[2ndDivisionVet]

Although I served later, I cringe when Vietnam Veterans are besmirched by the press, politicians and others. This article dispels many myths that exist about those who served their country in Southeast Asia. Hope it opens some eyes...

[ozzymandus]

Is this Burkett the same dude who gave dan rather the phony story about President Bush?

[tubebender]

I had a guy do some painting for me a few years ago and his story was...he stepped on a type of land mine that goes off when you lift your foot. He said he stood there while they got a Jeep and tied a shock cord around him and to the Jeep then snatched him off the mine with only minor injury. Would this have been possible? I always thought he was a fake vet...

[Brad from Tennessee]

B.G. "Jug" Burkett is the co-author of "Stolen Valor--How the Vietnam Generation Was Robbed of its Heroes and History." This thoroughly researched book exposes all the negative myths perpetuated by Hollywood and the news media about the Vietnam Veteran. It exposes phony heroes in high and low places. It investigates the forces that shaped the publics perception of Vietnam Veterans as alcoholic, dope-addled, dysfunctional losers. But provides solid statistics proving that most of us are well adjusted and productive citizens. He demolishes myths about African-Americans serving in disproportionate numbers (the percentage that served matched their percentage of the US population) and he demolishes the myth that Vietnam servicemen and women did not serve with the same honor and distinction as their parents and grandparents. Statistically, Vietnam era personnel committed far fewer offenses, deserted and surrendered less than US personnel in previous wars. It's a great book and Burkett is a great American.

[leadpenny]

There is another truth about Vietnam, and that is that the great majority of draftees who served - served honorably.

Throwing the draft out as the Vietnam War was winding down was a knee-jerk reaction to the protests from the Left.

I don't want to beat up on W because he's going to be beat up enough over the next two years, but one of the biggest mistakes he made after 9-11 was to not call for a Universal Service Bill which would have included the authority to draft men and women into the Armed Services. Not doing so has helped put the country where it is today.

[\/\/ayne]

B.G. Burkett was on a local Tucson radio show a few years ago when Stolen Valor came out and I called in since I read his book. Bert Lee, the crusty and somewhat liberal radio host was surprised to find out the American Embassy in Vietnam was not overrun.

Stolen Valor is a must read. See if its in your local library.

[Jaxter]

"Bonner hadn't entered the Army until 1978, three years after the war ended.."

They just never seem to get that date right do they?

[mbynack]

I've read several studies that repudiate myths about Vietnam vets. One of the myths is that Vietnam vets suffer from mental illness at a greater rate than those who didn’t serve. According to the study, this is false. Another myth is that the enlisted forced were made up of mostly poor minorities. This is also false. Compared to the demographics of the US at the time when blacks made up about 16 percent of the population, only about 11% of the frontline combat troops were black. Most were middle class whites.

I entered service when I turned 18 in 1974 and volunteered for Vietnam, but they weren’t sending any new troops over because the troop withdrawal was under way. I still run into guys who are several years younger than me that claim to have served in-country. I told one guy that he would have been 15 when the last US troops left Vietnam. He stammered a little bit and hasn’t spoken to me since.