New thread for MrLars

[Gyro/T69]

My Father-in-law, who is three years my senior, for point of reference, served two tours in Nam 70-72. He was a forward observer, calling in air strikes and artillery fire missions. He likes to point out. "I was on the first slick in and the last slick out."

  He fought with both the 1st Field Forces and the 1st Air Cav during his second tour. Was awarded two Bronze stars and was actively involved in the incursion into Cambodia.

  He believes comparing Iraq to Nam is the same as comparing apples to oranges due to the shear differences in terrain. The Iraqis had few places to hide, unlike the NVA in Nam. That said, the NVA would have had faired no better, if fought over the same terrain as found in Iraq.

  Any resentment he still carries around comes from being treated as an outcast when he returned home. He heard the baby killer comments on more than one occasion. The welcome home the first Gulf War vets received made his resentment burn a bit brighter. Feeling, he did no less and deserved as much.

  There's a pic of him in the bush with the 1st Air Cav. There's also an after action report where his best friend was killed in a blue on blue incident. Pic at the bottom of the page.

http://www.tallcomanche.org/April_1971.htm

MrLars, tell the guys for me that I'm damn proud of what they did for our country. Let them know that they have my never ending respect and admiration. It's little to say for all that they sacrificed, for I'm unable to put into words what is in my heart.

[Gyro/T69]

punt in case Mr Lars missed it

[MrLars]

Originally posted by Gyro/T69
punt in case Mr Lars missed it

Thanks, I had missed this. Your FIL has the same feelings that some in my group do with one exception. There were no mass surrenders in SEA, no loss of that cohesive bond that enables a force to sustain an attack or defense. In short, the enemy in SEA were always a threat, not so in Iraq.

This is why the debate gets heated when the Gulf War vets in the group start touting their victory. Not to say that they flaunt it in response to our tactical withdrawl.

That pic brings back lots of memories but the one I have most is of the stench of rotting vegitation in 90 degree heat and damn near 100% humidity....and ham and lima beans....uggg.

Tell your FIL thanks for his service and that his feelings about his reception back home are shared by more than a few.