteers traveled with in World War II.

HOLDING THE LINE, TOO, were the 36th's smiling, doughnut serving Red Cross girls. Left to right: Dorothy Boschen, Virginia Spetz, Jane Cook, Meredyth Gardiner. A captured German vehicle became their supply truck.

Salute to them Red Cross girls!

[lowbridge]

bump

[Brad’s Gramma]

he says he is unequivocally proud of his mission.

And we are unequivocally proud of YOU, Sir!!!

[MinorityRepublican]

BTTT!

[Brad’s Gramma]

Yeah, well.....I can do the same! :)

BTTT!

[Diva Betsy Ross]

In all sincerity~ Some of the finest human beings I have met have been Vietnam Veterans.

I love those guys and gals.

Leave it to those good folks to try and save our butts again. I wish I could thanks them all personally.

[SandRat]

The story doesn't start to tell the whole story. Most of the defense contractors making stuff here in the states hired service vets and most of them have a good number of those very same folks in OIF/OEF right now. From the very start, going in when the unit went in and coming out when the unit came out. Over and over and over.

[Diva Betsy Ross]

Sandrat-truley that is one of the reasons I support our contractors. I know of a company who hires returning OIF\OEF veterans for contractor work - so back they go... and one group who hore Vietnam Veterans. I am glad you brought it up here- because some people don't believe me as much as I have tried to educate them.

This is a very important topic to me- since I have been told- by a veteran nonetheless, that Contractors don't deserve much moral support from us since they get plenty of money. (what a bunch of bunk!)

I have disagreed with those folks.... and BTW, check this out: For the Civilians (and veterans) who are involved in OIF\OEF

And you will see how important the issue is to me on my profile page at the bottom. I hope you have better luck educating people about our contractors background and service to this country, than I have had here at FR. :]

Good job SandRat!!