Despite Sirota's contentions, Vietnam vets were a bit crushed coming home. We were not honored, but were treated as the face of an unpopular war. I am not aware of many Vietnam vets who were not subjected to some disrespect, either personal or from the culture that called us "baby killers."
How were Vietnam Veterans treated after the war?
The Vietnam veterans were treated with disdain and were essentially shunned once they returned home from war. The veterans were seemingly blamed for what had happened in Vietnam until 1982 when the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was erected in Washington, D.C.
Why don't Vietnam vets come home?
"But they did not come home, as the Vietnam vets did, to a country torn and full of doubt about why those wars were fought and whether they had been worthwhile. Nor did they return as symbols of a great national failure." Many of the young men who fought in Vietnam had a great deal of difficulty readjusting to life in the United States.
What kind of trauma do veterans who served in Vietnam face?
And for the men who served in Vietnam and survived unspeakable horrors, coming home offered its own kind of trauma. Some, like Wowwk, say they had invectives hurled their way; others, like naval officer Ford Cole, remember being spit on.
How did the Vietnam War end Vietnam Syndrome?
The dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in 1982 began the process, but many identify the Gulf War of 1990-91—with its national flag-waving, yellow-ribbon cultural mobilization and the grand celebrations of a successful campaign—as ending Vietnam Syndrome. “The Vietnam veterans, we couldn’t believe it.
Why were Vietnam vets treated badly when returning homes?
Many American soldiers were exposed to Agent Orange and other chemicals during their time in Vietnam. Upon returning home, some of these veterans began to experience health problems that they blamed on their exposure to herbicides.
What problems were faced by the veterans as they returned?
There are many challenges that veterans face after they leave the military.Unemployment. Many veterans struggle to find work after they return home. ... Relationship with Themselves. Veterans do a noble thing by serving their country. ... Homelessness. ... Physical Handicaps. ... Poor Mental Health.
How were veterans treated during the Vietnam War?
Perhaps the cruelest aspect of the war was the treatment of the returning soldiers. Unlike the hero status given to the returning soldiers form World War II, the soldiers that served in Vietnam were portrayed as baby killers, psychos, drug addicts and war mongers.
What mental disorders did soldiers have after the Vietnam War?
Recent studies have found a high prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among Vietnam War veterans. Even decades after the war, there are still approximately a quarter of a million Vietnam Veterans that are suffering from PTSD symptoms.
How do soldiers feel when they return home?
Returning home: The stress of it all Residual stress from deployment is common, especially combat deployment. Day-to-day interactions among soldiers in combat are often harsh, Davis says. This lack of gentleness, or an overall hard demeanor — that is practically demanded of them — can be difficult to change once home.
Why was Vietnam so hard on veterans?
There are persistent stereotypes about Vietnam veterans as psychologically devastated, bitter, homeless, drug-addicted people, who had a hard time readjusting to society, primarily because of the uniquely divisive nature of the Vietnam War in the context of US history.
Why did they call Vietnam vets baby killers?
During the years of the Vietnam War, many of the leftists and communists and other anti-Americans called the U.S. troops who fought in Vietnam baby killers to brainwash Americans whose minds were not too completely formed on real issues. We lost more than 58,000 troops, and more than 700,000 troops were disabled.
How did Vietnam affect veterans?
A new study finds that almost 19 percent of the more than three million U.S. troops who served in Vietnam returned with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It's a condition that left them with invasive memories, nightmares, loss of concentration, feelings of guilt, irritability and, in some cases, major depression.
What did Vietnam veterans experience?
Experiences of pain, immobilization, and threat can trigger unhealed traumatic wounds, defensive patterns, and anxiety. When working with Vietnam vets in such settings professionals may be met with distrust and skepticism.
Why did Vietnam cause so much PTSD?
Looking back, Roy thinks soldiers from the Vietnam era were particularly susceptible to PTSD because of feelings of isolation. “In earlier wars,” he says, “a group of men trained as a unit, were sent to fight as a unit, and returned home as a unit. That meant you had an instant support system.
Why did Vietnam veterans have PTSD?
Unlike veterans who fought in previous conflicts, the Vietnam veterans were never welcomed home, so many of them suffered from significant social isolation. Jim's PTSD was a result of his military experience in conflict and social isolation which created a vicious circle.
What is shell shock?
The term "shell shock" was coined by the soldiers themselves. Symptoms included fatigue, tremor, confusion, nightmares and impaired sight and hearing. It was often diagnosed when a soldier was unable to function and no obvious cause could be identified.
Why do people view Vietnam veterans as victims?
In fact, the public began to view these veterans as victims because of the shocking mental health problems that many of the Vietnam veterans endured. While many people who are thrown into combat experience mental health problems, the Vietnam veterans experienced more than usual.
How many Vietnam veterans died in the Vietnam War?
According to Illinois University, more Vietnam veterans committed suicide after the war than had died in it. In the Vietnam war, there were more than 58,000 deaths and more than 300,000 wounded as well as more than 700,000 veterans who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.
Where was the Vietnam Veterans Memorial erected?
The veterans were seemingly blamed for what had happened in Vietnam until 1982 when the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was erected in Washington, D.C.
Why was the war so slow?
The war was slow to take action against PTSD and to provide veterans with the help they needed because of the public's general disapproval of the entire war. Many veterans have recounted their first days at home with police officers escorting them around because of all of the anti-war protests. ADVERTISEMENT.
Why are there no welcome home parades for Vietnam vets?
