Volume 2, Number 2 6 February 1988 +---------------------------------------------------------------+ | | | | | | | - Nam Vet - We still don't have a | | logo! | | International It doesn't have to be | | Vietnam Veterans this small. Send us | | Newsletter your ideas?? | | | | | | | +---------------------------------------------------------------+ Editor in Chief: Todd Looney Assistant Editor: G. Joseph Peck Nam Vet is a special newsletter dedicated to Vietnam Veterans around the world, and provided electronically as a service to participants in the International Vietnam Veterans' Echo Conference (IVVEC) available on many FidoNet (tm) bulletin boards in the U.S., Europe, and Canada. Not all of the articles appearing in NAM VET are written by participants in the IVVEC, but the NAM VET is very much an electronic newsletter by, of, and for Vietnam veterans, their friends, wives and lovers. Articles from veterans or anyone else wishing to express themselves about Viet Nam or related experiences are invited to submit their writings for publication to the Vietnam Veterans Valhalla (143/27), the VETlink #1 (321/203), or to any node carrying the IVVEC whose sysop can forward your work from there. NAM VET is published monthly by the Vietnam Veterans Valhalla. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the NAM VET, its' staff or volunteers. The newsletter is made up of articles and other newsletters as well as other sources. We are not responsible for the content of this information nor are any of the above mentioned parties. Duplication and/or distribution is permitted for noncommercial purposes only. For use in other circumstances, please contact Todd Looney at (408) 947-7668. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TODD LOONEY! Table of Contents 1. EDITORIAL ................................................ 1 Editorial from San Jose, California ...................... 1 Editorial from Pittsfield, MA ............................ 2 Letter to the Editor ..................................... 4 2. SERVICES ................................................. 6 Veteran Service Organizations ............................ 6 Military Locator Services ................................ 17 PTSD... The Victims ...................................... 18 New VIETNAM VETERANS' SURVIVAL Section! .................. 23 NamNews 2-02 Page 1 6 Feb 1988 Table of Contents (Cont.) 2. SERVICES (Continued) What are VET CENTERS? ..................................... 25 3. BUDDY SEARCH .............................................. 26 4. MEMORIES .................................................. 27 Dear Dad .................................................. 27 Memories of a Boy Becoming a Man (Part III) ............... 30 Mommy, Did You Kill Anybody During The War? ............... 32 Vietnam Era Service - A Personal View ..................... 33 5. GENERAL ARTICLES .......................................... 37 Vietnam Vets Are Dying of Cancer .......................... 37 Vietnam History Lesson .................................... 39 Help for the Homeless Vets ................................ 47 POW/MIA's - Where Are They Now? ........................... 49 6. TWENTY YEARS AGO THIS MONTH - TET ......................... 50 7. CONTROVERSIAL CORNER ...................................... 54 Banana Split Republic ..................................... 54 Why Do We Feel So Guilty? ................................. 56 8. WANTED .................................................... 59 9. LAST PAGE ................................................. 60 List of IVVEC EchoConference Nodes ........................ 60 ================================================================= EDITORIALS ================================================================= Vietnam Veterans Valhalla, San Jose, California February, 1988 We've received a wide variety of comments about the effectiveness of the NAM VET Newsletter so far, most of them positive. Those which stand out the most in my mind are - comments from Vet Centers concerning Vietnam vets who have started couselling because they received a copy of this newletter from their *children* who wanted to know more about Vietnam; NamNews 2-02 Page 2 6 Feb 1988 - comments from people who opened new relationships with their parents or family members who had been to Vietnam and not talked about it since returning; - comments from women veterans who say they have finally "opened" up and shared some experiences with others for the first time since Vietnam because of something they read in one of our newsletters; - comments from Vietnam veterans who have at long last been able to take that deep look into themselves, spurred on by the articles in NAM VET, who say they feel like part of the clan again; not so alone in the world; the feelings of comraderie are returning. This is the fourth issue of the NAM VET and I'd like to thank all of you for making it as successful as it has been so far. Without your suggestions and literary contributions it can't survive though. We need to keep hearing from you. Your articles are what make this newsletter. Your experiences are what we want to hear about. They don't have to be serious - the comedic approach is just as welcome. The articles can be one-liners if that's all you have to say. This issue is another good one. There are several interesting articles concerning issues important to Vietnam veterans. When you get your copy from your local IVVEC node, make a copy for a friend whether they are a vet or not. Pass it along. Mail a copy to the VA hospital nearest you, the local veteran service organizations in your city or town. The more exposure NAM VET gets, the better. The circulation is increasing every month. We're probably being read by more than 3,000 people now....that's a lot. Let's keep it up and get out to more people. Personally, I think if we can continue getting your support, we can be reaching 20,000 by the end of the year. NAM VET "IS" the way it is today 'cause YOU helped make it that way - YOU contributed... And YOUR continued support is needed to keep it successful. ----------------------------------------------------------------- G. Joseph Peck VETLink #1 Pittsfield, MA Node 321/203 Fuller remembered climbing the mountain... He remembered the steps that he took and the thoughts that raced through his mind as he climbed... "... TET... Ambush... C4... Claymores... Only survivor..." He remembered the little trickles of red as the underbrush cut and angrily tore away at his skin... Still he climbed... he wanted to know... he wanted answers... NamNews 2-02 Page 3 6 Feb 1988 He remembered frightening the woodland animals as he climbed higher and higher, seeing them dart about in frenzied panic as the breaking of twigs and small branches - a direct violation of previous training - disturbed their peace and serenity, heralded his presence... Still he climbed... he wanted to know... he wanted answers... When he reached the summit, he began to angrily shout, the turbulence of his voice challenging the ethers; mocking his Creator. "WHY ME???," he bellowed, "Why not someone else who's more physically or mentally stronger or more financially able to deal with these things. Why not someone else who can stand to lose, someone else who didn't have friends like I had. WHY ME!?!" Reverberating from the mountainside, rippling the waters of quiet streams and ponds, rendering him speechless, came like a voice, seemingly from nowhere, piercing the middle of his brain: "WHY NOT!!! It is YOU who have seen the problems; it must be YOU who solves them. It will be your children, your brothers and sisters, and all Children of Tomorrow who bear the consequences of your actions TODAY. Ignore the situation; find something else to do rather than deal with it, and it will persist - perhaps for generations yet to come. Mama san, baby san, Bac Si and bro' - you came back with the best wishes of THEIR lives. You have an obligation now to share that with others, to make this world a better place for those who will follow you. No finer person could have been chosen to do what you have to do, to give MEANING to all the battles. You asked WHY ME!?! And 'I' say: INDEED!!! Why not!!!" And Fuller slept... soundly... the first time since he had returned from that little country where he had grown so old so quick. VIETNAM VETERANS... the proudest, most persistent and determined veterans in ALL of American History! 'til next month Show a brother/sister veteran that YOU care Ci'ao for Ni'ao Joe Sysop VETLink #1 321/203 - Pittsfield, MA NamNews 2-02 Page 4 6 Feb 1988 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Letter to the Editor Dear Editor, I've been thinking about your situation with the NAM VET and understand (I think) a bit of the frustration you must feel when you are not sure your efforts are being well received. I think you need to look at the newsletter as something that people can read at their leisure, for their own reasons, even to download next month if they don't get around to it RIGHT NOW... I think I can speak for most of us when I say that the newsletter is a marvelous effort that I will continue to read as long as it is produced. This is not to say that I devour every word, but I read most of it and find some of it enjoyable, some of it dry (like a documentary), for example the list of vet centers (I'm not likely to need such a list, but that does NOT mean it should not be published...), some of it pretty funny/strange, like the chicken-head recipe (I presume it is a serious recipe, but my wife simply shook her head...). You need to realize that the people that need what the NAM VET offers will read it, and others will pass it by. Some people will not be on the net every day, like I feel I am most of the time, and you have to let them go; perhaps they will be back, maybe not, but let them go. And don't worry about it; do this for the ones that stay, and for yourself and Joe. It is possible that a monthly schedule is too many newsletters, but I think not, as long as there is material to publish. Especially not, if you feel that there are people who need what the NAM VET offers, and I think there are. Those folks need more often than quarterly and bi-monthly might not cut it either. As your newsletter gains momentum (something that you cannot have after only three issues...), you will find more watchers and readers becoming writers, just like me. Signed, Chuck Sterling Dear Chuck, I really enjoyed reading your letter and am happy to have people like you participating in the IVVEC. Your statements concerning our expectations could not be closer to the truth. They struck very close to home. With contributions like your series of articles (the first of which is appearing in this issue of the NAM VET) we will continue to create a better, higher quality publication of increasing value to our readership. Thank you very much for taking part in our growth. Signed, Todd Looney NamNews 2-02 Page 5 6 Feb 1988 ----------------------------------------------------------------- NamNews 2-02 Page 6 6 Feb 1988 ================================================================= SERVICES ================================================================= VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS CHARTERED BY CONGRESS AND RECOGNIZED BY VA FOR CLAIM REPRESENTATION American Ex-Prisoners of War 3201 East Pioneer Parkway Suite 40 Arlington, TX 76010 (817)275-8044 Members - 23,500 Established - 1949 American Red Cross 17th and D Streets, NW Washington, DC 20006 (202)639-3586 Founded - 1881 AMVETS 4647 Forbes Boulevard Lanham, MD 20706 (301)459-9600 Members - 200,000 Auxiliary members - 50,000 Founded - 1944 Blinded Veterans Association 1735 DeSales Street, NW Suite 600 Washington, DC 20036 (202)347-4010 Members - 6,000 Founded - 1945 Catholic War Veterans, USA 2 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20001 (202)737-9600 Members - 35,000 Auxiliary members- 10,000 Founded - 1935 Congressional Medal of Honor Society of the U.S.A. Intrepid Square Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum 12th Ave/West 46th Street New York, NY 10036 (212)582-5355 Members - 259 Founded - 1948 Disabled American Veterans NamNews 2-02 Page 7 6 Feb 1988 P.O. Box 14301 Cincinnati, OH 45214 (606)441-7300 Members - 860,800 Auxiliary members - 90,930 Founded - 1920 Gold Star Wives of America 600 Bethel Street, NE Leeds, AL 35094 (205)699-8394 Members - 12,000 Founded- 1945 THE JEWISH WAR VETERAN OF THE U.S.A. 1811 R Street NW Washington, DC 20009 (202)265-6280 Members - 100,000 Aux Members - 50,000 Founded 1896 Legion of Valor of the U.S.A. 4221 Bel Pre Road Rockville, MD 20853 (301)460-4822 Members - 800 Founded - 1890 Marine Corps League 933 North Kenmore St. Arlington, VA 22201 (703)524-1137/5026 Members - 25,000 Auxiliary members - 3,000 Founded - 1923 Military Order of the Purple Heart of the U.S.A. 54l3-B Backlick Road Springfield, VA 22l5l (703)642-5360 Members - l4,000 Auxiliary members - 3,000 Founded - 1932 Paralyzed Veterans of America 801 18th Street, NW Washington, DC 20006 (202)872-l300 Members - ll,000 Founded - 1947 Polish Legion of American Veterans, U.S.A. 20 South View Road Lynn, MA 01904 (617)599-4595 NamNews 2-02 Page 8 6 Feb 1988 Members - 25,000 Founded - 1921 The American Legion 700 North Pennsylvania St. Indianapolis, IN 46206 (3l7)635-84ll Members - 2,591,789 Auxiliary members-957,584 Founded - 1918 United Spanish War Veterans P.O.Box l9l5 Washington, DC 200l3 (202)347-l898 Members - 13,000 Auxiliary members 1,950 Founded - 1899 Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States 406 West 34th Street Kansas City, MO 64lll (8l6)756-3390 Members - 2,000,000 Auxiliary members-700,000 Founded-1899 Veterans of World War I of the U.S.A. 801 North Fairfax Street Suite 207 Alexandria, VA 223l4 (703)836-3060 Members - l40,000 Auxiliary members-63,000 Founded - 1949 Non-Chartered Organizations Air Force Association 1501 Lee Highway Arlington, VA 22209-1198 (703)247-5800 AIR FORCE John T. Correll, Editor Members - 220,000 Founded -l946 Air Force Sergeants Association P.O.Box 3l050 Temple Hills, MD 20748 (30l)899-3500 (800)638-0594 (Toll Free) SERGEANTS Belinda J. Reilly,Editor Members - ll6,384 Auxiliary members - 25,442 Founded - l96l NamNews 2-02 Page 9 6 Feb 1988 American Association of Minority Veterans Program Administrators 2900 Community College Avenue c/o Cuyahoga Community College Cleveland, OH 44115 (2l6)24l-5966 PUBLICATION: AAMVPA NEWSLETTER Members - l25 Founded - l975 American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. 