I stated earlier that "this was the last I say on the subject", but I cannot let this pass without a response. First of all, I am not going to argue with you about our different takes on the ideals, philosophies and principles that make this country tick. It is fruitless as well as a exercise in futility. You have your opinion and I have mine and that is fine. I will continue to express mine for those who lurk here so that they are aware there is more than one opinion express on this board.
Now, I was expressing my opposition to those who protested the war. It is my firm belief they caused the loss of at least seven aircraft and 14 crew members from my unit to be in vain and that was just in the first two month of my first tour. I am sorry you disagree with that assumption but I have it, nevertheless. Things like Jane Fonda sitting on a cannon in Hanoi will be with me as long as I live.
I certainly appreciate you and your husband caring for those evacuated from SE Asia by medivac. Maybe I was one of those and it would have been a great help to any airevaced from Vietnam. I also would have been one that did not welcome the protest that was, in my mind, causing my buddies to die, for what I considered, in vain. I forgoed a promotion and ten more years in the military because I did not want to return to Vietnam for a third tour, not because I was afraid of dying but because I was not going to die for a conflict we were obviously not trying to win.
BTW, I was not alone in this belief. As a major and friend of mine said one night while sitting at the bar in the Hawk's nest, "Andy you know what its going to take to get me back here for a 3rd tour". I said, "No, Joe, what". "Its going to take three sets of orders, one sending me over here, and one each for the two MPs who escort me on and off the plane".
As you are aware, there are definitely two sides to any situation. This is my side and regardless what you and your left leaning friends think, it is every bit as valid as yours. It is very simple. You think you were right and I think I, and those on my side were. We, in my opinion, disgraced ourselves, left the Vietnamese people in the lurch and created a situation that it took years from which to recover. But you're right. We ended the war but it my mind, disgracefully.
Many will disagree with this and that is their right as Americans. I believe that to a great degree, we have misplaced the pride and determination for self betterment in this county.
I certainly recognize and appreciate that you and poppy served our country. Both liberals, conservatives and those with no political pursuasion served. May it always be so.
One last thing. I do not subscribe to your contention that protests against the military and support of them are mutually exclusive. Once again, this is a difference of opinion between us. I will close with this. While I respect your obvious intelligence and freedom of opinion, on this issue, as well as many others, I most certainly disagree, which is my right just as it is yours to express whatever you wish. I only ask to be allowed to freely express my side of the issue.
Was Jackie a redneck too?