Question about Vietnam veterans

[kirchevavenir]

So I have a question for veterans/civilians. First of all, if your a veteran of any sort I'd like to say thank you for your service. So I heard a while ago that it's very impactful to to tell a Vietnam veteran "Welcome back" over "Thank you for your service". This is because of all the controversy at the time when they returned home. And not being welcomed in their own country. I want to know if people actually do say this to veterans, what their reactions are, and if veterans genuinely appreciate getting told this.

Thanks

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[Ruger Rich]

I am a Vietnam veteran. I got out in Dec 1968 and I served 18 months in Vietnam. I couldn't grow my hair

out fast enough when I got out, it was the main identifier. I remain very proud of my Army time that I

gave to my country. I was hassled often, and never one on one. I took a few lumps. Mainly I've learned

to let that rest in my past. It's not good for me to go deep into this. If you'd care to buy me a beer

someday I'd talk more openly.

 

[Alexx1401]

MANY of them I know are often still bitter about how they were treated. Many of those do appreciate the late praise they get now. The same people who are "woke" now were the ones waving signs, screaming at, spitting at, those Vets. That scum (the woke) never change, only the targets change.

 

[Andy54Hawken]

While I am a veteran...I am not a Vietnam veteran.
However.....
Many of the Senior NCO's that I learned how to soldier under as well as just how to be a NCO were....
Without them , their example and lessons...I might not be alive today.

I do know that getting through several tough schools in the Army , along with 4 combat tours is on me , so to speak.
But as noted above...the men who taught me...the men who were the example...who lived it...
Helped shape me as a soldier and a Sergeant.


As far as thanking folks for their service....
It depends.
Serving in the military is very different for everyone...some folks don't want to be reminded of it...or think on it...
Others may appreciate the gesture of a Thank You.
It is important to "know your audience" with this one for sure.
Andy

 

[72scoutman]

So if they wear a Vietnam vet hat or shirt or whatever are they more likely to appreciate the "thanks" since they are publically letting it be known?

 

[kirchevavenir]

So if they wear a Vietnam vet hat or shirt or whatever are they more likely to appreciate the "thanks" since they are publically letting it be known?

That's exactly what I'm wondering. Would most vets who wear Vietnam vet attire appreciate the saying Welcome home/ Welcome Back?

 

[Alexx1401]

So if they wear a Vietnam vet hat or shirt or whatever are they more likely to appreciate the "thanks" since they are publically letting it be known?

I would say often yes. Many I know do not want to talk about it. Many if asked will but they do not make a point of it. Many are proud to have served though. So I can't see one of them not enjoying hearing others say thank you if they are making it known they served.

 

[Hooyah DeepSea]

It's a 'yes' and 'no' thing. As others have said, if the vet is wearing something indicating their service, I'd say sure, why not. Otherwise, a respectful nod can do the same thing.

As a vet myself, I do not say "welcome back". I occasionally say "thanks for your service". Most commonly I say "go Navy" or "Semper Fi", or "go Army / Air Force". but then again, I have a common experience with them.

 

[joken]

I am a Vietnam veteran and I'd never worn anything that suggested I was. I suppose I felt like wearing a hat or something that identified me as a veteran made me feel like I was asking for something. A couple of years ago I visited my son, a former USAF officer in Mooresville NC where he lives. We visited a privately owned military museum representing all branches in Mooresville and spoke to a couple of old veterans there. They had a room with a lot of hats for sale and I bought one as a token of my appreciation for all their hard work. I wore the hat that day, a few people commented and I thanked them. Later we all went wine tasting and the owner wouldn't let me pay for my beer sampler. I still have the hat and don't often wear it.

 

[former173rd]

I make no apologies for saying " Welcome home" to a recognized RVN Vet. I remember my "welcome".

Or any other combat vet.

 

[gmerkt]

I was there a year and a half. I have the VV cap, bought it by the pound at Goodwill. I don't often wear it, only at the Veteran's Day parade (coming up). Somehow or another, it seems pretentious for me to wear it routinely. Seeing as how there are so many others it isn't all that exclusive. Yet. But at the parade it's a pretty normal thing for vets to wear stuff, seems appropriate. I don't have a dress uniform with medals and stuff on it, just the cap.