2l28 Leroy Place, NW Washington, DC 20008 (202)265-099l PUBLICATION: THE GOLD STAR MOTHER Winona L. Tucker, Editor Members - 5,573 Founded - l928 American Military Retirees Association 69 Clinton Street Plattsburgh, NY 12901 (518)563-9479 Founded - 1973 American War Mothers 26l5 Woodley Place, NW Washington, DC 20008 (202)462-279l Members - 6,500 Founded - l9l7 Association of the U.S. Army 2425 Wilson Boulevard Arlington, VA 2220l (703)84l-4300 PUBLICATION: ARMY; AUSA NEWS (both monthly) L. James Binder, Editor Members - l63,600 Founded - l950 Berkshire Veterans' Center, Inc. Post Office Box 2056 Pittsfield, MA 01202 PUBLICATION: VETLink #1 - Computer BBS Data Line (413) 443-6313 Founded - 1985 Blue Star Mothers of America,Inc. 341 N. Pine Drive Turk Lake Greenville, MI 48838 (616)754-3015 Members - 2,141 Founded - l942 NamNews 2-02 Page 10 6 Feb 1988 Central Illinois Vietnam Veterans P.O.Box 1531 Champaign, IL 61820 Founded - Feb. 1984 Combined National Veterans Association of America 4221 Bel Pre Road Rockville, MD 20853 (301)460-4822 Destroyer-Escort Sailors Association P.O.Box 68 Oviedo, FL 32765 Members - 6,102 Founded - October 1975 Flower of the Dragon, Inc. 75 Henry Street Cotati, CA 94928 (707)795-3346 Founded - Founded - l973 Italian American War Veterans of the United States, Inc. 99 Malvern Street Newark, NJ 07105 Members - 7,000 Founded - l932 ----------------------------------------------------------------- NamNews 2-02 Page 11 6 Feb 1988 Mexican Border Veterans, Inc. l70l East Harbor View Road Box 50 Charlotte Harbor, FL 33950 (8l3)625-6375 Members - 250 Founded - l929 Military Chaplains Association P.O.Box 645 Riverdale, MD 20737-0645 (30l)699-3505 Members - 2,000 Founded - l925 Military Order of the World Wars 435 N. Lee Street Alexandria, VA 22314 (703)683-4911 Members - 20,000 Founded - l919 NAM-POWS, Inc. 5305 Basswood Lane Austin, TX 78723 National Association for Uniformed Services 5535 Hempstead Way Springfield, VA 22l5l-4094 (703)750-l342 Members - 24,000 Founded - l958 National Association of Atomic Veterans 707 S. Aurora P.O.Box 707 Eldon, MO 65026 (314)392-3361 Members - 9,000 Founded - l979 National Association of Concerned Veterans 185 Canal Street Shelton, CT 06484 (203)734-7178 Members - l5,000 Founded - l968 National Association of Military Widows 4023 25th Road North Arlington, VA 22207 (703)527-4565 Members - l,000 Founded - l978 NamNews 2-02 Page 12 6 Feb 1988 National Association of Radiation Survivors P.O.Box 5213 Sacramento, CA 94131 (916)447-7373 Members - 5,000 National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs c/o DC Office of Veterans Affairs 94l North Capitol Street, NE Room l2ll-F Washington, DC 2042l (202)737-5050 Members - 52 State Directors Founded - l94l National Association of Veterans Program Administrators 101 Beecher Hall, M.L. 213 University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH 45221 (513)475-2572 Members - 250 Founded - l973 National Congress of Puerto Rican Veterans, Inc. 304 Park Avenue South New York, NY l00l0 (2l2)260-3000, ext.362 Members - 5,000 Founded - l964 National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia l608 K Street, NW Washington, DC 20006 (202)223-6846 Members - l,500 Founded - l970 National Society of New England Women 1108 Black Road Joliet, IL 60435 (815)723-2693 Members - 2,350 Founded - l895 National Vietnam Veterans 1320 19th Street, NW Suite 200 Washington, DC 20036 Leadership of 25 Veterans Organizations Founded - 1983 NamNews 2-02 Page 13 6 Feb 1988 National Yeomen F 67 Ocean Bay Club Drive Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308 (60l)896-3ll0, ext. l836 Members - 316 Founded - l926 Naval Reserve Association ll0 North Royal Street Suite 307 Alexandria, VA 223l4 (703)548-5800 Members - 23,000 Founded - l954 Past National Commanders Organization 4221 Bel Pre Road Rockville, MD 20853 (6l5)926-l95l Members - 175 Founded - l965 Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, Inc. 867 N. Lamb Blvd. Space 28 Las Vegas, Nevada 89110 (4l9)382-8433 Members - 9,000 Founded - l958 Reserve Officers Association of the United States One Constitution Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20002 (202)479-2200 Members - l20,000 Auxiliary members - 5,032 Founded - l922 Society of Military Widows 5535 Hempstead Way Springfield, VA 22151-4094 (703)750-1342 Members - 3,000 Founded - l968 The Retired Officers Association 20l North Washington Street Alexandria, VA 223l4 (703)549-23ll Members - 336,000 Founded - l929 The Stars and Stripes/The National Tribune Corporation 40 G Street, NE NamNews 2-02 Page 14 6 Feb 1988 P.O.Box l803 Washington,DC 200l3 (202)789-0422 United States Army Warrant Officers Association P.O.Box 2040 Reston, VA 22090 (703)620-3986 Members - 4,500 Founded - l973 U.S. Submarine Veterans of World War II 862 Chatham Avenue Elmhurst, IL 60l26-4531 (3l2)834-27l8 Members - l6,000 Auxiliary members - 3,000 Founded - l956 Veterans of the Vietnam War, Inc. 2090 Bald Mountain Road Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 (717)825-7215 Members - 13,000 Founded - 1979 Vietnam Veterans Foundation P.O.Box 1544 Washington, DC 20013 (703)751-3797 Members - 652 Founded - 1979 Vietnam Veterans Institute 1700 K Street Suite 503 Washington, DC 20006 VETLink#1 Founded - l981 406 West Street WAVES National Corporation Pittsfield, MA 01201 441 W. Kirkwall Road (413)442-1660 (Voice) Glendora, CA 91740 (413)443-6313 (BBS) Members - 3,000 Founded - 1987 Founded - 1979 Women's Army Corps Veterans Vietnam Veterans Valhalla Association 28 Cecil Avenue 5404 Montgomery, NE San Jose, CA 95128 Apt. 410A (408)947-7668 (Voice) Albuquerque, NM 87109 (408)293-7894 (BBS) (505)883-1236 Founded - 1986 Members - 3,300 Founded - l951 ----------------------------------------------------------------- NamNews 2-02 Page 15 6 Feb 1988 *The Dragon Slayer This is part of MY story. Recounted for many reasons, Most of which are my own, But the least of which as a solemn warning. It's just another story One which is all-too-similar To those lived by countless others. Those lived by Vietnam veterans like myself. For reasons which will become obvious... I call it "The Dragon Slayer". . . . Following years of serious preparation and calculated devise, I am finally ready for this one. It's all been carefully thought out. I pause briefly with the patience of a true addict For the intoxicating rush of strength and confidence As my adrenaline explodes through my veins. All my carefully planned defenses are primed. One more time - certainly not for the LAST time - I am prepared to do battle With that all-too-familiar nemesis Who might be poised in ambush; Who will attack without warning And with unbounded ferocity The very instant I open the door Which has kept it locked securely, Deep within the dusty, cobwebbed bowels of my mind, All but completely forgotton for more than a decade... Until now... As I expected, it rears its ugly head From the darkness of its prison, Into the light of my today's reality. This time it's going to be different though. I can see that, right off the bat. This is one of the last, One of the worst of them all, One of the "Dragons". One of those select few Whose "time" has been postponed Until this "special" time. Necessary and invaluable time To learn and to get ready. Time to conduct "special" combat maneuvers. "Search and Destroy" maneuvers Much the same as those of long ago in the jungles of Vietnam NamNews 2-02 Page 16 6 Feb 1988 But which are now in the jungles of my mind. Maneuvers designed to locate another elusive enemy. An enemy hidden by denial to be forgotten forever. Ha...If that had only been possible. This one shouldn't be confronted alone, Not without an ally, someone at my back, someone by my side. Just like back in 'Nam. Someone to back me up. Just like the last time. Just like when I first declared my "real" war. The war I continue to wage inside. The war against that recurring disease spawned so long ago, So far away in that pit called Vietnam. The "real" WAR TO END ALL WARS. Yep...shut the door again. I'm not ready for this one. But post a guard 'cause I'm comin' back... Just as soon as I can get my keester back to the Vet Center And rally the troops. The "Dragon Slayers". Written by Todd Looney, Copyright 1/88, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ----------------------------------------------------------------- NamNews 2-02 Page 17 6 Feb 1988 Military Locator Services Submitted by CompuServe VetSig Sysop Jim Horn Each branch of the military has a locator service that anyone can use by mail. Following are the steps necessary to use the service. 1) Write a letter that you wish to send to your friend. Be sure to include information about yourself so he/she will know who you are and how he can reach you. 2) Write your friends full name, last known rank in center of envelope and your return address in the upper left hand corner. 3) Put proper postage on the envelope. 4) Put that envelope inside a second envelope and include any details about your friend, such as service number, duty stations, birth date, MOS, etc. 5) Seal the second envelope and mail to the appropriate address below. 6) BE PATIENT. --Marines: HQ, USMC(MSRB-13) ==Washington, DC 20380 --Army: HQDA-DAAG-PSR ==Alexandria, VA 20380 --Navy: USN(NMPC-641E) ==Washington, DC 20380 --Air Force: AFMPC/D003 ==Randolph AFB, TX 78150 --Coast Gd: HQ USCG(6-P5-1) ==Washington, DC 20593 ----------------------------------------------------------------- NamNews 2-02 Page 18 6 Feb 1988 PTSD... The Victims American Journal of Nursing/November 1982 P 1696 by Elizabeth M. Norman The program is four hours long and includes lectures, films, writings of Vietnam veterans, and discussion with veterans. The course has received overwhelming support, and has been attended by RNs, LPNs, and nursing assistants from all patient care areas. Discussions between the nursing staff and the Vietnam veterans have been invaluable in helping the staff understand the nature of the war in Vietnam and its impact on those who served there. The program's effect on patient care has been considerable. The staff can more easily identify PTSD. Consequently, referrals to our outreach worker, the Vietnam combat veterans' treatment team, and the Vietnam Veteran Outreach Center have increased. Nurses are less hesitant to discuss PTSD with patients and are more able to support those who are working through their war experiences. Vietnam was America's most unpopular war; the scars that remain on our national conscience have begun to fade. But for some, the war rages on, manifested by destructive behaviors that interfere with the individual's ability to make a complete and comfortable transition to civilian life. As health care workers, we have the opportunity to assist these veterans in the healing process. We must familiarize ourselves with the nature of the disorder, with its impact on the individual and the family, and with the resources available to serve them. Only then may we be able to restore some of the hope and promise that existed for the veterans on the day that they left Vietnam to return to their lives. It is estimated that 500,000 to 700,000 of the 2.8 million men and women who served in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War now have emotional problems(1). Many have post-traumatic stress disorder. According to the DIAGNOSTIC AND STATISTICAL MANUAL OF MENTAL DISORDERS (DSM III) 3rd edition, the essential feature of PTSD is the development of characteristic symptoms (see attachment immediately following) following a psychologically traumatic event that is outside the usual range of human experience(2). PTSD can be acute or chronic and/or delayed. Vietnam veterans, the largest group of people currently being treated for PTSD, have the chronic/delayed form; that is, their symptoms began at least six months after the traumatic event and persisted for six months or more. RECURRING THEMES Many veterans report having dreams about being pursued, trapped, shot at, and/or left with an empty weapon. Many have recurrent dreams of such specific traumatic experiences as the death of a friend or killing someone. Some veterans, although unable to NamNews 2-02 Page 19 6 Feb 1988 recall their dreams precisely, report feeling an uneasy dread about them. Many cry out in their sleep and rise unnaturally early in