I feel that I should introduce myself for several reasons. Since I was a young boy as far back as I can remember my dad talked about his experiences in Vietnam. I was born in 1978 so it really wasn't that long after the war ended. I would listen to these stories with complete attention, fascination, and sometimes disbelief.
The experience of war is an event that sticks with every man or even woman and they'll never forget. My family has a long history of serving in the Army and I was always proud of that. My grandfather was a bombardier in B-24 bombers in World War 2 and my other grandfather also served. All 4 of my uncles on my dad's side of the family also served, including my dad, and all retired with at least 20 years of service.
I served 7 years in an artillery unit, starting in 1996, with one year in Europe after 9/11. I was warned not to join, especially the Army, but I had to find out what it was like. I listened for years at every Christmas party to all the stories, excitement, and occasionally the bad times of military service. I fortunately or unfortunately ETS'ed out in Feb. 2003, the same month the U.S. invaded Iraq. Nearly every day I wonder if I should've volunteered to go there or the Afghanistan.
The way I see the military is like an abusive husband and the soldier is the battered wife. Most of the time it's tough, boring, and you feel stuck. Occassionally, just as an abusive husband can be sweet as can be the Army is awesome, exciting, exhilarting, and makes you feel great. When you leave it's tough, no matter how much you hated it. The Army provides just enough security, money, food, etc. that when you leave you almost regret it and want to go back. The military knows this just like the husband does. I'm only speaking for myself but it's the best explanation I can come up with why I miss it and dream about it a lot.
Anyways, I can't write about Vietnam from a complete accurate viewpoint and I can't feel everything the soldiers did that were there, but I can identify with them a little more than the average "civilian", so here we go.
Others might wonder, "Why write about a war that's been written about and discussed more than probably any other modern war?" Well, it's personal to me since my dad was there. The experiences that he had shouldn't be forgotten. He'll be the first to tell you that his feelings are completely mixed on the war overall but I know my dad's heart and he did some courageous actions that to me were enough to say "Hey this war was worth it." He did like many other young men did in what felt like a hopeless situation, He helped other people and did the right thing amidst others who did the wrong things just because they could get away with it during wartime.
By no means was he a saint. He'll tell you that himself. I'll certaintly share some of those wild and crazy moments too. Some of those moments could be questioned too as right or wrong, but overall I feel he did what he could. You have to remember these soldiers were young, damn near kids still but that didn't stop them from beating the tar out of the enemy on the battlefield. The soldiers didn't lose the war as the media and liberals wanted everyone to believe. The American people refused to pay the price for victory even though these soldiers were willing to give everything, up to and including their own lives.
This aspect of the war is another reason I need to write about it. Sure, there were mistakes and mishaps but it was war and noone can control the actions of hundreds of thousands of soldiers. The idea that the government did not stand behind their own troops sickens me, but it doesn't surprise me.
I'm a historian by nature, so I'll try to throw out a lot of history, maybe too much, but I also want to show you the human side from a dirty, dusty, boots on the ground perspective, since this is where the war was being fought and experienced.
Finally, I regret that my dad lost almost everyone of his pictures from Vietnam when our family had a house fire in 1999. I wish I had them but I don't. I know some by memory but that's it. If you're willing to share any photos or stories with me I'd be eternally greatful. Thank You. My email is jeffben19782003@gmail.com
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