A soldier's view of Vietnam

[Don]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-22042380



"I went to see the captain, and he asked me about my photography experience; I piled it pretty deep! Anything sounded like a better gig than walking point”
Charlie Haughey

[brandonx76]

Full Metal Jacket??

[steveo777]

Full Metal Jacket??

That wasn't Viet Nam. There was nothing comical about Viet Nam, nor how the soldiers who fought there were treated once they returned home, missing mind, limb or just traumatized for the rest of their lives. No, it wasn't funny then and it's not funny now.

So, pardon me on the eve of losing a friend due to complications from being exposed to agent orange.

[JRNYMAN]

Gripping pics, Don. Does the photog have an online gallery with more pics? Those are really "first person" epic. I've always enjoyed viewing the works of photojournalists who can take the viewer on a journey from start to finish using only their photos and not having to include a single caption to convey what's happening or where the viewer is at any point along the way.

[G.I.Jim]

It's really hard to fathom what our soldiers went through in Vietnam and I tip my hat to every one of them. Not only are they heroes in my book, they were disgraced and shamed when they returned home. I can't even imagine how many of them committed suicide over the years. Can you imagine??? You go through living hell over there day after day, watch children walk into your camps and blow your buddies all to hell, then you come home and get spit on by the liberal pieces of shit in this country. FUCK Jane Fonda!!

Thanks for the pictures Don.

[brandonx76]

Full Metal Jacket??

That wasn't Viet Nam. There was nothing comical about Viet Nam, nor how the soldiers who fought there were treated once they returned home, missing mind, limb or just traumatized for the rest of their lives. No, it wasn't funny then and it's not funny now.

So, pardon me on the eve of losing a friend due to complications from being exposed to agent orange.

Sorry to hear about your loss...obviously a difficult topic for many...My cousin lost his legs in the war..he has an amazing story of survival, raising a family, and living a successful life, despite having permanent pain from shrapnel in his lower extremes.. one of the bravest individuals I happen to know. One day we'll stop fighting needless wars, I hope, and when we do...make it a priority to take care of returning veterans.

[tater1977]

It's really hard to fathom what our soldiers went through in Vietnam and I tip my hat to every one of them. Not only are they heroes in my book, they were disgraced and shamed when they returned home. I can't even imagine how many of them committed suicide over the years. Can you imagine??? You go through living hell over there day after day, watch children walk into your camps and blow your buddies all to hell, then you come home and get spit on by the liberal pieces of shit in this country. FUCK Jane Fonda!!

Thanks for the pictures Don.

Your post hits close to home Jim. In '68 my cousin had his 21st bday over in Nam.. while taking a nap
that day a 10 yr old NV kid snuck into their barracks & put 1 bullet in my cuz head..Closed casket funeral.. 1st one for this kid...

While working with my best friend over 15 years.. he told me some horrendous stories from over there.
He retired from the Army as Master Sgt..think it was in the MPs..after 25 years..
One story..that was told, won't go into details..but to say.. they went out 1 nite with their LT.
the LT never made it back..Lt made bad decisions..got 1 of their guys killed...& well..you get the drift..
As far as Jane Fonda goes..heard the stories of her going over there. E1 hated her...Many of them to this day..still do..

[G.I.Jim]

Most of the nation considers the WWII vets the greatest generation, but when they came home, they received honors. They were well respected by everyone in the country. Vietnam vets were spit on, shunned, treated like the black sheep of the nation, and abandoned by society. I'm glad I wasn't around during that time because I'd probably STILL be in jail. There are times that I am proud to be an American, but looking back... the Vietnam war is not one of them.