the morning, still feeling tired(3). Depression, also a recurrent finding, may be due to the deaths of friends in Vietnam; negative attitudes of others toward the Vietnam veteran; unemployment; and inability to express feelings about the war or to find someone who will listen. During periods of depression, many turn to drugs and alcohol(3). The guilt experienced by Vietnam veterans is described as "guilt evoked by death"(4). Some express their guilt directly: "I couldn't get over it... He got hit when they blew the bunker... where I told him to go. It's like I got him killed"(5). Some media reports referred to the veterans as "walking time bombs" or "depraved fiends and psychopathic killers"(6). While rage and frustration are recurrent findings, such sensationalism has further alienated the ex-soldier. Many veterans have difficulty holding jobs. Goodwin writes that it is not unusual to interview a veteran who has had 30 to 40 jobs during the past ten years. He also says that the veterans feel a deep mistrust for their employers and coworkers; they feel used and exploited(8). Veterans report having difficulty expressing love and empathy. One man who came into therapy several years after the war said he had seen his best friend killed after the friend picked up a booby-trapped baby. Now the father of an eight-month-old girl, he was unable to pick up or hold his daughter, despite his consciously stated wish to "be a good father"(7). Hyperalertness and anxiety reactions are other common experiences of veterans. Some veterans fall to the ground when they hear loud noises. The sound of helicopters, prolonged rainy periods, and the sight of Vietnamese refugees can produce a pounding pulse and a cold sweat. THEORIES ABOUT CAUSATION One explanation for PTSD is the survivor theory, based on the psychoanalytic principle that a pattern of denial, repression, and emotional avoidance follows a traumatic event(9, 10, 11). Such a behavior pattern has been confirmed in studies of those who survived the German concentration camps of World War II and the atomic bomb explosions at Hiroshima and Nagasaki. According to the survivor theory, people exposed to severe trauma go through a period of latency or detachment, lasting from a few days to decades. The latency period is sometimes referred to as the denial-numbing phase. The Vietnam veteran returned home "numbed" to the war. He avoided introspection about the war or his role in it, and he resumed his prewar life. The denial-numbing phase is followed by the intrusive-repetitive NamNews 2-02 Page 20 6 Feb 1988 phase. The veteran suddenly begins to experience nightmares, frustration, and guild. Why this intrusive-repetitive breakthrough occurs is not clear. Haley writes that it is frequently triggered by an event that echoes the original trauma(12). Recent events that might have precipitated the intrusive-repetitive phase for Vietnam veterans were the heroes' welcome given the American hostages on their return from Iran and the national controversy over the building of a Vietnam war memorial in Washington, D.C. Until the survivor can work through the traumatic experience and put the event in perspective, the intrusive thoughts will remain. Some theorists believe PTSD is often a misdiagnosis--that the problem is not as pervasive as it is reported to be. Proponents of this viewpoint believe that while combat is a stressful event, in the majority of cases the effect on the veteran is only temporary and diminishes with time. As Boulanger states, "A shift has occurred in the six to fifteen years since the veteran... returned from active duty... fewer veterans are stressed today than were stressed immediately after the war"(13). Others argue that those suffering from stress reactions and other adjustment problems have emotional difficulties that predated Vietnam. Worthington believes that the data available so far seem to support the theory that adjustment problems are more related to previous maladaptive behaviors than to military experience(14). In 1981 Egendorf and others released the most comprehensive study yet conducted on veterans and their postwar adjustment(5). The sample, representing every economic class, geographic region, and ethnic group, consisted of 1,400 men who were directly or indirectly involved in the Vietnam conflict. The results indicate that such factors as unemployment, low educational attainment, minority status, instability in the family of origin, and the amount and intensity of combat interact to produce varying degrees of PTSD. Veterans who have supportive wives and friends who are also Vietnam veterans are unlikely to develop the disorder. The main conclusion of the study is that although some veterans have successfully adjusted to life after the war, a full one-quarter of all Vietnam veterans still show symptoms of delayed stress. ================================================================== REFERENCES 1. Walker, J. I. The psychological problems of Vietnam veterans. JAMA 246:781-782. Aug. 14, 1981. 2. American Psychiatric Association DIAGNOSTIC AND STATISTICAL MANUAL OF MENTAL DISORDERS, 3rd ed. Washington, D.C. The Association, 1980, pp 236-239 3. Goodwin, J. The etiology of combat related post-traumatic stress disorders. In POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDERS OF THE VIETNAM VETERAN, ed by Tom Williams, Cincinnati, Ohio, Disabled American Veterans, 1980, pp 1-25. 4. Lifton, R. J. HOME FROM THE WAR, New York, Simon & Schuster, 1973, p. 99. 5. Egendorf, Arthur, and others. LEGACIES OF VIETNAM: NamNews 2-02 Page 21 6 Feb 1988 COMPARATIVE ADJUSTMENTS OF VETERANS AND THEIR PEERS. Final report to the Veterans Administration, New York, Vietnam Era Research Project of the Center for Policy Research, Inc., March 1981 p 729, 6. DeFazio, V Dynamic perspectives on the nature and effects of combat stress IN STRESS DISORDERS AMONG VIETNAM VETERANS: THEORY, RESEARCH, AND TREATMENT, ed by C.R. Figley and others. New York, Brunner/Mazel, 1978, p.32. 7. Haley, S. Treatment implications of the post-combat stress response syndromes for mental health professionals IN: STRESS DISORDERS AMONG VIETNAM VETERANS: THEORY, RESEARCH, AND TREATMENT, ed by C.R. Figley and others. New York, Brunner/Mazel, 1978, p. 263. 8. Goodwin, op.cit.,p. 13. 9. Lifton, op.cit. pp. 99-133. 10. Horowitz, M.J., and Solomon, G.F. Prediction of delayed stress response syndrome in Vietnam veterans. J.Soc.Issues31(4):67-80, 1975. 11. Figley, C. R., and others, eds. IN: STRESS DISORDERS AMONG VIETNAM VETERANS: THEORY, RESEARCH, AND TREATMENT, New York, Brunner/Mazel, 1978. 12. Haley, op.cit., p.262 13. Boulanger, G. Changes in stress reaction over time IN: Legacies of Vietnam: Comparative Adjustments of Veterans and Their Peers, ed. by Arthur Egendorf and others. Final report to the Veterans Administration, New York, Vietnam Era Research, Inc., March 1981, p. 539. 14. Worthington, E. Demographic and pre-service variables as predictors of post-military service adjustment in IN: STRESS DISORDERS AMONG VIETNAM VETERANS: THEORY, RESEARCH, AND TREATMENT, ed by C.R. Figley and others. New York, Brunner/Mazel, 1978, p. 182. ================================================================== DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA FOR POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER A. Existence of a recognizable stressor that would evoke significant symptoms of distress in almost everyone. B. Reexperiencing of the trauma as evidenced by at least one of the following: (1) recurrent and intrusive recollections of the event; (2) recurrent dreams of the event; (3) sudden acting or feeling as if the traumatic event were reoccurring, because of an association with an environmental or ideational stimulus. C. Numbing of responsiveness to or reduced involvement with the external world, beginning some time after the trauma, as shown by at least one of the following: (1) markedly diminished interest in one or more significant activities; (2) feeling of detachment or estrangement from others; (3) constricted affect. D. At least two of the following symptoms that were not present before the trauma: (1) hyperalertness or exaggerated startle response; (2) sleep disturbance; (3) guilt about surviving when others have not, or about behavior required for survival; (4) memory impairment or trouble concentrating; (5) avoidance of NamNews 2-02 Page 22 6 Feb 1988 activities that arouse recollection of the traumatic event; (6) intensification of symptoms by exposure to events that symbolize or resemble the traumatic event. From: DSM III, 1980. ----------------------------------------------------------------- NamNews 2-02 Page 23 6 Feb 1988 VIETNAM VETS SURVIVAL GUIDE The following column is the first in a series of highly informative articles to be published in each monthly issue of the Nam Vet Newsletter throughout 1988. This new VIETNAM VETERANS' SURVIVAL series will consist of selected excerpts taken from the book "The Viet Vet Survival Guide" written by Craig Kubey, David F. Addlestone, Richard E. O'Dell, Kieth D. Snyder, Barton F. Stichman, and the VIETNAM VETERANS' OF AMERICA, Inc. organization. If you find these articles informative and/or helpful in any way, we highly recommend you purchase a copy of the "Viet Vet Survival Guide" for yourself. It should be available at your favorite bookstore. We guarantee it will become a valuable asset and an important addition to your personal library. The book's authors openly and accurately describe how you can cut through the bureaucracy and get what you need - and are entitled to as veterans of America's armed forces - in commendably comprehensive detail. Although the un-edited excerpts taken from the "Viet Vet Survival Guide" are reprinted in the Nam Vet Newsletter without permission from either Balantine Books, who published it, or its' authors, we assure you we do so with honorable intentions and in good faith. The select articles comprising this new series by no means claim to represent anything more than a small percentage of all the information contained within the "Viet Vet Survival Guide". Again, we recommend every person reading these reprinted articles purchase the entire book for themselves or as a gift for the Vietnam veteran in your life. For the 220 million Americans, the Vietnam War ended in April 1975. For nine million others, it continues to this day. There are nine million men and women classified by the federal government as "Vietnam Era Veterans". Of these, three million served in Vietnam. All nine million have been affected by having served in the military during a war that provoked unprecedented opposition in their home country. The three million who were stationed in Vietnam have special problems. As Vietnam Veterans of America (Inc.) noted in a recent court brief, Viet Vets: o Fought in jungles against a native revolutionary army. Success was measured not by territorial conquests but by body count. o Unlike in other wars, went to the war zone individually. Most Viet Vets were therefore forced to deal with stress by themselves. o Felt to a greater degree than other Vietnam Era Vets the impact of serving during a war opposed by most of their fellow citizens; those who served in Vietnam were seen as bearing a NamNews 2-02 Page 24 6 Feb 1988 special responsibility for the war. o Served in a war that by many measures the United States LOST. The returning Viet Vet was met not by victory parades but by condemnation or apathy. The three million also suffered the often-catastrophic symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, the physical and psychological ravages of Agent Orange, and the disabling and disfiguring injuries of combat. The United States took the nine million into military service and sent the three million to war. ----------------------------------------------------------------- NamNews 2-02 Page 25 6 Feb 1988 What Are Vet Centers? Vet Center Program The VA conducts a nationwide system of Vet Centers which provide counseling service to Vietnam era veterans. Vet Centers are small community-based storefront centers that offer a broad range of services during day and evening hours. Their professional staff addresses problems and concerns of Vietnam era veterans and their families that are related to the veterans's experience while on active duty or during the military-to-civilian transition. Services range from social services, Agent Orange, to education or readjustment concerns. Contact: Adjustment Counceling Services (10B/RC) Department of Medicine, Veterans Administration, 810 Vermont Ave. N.W. Room 851, Washington, DC 20420 (202) 389-3317. Also, check your local phone directory for Vet Center listed under the U.S.Government/Veterans Administration. ----------------------------------------------------------------- NamNews 2-02 Page 26 6 Feb 1988 ================================================================= BUDDY SEARCH ================================================================= Looking for a "Special" Friend! SP 4 DAVID C. BROCK RA 14848462 DT C4 5TH SPECIAL FORCES GROUP APO 96215 USF, CALIF Two tours: Last tour at CAN THO 1966-67 DOB: JUNE 17,1945 Last Known Civilian Address 1968: 1804 E. ANNIE ST TAMPA, FL 33612 His Aunt Molly and Sister are trying to locate him. Please contact Joe Peck at (Voice) 413-442-1660, (BBS) 413-443-6313 , or Todd Looney at (voice) 408-947-7668, (BBS) 408-293-7894 if you have any information about this