Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day

[Ross]

Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day
Statement by John Rowan, VVA National President
On "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day"
March 29 has been designated as "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day" by a resolution of Congress, thanks, in no small measure, to the efforts of Senator Richard Burr, Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, and Representative Linda Sanchez in the House.  However belated the recognition of the service and sacrifice of those of us who served in Southeast Asia during the years of what was then America's longest war, it is appreciated.
For far too long, citizens of all political persuasions blamed those who served for the failures of those led, those officials whose military as well as political policies failed. Returning veterans were not welcomed by a grateful nation; instead, many were ignored at best, scorned at worst. The psychological issues faced by many Vietnam vets can be traced not simply to what they experienced in Vietnam but to their experience on their return home.
Perhaps America has grown up. Today, Americans embrace those who have volunteered for military service and have placed themselves in harm's way – whether they agree or disagree with the mission in Iraq or Afghanistan. These newly minted veterans and those who continue to serve, despite deployment after deployment, are offered a variety of opportunities and events across the nation by Americans who want to say in some way, Welcome Home, and Thank You for Your Service.
Americans are belatedly embracing Vietnam veterans as well, having come to the realization that those who served fought as well as their fathers and uncles did in World War II and in Korea. As we approach 50 years since the beginning of that ill-fated venture, events are being planned nationally as well as locally to honor those who served, and to remember those who were lost to the war. "Better late than never" may be a cliché, but it is never too late to say Thank You for Your Service, and Welcome Home.

Visit the Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day Page & Event Listings Here
http://vva.org/welcome-home-day.html

[Diane Amberg]

Well, it's about time!

[Warph]

POEMS About Vietnam

By John Antonius Tabah



Freedom Bird
 

Appearing before us,

All shiny and bright,

Freedom Bird was parked.

We made it to her flight.

 

A year of torment,

Lead to this scheduled flight.

Sitting in stony silence,

GI's in anticipation waited.

 

Frightened by the fear of meeting

Charlie's final weapon of death, we sat.

Freedom Bird rolled down the runway,

While unbearable thoughts entombed us.

 

Freedom Bird lifted her wings and soared high into the blue.

Comforted in her safety,

We snuggled in our Bird's flight.

It's over we sighed.

 

As Freedom Bird flew our scheduled flight,

A final joy was felt.

For there were to be no more

Charlie, jungle, fear and death





Home
 

Off Freedom Bird in Los Angeles,

My thoughts were of going home.

Looking out the windows of the bus,

I saw houses standing in rows.

They looked strange, like toys in a game,

Houses with neatly mowed lawns.

One day I lived next to a rice paddy, and the next day I was here.

 
How, unexpectedly, strange it felt.

Getting off the bus, I ran to make my flight.

I passed a lady who shouted, "killer".

Strange, I knew my duffle bag did not hit her.

Barely, making my flight,

I walked onto the plane.

Why are they looking at me so strangely, I thought?


Off to New York I flew, with no time to think.

I took a wild ride with a New York Cab driver.

In Grand Central Station, an older man stood and looked at me strangely.

He stared at my uniform, shook his head, and asked me if I was in ROTC.

No, I just got home from Nam I said.

Looking at me in disgust, he shouted "baby killer".

Taking off my uniform I changed into my jeans.


Feeling comfortable in Montpelier, Vermont,

I called my Dad for a ride home.

He said I did not know you would be here so soon and I need my sleep.

Yeah, Dad, don't worry.

Sorry to have awakened you, Dad, you get your sleep.

It's just 12 miles to home and I hitch hiked it a lot as a kid.

I walked home and never told my mother what my father did.






Tormented

June seven nineteen sixty nine

They call it my anniversary day

Because it is etched into my mind

 
It begins with a whistling sound

Followed by a crash above me

Then crackling sounds of red metal flying around me
                                                         

As I was blown into the air

I could see myself screaming

And I was amazed to see myself in the air

 
At first I thought I was dead

Because how could I see - me?

And then I felt the ground
 

My ears ringing but I found no wounds on me

From Charlie's Rocket blast above me

Then I realized my only friend George
 

I had to help George

And I yelled for others to help

As they dove away from another rocket blast

 
My ears ringing and my legs shaking

I found George

And I can still hear him groan and call my name


He died just back from R & R

Writing home to his wife

On June seven nineteen sixty nine.