No ‘Welcome Home’ parades for Vietnam vets. This was partly due to the logistics of the never-ending conflict. The Vietnam War lasted from 1964-1973—the longest war in American history until it was overtaken by the one in Afghanistan—and servicemen typically did one-year tours of duty.
How many people died in the Vietnam War?
The Vietnam War claimed the lives of more than 58,000 American service members and wounded more than 150,000. And for the men who served in Vietnam and survived unspeakable horrors, coming home offered its own kind of trauma. Some, like Wowwk, say they had invectives hurled their way; others, like naval officer Ford Cole, remember being spit on. As a cohort, Vietnam veterans were met with none of the fanfare and received none of the benefits bestowed upon World War II’s “greatest generation.”
When was the Vietnam Veterans Memorial dedicated?
The dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in 1982 began the process, but many identify the Gulf War of 1990-91—with its national flag-waving, yellow-ribbon cultural mobilization and the grand celebrations of a successful campaign—as ending Vietnam Syndrome. “The Vietnam veterans, we couldn’t believe it.
Was Vietnam a lost war?
As the war ground on and became increasingly hopeless, the military personnel put through this kind of revolving door of service came to represent something many Americans would rather not accept: defeat. “Vietnam was a lost war, and it was the first major lost war abroad in American history,” Lembcke says. “You don’t have parades ...
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What were the health problems of Vietnam veterans?
For example, many veterans developed mental and emotional problems as they struggled to cope with their feelings about the war. They suffered from symptoms including depression, guilt, flashbacks, nightmares, mood swings, angry outbursts, anxiety, and paranoia. Doctors eventually gave this condition a name, Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSS), and recognized it as a real psychological illness.
What were the problems of returning soldiers in Vietnam?
Some struggled to overcome physical injuries, emotional problems, or drug addictions from their time in Vietnam. Others had trouble feeling accepted by their friends and families. Some returning soldiers blamed their situation on the antiwar movement and developed a deep resentment toward antiwar protesters.
Why did Vietnam veterans blame the antiwar movement?
Many Vietnam veterans blamed the antiwar movement for the chilly reception they got upon returning to the United States. They believed that it was not fair for antiwar protesters to question their actions during the war. After all, most protesters had not been to Vietnam. In the eyes of the veterans, these protesters could not understand what the war had been like. In addition, many veterans thought that the antiwar movement should blame the government officials who had sent them to Vietnam, because as soldiers they had only followed orders.
What were the antiwar protesters?
In contrast, many of the antiwar protesters were college students who came from middle- or upper-class families. Many of the deferments (official postponements of military service) granted to young men to avoid serving in Vietnam favored those who were wealthy and well-educated.
How did Vietnam veterans build their lives?
Many Vietnam veterans built successful lives after they returned home from the war. They finished their educations, established good careers, and had families. But many other veterans had a tough time readjusting to life in the United States after they completed their military service.
How much money did the government give to Vietnam veterans?
Partly because it had spent so much money conducting the war, the government offered veterans only $200 per month. This amount was barely enough to cover living expenses, let alone enable the veterans to continue their educations.
How many Americans were POWs?
Most of the nearly 600 Americans who became POWs were pilots whose planes were shot down during bombing missions over North Vietnam. Beginning in 1964, the NVA held American POWs in several prison camps in North Vietnam. Many of these men were held captive for years. Most of the POWs were treated badly.
Who was the American soldier who was spat upon by anti-war protesters?
Bob Greene. For years I had been hearing stories that when American troops returned home from Vietnam, they were spat upon by anti-war protesters. The stories were usually very specific. A soldier, fresh from Vietnam duty, wearing his uniform, gets off the plane at an American airport, where he is spat upon by "hippies.".
Is there whine boxing around for a parade in their honor?
No one is whine boxing around for a parade in their honor and for the most part, the Nam is in the past, where it belongs. Kay Schwartz, Addison, Ill. In the 1960s my husband and I were in our 20s and raising three little boys.
How many Vietnam veterans have negative experiences?
According to personal interviews with 25 veterans, approximately 92% of them experienced an overall negative experience returning home from serving their country.
Why did soldiers go to Vietnam?
Family patriotism was only one of the reasons that soldiers felt compelled to go to Vietnam. Some were forced to go due to the draft and others, like Tex Howard, just wanted to get out on their own and “ the Army seemed like a good way to do this.”. Others felt a sense of duty to serve their country.
What happened to the children in the 1968 Tet Offensive?
Soldier rescues two children that have come under fire from North Vietnamese troops during the 1968 Tet Offensive, 1968. For many, the wounds and emotions still run very deep for Vietnam veterans. Yet, the pain for some has subsided over time, due to the change in feeling and behavior towards the veterans.
How many colleges were protested in Vietnam?
Washington DC. The protests spread to over 350 colleges and universities. Even some soldiers in Vietnam rebelled against the war, wearing peace symbols on their uniforms, refusing orders and assaulting officers. Thousands of soldiers deserted the army.
Do Vietnam veterans remember their parents?
According to a study done by David Flores in the Sociological Forum, in which Vietnam veterans were interviewed about their experiences before and after the war, veterans remember feeling a sense of patriotism from their parents’ involvement in World War II.
Shad Meshad
As a U.S. Army Medical Service Officer in Vietnam in 1970, Shad Meshad began pioneering treatment techniques for what would later become known as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He is the founder of the National Veterans Foundation and founder and co-author of the VA’s Vet Center Program.
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