veteran. ----------------------------------------------------------------- NamNews 2-02 Page 27 6 Feb 1988 ================================================================= MEMORIES ================================================================= Dear Dad Lindy Harris Friends BBS Omaha, Nebraska Dear Dad, It's that time of year again when we all think of you and miss you so much. Holidays of any sort should be happy, but there is one holiday that tears my heart to pieces and it isn't one of our national holidays. The Celebration of TET is one of sorrow and grief for us. I was only 6 years old when you left for Vietnam, and 10 when it dawned on me that you wouldn't be coming back, I felt so lost and abandoned. Mom took things pretty hard, and Chet and I had to sort of take over things for awhile. Mom is okay, and as I've grown up I've come to understand that it was her that had the tough time to begin with. Chet's and mine came later when we understood what death meant. We are all okay, until TET comes around and then we all go into a spin. We finally made the trip to The Wall, and seeing your name there gave me a feeling of having known you much longer than I did. I saw the other names that were there on the day you died, so I know you weren't alone. I can only pray that you did not suffer, and that you've found the peace you fought for. We wanted to leave a letter at The Wall, but all we could do was do was cry. What's The Wall, you ask? It's the most beautiful and yet the saddest monument that has ever existed. The war in Vietnam was so dark and tragic, and the monument, nay,the Memorial which every NamVet calls "The Wall," is also dark and tragic. It's a black slash in the earth made of black marble that carries the names of all the men and women Killed In Action. When we walked, stopped, cried and cried and went on to the next panel, there were more tears. A man walked up to us and asked if there was a name on the wall that belonged to us. We told him yes, and when he found out you were a Marine and the outfit you were with, he asked us to wait about an hour while he looked up a buddy that might have known you. His buddy arrived and although he couldn't remember you specifically, he told us what it was like and how we had WON the Tet Offensive! Each of us have mourned your death in our own way and it took awhile to get our lives to settle down to a modest roar at all the injustices that went on during the years of the Vietnam War era. Things are looking up for all of us now, and I'd like to tell you about everything that's happened to us, but I'll try to be brief, at least this time. NamNews 2-02 Page 28 6 Feb 1988 Chet? Well, I think you would be very proud of your son. He graduated last year form M.I.T., and will be joining the Marines as soon as he has his bills paid. (He owes Mom a bundle!) I don't think it will take too long. Mom says he has one of your questionable traits of character, he is either going full bore for something or other he wants badly, almost a workaholic, and won't quit until it's perfect, or he sits on his duff "thinking". I don't have time to sit for very long, but I wish a bit of the drive he inherited from you had rubbed off on me. Mom remarried last April, and Don is a fine man. Mom is happy and he treats all of us wonderfully. And he is one heck of a fisherman, which I thought you might like to know. Me? It's a difficult thing to try and tell you what's going on in my life. I met, fell in love with a man that was sort of like what I remembered about you, and married him. I kept comparing him with what little I remembered about you, and what Chet and mom told me over the years, and it's pointless to say he wasn't a bit like you. When we both discovered what the problem was, we ended a miserable marriage. We have been friendly most of the time, and share equal custody of our two beautiful children. How I would love to have you see them, even though I can't quite see you as a grandfather. You were my dad, and I still have my childs vision of you. Our kids know a lot about you, since we drag out all the movies, photos and tapes you sent to us from Vietnam, plus the movies the whole family were in while you were with us. We do that at least once a year when we manage to get the whole Corps in the same city and house. We've all been watching Tour of Duty, which is a television program that is trying to tell us what it was like in Vietnam, and though it's a dramatization, most of the NamVets I've talked to says it comes close. It's a great deal different than the war we saw on the nightly news on television. It's frightening to get a glimpse of what happened over there to you and your buddies. We have tried to understand what happened to us as a Nation during the 60's and 70's, but I think you would like to know that America has finally got it's act together and is recognizing that the War in Vietnam that took you and thousands of others from us, is finally over and that the healing is taking place. I'm back in school again, after putting my dreams on hold while I tried and failed to be mother, wife and wage earner. Making ends meet isn't the easiest thing to do, but I'm in the upper 10% of my class and I'll be getting my degree and graduate in June. Mom and Don help with the children, and it's amazing how things have fallen into place at last. All of us have futures, and tend not to dwell in the past quite so much. I seem to be rambling a bit, but I was just sitting here thinking of the things I have wished you could have seen me do NamNews 2-02 Page 29 6 Feb 1988 over the years. First date, turning 16, being an absolute flop in a high school play, buying my first car with my own money, getting married, having my babies, oh how I wished you were here for all the celebrations of life. I've wanted to say all these things before, but didn't know where to send them until I found the International Vietnam Veterans Echo. If the Echo is loud enough, I'm sure you will hear me. Love, Your daughter, Lindy. P.S. Mom used to let me put S.W.A.K. on the backs of all the letters she sent. Do you think I could do that here too? I thought so. S W A K ----------------------------------------------------------------- NamNews 2-02 Page 30 6 Feb 1988 Memories of a Boy Becoming a Man Part III Don Griffith Enterprize BBS Pinole, CA Bien Hoa April 1969 A great fear has just hit me. Our plane (courtesy of Flying Tigers Airline) has just landed in Vietnam. What will we see when we get off the plane? Will it be a world of air- conditioning and comfortable beds or will it be a world of heat and wooden benches. It is night now and we can only see some lights in the distance. We taxi closer to these lights. We have been told that we crossed the international date line. I have no idea what time it is or even what day of the week it is. The confusion that I feel will stay with me for several days. It is finally my turn to get off of the airplane. Will they hand me a gun at the bottom of the ramp or will I have to walk into a war unprotected? Little do I know that I will have to wait for almost a week before I get my first weapon. When I reach the door, I am hit in the face by an incredible heat. It is as though I have stepped from the freezer to the oven in my house. I immediately begin to sweat and my clothes shortly become drenched with perspiration. We walk along the taxiway towards the lights. We can see some men standing and sitting over on one side. We hear for the first time a word that one day we will say ourselves. The men stand up and yell "SHORT!!!". The sound of all of them shouting scares me. It seems that they were waiting for us because our plane to Vietnam will be their plane home. How I wish that I could have gotten out of my line and into theirs. Our flight to Vietnam had taken over 18 hours. We left from Travis Air Force Base and flew to Anchorage, Alaska. We spent about an hour there refueling the Airplane. We then flew across the Pacific Ocean to Yokota, Japan. We stopped there once again to get some more jet fuel for our final leg to Vietnam. I have never been able to sleep on airplanes, so I was a basket case by the time we arrived. We spent what seemed to be hours in processing into Nam. We got our first clue as to where we would be going. When we were issued our Ration Cards, mine had the emblem of the First Field Forces. Others, that I went to class with, received cards showing 101st Airborne. They were confused and mad. Since they had never been to Jump School, how could they be assigned to an Airborne unit. We finally got some sleep and then we were herded onto a C-130 for the next leg of our trip. I was told that I would be getting off in a town called Nha Trang. This airplane is the biggest thing I NamNews 2-02 Page 31 6 Feb 1988 had ever been in. Why couldn't they afford some seats for us to sit in, instead of having to sit on the floor held in by cargo ropes? And I thought Flying Tiger Airlines was bad. ----------------------------------------------------------------- NamNews 2-02 Page 32 6 Feb 1988 Mommy, Did You Kill Anybody in the War? By Norma Boris Friends BBS, Omaha. Nebraska As I read my January '84 issue of the VVA Veteran, my 6-month old son sleeps soundly in his room. The articles are tingling, unnerving. Particularly unnerving is one on the last page. I read about a man who carried a gun, who was face to face with the enemy, and who killed. I shudder as I contemplate the day my son asks me the question above. After all, I'm mommy, not daddy. It makes me think. Least painfully I think of the time limit we imposed on the Vietnamese patients with "no hope" of improvement. Our doctors, knowing their litters would be left on the dust-off pad at the ARVN hospital, wanted them kept in our Casualty Receiving. We wanted them transferred to simply die elsewhere. Sure as hell, they died. Before a twelve hour limit was imposed, there were patients who just stayed until they stopped breathing - sometimes that was days. The memories of those patients are more painful. After a while I didn't suction so often, finally not at all. I sat there as they breathed more and more irregularly, less and less frequently. The died too - finally, taking just a little of me with them. Then there are the most painful. They are of the ones I told, "I'll be right back..." Even when I was, it wasn't soon enough for them. Their staring eyes were round, their skin American, no matter what color. Last, there are the memories that I do not yet allow entrance into my consciousness. They are the memories of the children. I never knew that tiny, slanted eyes could open SO wide and that children in such pain could be SO quiet. I still handle them in my nightmares. So, son, what do I tell you when you ask, "Mommy, did you kill anybody in the war?" I have a few years, a few years to hope the history books do NOT add the information that women went ... and that women killed. I have a few years to practice my "pat" answers and to hope, against hope, that you never hear the word "Vietnam". "Mommy, did you kill anybody in the war?" Oh my God... yes... Norma Boris served at the 67th Evac in Qui Nhon 1969-70. ----------------------------------------------------------------- NamNews 2-02 Page 33 6 Feb 1988 VIETNAM ERA SERVICE, A PERSONAL VIEW, #1 of a series - Chuck Sterling - Las Cruces, NM - NASW, Las Cruces, NM (Opus 15/4) This is the first of a series of essays documenting my experiences and recollections while in the U.S. Navy during the period from early 1967 until my release from active duty in mid 1969. This would not be complete, however, without my mentioning a bit of background leading up to my military service as well, which for practical purposes can begin with my recollection that President Kennedy had sent American servicemen to fight in a place called Vietnam that was on few of the maps in our high school library. In most reference books, we had to look for French Indochina, which included both North and South Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, to see where this was taking place. Young men were being drafted into the armed forces at this time, many as soon as they left school, and some were going to Vietnam. Going off to war was one thing I wanted to avoid if I could. I think that my opinion was influenced and formed by a combination of my not being an aggressive person to begin with, and my father's insistence on my not getting into infantry combat. Dad was a veteran of WWII, and he held strong opinions against his only son being cannon fodder, opinions that I respected and ultimately shared. At that time, you had a few options if you intended to avoid military service, only one of which was Canadian exile. You could get married, but, with twenty-twenty hindsight, I can now see that a boy who married for that reason was making a bad decision. That avenue was not really open to me then. I was still a boy by most reckoning, and I knew it. The popular option was to continue in school, which earned you a 2-S draft classification and a "student deferment". This was the option I chose (perhaps it chose me...), and although it was less permanent than getting married (so I thought), the general consensus was that the Vietnam war would be finished before we graduated from college, perhaps by then married, achieving the same result. Of course, married men and students could still be drafted, but there was a long list of 1-A's that would go before us. This ploy worked for three years, then I managed to