36 years ago on Memorial Day I was listening to the radio to Indianapolis

[Bandit]

500 and happened to hear President Johnson make a speech to the nation. He said in that speech that America had a seize fire in place and that we had discontinued the bombing of North Vietnam. I happened to be less than a mile from the DMZ at the time and North Vietnam was being lit up like a Christmas tree. Arc Lights were the norm virtually twenty four hours a day. It was the first time I witnessed with my own eyes the lies of our government. I think that event more than any other set the tone for my future activism. Bobby Unser won the race by the way and that night was one of the most miserable nights of my life. I have friends on "the wall" from that night. I will be and am remembering them and many others on this Memorial Day weekend.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

1. I'll be remembering all of you, too

My father in law served three tours of duty in Vietnam. My grandfather, who passed away two years ago this month, flew B-24 bombers over North African in WWII. Uncles who died in Korea. Great-grandfather who was crippled in WWI.

My husband served in Desert Storm and was awarded the Purple Heart. He was mechanized infantry, First Cav and was in Bradleys on the front.

Memorial Day 1991 I cried on his t-shirt in the hospital for what seemed like hours. I couldn't believe he was actually home, he was actually alive (barely at the time). I couldn't believe he had friends he wouldn't ever see again (one of his buddies in the back of the Bradley that night died).

Ever since then it's meant a hell of a lot more to me than some cookout and a day off work, that's for sure. Remember them. Remember them.

Thank you for your service.

[liberalhistorian]

2. Thank your husband and

other military family members, also, for what they've been through for their country. My uncle was a Marine for two years in Vietnam, and he lost several friends. My grandparents and aunts and uncles and my father have often told me that my uncle's service was the longest 18 months of their lives.

I look at my own son, who just turned 13, and wonder what will happen with him, if he'll end up serving in a war. I'm not sure if I could handle that if he did, he's my only child.

And thank YOU, Bandit, for your service and what you must have gone through for our country. Memorial Day is, indeed, far more than just picnics and cookouts and a day off from work. Sometimes it's very easy for too many of us to forget that.

[kentuck]

3. Was that Khe Sanh, Bro'?

Just a couple months past Tet....


peace

[Bandit]

6. Khe Sahn had been "relieved" by then

The Marines spent 73 days under ground until they finally called for relief. My unit 2nd of the 12th ~ 1st Cav Div was one of the units sent in to relieve the marines. Same unit as Max Cleland was in. After a few days our main job was to hump the boonies around the adjacent area and count bodies. At this particular time we were about five miles from Khe Sahn and there was not a soul at Khe Sahn. After the marines left the site was just abandoned. :shrug: There was still plenty of enemy activity but no semi-permanent base for them to concentrate on.

[keithyboy]

4. Hats off to those who lived and died through those lies then and now,.

We wasted our young on war. And now we are left with many wasted young.

[Beam Me Up]

5. Thanks Bandit.

Sitting here reading what you wrote I started to tear up. I don't do that much. But you've reminded me of the tragedy that was Vietnahm. There is another tragedy unfolding in the middle east right now with the potential of becoming far worse. Can this be avoided? I believe so--but already it is nearly too late.

[Eloriel]

7. I sure have been tearful today and yesterday

Thanks for your service, Bandit. Thanks for sharing your story.

One thing about THIS war that sometimes nearly drives me crazy is that it brings back for me all the unhealed wounds of the Vietnam era. And now we've created another one, which makes me even crazier. The ONE THING that Vietnam was supposed to have been good for was teaching a few important lessons -- lessons about what NOT to do. But apparently not. To me, the fact that Vietnam's lessons have gone ignored profanes the memory of those who died and those who served in Vietnam and it makes me blisterin' mad.

I hate this war and the people who caused it, and the people who complicitly allowed it too.

I've enjoyed seeing the beautiful new WWII Memorial on TV, but in a way I resent that it's taking the focus off this war, and I worry that spending time focusing on WWII will help sanitize or even glorify this one. I hope I'm wrong.

[Toots]

8. Vietnam was an awakening for me as well

It really hurts to learn your country can not be trusted. It has gone even further downhill as far as credibility IMHO and that is saying a lot. I grew up with the meme "Don't Trust Anyone Over Thirty" There was bits of wisdom floating around back then. Now it seems to be "Don't Trust Any American."

[davsand]

9. It goes beyond a car race and cooking out--doesn't it?

Even in her later years, my Aunt couldn't talk about her fiance who was a paratrooper on D-Day who never came home...

I can't think calmly about a friend of mine who suffered and died from his exposure to Agent Orange...

We ALL carry a list of hurts from the various wars declared (but not fought) by politicians. Memorial Day, IMO, has been a time to reflect on WHY I oppose the idea of sending any of our children into harm's way unless the US or its interests are directly attacked.

It never ceases to amaze me that they speak so passionately of the sacrifice and patriotism of our people in the service, yet they throw them into armed conflict with no regard for the death and pain it brings them and those who love them.

I will go to my grave convinced that every leader who decides to send in our troops should be forced to announce that decision AFTER spending a day with the men and women being sent and the families who love them.

I WANT them to be able to convince a mother that her son's life is WORTH whatever political goal they are using as a justification.

I expect them to be able to look at the wives and explain why they should have to sleep alone, possibly forever.

I demand they look at every child and explain why it is important to take Mom/Dad away--possibly forever.

When they can do that, When we all DEMAND that, maybe Memorial Day will ultimately become a day when we can think about nothing more than some race or how to cook the hot dogs and burgers. Until that day, I'm going to sit and reflect on WHY I oppose the idea of sending anybody into a damn war.

Welcome home to you all, I love you for what you did for your country.

Laura