Why do Vietnam vets not talk about the war?

Civilians do not like to hear about killing, and combat soldiers do not want to talk about it. There is no euphemistic way to talk about killing, and there is no eloquent way to describe a violent death. So, in order to cope, soldiers have invented their own private language to talk about these subjects.

How do Vietnam vets feel about the war?

After returning to the United States, many veterans continued to support American military involvement in Vietnam. Even though they had not accomplished all of the U.S. goals, they still felt proud of their service to their country. They believed that they had done their duty and fought bravely for a good cause.

Why do some veterans not talk about their service?

Another reason may exist why veterans from recent wars do not discuss their experiences. They may not be able to, and could be bound by security issues to not mention certain aspects of their service. Especially in an ongoing war, there may be continued actions or engagements that need to remain private.

Do soldiers talk about war?

Originally Answered: Why do many soldiers not talk about their experiences of war? 1: It's extremely personal, and likely painful. They don't even talk about it among themselves, more often than not. Instead, they'll talk about “Hey, remember when…” and completely skirt what happened.

Why were Vietnam vets treated poorly when returned?

American soldiers returning home from Vietnam often faced scorn as the war they had fought in became increasingly unpopular.

How WWII and Vietnam Veterans Were Treated Differently | History

How old would a Vietnam vet be today?

▶ Vietnam Veteran ages range from 55 to 97 years old.

What percent of Vietnam vets are still alive?

These numbers have come about due to the extensive research of various mortality indexes and sources by the American War Library which concluded that about one-third of those who served in the Vietnam War are still alive today.

Do soldiers like being thanked?

According to the poll, 91% of civilians have thanked a veteran for their service, but nearly half of the veterans and active-duty service members who participated in the poll feel uncomfortable being thanked.

What should you not say to a veteran?

Do veterans like war?

Additional findings from the same survey show that about two-thirds of veterans (64%) say they think the war in Iraq was not worth fighting considering the costs versus the benefits to the United States, while 33% say it was. Similarly, a majority of veterans (58%) say the war in Afghanistan was not worth fighting.

Did the VFW reject Vietnam vets?

They say many Vietnam veterans were not recognized because the VFW was not sanctioned to accept them. The U.S. Congress officially recognized Vietnam veterans as veterans of a foreign war in 1966. That was five years before Bantos returned, two years before Kaufman.

What is the most common mental illness in veterans?

The most publicized mental health challenges facing veterans service members are PTSD and depression. Some research has suggested that approximately 14% to 16% of U.S. service members deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq have PTSD or depression.

How were soldiers treated in Vietnam?

Perhaps the cruelest aspect of the war was the treatment of the returning soldiers. Unlike the hero status given to the returning soldiers form World War II, the soldiers that served in Vietnam were portrayed as baby killers, psychos, drug addicts and war mongers.

How does Vietnam remember the war?

Vietnamese of a certain age remember the vocabulary of what they call the American War including words like the National Liberation Front, Unification Day, People's Council, Revolutionary Soldiers, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Cong, and the Tet Offensive. Vietnamese remember soldiers who fought in the American War.

Should you say welcome home to Vietnam vets?

It's never too late to say "Welcome Home," to a Vietnam veteran. Ellen Lewis LaFauci and 7,430 others like this. To all Vietnam Vets thank you all for your serves to the free world.

What made the Vietnam War so traumatic?

Unlike veterans who fought in previous conflicts, the Vietnam veterans were never welcomed home, so many of them suffered from significant social isolation. Jim's PTSD was a result of his military experience in conflict and social isolation which created a vicious circle.

Is there a difference between a veteran and a combat veteran?

How Do Combat Veteran Benefits Differ For Non-Combat Veterans? The most significant difference for combat veteran benefits over non-combat veterans is a priority group. Veterans with combat service records rank higher in priority. This means they qualify for more medical coverage and enhanced eligibility enrollment.

Should you salute a veteran?

Saluting soldiers is not a recommended way to honor current or former members of the Armed Forces. Even members of the Armed Forces do not salute when out of uniform. A salute is part of the official protocols that active soldiers follow. Outside official duties, the military salute is rarely displayed.

Is it OK to say oorah to a Marine?

Oorah is a battle cry common in the United States Marine Corps since the mid-20th century. It is comparable to hooah in the US Army and hooyah in the US Navy and US Coast Guard. It is most commonly used to respond to a verbal greeting or as an expression of enthusiasm.

Why do veterans hate thank you for your service?

The first issue is that literally, everyone says it. In fact, it is said so much that it has become, to many vets, an empty platitude, something you just say because it is politically correct. The simple psychology behind it is this: we don't feel like we did anything special.

What do you say to a Vietnam veteran?

Thank you to the veterans and families for your service to our country. Thank you for protecting our freedom by serving our country. May God bless you and your family. I offer heartfelt appreciation to all of our veterans for your service to our country!

What to say to honor a veteran?

I am sincerely grateful for your service and sacrifice. Thank you for your service! I'm certain it comes with many sacrifices and I thank you and your family each and everyday. Words are not enough to express the gratitude I hold in my heart for our veterans.

Who is the youngest Vietnam veteran still alive?

Are there still U.S. POWs in Vietnam?

As of 2015, more than 1,600 of those were still “unaccounted-for.” The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) of the U.S. Department of Defense lists 687 U.S. POWs as having returned alive from the Vietnam War.

What unit saw the most combat in Vietnam?

# 1: The 23rd Infantry Division

The amount of top awards earned by Soldiers of the 23rd are numerous for their heroic actions in Vietnam. The Americal Division (23rd Infantry Division) was formed from elements of Task Force Oregon in Chu Lai, Southern First Corps, Republic of South Vietnam on 26 September 1967.