[OT] Is anyone here a Vietnam veteran or knows the email of one?

[Creamsteak]

At one time I knew quite a few veterans, including one pilot that flew attack aircraft against ground forces and still managed to pull of an air-to-air kill, but all of these connections have dried up over the past 4 years. Now I've been given a rather simple interview that I need to do with a Veteran of the Vietnam war, and I don't have any contacts.

If any of you are veterans, or know one who doesn't mind answering a few questions, I'd love to be contacted through email concerning this.

My email address is creamsteak@hotmail.com if anyone can help me out. There are 15 questions I need to ask.

 

[MeepoTheMighty]

Just make sure they stay away from stories about the waterslide and the tilt-a-whirl, or else you'll fail your assignment.

 

[Angcuru]

I know a guy who's in the top ten of the President's 100, but he'd probably tell you to go screw yourself. Sorry.

 

[Creamsteak]

Thanks anyway Angcuru...

And Meepo, don't forget about the log-flume.

 

[KitanaVorr]

Have you tried contacting Vet organizations?

The Vietnam vet's I know don't really like to talk about it still. At least not to strangers, but the ones that do more public speaking might talk to you. Even after 30 years it still tends to be a painful personal topic.

 

[Norfleet]

That would be me. If you wish to ask me any questions, go right ahead. I can send, but not really receive, any email. Just post 'em right here.

 

[Creamsteak]

Alright then,

(Note that these questions are not from myself, they are from my teacher)

1. What is your name and rank?

2. What years did you serve?

3. What branch of the military did you serve?

4. What was the basic training like?

5. Did you support the US involvement before you went?

6. Did you support US involvement after you returned?

7. Were you involved in any fighting?

8. Were you a prisoner of war? Did yu know any POW's? How were they treated?

9. If you could tell students one thing about the vietnam war what would it be?

10. Were US soldiers prepared for jungle war?

11. Are there any myths about the war that you would want students to know?

12. What was Agent Orange?

13. Did it bother you that people were protesting back home while you were serving in vietnam?

14. How do you think most people view the war today?

15. Do you think students today really understand the war?

 

[Ysgarran]

My eldest brother is a Vietnam vet (MP) and a good friend who is in my D&D group is also a veteran of vietnam (artillery spotter) .

I'll contact them if you don't have enough of a list yet.

later,
Ysgarran.

p.s.
I'll e-mail you directly...

 

[KDLadage]

Creamsteak:

I have sent an e-mail to my Father, and copied you on it. He did something similar for my Aunt one year, and let me tell you -- the man can write! If you want to have an intelligent analysis of the socio-political climate of the time -- this is the guy to talk to.

 

[Norfleet]

1. 1st Lt. (O-2) I prefer not to release my full name over the internet.
2. 9 years. ('62-'71)
3. Army, Infantry
4. What was it like? I'm not quite sure what you expect me to say about it. It was everything I expected it to be. Gruelling, sweaty, and painful. It's not all that different from basic training of today, or basic training of the days before. 'swhy it's called basic training.
5/6. I was largely indifferent to the matter. From a political perspective, I felt that the war was largely a pointless effort, both before and after, and being there only served to underscore the pointlessness of it all. Still, I see this as a microcosm of life in general.
7. Yes.
8. No, and no. I'd heard stories of unpleasantness, but nothing really concrete.
9. No comment.
10. Nope. Nowhere close.
11. Not really. I'm going to say "no comment" on this one.
12. Nasty, toxic stuff used as a chemical defoliant. Smelled pretty bad, too.
13. Not personally. I knew some men who took it rather hard, but I've always believed people will protest just about anything.
14. I think the sense of futility is as much present today as it was back then, although I rarely ask people about the matter. With enough memories of my own, I haven't really found the need to seek those of others who weren't there.
15. No, I don't think students understand, ever will understand, or, indeed, can understand. Hell, I was there, and even I didn't understand. I *STILL* don't understand.

Hope this helps.