get pretty ill for a few weeks and had to drop a couple of subjects and my full-time student status. And I thought they weren't watching... Quick as you could say "physical", I was reclassified 1-A NamNews 2-02 Page 34 6 Feb 1988 and directed to face that way and cough, twice, then bend over and spread 'em. I fell for the line that our draft notices would be mailed the next week, and joined the Naval Reserve. This seemed sensible, as my main intention was to stay out of the infantry. I reasoned that, because the Navy is a mass of machines that needs men to run them, I should be better off with the Navy as compared to the Army or Marines, who I perceived as a mass of men shooting and cutting their way forward. The Air Force was my second choice, as I figured a ship in the ocean offshore was about as safe a place as any in a war zone. At least, it should be difficult to be shot down if I'm on a ship. It still seems sensible. It just didn't work out that way. If you want to get above E-3 in the Navy, you have to learn a specialty, which I think was referred to as "striking" for a particular rating, the students of which were referred to as "strikers". Hardly the picture that term conjures up today... To get training you had to be accepted for a class "A" school, and the reserve center had a list of available ones, which included everything from bean counter to bean cooker to bean server to whatever job you can think of. I was interested in electronics, so applied as my first choice of three for "electronic technician". All the listed classes were full, but (I reasoned) maybe a student would cancel, creating an opening. Second choice was "interior communication technician", which I guessed would work with electronics. Those classes were full, as well. Third choice was "equipment operator", chosen because I definitely wanted SOME class "A" school and there were three classes with openings. Quick as you could say "Seabee", I was in the ground forces. What a surprise... Well, I made it through the 12 week school in Port Hueneme, California, which incidentally started on April Fool's Day, 1968, and was allowed to specify a preference of duty station from a short list that included staying in California, going to Gulfport, Mississippi, or Davisville, Rhode Island. I selected MCB 40 (Mobile Construction Battalion) in Rhode Island. I was trying to salvage my initial goal to stay out of Nam by selecting a unit that had just completed two tours at Chu Lai and was due for a tour in Europe. That, too, did not work out when the commander volunteered MCB 40 for a third consecutive tour in the combat zone. Sitting on top of a bulldozer in a war zone was not, you will recall, my first choice of duty, so I used my electronic knowledge, schooling and experience to move from Alpha (A) Company (made up of equipment operators and construction mechanics) to Headquarters (H) Company and the NamNews 2-02 Page 35 6 Feb 1988 communications crew, and an underground command post communications job. I finally did something that turned out the way I planned... The Navy has been in the business of moving vast machines filled with men around for a long time, and through habit move battalions the same way, 800 or so men at a time. Rather than stationing a battalion in a location semi- permanently and rotating or replacing men as their tours (or lives) expire, the Navy picks up 800 men and brings them home at the same time 800 men are arriving to replace them, battalion name and all. I honestly don't remember the number of the MCB we replaced, but do recall its radio code name, Spruce Echo (ours was Mink Ranch, commonly referred to as "Fur Farm"). Funny how some things stick with you. Spruce Echo was back in Vietnam for another tour before I left for home about seven months later. I don't know how many men you can pack into a C-141 (I think that's the designation of the one that looks like a pregnant Boeing 707), but there was a bunch of us. We left Rhode Island December 13th, 1968, flew to Alaska for fuel and our last look at snow, then on to Da Nang. I slept some, played some chess, read a book, sat around and talked, or did nothing at all. That was a long flight. Come to think of it, I did go up to the cockpit (or whatever they call it on those giants) and watch the operation for a while. The engineer gave me a guided tour, which was interesting, and I got my first and last look out the front end of a jet. I remember asking the usual questions about how fast and high we were flying, and asking how fast this bird could go if they pushed it. Our airspeed was around 600 kts, I think, which was also just about as fast as it would go, although the engineer did mention we were using only about 65% power. When I asked what would happen if they pushed it up to, say, 90% power, he replied that the wings would fall off... The flight was uneventful except for a bit of turbulence that bounced one or two people against the ceiling (they were resting on top of a pallet of seabags in the tail). I don't remember spotting the first land or anything about our arrival, with the exception of the heat of midday. We waited in Da Nang for hours, finally boarding a C-130 for Phu Bai in the first hours of darkness. I assure you that a tactical landing observed from the cargo hold of the C-130 executing one will make a lasting impression should you ever be so unfortunate to experience it. I swear they tipped it upside-down and looped it onto the runway, but then I sorta lost my frame of reference for a minute or so. I was overjoyed to realize that the first thing that hit the ground was the wheels. During the landing maneuver I thought we were being shot down... NamNews 2-02 Page 36 6 Feb 1988 Actually, I had lost my "frame of reference" several thousand miles earlier, and had no idea what to expect in a combat zone. I imagined that "Charlie" was close at hand, that he was sitting out in the dark waiting for us to arrive within easy rifle range. Arriving at our camp at dark, I had no idea that the perimeter was more than a half mile away and surrounded by a large clear area (perhaps a mile to any cover), and that a tall tower watch with a starlight scope was on duty. I was shaking in my boots just to go outside and take a leak. The next day, I (and perhaps some others) felt a little silly to see how things really were. Seems naive of me now, but that's easy to say from the distant perspective of nearly twenty years. ----------------------------------------------------------------- NamNews 2-02 Page 37 6 Feb 1988 ================================================================= GENERAL ARTICLES ================================================================= Vietnam Vets Dying of Cancer By WILLIAM M. WELCH Associated Press Writer (Sept. 14, 1987) WASHINGTON (AP) -- Fresh findings that suggest a cancer risk for some Vietnam veterans have reopened a political and scientific debate over one of the vexing legacies of the Vietnam War: Agent Orange. Congressional veterans of the war, voicing anger at alleged foot- dragging by the Veterans Administration, plan to call this week for hearings into the government's handling of a scientific inquiry into the potential human damage sewn with the toxic defoliant. "There is a lot of outrage at the way it's been handled, and a lot of suspicion," said Rep. Lane Evans, D-Ill., a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee and chairman of the 50-member Vietnam-Era Veterans Congressional Caucus. "The evidence is there that something is wrong for Vietnam veterans," he said in an interview last week. A study of the deaths of 50,000 Vietnam-era veterans by Veterans Administration scientists released this month showed excessive rates of death due to lung cancer and certain cancers of the lymph system among Marines who served in the war. While the study said Agent Orange was only a suspected cause, it was viewed by some veterans leaders as the most important U.S. statistical finding to implicate the broad-leaf herbicide that was widely sprayed in Vietnam to destroy enemy ground cover. The finding was puzzling, however, because it found no similar cancer risk among Army veterans corresponding with that of the Marines. Kang and his colleagues speculated that one reason for higher cancer incidence among Marine but not Army ground soldiers was that the Marines were confined to one of four military regions, I Corps, where much of the heavy fighting took place. But Young, the administration's expert, said records show the III Corps region around Saigon, where troops were mainly Army, received the heaviest concentrations of Agent Orange spraying. Records show 65% of the were sprayed in the III Corps area. "To even go so far as to say it (an Agent Orange link) is possible is really far out," he said in an interview. NamNews 2-02 Page 38 6 Feb 1988 While no link has been proven between Agent Orange and the ailments of veterans, seven companies that manufactured the herbicide have agreed to pay $180 million into a fund to go to veterans to settle a class action suit. No distributions have been made pending appeals by opponents of the settlement. ----------------------------------------------------------------- NamNews 2-02 Page 39 6 Feb 1988 INTERNATIONAL HISTORICAL DATES AS RELATED TO VIETNAM 2879 to 258 BC - The First Vietnamese Kingdom (Van Lang or Van Tang, The Country of Tattooed Men). The Bac-sonians, a wave of Australoids from the north settle in the Red River Valley Area, (Hanoi-Haiphong). First wave of Malays from Central Asia settle coastal area from Saigon to Hue. 500 BC - Han Chinese advance into Vietnam (Red River Valley) and force earlier settles south setting of the first North/South conflict. 258 to 207 BC - The Second Vietnamese Kingdom (Au Lac). The King of Thuc conquers Van Lang. 207 BC - Au Lac overrun by Central Chinese peoples who establish the Kingdom of Nam Viet in the Red River Valley. 111 BC to AD 939 - Chinese occupy northern portion of Vietnam, Nam Viet, a conglomerate of smaller states fall. Second Wave of Malays. 87 BC - Han Wu Ti, Emperor of China, spreads Chinese territory south to Hue. 39 - Trung sisters lead a two-year revolt against Chinese, reestablish Nam Viet. 45 - Nam Viet again overrun and annexed by China. 197 - Kingdom of Champa established by peoples from India and further west under Lam Ap settling coastal area from Da Nang south to Cam Ranh. A trading people. 220 - Han Dynasty of China Falls. 542 to 400 - Ly Bon (Ly-Nan-De) leads successful rebellion against China. For the next 60 years there is constant pressure from the North and the 'Vietnamese' extend their settlements south along the coast. 602 - China again imposes foreign rule on Vietnam. During this period Chinese methods of agriculture are adopted. A poor land becomes rich, the people remain poor. 938 - Ngo-Quyen leads armies which decisively defeat Chinese at Bach Dang River. Independence lasts for most of the next 900 years. Language reverts back to ancient 'Vietnamese' language. 1215 - Mongols invade the Red River Valley without success. A few years later they invade again, this time led by Kublai Khan. They are partially successful and keep the pressure from the north until 1287. 1284 - Tran Hung Dao writes_Essential_Summary_of_Military_Arts. "The enemy must fight his battle far from his home base for a NamNews 2-02 Page 40 6 Feb 1988 long time. We must further weaken him by drawing him into protracted campaigns. Once his initial dash is broken, it will easier to destroy him." 1287 - Mongols withdraw from Vietnam. With the overthrow of the Chinese (in 939) and for almost 500 years, the people of the Red River Valley area direct their efforts to the colonialization of the South. The Chams are destroyed in a systematic genocide, city by city. The remaining terrorized Chams fled into the highland jungles and became the ancestors of the present Montagnard peoples. 1407 - Chinese under the Ming Emperors invade the Red River Valley area and gain control. They are eventually defeated by guerilla warfare and attrition. 1418 to 1427 - Ming Chinese defeated by Viet King, Le Loi. Le Dynasty comes to power in northern Vietnam. Nguyen feudal lords come to power in southern Vietnam. 1459 - 1497 - Completion of destruction of kingdom of Chamapa by Le Thanh. This period is known as the Golden age of Vietnam. 1535 - First Europeans, Portuguese, drop anchor at Da Nang. This marks the beginning of the era of colonialization by Europe of Asia. 1540 - Vietnam politically divided in to North and South (Le and Nguyen). 1590 - Vietnam reunified. 1613 - Vietnam again divides into two countries. The Nguyen rulers of the South construct two walls at Dong-Hoi. One wall is six miles long, the other twelve miles long. Both are 18 feet high. Dong-Hoi is less than ten miles north of the DMZ established by the Geneva Accords of 1954. 1615 - First Catholic missionaries, Italian and Portuguese Jesuits, land at Da Nang. 1636 - First Dutch arrive in Vietnam. 1672 - English open a trading post. 1770 to 1776 - Revolt of the Tay-Son Village against the Nguyen Dynasty in the South. Trinh family defeats Le Dynasty in the North. Nguyen Anh, King of Cochin China (Southern South Vietnam area) holds on to his throne in the South, very unstable, negotiates for French assistance and support. 1776 - Vietnam and the Thai Kingdom clash over Cambodia. 1790 to 1800 - New, unsuccessful Chinese invasion of North. - Nguyen Anh and French force land in North (July 1789). NamNews 2-02 Page 41 6 Feb 1988 Nominal reunification of country. 