 |
| Map of Vietnam |
Yeah, we hated Charles Victor, and he hated us. Were we REALLY there to stop Communism? If you still believe that, then you haven't been paying attention to the conflicts this country has been involved in since.
The historical truth is, Kennedy backed out on an arms deal with the Red Chinese, and pissed them off, so they started supplying arms to the North Vietnamese.
Then Johnson became President, and the First Lady had major interests in the rubber plantation business in South Vietnam, so he increased the troops there to protect her interests. Ever heard the saying, "Michelin Tires have such a smooth ride, because they're cushioned by 58,000 souls"? Where do you think that saying came from?
Maybe the leaders on both sides were corrupt. Regardless of the reason we were there, we, as soldiers were not bad, even if the reasons our government had us there were rotten and self serving.
Charley was defending his country, not promoting Communism. Wouldn't we, if our country was invaded? Charley was the tool of his government, just as we were the tool of ours. And he was a damned good tool.
And don't think I feel this way cuz I was a remf, well the last few months I was, but I held one of my buddies in my arms as the last of his life drained out, and I swore vengeance, and got enough of it that I started to feel sick from the person I became.
I finally realized why the Vietnamese started hating us so much, and I'll share it whether you wanna hear it or not.
Papa san just wanted to be able to walk out into his rice paddy to grow food to feed his family, without getting his leg blown off by a mine. He didn't care what kinda government was in power. They were, and still are a farming culture.
I finally realized why the Vietnamese started hating us so much, and I'll share it whether you wanna hear it or not.
Papa san just wanted to be able to walk out into his rice paddy to grow food to feed his family, without getting his leg blown off by a mine. He didn't care what kinda government was in power. They were, and still are a farming culture.
 |
| Vietnam |
And I said it then, and I'll say it now, the sky is the deepest blue with the whitest clouds I've ever seen, with a backdrop of a beautiful green jungle.
Perfect resort acreage, and I hear the people are friendly now.
Hating them is keeping you sick, and giving your PTSD power to make you more sick.
Hate me too, if you want, for saying this: if I've helped even one other Vietnam Vet deal with a part of his PTSD by making him think instead of blindly hating, then it was worth all the hatred I probably generated by posting this.
 |
| Lawrence "WarHippy" Blouir |
Peace Brothers,
WarHippy (MONGOLS mc)
1st Cavalry Division (AIRMOBILE)
Vietnam ’69, ’70, ‘71
The First Team
Other Articles by Lawrence “WarHippy” Blouir:
“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
