Thread: Thank you Billbob and other Vietnam veterans for your service.

Here are some pictures from Lake Charles veteran memorial. Supposedly the new Vietnam memorial , dedicated this Friday, contains all 885 Louisiana veteran's names and which parish (county) they are from. It is beautiful and done in 3 sides. There used to be a huey helicopter in this spot, but hurricane Laura destroyed it. Pictures in order. 1. Park entrance 2. Old plaque that was under the huey. 3. A section of the new memorial.
4. A veteran who lived across the street from me. Raymond Page Johnson. Same school but he was older. His brother and I were close and played football together. We both joined the USAF right out of school. Never seen him since. 5. Statue of Lt. Douglas B. Fournet. Medal of Honor recipient. 6. Army flag for Billbob. Welcome home Ted.

This memorial was done with private donations. Very honorable indeed. Thank you donors. RIP servicemen on the wall.

Beautiful indeed Danny. Great tribute for our Vietnam Veteran’s and place to reflect.

Originally Posted by "D"

We got a new specific Viet Nam veterans memorial today in Lake Charles. It is being installed in the spot where the huey helicopter was sitting until it was destroyed by the last 2 hurricanes 4.5 years ago. I will go see it tomorrow. I'll post a picture on this thread.

Looking forward to seeing it.
Bob

I served 4.5 yrs. during the V. War but only stateside, so I don't consider myself a Vietnam vet like those who saw action. (My orders to ship out to Vietnam were changed.)

The American Legion Post I belong to do have vets that served in different wars (Korea, Iraq and Afghanistan for example), some that are disabled. I took care of many vets during my 18 years at a V.A. hospital in N.Y. and proud to do so.

Our veterans should be honored and never forgotten, and the youth of our nation should be educated of the sacrifice and at times suffering our men and women endured in war time. May the U.S. never again fight a war that isn't in our best interest. The price is too steep!

(Note: I'm worried that there may be cuts to the V.A. that affect veteran care which happened recently at the V.A. I retired from.)

Spoonminnow, I too did not go to Vietnam, though I served then. The term is Vietnam era veteran. I went to Europe instead. But I am still proud of serving and I thank you for serving.

What surprised me, going for the 1st time this year to the American Legion Post meeting, was the comradery. Many also belong to the VFW but still like hanging out with fellow vets at my post. I have a small list of guys that want to go fishing with me and I will supply the tackle seeing as how many haven't fished in years or used lures.

We had a fund-raising breakfast Sunday to help pay for the school tax on our building and the turnout was surprising. I was glad to help.

Originally Posted by "D"

Spoonminnow, I too did not go to Vietnam, though I served then.The term is Vietnam era veteran . I went to Europe instead. But I am still proud of serving and I thank you for serving.

The term is Vietnam era veteran.

I was drafted & served from '68-'70 and went to South Korea. I came within minutes of going to Nam, with the 82nd Airborne, with a Small Parts Repair Warehouse Company ... but signed up to go to Korea when the Germany call wasn't available in time before the company was to ship out. Found out when signing up that the Germany call was 18mo. and that was about all the time I had left. After they told me the Germany call wasn't in, they told me I could sign up to go to Korea for 13mo. and if I had less than 6mo. left on my time they'd drop it. So I signed up for the Korea call. Did my 13mo. and came home. Went back to my old job as a Pharmacy Technician & didn't have to go to Natl. Guard because that job was considered a "critical civilian occupation".

I figure, anyone who didn't avoid the draft and enlisted, did their duty regardless how unpopular the war. When you're in the service your life is not your own. You're told what to do and when to do it according to the UCMJ (Uniform Code of Military Justice) + civil laws. Violate either and the brig awaits you. You don't get to quit when things don't go your way and there will always be someone above you, you must account to. Military service isn't for everyone, and promotions aren't automatic, but instead what your NCO (the guy with the stripes) says in your evaluation.

As for me, I lived off base with my family and it was like a regular job. My weekends were free and I did a lot of fishing. Even went fishing with my C.O., a captain who was a regular guy, and his son. I was good at my job and he knew and appreciated it.

The war was winding down and I knew there was no chance of being sent to Nam. I even considered re-upping, finishing college and maybe applying to OTS (officer training school), but my father was elderly and I knew I would need to help my mom take care of him.

I don't regret one day I served and wonder how many of today's youth would go if asked to - especially if a draft happened. Draft dodging or a deferment for some bogus health condition never crossed my mind.