1799 - Nguyen Anh recaptures most of South and exterminates Tay-Son leaders. 1802 - Hue falls, the Tay-Son movement ends. Hanoi falls. Price Nguyen Anh becomes Emperor Gia Long. Gia Long restores the name Vietnam to the entire country. Gia Long's rule is anti-European. Ends with his death in 1820. 1820 to 1841 - The Emperor Minh Mang: under his rule the last Europeans are driven from the Emperor's service. He effectively isolates Vietnam from development (technological and military) during a period of rapid European advancement. Persecutes Catholic missionaries. 1827 to 1856 - A period of genocide. 130,000 Catholics put to death. 1839 - The Opium War. Opium had been brought into China by the British who found it very profitable. When the Chinese try to stop the opium trade the British attack and defeat China. This becomes a pattern for colonialization in Asia. 1841 to 1847 - The Emperor Thieu Tri loses part of Vietnam to the French. 1845 - USS Constitution puts into Da Nang. The Marines land to assist in halting the killing of the French Bishop. Marines stay four days. This is America's first Vietnam involvement. 1847 to 1883 - The Emperor Tu Doc loses all of Vietnam to the French. 1850 - The French view Vietnam as a staging area and foothold into the rich markets of China held by the English. 1858 - The French attack and capture Da Nang. 1861 - French capture Saigon. 1862 - Vietnam cedes Saigon and surrounding provinces to France. 1883 - French expansion continues until all of Vietnam is under French control. 1880 to 1920 - Major immigration of Europeans to America. 1887 - Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos grouped into the French Protectorate called the Indochinese Union. 1920 to 1936 - A series of ill-fated nationalistic uprisings. NamNews 2-02 Page 42 6 Feb 1988 1937 - From Mao Tse-Tung: "The enemy advances, we retreat; the enemy camps, we harass; the enemy retreats, we pursue." - Japanese capture Nanking (China), a war where only one side shows up - 200,000 civilians murdered. 1939 - Japan occupies military installations in Vietnam, allows Vichy France to administer colony. 1941 - Iraquis oust British. First Airborne Infantry operation in warfare, Germany invades Crete. Japanese land in Indochina. US cuts off oil to Japan. Viet Nam Doc Lap Dong Minh, THE LEAGUE FOR THE INDEPENDENCE OF VIETNAM, established by Ho Chi Mihn. 1945 - Japanese intern French administrators. Viet Mihn take control throughout Vietnam and inter Japanese occupation forces. Democratic Republic of Vietnam is established. British army enters Saigon. Chinese (Koumintang) army enters Hanoi, per Yalta agreement. The British will yield to the French, Chaing Kai-shek to Ho Chi Minh. Neither Ho nor the French will accept this result, and war begins in 1946. 1946 - US and USSR divide Korea at the 38th Parallel. 19 Dec, Viet Minh launch attacks against French. The beginning of the First Indochina War. ----------------------------------------------------------------- NamNews 2-02 Page 43 6 Feb 1988 1947 - The TRUMAN DOCTRINE pledges economic and military aid to any nation threatened by communism. 1948 - The Berlin Blockade and Airlift. 1949 - The creation of NATO. Mao Tse-tung rises to power in China. 1950 - A period of Civil Rights sit-ins and boycotts begins in the Southern United States. The Korean War begins. 1952 - Korean truce talks get underway. US role is mostly defensive. 1953 - Jan to Apr, First Viet Minh invasion of Laos. 18 July, French attack Regiment 95 of Viet Minh along Street Without Joy. 22 October, French/Laotian Treaty of Association affirms Laos independence as a member of the French Union. l954 - 7 May, Fall of French Garrison at Dien Bien Phu marks French defeat in First Indochina War. Ten thousand French soldiers surrender to Viet Minh. France's attempt to send relief force falls. American (Eisenhower/Dulles) official response to request for relief is a telegram of encouragement. (American public revulsion to Korean War is said to have deterred Eisenhower from committing to intervention in Indochina.) 21 July, Geneva Cease-Fire Conference splits Vietnam into communist North and non-communist South along historical line at 17th parallel. August, Communist Party outlawed in the United States. US sends 200 military advisors to Ngo Dinh Diem, President of South Vietnam. 1955 - Warsaw Pact formed. The Eisenhower/Khruschev Geneva Summit, the cold war begins. 1956 - Russian tanks crush Hungarian Insurrection. NAACP outlawed in Alabama. Last French troops leave Indochina. Scheduled elections on reunification of Vietnam not held. 1959 - The Second Indochina War begins. Laotian rebellion begins in ernest. 1961 - John F. Kennedy, "We will bear any burden . . ." Bay of Pigs. Berlin Wall. Cuban Missile Crisis. 1962 - MACV (Military Assistance Command, Vietnam) established. Neutralization of Laos under coalition government. 1962 to 1968 - Second Indochina War, troop build-up phase. Generally, the US public believes US us winning, dismay grows gradually. JFK to news media, "Get on the team." 1963 - John F. Kennedy assassinated. 1964 - Red China exploded nuclear bomb. Gulf of Tonkin Incident. 5 Aug, first US pilot (shot-down) captured by North NamNews 2-02 Page 44 6 Feb 1988 Vietnam. Navy Lt (jg) Everett Alvarez, Jr., becomes first POW. US Veterans Administration declares this date as beginning of Amercian Vietnam Era. 1965 - First US ground troops land near Da Nang. US begins operation Rolling Thunder, bombing of the North. Viet Cong attack US airbase at Pleiku, 70 US KIA. War in the Dominican Republic. May, first five-day bombing halt of the North. 19 Jun, first major ground action by US Forces. 30 Jun, LBJ announces doubling US troop strength by addition of 44 battallions increasing strength from 65,000 to 130,000. 29 Jul, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division arrives in Vietnam. China states its support for Viet Cong as central strategy for world communist movement to encircle western world. First (clandestine) peace negotiations between Washington and Hanoi begin in Paris. Hanoi demands total control of all Vietnam. The negotiation issue never changes. 24 Nov, LBJ halts bombing of North, announces 'peace offensive.' 1966 - 31 Jan, US air bombardment of North resumes after efforts to negotiate prove fruitless. 10 Mar, Roman Catholic Premier Ky fires Buddhist General Nguygen Chan The, thus provoking Buddhists. The's troops revolt in Da Nang. Special Forces CIDG camps at A Loui, Ta Bat and A Shau (all in A Shau Valley) are closed because of VC/NVA pressure. During the next two years the valley belongs to the communist forces who openly ship tons of supplies down Highway 548 which runs the length of the A Shau. 7 May, Ke declares he will not leave office no matter what the election result, following the voting for constituent Assembly. Da Nang Buddhists demonstrate. 15 May, Ky sends his troops to Da Nang to quell demonstrations and meet resistance from 1st Division troops. There is near civil war in the South. Hue becomes center of Buddhist resistance and anti-American demonstrations. 29 May, Buddhist nun burns self to death at Hue pagoda. 30 June, US combat strength in Vietnam increased to 285,000. Summer-Fall Viet Cong terrorism campaign attempts to disrupt and intimidate South Vietnam voters. Eighty percent of eligible voters cast ballots for 117-seat constitutional assembly. End of 1966, general optimism prevails in US and South Vietnam. 1967 - July, Viet Cong surprise attack on US air base at Da Nang, 12 US KIA, 45 US WIA, 25 aircraft destroyed. General Nguyen Van Thieu and Premier Ky elected president and VP of South Vietnam. 13 Dec, remainder of 101st Airborne Div arrives in Vietnam. At end of year US combat strength in Vietnam reaches 480,000. 1968 - 20 Jan, Battle of Khe Sanh begins and lasts 77 days. 29-30 Jan., TET offensive begins. This begins second phase of Second Indochina War which last to May 1972. US public shocked by NVA accomplishments. Chasm in US thought widens, great disillusionment will hit Nixon Administration. 22 March, LBJ replaces Gen. Wm Westmoreland with Gen Creighton Abrams as Commander, US Forces, Vietnam. 31 March, LBJ halts all US bombing above 20th parallel. He announces he will not seek NamNews 2-02 Page 45 6 Feb 1988 another term as president. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is assassinated. 6 April, US troops break the siege at Khe Sahn. May, 1st Cavalry Cavalry Division and 101st And Div begin probing the A Shau Valley. June, Khe Sanh de-activated. Robert F. Kennedy assassinated. My Lai massacre. Spring-summer, Hanoi insists US stop all bombing of North before Hanoi will negotiate. LBJ halts all bombing of North Vietnam. Hanoi agrees to negotiate the shape of the conference table. October, US Marines begin pulling out of Vietnam. 1 Nov, bombing of North terminated. Richard Nixon narrowly defeats Hubert Humphrey for US presidency. 1969 - 101st And Div transferred to Air Mobile. 101st moves into A Shau and surrounding mountain area for 167 days. Much of the NVA ability to attack population corridor destroyed. I Corps becomes mostly pacified. Paris peace talks expand to include VC and Thieu government. July, first major US troop reduction and withdrawals. Peak strength hit 540,000. VC 10-point peace plan--unconditional US withdrawal of forces, material and financial support of S. Vietnam. US declines. US counter proposal--US and Hanoi each withdraw all forces over next 12 months. Hanoi answers it has no troops in South. Thieu proposes VC participation in internationally supervised elections. VC decline. 15 Oct, Massive was moratorium demonstrations in US. 3 Nov, Nixon announces Vietnamization Plan. 15 Nov, 250,000 demonstrators march on US capital. My Lai becomes public knowledge. 1970 - March, in Cambodia, Lon Nol deposes Prince Norodom Sihanouk in coup. He demands communists vacate his country. Communists do not leave. Lon Nol requests US assistance (at the urging of US). 30 April, Nixon announces incursion into Cambodian sanctuaries at Fish Hook and Parrot's Beak. Allied forces uncover hundreds of tons of food, weapons and ammunition communist troops defer--shift west toward Pheom Phen. Massive US anti-war demonstrations. Four students killed at Kent State. Two students killed at Jackson State College. 7/402 sweeps Hills 714 and 882 wiping out NVA build-up in central I Corps. 30 June, all US troops out of Cambodia. 7/402 battles at Khe Ta Laou. 1971 - 4 Feb., NVA/VC close prison camps in S. Vietnam and move north due to ever increasing pressure from US/ARVN forces. Lam Son 719, ARVN incursion into Laos to cut Ho Chi Minh Trail. 13 June, New York Times begins publishing _The_Pentagon_Papers_. End of '71, US troop strength in South Vietnam below 160,000. 1972 - 30 March, Nixon orders new bombardment of N. Vietnam, plus mining of Haiphong Harbor. Renewed anti-war demonstrations in US. NVA invade northern South Vietnam. This marks the beginning of Third Indochina War which is ground fought by Vietnamese. Spring, Le Duc Tho and Henry Kissinger secret peace talks. May, US proposes internationally supervised cease-fire, repatriation of all US POWs and withdrawal of US forces. 1 May, NVA capture Quang Tri City, Quang Tri province and much of Thua Thien Province including all of A Shau and Khe Ta Laou and all NamNews 2-02 Page 46 6 Feb 1988 firebases west of Hue. During remainder of year ARVN, led by 1st Inf Div (ARVN), recapture most of lost territory and expel NVA from I Corps. Oct, Hanoi agrees to US peace proposals. US bombing of North halts. Mid-December, peace talks break down. 18-29 Dec, around-the-clock surgically precise bombing campaign of Hanoi, Haiphong and other North Vietnam cites. This includes night B-52 raids. 1973 - 27 Jan. Paris Peace Agreements signed. 12 Feb., 1st US POWs in North Vietnam released. Remainder (?) released over next month. 29 Mar., last US troops leave Vietnam. 1975 - NVA begin offensive which crushes the South. 