I truly mean that.

How I do wish you had been sitting beside me when I was home on leave an and attending my parents church with them wearing my uniform. There were several uniformed enlisted men attending with family and girlfriends also. In his sermon, the pastor preached on the VN war and called our military 'baby killers'.
As he stood at the door, shaking hands of worshipers as they left, 'Ole Loud Mouth, Don't Take Crap' here let him know that I, nor my fellow soldier attendees in uniform, had never killed anyone, much less a baby. I embarrassed my parents by not stopping there. (He was a personal friend of theirs!)
My last statement to him was that I would never darken his door again. Outside, my fellow soldiers and their families waited to thank me. That was the only thing that saved me from my parents.
Giving him credit, he did apologize at his Evening Service and again the following Sunday; but I never again went back to that church and did not ask him to conduct my Mother's funeral.
From reading your posts, I think you would have had my back covered and I thank you for that!

I would've. I would've said that while there there were a few soldiers who committed war crimes the vast majority did not. That it's offensive and unfair for the majority to be painted with that broad brush. While I personally think Vietnam was a mistake due to how it affected my uncle, I would never disrespect a soldier or veteran even if they fought in a war I personally opposed. I hope you're not offended by my post because it isn't intended that way.

I thought that war was a mistake for more reasons than one at the time - and I still do.

service of nurses.

of being a military health care provider (nurse, doctor, corpsman, etc.) in all branches of service was in knowing that if we did our job and did it well enough to cure the patient -- he or she would be sent back into harm's way. True in every war.

having my family doctor be a doctor who was one of the founding MASH units in Korea. I didn't know it at the time and he never mentioned it and there was no hint like any pics etc. around his office. His practice was in his house and his wife was his nurse. The office calls back in the '60's were $15 and if you didn't have it right then it was OK. They just counted on you to try and pay something when you could.

I moved from there as a young adult and lost touch with any news about him. Until one day I read his obituary when I was in that area seeing my old dentist who I knew had been a Navy dentist for a long career. He told me the story and that my former doctor, like the obit said was one of the early MASH proponents/doctors. That was also where he met his wife. She was a MASH nurse.

He helped those without insurance and means as much as he could. He often did maternity care, delivery and 1st year post natal for next to nothing for those young couples with little money or insurance. Likewise my old dentist had his office in his house and treated people and cut bills to almost nothing. When my old dentist finally passed away I found out that he was so highly respected in the Navy that they had him coming in all the time to train new dentists for the Navy. He never mentioned it.

When the dental assistant for my old dentist had a baby he prepared an area of one of his patient rooms as a nursery and "day care" area because she was such a valued and skilled assistant. He could be a little gruff around older kids and people not caring for their teeth but it was truly amazing to see his demeanor soften dramatically when he would hear the baby making noise in the next room.

The way it was. Not much of that around anymore.

Last edited Mon May 25, 2026, 04:20 AM - Edit history (1)

So many lost in that war. I knew a few.

greater when you know them. Am sorry for your loss.

It’s just so striking to me. So fascinating how many different experiences went into Memorial Day memories.

I think these stories ought to be shared, and shared widely, and many thanks for those who’ve done so here! Seems to me it’s an important part of our collective story as Americans.

that a friend gave to me last week, titled 'Women in War' by David A. Yuzuk; copyright 2024.
He wrote stories of Women Warriors Throughout History, Women in Combat, Women Prisoners of War and Women Nurses in Nam.
So far, I can't bring myself to read the last one.

Navy vet here. Boot camp at Camp Nimitz in San Diego, arrived October 25, 1965.

A dozen of us got off the bus from Oregon in civilian clothes, were assembled on the parade grounds and informed by a 300 pound Bosun's Mate that we weren't civilians any more.

"But don't get the idea that you're sailors. Right now you're nothing. You're mine".

We got uniforms and a spot in the barracks with a total of 90 guys in the company, which I will never forget was Company 621. and were introduced to our Chief.

Next was the haircut tent. While waiting in line, we could hear the barbers inside asking each recruit "how would you like it?" Good inside joke because we all came out with the same buzz cut.

Fast forward to being assigned out of boot camp to a destroyer out of Norfolk, Virginia.Some guys were assigned to the Pacific Fleet, and from there some spent time in Nam. Through just luck, I never went within 6,000 miles of there.

To your thoughts about being spared, I was one of those. Two of my friends went to Nam and didn't come back. Their names are on the Wall. My best childhood friend came back with PTSD, and later took his own life.

I don't know why I was spared, I just remember those guys, often but especially on Memorial Day and Veteran's Day.

Another friend who spent tme in Nam is now fighting terminal cancer. I'm glad to be able to spend time with him.

he is fortunate in have you as a friend.