Mick,, I was stationed in Little Creek but the ship I was on was docked at Norfolk. Thanks for the post and the insight .Alex, I am not stewing in anger and bitterness. It is my task to poke holes in the smug, comfortable cocoons that people have built so they don't have to look at things like Viet Nam up close. If I release the anger it allows me to be more passionate about what I have to say. I control it . It does not control me. If you let anger control you, you are less effective And let me say this now. If you don't like what I'm saying, don't read it. This goes for anyone out there.
When names like Fonda, McNamara, Kissenger, Nixon, Kennedy, Johnson, Clark and others come up with reference to Viet Nam, I WILL speak. The effect of their actions on ordinary GI's in that war must not be glossed over and shoved into some dark corner to be forgotten. My conscience and sense of duty to the dead of BOTH sides demands it. When I went in the Navy in 63, I supported what I thought we were doing. By the time I got out I wasn't so sure. In time I came to oppose how our Government was prosecuting the war although I still believed in the stated objectives for some time to come. But I NEVER wavered in my support of the guys on the ground, and I did what I could to help those who had a hard time when they came back to the World. I'm still helping some of them. Protesting the actions of the Government is one thing. Harassing returning combat veterans is quite another story. I want everyone to know what happened and why people like Jane Fonda are held in such contempt in the hope that that kind of "protest" will never happen again. Mick, thanks again. Doug, Mary, in fact all those who posted on this thread, thanks for your input. You gave others food for thought and, hopefully, were made to think a little yourself.

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