[ Post a Response | Vipers Vietnam Veteran Message Board ]
Posted by Debra Weasenforth
on 11/11/2008, 12:47 am, in reply to "Re: questions for vietnam war vetrins =]]]] please reply"
75.106.177.98
Dear Mr. Wright:
While searching the internet tonight for random address information for Vietnam Veteran's, I "stumbled" upon your reply to the questions that was offered in response to a student seeking information.
I do not even know (because your response was on 10/27/2006) if you will even see this - but I'm praying tonight that this token of thanks will find its way safely to you - and if by chance it does not then I pray that it would touch the heart of one (or many) of those that have served in Vietnam. Please allow me to explain ...
#1-Today is Vetaran's Day so I extend unto you my deepest respect and admiration.
#2-I extend unto you an apology because sadly, this time last year - I'm sure that I allowed this day to pass without a second glance at my calendar. A minute to stop and consider the "cost of freedom" but this year is different. This year, the flag waves boldly in our household because our only daughter is serving in the US Army.
I really believed that driving from West Virginia to Missouri (13 hours one way) to watch her graduate was one of the proudest moments in my life - but I was so wrong Mr. Wright!
My PROUDEST moment was yet to come - she was getting ready to leave for Fort Campbell, Kentucky a couple of weeks ago and I had emotionally prepared myself for letting her go at yet another point in her life. After all, she reminds me always - (in letters and phone calls), You gotta be Army Strong Mom - what I did not prepare myself for was the gentleman that walked over to my daughter and extended out his hand and said these words, "Vietnam Veteran, Thank you for your service" - No name, no personal recognition, no other words. I never knew that an individual, such as me, could feel SUCH PRIDE outside of anything or anyone beyond her children and yet in that moment - I was!
And I realized that it wasn't my daughter that I was so thankful for, it was that man - and it was you Mr. Wright! (and every Vietnam Veteran who may be reading this right now!) so from one humble mom - THANK YOU on this Veteran's Day.
--Previous Message--
: I was 23-24 while in Vietnam. I was an old
: man compared to most. My assignment was to
: the 1st Division, 1/26th Infantry Regiment.
:
: I went to my first regimental reunion last
: June. Met a three people I knew and others
: who were in different companys or different
: times. Like some vets, I isolate myself and
: don't want to risk getting close with anyone
: - especially vets, it's too close to all
: that happened.
:
: They gave me a Bronze Star and a Silver
: Star, mostly for just surviving. We all did
: the best we could. Some got recognized,
: others just did what had to be done and
: didn't get noticed. (I know what you meant
: but medals could not be won, it was not a
: contest)
:
: I was not confronted by protestors like some
: when I came home. No one wanted to hear my
: stories, they were not dinner table
: conversation and no one could identify or
: respond to my experiences. I quickly
: decided to bury it all and get on with life.
: I don't recommend that course of action.
:
: I volunteered for the draft. That kept my
: active duty down to two years and I didn't
: want to just wait around until my draft
: notice appeared in the mail.
:
: For years I was angry at the waste of young
: lives and didn't understand why we couldn't
: have done better than Vietnam. Now I
: realize it's part of our human nature. I
: have been forced to search for what is
: truely right by all the darkness of the
: Vietnam war. I wouldn't trade my view of
: life for not going to Vietnam.
:
: I think our training was for 16 weeks.
: Nothing could have prepared me for the
: totally different world that's in war.
: Everything I thought was important and
: beleived was challenged in the light of
: sudden, perminant, imtimate death.
:
: I was a point man every third day when we
: were out in the jungle for nearly ten
: months. (the man leading a column of
: infantry is called a point man) My nerves
: gave out when I started to realize I might
: actually go home if I could get off line
: (get reassigned to a support company in a
: fire base or base camp which was a whole lot
: safer than what I was doing)
:
: A friend went with me to the induction
: center for our physical exams. He was
: pronounced 4-F which meant he couldn't be
: drafted. I passed my physical and went on
: into the Army that day. It was pretty
: lonely.
:
: If you have other questions, you can email
: me. Hopes this helps.
:
:
: --Previous Message--
: hi my name is Helan Woodly and i am 14 years
: of age
: at are school in Kent we are reasurching
: Vietnam War vetrins and the great service
: that they gave to are country.
:
: I have a few questions to ask and would be
: very very greatfull if a Vietnam Vetrin were
: to answer them =]
:
: 1. What age were you when you entered the
: war?
: 2. What part of the army were you?
: 3. Are you still in contact with any other
: Vietnam War veterans
: 4. Did you win any medals?
: 5. How were you treated when you came back
: from the war?
: 6. Were you enlisted or were you drafted?
: 7. Do you regret entering the war?
: 8.How long did you train before you entered
: the war?
: 9. Were you involved in active combat?
: 10. Did you enter the war with people you
: knew or alone?
:
: please answer my questions if you are not to
: busy as i would like tioo see Vietnam from
: your side, not just the side of books and
: stories.
:
: Thankyou
: **Thankyou for serving for are great
: country**
:
:
:
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