29-30 April, Saigon falls. ----------------------------------------------------------------- NamNews 2-02 Page 47 6 Feb 1988 Help for Homeless Vets By ARLENE LEVINSON Associated Press Writer BOSTON (AP) -- When they found Vietnam veteran Bruce Barnett, he was angry and living by his wits in an abandoned city bathhouse stinking of human waste and despair. During an interview then, he said he wanted to "do a Rambo." Three months later, Barnett, 38, is cleaned up, living in a rented room and receiving counseling. He's one of scores of people rescued by a state Veterans Services program that uses former homeless veterans to find others. The program has become a model for other states. "We're looking at Boston as the cutting edge of the country's ability to rapidly address homelessness concerns," said Bill Prince, U.S. deputy assistant secretary of labor. Massachusetts Veterans Services, he said, "appears to have the lead in this country in terms of the ability to marshal community resources to address this problem." Prince attributed the program's success to its use of streetwise veterans to pluck other homeless men and women off the streets and find them permanent housing and jobs. Nine other areas around the country are receiving grants to start similar programs, said Prince, speaking recently from his office in Washington, where he is in charge of veterans' employment and training. The director of Massachusetts' programs, Brian Matchett, was a highly decorated Marine running a courier service in 1979 when his life took a bad turn. The father of three was convicted of second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of a man and sent to prison. Six years later, he was exonerated after a new trial established the killing was in self-defense. In the meantime, his wife and children became homeless. Matchett spent his prison time organizing help for his fellow veterans behind bars. The day he left prison, the state's Veterans Services agency hired him as an outreach worker. A year later, he was director of the state's homeless veterans programs. Matchett's 10 outreach workers had tours in Vietnam; three spent time on the street. "What I've learned is that what the Joe Citizen thinks goes on in the world, doesn't really happen," said Matchett, 44. "Once you live a situation and you're part of it, you understand first-hand the pain and the anguish and the loneliness," he said. NamNews 2-02 Page 48 6 Feb 1988 "And at the end of the day, you can't say `It's 5 o'clock and see you next week." What his outreach workers bring to their jobs is patience. "If you get a guy a job and it lasts one week, that's OK," he said. "You monitor and counsel him and get him support services, day treatment." Matchett estimated that at any time there are up to 5,000 homeless veterans in Massachusetts. Since early 1986, the agency has made contact with about 2,000 people and placed about 400 of them in jobs. Barnett's is one of the harder cases. Just shy of 18 when he enlisted in the Marines, he served two years in Vietnam, earning seven medals and a promotion to lance corporal. He was demoted to private after three courts-martial for assault and discharged at age 22. Since then, he has done prison time. "Since 1972, I've criss-crossed the United States many, many times and must have had 40 or 50 jobs, not lasting more than six months at a time. I can't handle orders. I have to learn all over how to understand people," Barnett said recently. Since he was pulled out of the bathhouse with a promise of help, Barnett's compulsive salute and a "Yes, ma'am" that three months ago punctuated every statement like a nervous tic is gone. He wears clean jeans and T-shirts instead of his sweat-stained Marine uniform. "I feel happier. I don't feel depressed any more," he said. Barnett expects soon to enter a two-month hospital program for veterans suffering post-traumatic stress disorder. "I've had a fool life since I've been back. I want to get it together." ----------------------------------------------------------------- NamNews 2-02 Page 49 6 Feb 1988 WHERE ARE THEY NOW? During the closing days of the Vietnam War, when the number of military personnel were decreasing, the individuals classified as either POW or MIAs were increasing. By January of 1973, the number of POW/MIAs soared to over 3000. January of 1973 brought the end of hostilities between the Untied States and North Vietnam by the sighning of the Paris Peace Accord. Chapter III Article 8 of this agreement dealt with those 3000 plus servicemen. It stated; a) The return of captured military personnel and foreign civilians of the parties shall be carried out simultaneously with and completed not later than the same day as the troop withdrawl mentioned in Article 5. The parties shall exchange complete lists of the abovementioned captured military personnel and foreign civilians on the day of the signing of the agreement. b) The parties shall help each other to get information about those military personnel and foreign civilians of the parties missing in action to determine the location and take care of the graves of the dead so as to facilitate and exhume the repatriation of the remains and to take any such other measures as may be required to get information about those still considered missing in action. Thus, the ground work was set for Operation Homecoming. In early 1973, 591 American POWs (of the over 3000 men) were returned from Hanoi. Most people did not realize that of all these men, not ONE was an amputee, badly burned, blind, or emotionally debilitated. Many of our missing men made emergency ejections from burning aircraft or were captured in firefights or other hostile actions. Where are the seriously injured? We know that many were brutally tortured. Where are those seriously damaged by torture? From communist propaganda films, Radio Hanoi broadcasts, communications intercepts and other intelligence, we know of many who were captured but never came home. WHERE ARE THEY NOW?? Of the 591 American POWs who were returned, none were from Cambodia were *supposedly* returned from Laos (captured by the NVA) and none returned from the detention camps in the U- Minh Forest in South Vietnam. Since Operation Homecoming, only 71 remains were returned by the North Vietnamese. At present 2436 Americans are still listed as MIA/POWs. WHERE ARE THEY NOW? NamNews 2-02 Page 50 6 Feb 1988 ================================================================= TWENTY YEARS AGO THIS MONTH....TET ================================================================= Edited by Todd Looney Que sera sera with the Viet Cong nation-wide offensive on and gaining momentum. In the first hours of the campaign it was feared that Hanoi was about to realize its final objective of conquering South Vietnam. During the holiday period a total of 28 provincial capitals were attacked along with the sprawling metropolis of Saigon-Cholon. In the nation's northernmost provinces, militarily known as I Corps, the Communist's attacked Hue at 2:00 a.m. on the 31st of January, then followed up with similar assaults on Quang Tri, Quang Tin, and Quang Ngai only two hours after the Hue push. In II Corps-the Highlands and the coastal provinces-Phan Thiet was hit at about the same time while the highland resort of Dalat was attacked during the early hours of February 2nd. In the provinces surrounding Saigon, militarily known as III Corps, the Communist's also launched a series of well-coordinated attacks against vital military and political installations during the early hours of the 31st of January. The headquarters of the 25th Infantry Division in Hua Nghia province was assaulted the following morning. In the early hours of February 1st, installations in Binh Duong and Bien Hoa provinces were assailed. Long-Khanh was to be added to the list of the following night. In the Mekong Delta (IV Corps) Communist pressure was acutely felt in Phong Dinh, Vinh Long (Feb. 1), in Kien Hoa, Dinh Tuong , Tien Giang, and Vinh Binh (2 Feb.), in Kien Tuong (4 Feb.), and finally at headquarters of the 44th Special Zone at Cao Lanh in the early hours of the 5th of February. Go Cong was the target for another V.C. assault the following night and Bac Lieu was struck five days later. Chronologically, the V.C. Tet offensive included the following actions: Tet's Eve: Qui Nhon, Kontum, Pleiku, Darlac and Nha Trang; all these cities are located either in the Highlands or the central coast. 31 January: Saigon-Cholon, Gia Dinh, Can Tho and Vinh Long (III and IV Corps); Phan Thiet (II Corps), and Hue, Quang Tri, Quang Tin, and Quang Ngai (I Corps). 1 February: Kien Hoa, Dinh Tuong, Go Cong, Kien Giang, Vinh Binh (IV Corps); Binh Duong and Bien Hoa (III Corps); On this day the enemy pressure lost some of its momentum throughout the country although in such places as Saigon, Hue, Ban Me Thuot, Kontum, My Tho and Vinh Long, the situation still could be described as dangerous. After sunrise, Kien Tuong town and a few garrisons in Long Khanh were attacked but the assailants were quickly repulsed. NamNews 2-02 Page 51 6 Feb 1988 2 February: Dalat (III Corps). 3 February: Enemy activities definitely decreased throughout the nation. Only in Hue did the Communists continue their occupation of the Citadel. In other cities insurgents sought security by hiding among the people (and we all remember how well they did THAT!) but they were rooted out. On that and the following day they attempted to attack the provincial town of Go-Cong and the headquarters of the 44th Special Military District. They failed. 6 February: The situation in Hue, Saigon, and Can Tho continued to be a source of worry for military commanders. Particularly in Phong Dinh province, in the Mekong delta. V.C. pressure slowed down for awhile, then became more intense in mid-February. In other parts of the country, especially in I and IV Corps, the Communists continued pounding populated areas with mortars and rockets. 7 February: For the first time in the war the Communists used tanks to attack an Allied position. A Communist armored column crossed the border from Laos and swept through the small village of Lang Vei near Khe Sanh. This brought about the collapse of the defensive position of Lang Vei. Only 72 of the defenders could get to Khe Sanh with the remaining 316 men considered either killed or missing. In the meantime the U.S. Marines joined the Battle of Hue and dislodged the Communists from the residential areas of the former imperial capital. 10 February: V.C. troops entered Bac-Lieu City and set afire an estimated 1,000 houses. Except for Saigon and Hue all other Vietnamese cities had been relatively cleared of Communist troops by now. In Saigon, the fighting was located in the suburbs and in Hue it was in the areas of Cua Huu and the Bach Ho Bridge. 28 of the 48 cities and provincial towns of South Vietnam were attacked by the enemy! Hue quickly became the bloodiest engagement of the war. The Army maintained the American compound there and were quite upset at having to billet all of the marines that were coming through, and they were absolutely furious over all the journalists hanging around waiting for the fighting to move north across the river. One morning there was a fire in the prison camp across the road from the compound. Black smoke rose over the barbed wire that topped the camp wall and the staccato bursts of automatic rifle fire brought everyone to the walls. The prison was full of captured NVA and Viet Cong or Viet Cong suspects; the guards said that the fire had been started to cover an escape. The ARVN and a few Americans were shooting blindly into the flames, and the bodies were burning where they fell. Civilian dead lay out on the sidewalks only a block from the compound, and the park that ran along the Perfume River was littered with dead. It was cold during those days, the sun never came out once, but the rain did things to the corpses that were worse in their way than anything NamNews 2-02 Page 52 6 Feb 1988 the sun could have done. The enemy virtually controlled the entire city on the evening of Tet Day (January 30th). During the next two days enemy troops and agents moved about in the city freely. They were controlling the people as if they were operating in V.C. territory. The V.C. called people out of their homes to "political study meetings." People speculated that the enemy was staging a mass arrest and murder scheme. In Gai Hoi that speculation came true. The people were ordered to dig trenches during the daytime to protect them from air raids, led into the trenches in the night and massacred by sub-machinegun fire, and buried. Many were buried alive. Apparently the victims had never suspected they were digging their own mass graves. In many cases the victims were murdered and shoved into the graves soon after they had finished digging them. An estimated 1,000 people were murdered and massacred in this way by the Viet Cong in the suburbs of Hue. Major mass graves were later found at the Gia Hoa high school, the Tang Quang Tu pagoda, the Bai Dau area (some 30 mass graves here alone), and Emperor Tu Duc's tomb (another 20 mass graves here). The bodies removed from these and still more mass graves showed evidence of atrocious, painful deaths. A number of bodies were headless or limbless-or both. Others had their hands tied behind their backs. Still others were tied together in groups of tens or fifteens, indicating that the victims had been shoved into the mass graves and buried alive. On the 23rd of February the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese forces withdrew from Hue. On February 29th, Defense Secretary McNamara's resignation became effective. He was replaced by Clark Gifford. The American people were glued to their televisions during the entire Tet Offensive. This is the point where American opinions against the war started to rise. The impact of the Tet Offensive on the American people, however, resulted from one episode shown on TV: Saigon Police Chief General Loan executing a captured enemy soldier. I don't think any of us will ever forget that night, sitting in front of the television watching the news, witnessing the first murder every shown to the American public while they munched popcorn in their living rooms. Later, poet George Lange wrote about his reaction to watching the Tet Offensive on television. POEM FOR BRIG. GEN. NGUYEN NGOC LOAN: CHANCE NEWS ITEM These days I watch the news cautiously You can't be too careful I keep my hand on the knob just in case NamNews 2-02 Page 53 6 Feb 1988 you see I was not prepared you raised the pistol to his head and shot him too quickly I don't think you truly understand the needs of the American audience you see it never happened that way on television before christ I could barely whisper I could barely remember how to scream you have to work up to these things slowly murder is such