Rebuttal to: REMFs: by Tom Peck
[Note: this was left as a comment on the original post, but Jack brings up some excellent points and I wanted to make sure it was seen by everyone.]
[Note: this was left as a comment on the original post, but Jack brings up some excellent points and I wanted to make sure it was seen by everyone.]
I was a REMF. It shouldn't bother me but it does, because
I was trained to be an infantryman and an infantry officer.
However, the fates
relegated me to the rear echelons because ... well, that's not important.
Ultimately, I have a bad case of survivors guilt because those I trained with
died in combat.
I don't hang out at the American Legion or the VFW, because I believe that those organizations belong to the "real soldiers". I can't even visit the Vietnam War Memorial. Again, I don't fee worthy. So no, I don't need you or anyone else to remind me of my shame.
That's my shame, not the shame of REMFs in general. Remember, the vast majority were relegated to the rear areas because that's where they were needed and were trained to provide support to those in combat.
I don't hang out at the American Legion or the VFW, because I believe that those organizations belong to the "real soldiers". I can't even visit the Vietnam War Memorial. Again, I don't fee worthy. So no, I don't need you or anyone else to remind me of my shame.
That's my shame, not the shame of REMFs in general. Remember, the vast majority were relegated to the rear areas because that's where they were needed and were trained to provide support to those in combat.
Without them (REMFs), combat soldiers
could not have fought very effectively. So no, they don't need your derision,
they deserve your thanks.
Unlike WWII, the rear areas in Vietnam weren't all that safe. Every base camp perimeter was a front line and everyone took their turns, many of them. Sadly, the rules of engagement caused many casualties in the rear areas, because they were built too close to civilian cities, towns, and hamlets. They weren't allowed "free fire". Thus they were often merely targets.
Lastly, when they returned home, REMFs didn't wear a badge that shielded them from the hostility of the "peaceniks". They too were derided as "baby killers". They too were scorned for their service.
Just a few thoughts to keep in mind.
Unlike WWII, the rear areas in Vietnam weren't all that safe. Every base camp perimeter was a front line and everyone took their turns, many of them. Sadly, the rules of engagement caused many casualties in the rear areas, because they were built too close to civilian cities, towns, and hamlets. They weren't allowed "free fire". Thus they were often merely targets.
Lastly, when they returned home, REMFs didn't wear a badge that shielded them from the hostility of the "peaceniks". They too were derided as "baby killers". They too were scorned for their service.
Just a few thoughts to keep in mind.
Jack Durish
Family man, Author, Vietnam Veteran, Proud American,
Conservative
Jack’s Books:
Rebels on the Mountain
Buy at Amazon
A Soldier’s Journal
Infantry School: A Soldier’s Journal
“I am only one, but I am one. I can't do everything, but I can do something. The something I ought to do, I can do, and by the grace of God, I will.” ~Everett Hale
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