SwiftVets.com

[Hueygunner]

One reason the Nazis switched from shooting their victims to gassing them was the extremely low morale of the German infantry soldiers.

One night, a young doorgunner talked to me about the search-and-destroy mission he had been on that day. He was shook up and demoralized. He didn't like barging in on the Vietnamese peasants and searching their homes. "We didn't even knock," he explained.

I explained to him that the United States Constitution didn't apply to the Vietnamese, and if it did, that we were at war therefore it would have been suspended anyway - martial law would be in effect. He mistakenly thought the Constitution protected everyone in the world.

My young friend felt much better after our talk.

Now, if a simple search mission shook up this good, young American, can you imagine the affect that a murderous atrocity would have had on him? This is why I don't believe John Kerry's alleged atrocities really happened in Vietnam on a widespread basis. The American soldier has a big heart.

The enemy knew that and used it against us. Heck, we were barely men; just out of high school. I was 19 when I first went to Vietnam. The kids gathered around us and begged for food and cigarettes. I'd give them whatever sweets I had. The rule was give what you had but accept nothing. Charley was known to booby-trap a kid bearing presents. One Vietnam Veteran said he had no trouble killing a kid after one tossed a satchel charge into the back of a deuce-and-a-half, killing lots of troops. I remember one G.I. who adopted a Vietnamese orphan before going back home. The little fellow was dressed in miniature jungle fatigues just like his adopted dad. Everyone would gather around them and make a fuss. He carried the little guy on his shoulder. I regret I didn't do the same thing.

[Hueygunner]

To show how America has changed over the past few decades, there was a time when the police knocked on your door and identified themselves. Also, a cop would ask if he could check inside your car and trunk. I recall a traffic stop in Los Angeles, when I was a teenager, and the cop asked to check my 1950 Lincoln. I was sweating because there was one little joint in the back cigarette ashtray. He didn't find it.

I gave up the soft drugs after Vietnam. Nam spoiled me; I was accustomed to good quality and extremely cheap prices. Now I get high on life itself.

[ALMOUNT]

My friend,
You and I only carry the guilt of abandoning a people that hungered for Democracy.
Kerry carries the guilt of lies.
You and I have nightmares, but I'm confident they don't compare to his...
_________________
101st Airborne Div.
Vietnam 67-68


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I killed a six pack....just to watch it DIE