I don't mind if people say something like, "thank you for your service." Which I sometimes hear when I ask for the veteran discount. Which is often. I'm surprised how many places offer it. That's the best thanks they can give me. If the veteran discount doesn't work, I ask for the senior discount. "Military discount" usually includes veterans, I've found.

Once in a while when someone thanks me for my service, I smart-a** them a little, by saying, "Oh, no problem, they paid me $112 a month as a private soldier to do it." There is humor in it now.

Do any US Army veterans remember the involuntary deduction they took out of our pay for the Old Soldier's Home in Wash., DC?

Back to the parade days when I've worn the cap. Yes, I've heard the, "Welcome Back" from other VV veterans. I'm okay with it, however tardy.

 

[bcp]

Got out in '63, so missed the Vietnam mess. Don't wear a hat or talk about it-nothing very interesting happened. Served in two foreign places, Korea and Texas. . About the only time I hear a "thanks" is when I get the veteran's discount at the register.

Bruce

 

[salmon creek gary]

I accumulated a couple of "USAF Retired" hats over the past 35 years; however, I seldom wear them since recognizing some mild feelings of bitterness about hearing "Thank you for your service" for the first time something like 25 or so years after returning from Vietnam. Way back then (1970), no one but family seemed happy I'd served, and even they weren't enchanted to learn I'd decided on a career in the military.

I suspect that the current "Welcome Back" may have originated as sort of an echo of the quiet "Welcome home, Brother" that Vietnam Vets began exchanging among themselves decades ago; it was an expression of mutual support at a time when warm feelings for veterans were awfully scarce. Whatever the origin of the phrase, and however sincerely intended, it is somewhat discordant to hear "Welcome Back" from folks who weren't even born yet when I got "back to the world".

 

[toadfish]

I am a Vietnam veteran served with 101st airborne 1970 1971 when I see a Vietnam veteran I always tell them welcome home

 

[former173rd]

I am a Vietnam veteran served with 101st airborne 1970 1971 when I see a Vietnam veteran I always tell them welcome home

Welcome Home, Toad

Speaking of hats, are the "bubblegum caps" still around?

 

[salmon creek gary]

I am a Vietnam veteran served with 101st airborne 1970 1971 when I see a Vietnam veteran I always tell them welcome home

Rightfully so, brother; that phrase belongs to us.

 

[orygun]

I accumulated a couple of "USAF Retired" hats over the past 35 years; however, I seldom wear them since recognizing some mild feelings of bitterness about hearing "Thank you for your service" for the first time something like 25 or so years after returning from Vietnam. Way back then (1970), no one but family seemed happy I'd served, and even they weren't enchanted to learn I'd decided on a career in the military.

I suspect that the current "Welcome Back" may have originated as sort of an echo of the quiet "Welcome home, Brother" that Vietnam Vets began exchanging among themselves decades ago; it was an expression of mutual support at a time when warm feelings for veterans were awfully scarce. Whatever the origin of the phrase, and however sincerely intended, it is somewhat discordant to hear "Welcome Back" from folks who weren't even born yet when I got "back to the world".

I believe it was called "The Defenders of Liberty" parade in downtown Portland about 91-92 that was the first time I ever saw Vietnam Vets receive any positive recognition since they would have returned home. It was a long time coming.
I was way too young to serve, but not too young to have had friends that served or to remember Walter Cronkite giving the death count on the nightly news.
Personally, I would never think to say "Welcome back", but I sure know how to say "Thank you".

 

[1911Fanatic]

Yeah, I'm a Gulf War Vet, and I appreciate Veteran's meals on Veteran's day. I've been too sick to go to one the last few years. But it's nice to visit in a steak house with other, older Vets. You still see some guys that served in Korea and even WWII, but that's getting to be less and less.

My Dad was in during the early part of Vietnam. He's 80 years old now. He doesn't like going for the Veteran's meals and doesn't wear a service ball cap. My son can now go with me, well if he was gonna be home on the day. I'm poor actually, but don't mind buying a beer for one of the old codgers if they'll let me. Sometimes you'll see a really old guy sitting by himself, and I'll join 'em if they'll let me.

I met an old guy that served in Korea that way. Got to hang out with him once, and saw him at The VA a couple of times. And then he died. It's hard seeing guys like him, who were once made of iron, wind up alone after they've out lived their wives, friends and even their children a lot of times. That guy was 90 years old when I met him.