March 29th is National Vietnam War Veterans Day. This is an important day to remember those who put their lives on the line for peace and to try and stop the spread of communism. Whatever your views of the war, these soldiers are American heroes. They never received the welcome nor the recognition they deserved. Let’s take a look.
Vietnam War: Overview
The war itself was a disaster for the United States. What started out with military “advisors” and financial aid quickly escalated into a full military engagement in the 1960s. In the end, we lost ~58,220 American lives, both combat and non-combat deaths. America paid a significant price for this war. Whether you agree with the politics or not, our soldiers were put in a very difficult position in this war because of the politics. Our soldiers were put under very strict “Rules of Engagement (ROE),” many times putting their own lives at risk. The North Vietnamese Army (NVA) and the Viet Cong (VC) blended in with the South Vietnamese, making it impossible to identify the enemy many times until it was too late. This “half-in” approach to the war dragged on for years, and the American public grew weary of war. When Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam, fell on April 30, 1975, it brought an end to this horrific war, although our veterans continued to suffer.
Vietnam War: Fighting Conditions
The fighting conditions in Vietnam were incredibly grueling and took a significant toll on our soldiers.
- The dense jungle provided incredibly challenging conditions for our soldiers. Visibility and movement were very difficult. The jungle provided great cover for ambushes and other guerrilla tactics by the NVA and the VC.
- The guerrilla tactics, besides ambushes, included booby traps and a complex underground tunnel system. These challenges posed incredibly difficult fighting conditions and a big psychological strain on our fighters. Many American soldiers returned suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which affected their post-war lives tremendously.
- The harsh tropical climate with intense heat and humidity was a breeding ground for disease. The monsoon season overwhelmed the ground and made deplorable conditions even worse.
Vietnam War Veterans Return
The veterans’ return to the United States should have been a tremendously joyous occasion. It was not. The American people had grown weary of the war over the years. Some viewed veterans as symbols of the war and they received hostile welcomes in their return. Anti-war protesters insulted and spat on our returning soldiers. The psychological toll from the war was intense, and the response to the veteran’s return exacerbated their stress. PTSD was common, leaving the soldiers feeling alone and isolated, reliving their war experiences in their heads.
“When Vietnam War veterans returned to American soil, the reception was far from warm. Unlike previous wars, where heroes were welcomed with open arms, many veterans were met with protests and negative public perception. The anti-war sentiment that swirled throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s often translated into disdain for the soldiers themselves. This societal rejection significantly impacted their mental health and made the transition to civilian life even more challenging.”
Agent Orange
To add to their challenges, many soldiers suffered from health issues related to Agent Orange, a herbicide and defoliant used to destroy the dense vegetation of the jungles. This improved visibility in the jungle by destroying the dense vegetation; it contained dioxin, a highly toxic compound. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has identified diseases associated with the deployment of Agent Orange. Among them:
- Various cancers, i.e., bladder cancer, Hodgkins, Non-Hodgkins lymphoma, respiratory and prostate cancers
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Heart Disease
- Diabetes
These are just a few. The link will take you to a longer list. Due to the dramatic impact on veterans’ health, the manufacturer was sued in significant lawsuits. The largest, a class action lawsuit, was settled out of court in 1984 for $180MM. This was one of the largest settlements from a class-action suit at the time. Veterans continue to receive compensation for Agent Orange-linked diseases. In 2022, the PACT Act (Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act) was signed into law. This act expanded healthcare and benefits for veterans exposed to toxic chemicals during their time of service.
Vietnam War Veterans Day
While we cannot undo what has happened in the past, we can celebrate our heroes and show them the love they deserved when they arrived home from war. Jesus preached compassion and kindness throughout his ministry. Luke 6:35:
“But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.”
I think Robin Williams said it best:
“You never know what someone is going through. Always be kind.”
This statement was never more accurate than with our Vietnam vets. The challenges they endured during and after the war were not obvious in most cases and as Jesus teaches us – be kind! Please let me know your thoughts on this article in the Comments section.
Peace
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