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PBS's "The Vietnam War"
- Thread starter laatsch55
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The first episode made it clear we should have aided the Vietnamese attain freedom from the French. We errored going in on that side of the conflict. Second episode sort of reinforced the idea, talking about how we knew nothing about what was going on in Vietnam back then, late 50s-very early 60s and just followed guidance by those wanting to use weapons. We like to use weapons and many times it doesn't seem to do us any good.
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There was some gruesome nightly TV back then for sure. Especially the 'body count piles' set up for visiting pols.Don't see that from recent wars.
I was a bit too young to serve & drew a very high number for that last year or two.265 I think?
But I was very lucky in 1966, when our small Boy Scout troop from Belleville Michigan spent a few weeks on Oahu. Flew military standby all the way. I thhink I saw most of the airports between Detroit & Honalulu! Camped out in a downtown LA park waiting for the last hop.
Stayed most of the time tent camping along a runway on Wheeler field & a bit in quonset hut barracks at Hickam.
Spent a lot of unforgettable time with boy's back on R&R & others waiting to be deployed.
The mess hall at wheeler still had bullet holes in the walls & a few craters along the runways.
Got to climb all around the tunnels & pillboxes inside Diamondhead.
Layed one of the first wreaths on the shiny new Arizona memorial too!
Real big deal in my life.
Even got to see the Enterprise sail into port.
Ah...........to be 11 again!!
I was a bit too young to serve & drew a very high number for that last year or two.265 I think?
But I was very lucky in 1966, when our small Boy Scout troop from Belleville Michigan spent a few weeks on Oahu. Flew military standby all the way. I thhink I saw most of the airports between Detroit & Honalulu! Camped out in a downtown LA park waiting for the last hop.
Stayed most of the time tent camping along a runway on Wheeler field & a bit in quonset hut barracks at Hickam.
Spent a lot of unforgettable time with boy's back on R&R & others waiting to be deployed.
The mess hall at wheeler still had bullet holes in the walls & a few craters along the runways.
Got to climb all around the tunnels & pillboxes inside Diamondhead.
Layed one of the first wreaths on the shiny new Arizona memorial too!
Real big deal in my life.
Even got to see the Enterprise sail into port.
Ah...........to be 11 again!!
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I've read a lot of books on the Vietnam war. A lot of military history of that period. I remember well the battle of the la Drang valley, and of Hal Moore .
What I had not read about was the political behind the scenes maneuvering in Washington........it disgusts me to a certain degree that the leadership lied and obfuscated like they did. In those days, in that mess, journalists did the American people a service, reporting what we were not being told by our politicians.
This particular documentary really brings home just what a fucking mess the whole deal was...it still bothers me a lot.
What I had not read about was the political behind the scenes maneuvering in Washington........it disgusts me to a certain degree that the leadership lied and obfuscated like they did. In those days, in that mess, journalists did the American people a service, reporting what we were not being told by our politicians.
This particular documentary really brings home just what a fucking mess the whole deal was...it still bothers me a lot.
It really does. One thing from E3 was the comment that us being in Vietnam, expecting to be welcomed as we were 'helping' the south remain free. But they saw us as foreigners and wanted us gone just like the French and Chinese before us. Seems we repeated that in Iraq,
with W thinking the population would welcome up with open arms. Nope, thought we were foreigners and wanted us out of there. Apparently W didn't know enough history to keep us out of Iraq. He did learn the part about lying to the American Public.
with W thinking the population would welcome up with open arms. Nope, thought we were foreigners and wanted us out of there. Apparently W didn't know enough history to keep us out of Iraq. He did learn the part about lying to the American Public.
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Agree here. I have been watching it as well. At risk of sounding political it seems to me they have done the homework and are on a middle line for the most part. Looking at things from more than one perspective is a good thing for me. I have only watched two so far and really like it. Some new footage to me anyway, some I have not seen. I too read on the subject and have always felt akin to Vietnam Vets. I seem to get along with those guys well. Born in 1965 and I can recall seeing it all going down even though I knew little of what was going down. Mama would ask Daddy to turn off the news while we had Dinner. War has always intrigued me, so has peace. I live across the river from Ft. Benning Ga. I have met a few Vets in my time here. I am honored by their service, not only to their country but to each other. On Veterans day each year I have phone calls to make and in person thanks to give however this is not a one day thing. My Daughter and I always, each time we see an armed forces member thank them for their service. If they are Vietnam Vets we say "Welcome Home" and thank them for their service. She has learned this is what we do. 16 years old and she will pull away from me while we are shopping to be the first to thank them. I am honored by that. Any Vets here ? I am sure there are. I say this, welcome home, thank you, thank you for your service. That is the very least that I can do.