Fort Campbell's 'Modern' Welcome Home for Vietnam Vets can not make up for the lies of war

"All the war-propaganda, all the screaming and lies and hatred, comes invariably from people who are not fighting." George Orwell

The Grunt

Leaders decided to make it up to the previous generation

Since the start of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, soldiers returning to Fort Campbell have been greeted by waving flags, an Army band and plenty of family and friends.

That was not the case in the 1960s and early '70s, when there was very little support for many Vietnam veterans returning from combat.

So leaders at Fort Campbell decided to make it up to the previous generation and give them a long-awaited welcome-home celebration this week.

The event will be Sunday as a part of the installation's annual celebration for the 101st Airborne Division, called Week of the Eagles.

Robert Nichols, a retired command sergeant major from the 101st Airborne, is helping organize the event along with the 101st Airborne Division Association, an organization for former members of the storied division.

A veteran of both Vietnam and the Persian Gulf wars, Nichols said there was a stark difference in how he was treated when he came home each time.

"I was just 18 and 19 in Vietnam, and I did what my country asked me to do," he said. "When we came home, everyone was mad at us, and it was confusing and it was emotional. It was very hard."

He's hoping that these veterans will get a chance to experience the support and gratitude that current soldiers enjoy. {more - the Tennessean}

I don't know what area of the country Mr. Nichols was refering to when he said "everyone was mad at us." I don't recall that being the case here in the middle Tennessee area. That would be misplaced anger, wouldn't it? Most of the 'grunts' sent to Vietnam were forced to go there, it was called the draft. The anger I saw, even my own, was towards the government who told nothing but lies about why we were there.

I'm all for supporting war vets but that doesn't mean glorifying the lies. Vietnam, just as Iraq and Afghanistan, was never about freedom, security or any of the rest of the nonsense our 'leaders' and the bought media tried to convince us to believe.

I hope this so called 'better late than never' ceremony helps a few of the vets. I suppose it is a form of group therapy and maybe a few old wounds will be healed.

But the greatest help for all should come from those vets who have not succumbed to the constant bombardment of propaganda that 'war is peace' and have the realization that all these wars are for one thing...the profit of a few.

Perhaps just one Vietnam vet will stand up and shout "You lied about everything, over 50,000 of our brothers died in vain and now you want to ease the guilt by having a band play in our honor. Bullshit!"

Perhaps just one vet will say "Never Again."

Where is the outrage against the lies of war?


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Interactive Vietnam Veterans Memorial - My Small Tribute to Eric Duffer