Mr. Young,
I just read your
poem on wardog.com, and I was moved to tears. This is a picture of most
all Vietnam veterans, if they would only just admit to it. My husband
served in 70-71 at Red Beach, and he is disabled from an anxiety
disorder. He cannot stand crowds, darkness, or anyone to be behind him
in a group. Up until recently, he did not admit to many that he was a
Vietnam vet. I have gotten him some stickers for his motorcycle and a
license plate with Vietnam veteran on it. He also has a cap with that on
it. He did not want people to know he served there. I told him to be
proud of his service and I have pride in all Vietnam veterans and
veterans from other wars too. Most men that I meet that were in Vietnam
have issues with anxiety, but some handle it better than others. Our
country sent our 'boys' to war, and yes, you all were just boys. My
husband says the movies he sees are not correct, in that the actors are
too old, he said he did not see old men there, just kids. I think part
of the reason for all the patriotism today, is that most of the parents
of today's soldiers are Vietnam veterans, or people from that time that
saw how they were treated. My husband mentioned to me about the name
'baby-killer' and how much it hurt to be called that. I cannot
understand a country sending young men to war and then just abandoning
them when they return. My father served in Korea and he has the same
problems. When I was young, and even now, we knew not to touch Dad when
he was not aware we were there. He just lashed out and hit whatever
touched him. He will not speak of much that he saw, he holds it all
inside. My mother told me about this; not Dad. A man at our church, that
grew up in the community that I did, was in Vietnam and Cambodia and he
has nightmares from the things that he saw there. His wife said he has
it very rough sometimes. A girl that I worked with told me of her
husband and how he would not sleep in the house but in a hammock in
their garage and had the same anxiety problems that my husband had. I
know it is not just Americans that have these problems, all soldiers do,
regardless of what country they are from. God bless you and touch the
raw places in your heart and heal them. I love my Vietnam Vet and the
rest of them too!!!!!!
Best wishes,
A Proud Veteran's Wife