a difficult thing to get right fatigue sleeves rolled to the elbow tendons hard to the task you were playing a part that I could understand but you shot him too quickly I was not prepared the violent contortion of the facial muscles the slow stiffness of the dying limbs the blood squirting to equilibrium christ and then to be cut off and sit through station identification and a three minute commercial how do you think we must have felt now months later I see you got yours carried out of a Saigon alley on the back of an American Marine You seemed smaller than I remembered Things to Read: Vietnam Voices, compiled by John Clark Pratt Dispatches, by Michael Herr The Short Timers, by Gustav Hasford Demilitarized Zones, ed. by Jan Barry and W.D. Ehrhart I went over so young I came back so old. An Anonymous Vietnam Vet ----------------------------------------------------------------- NamNews 2-02 Page 54 6 Feb 1988 ================================================================= CONTROVERSIAL CORNER ================================================================= Banana Split Republic by Stephan Ielpi Tell me how ... Can you pledge allegiance to a nation That causes mass extermination? Crushes hope; Determination puts the poor on permanent ration. We always back the wrong horse. Then expect to win the race Escalate the body count In the hope to save our face I see one more Vietnam. Can we ever bury the already dead? Can you substitute an MX missile In exchange for daily bread? Nostradamus was a prophet Said a plague would be in our time Caught us with our pants down It came up from behind But it only kills undesirables Give 'em HEROIN to forget The shelter's full of victims And disillusioned vets WHY MUST WE DIE FOR A POLITICIAN'S LIE? IT'S HARD ENOUGH SURVIVING IT'S NOT EASY GETTING BY... Well, it was slant-eyes in Cambodia Now it's spics in El Salvador 40,000 IN 4 YEARS The death squads don't keep a score They're running towards the river Escaping genocide Dodging the bullets From people on their own side!? Well some of them can swim And some of them just drown When they reach the other side HONDURANS GUN THEM DOWN... It was a human landfill A place for summer homes Or maybe even Club Med If we can get the vultures Off the bones... Hut, Hut, Hut Hut, Hut, Hut Well, you're finally out of High School Just hanging around with nothing to do Buy that car Impress that girl Join the Arm-ee NamNews 2-02 Page 55 6 Feb 1988 And see the world Be all that U-can-B You can do it! In the Arm-m-mee Well they give you a test Any monkey can pass Next thing you know There's a flashlight up your ass B-it's the place 2-B In the A-a-a-r-m-m-m-e-e-e! Well, the new Army is The same old story Grey hairs lie About death and glory They're sending you off To fight their war Next stop, El Salvador A perfect spot for a factory You know, on the backs of others Death certificates in multiple Signed by their own brothers WHY MUST WE DIE FOR A POLITICIAN'S LIE? IT'S HARD ENOUGH SURVIVING IT'S NOT EASY GETTING BY... NamNews 2-02 Page 56 6 Feb 1988 Why Do We Feel So Guilty? Joan Renne, Sysop, Friend's BBS. Omaha, Ne. (402) 896-2669 I'd like to add an observation about some of my callers that do read and comment to the International Vietnam Veterans Echo; some who avoid it like the plague and others that tell me in feedback how much they appreciate the Echo, and still others that tell me it is a damn shame to carry the Echo and that they won't be calling back. That last group I didn't need to begin with in the first place. Frequently I get feedback saying the user doesn't feel they are qualified to enter messages because, although they were in the military during the years of the Vietnam war, they are not "Real Vietnam Vets." It's a bit strange to me, but I think I am beginning to understand that there is still a whole lot of "Guilt" running around out there in LaLa land. It's possible "they" have a whole lot of feelings they are afraid to voice for fear of being ridiculed. I also notice a tendency by some of the folks that enter messages in the echo to 'put down' those questions asked by this generation (18 and up). One incident in particular, a frequent user on Friends BBS in Omaha who is a college student genuinely interested in political belief systems made the mistake of calling Vietnam Vets "You people." She was thoroughly trounced on in following messages. I'm not saying it was wrong to correct her wording, but the comments aimed at her were certainly not the kind that would elicit further questions from her or others in her age group . . . the next generation who will probably be involved in a war of some kind. Perhaps we, collectively, have great doubts or fear that we somehow have not yet made OUR OWN peace with ourselves and our treatment of the Vietnam Veterans. An example of that took place last Thursday evening on a Hotline call. The man who called was suicidal but reached out one last time to someone he thought might be interested enough to understand and maybe help him through this crisis. Reaching out for help is not easy for anyone, but he felt that if anyone could or would understand it might be AA. He knew there might be someone to help him through a horrible time. He was feeling very much alone and could not get through to the reasons why by himself. I'm not a counselor by any means, but I did pick up on a comment he made about January being an extremely rough time for him. I asked him why January, and his reply was that he had lost both his parents in January a long time ago, and had lost a lot of friends shortly after that. My thoughts (because of the IVVEC Echo) were, "I wonder if he is a NamVet?" So, I asked him. His immediate reply, with no hesitation what-so-ever, was NamNews 2-02 Page 57 6 Feb 1988 NO!, and he wanted to know why I asked. I told him about the Vietnam Veterans Echo that I carry on the BBS, and that I knew January was the anniversary of the Tet offensive and that a lot of guys didn't make it back. We talked for quite awhile and he finally said, "Yes, I am a Vietnam Veteran, and I was in country when the word came about my folks. I made it home, but a few days later my platoon was wiped out to the man. I was the only one left. Losing my parents was bad, but losing all my buddies was too much." He went on to say that he was discharged on a Hardship basis since he was the only adult member of his family to take care of 3 brothers and one sister. During the next few years he got lots of abuse about having been a Vietnam Vet and had finally just started saying no when questioned. The time came when the kids were grown and married he turned to alcohol and drugs to sort of "not feel," (Something I am all to familiar with) and though sober and clean for about 3 years, he had reached the point where the pain was just about too much. I finally got his phone number and called a friend that has come through something very similar but who finally landed on his feet, and had him call the man. The report I heard this morning from my friend is positive. The suicidal caller is in the VA Hospital and is going to be receiving help (I hope) to overcome what I would tend to say is PTSD, but there again, I'm not a counselor. Granted, the man spent some time in Nam, and apparently was in a combat zone. However, I think his feelings are similar to those who served during the Vietnam Era but who did not go to NAM. Even those who did go to Nam but did not see combat have a lot of feelings that I feel are not being expressed. We also have a generation of people who violently opposed the war, and who avoided the draft with one excuse or another and now feel guilty for their treatment of the ones who did serve. Guilt is an ugly thing to live with on a daily basis. But is it our right or our place to place guilt on others? I think not. The blame has been laid in many of the wrong places and maybe we need to take a look at that. Political animals sent you to Vietnam with good intentions. Political people tried to stop the killing in any fashion that would bring the nation to an awareness of the wrong being done. Political creeps spat upon those who served in the military and called them "baby killers". Vietnam Veterans have received the worst kind of media coverage possible, beginning before the My Lai atrocity and which still continues whenever a vet goes berserk and goes on a killing rampage. It's almost automatic to hear, "the gunman was/is a Vietnam Veteran." And last of all, it's the Vietnam Veteran who still suffers, even though the nation has finally recognized them and welcomed them home. There is a great big "BUT..." in there and I know you heard it. NamNews 2-02 Page 58 6 Feb 1988 May I say that they/we are trying? Answer our questions without recrimination; that will help all of us. Go ahead, spill your guts and let us learn what it's like now and what it was like then. Teach us, but don't blame us. Help us heal as you are healing yourselves. Help us shed our own guilty feelings for the years we avoided you and misunderstood you. Help us to the realization of what we can do to help you and in so doing help ourselves. I'm not sure I have made my point, but I've tried. Joan Renne is a Korean war veteran and the Sysop of Friends BBS System in Omaha, Nebraska. ----------------------------------------------------------------- NamNews 2-02 Page 59 6 Feb 1988 ================================================================= WANTED ================================================================= By: Alex Humphrey If you would like a rubbing taken of the name of a relative, friend or loved one from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC, you can get it done by writing: Friends of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Inc. 4200 Wisconsin Avenue NW Suite 106-108 Washington DC 20016 Attention: Name Rubbing ----------------------------------------------------------------- NAM VET NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIPTION FORM The Nam Vet Newsletter is a non-profit publication available free of charge to anyone wishing to have a copy. It can be obtained in electronic computer format by anyone having access to a computer and modem by dialing up any of the IVVEC hosting bulletin board systems listed in this issue of the Nam Vet. It can also be mailed to you in printed format if you are willing to pay the $1.67 cost for postage and the mailing envelope. If you desire to have the Nam Vet mailed to you in printed format, please complete the subscription form below, clip it out, and mail it to: Nam Vet Newsletter Vietnam Veterans Valhalla 28 Cecil Avenue San Jose, California 95128 If you send your payment in check or money order, please make it payable to Todd Looney. NAME __________________________________________________________________ STREET ADDRESS ________________________________________________________ CITY/STATE/ZIP ________________________________________________________ AMOUNT ENCLOSED ($1.67 per month desired) _____________________________ If this subscription is for someone else, to whom shall we credit the gift? ______________________________________ 2/88 NamNews 2-02 Page 60 6 Feb 1988 The following list of bulletin boards are some of the Fidonet nodes carrying the International Vietnam Veterans EchoConference (IVVEC). They most certainly do not represent all of the BBS systems carrying the IVVEC, but we will list others as they request us to do so. Node# MaxBaud BBS Name Phone # Location =========================================================== 143/27 2400 Vietnam_Veterans 1-408-293-7894 San_Jose_CA (NAM VET Editor) 321/203 2400 VETLINK#1 1-413-443-6313 PITTSFIELD_MA (NAM VET Assistant Editor) 123/6 9600 SOFTWARE_CENTRAL 1-901-353-4563 MEMPHIS_TN (The "Official" NAM VET Paperboy) 200/100 2400 THE_BOARDROOM 1-213-498-6425 BELMONT_SHORES_CA 161/509 2400 ENTERPRIZE 1-415-758-1650 PINOLE_CA 161/1 9600 NERD'S_NOOK_#1 1-415-672-2504 CONCORD_CA 370/5 9600 ATHENS_FORUM 1-404-546-7857 ATHENS_GEORGIA 124/106 2400 CHAI_WAY_II 1-214-250-3323 DALLAS_TX 15/4 2400 NASW_New_Mexico 1-505-646-2868 Las_Cruces_NM 141/250 9600 Wilton_Woods 1-203-762-8481 Wilton_CT 362/501 2400 Coconut_Telegrph 1-615-698-4858 Chattanooga_TN 11/109 2400 Peoria_Opus_Net 1-309-691-5416 Peoria_Il 125/7 2400 Survival_Comm. 1-707-545-0746 Santa_Rosa_CA 109/648 2400 FALCON'S_ROCK 1-301-345-7459 COLLEGE_PARK_MD 227/1 9600 Michiana_Tech 1-219-258-0286 Mishawaka_IN 200/200 1200 CSULB 1-213-494-8737 Long_Beach_CA 130/138 2400 Long_Island_BBS 1-213-370-4113 LA Area 321/202 1200 Moby_Dick 1-413-528-5663 ??? 143/99 1200 Friends_BBS 1-402-896-2669 Omaha_NE 381/201 2400 Pro-Link_Photo 1-915-944-2952 San_Angelo_TX 13/30 9600 High_Speed_Echo 1-301-529-0716 ??? 261/204 1200 Berkshire_Board 1-301-574-1984 Essex_MD NamNews 2-02 Page 61 6 Feb 1988 125/78 2400 Living_Sober 1-415-342-2859 San_Mateo_CA 115/529 1200 Elk_Grove_Repeat 1-312-529-1586 Elk_Grove_IL 724/214 1200 *Chryistalis* 1-214-985-9054 Dallas_TX 11/??? 2400 Dr._Debug_Domain 1-206-535-1542 Tacoma_WA 11/217 1200 Story_Board 1-206=848-5317 Puyallup_WA 261/648 2400 Falcon's_Rock 1-301-345-7459 College_Park|MD 202/401 2400 Rick's_Quick 1-619-743-9935 Escondido_CA 109/727 1200 Ronnie's_Roadies 1-301-736-0135 Camp_Springs_MD 106/114 1200 Fireside 1-713-496-6319 Houston_TX 106/108 1200 Stormy_Weather_I 1-713-644-4345 Houston_TX If you are a System Operator and carry the IVVEC and would like it listed in this section, drop an E-Mail message to Todd Looney at 143/27.