SwiftVets.com

carpro · Admin Joined: 10 May 2004 Posts: 1176 Location: Texas

Returning from Vietnam in September of 1969, I wore my Marine uniform through LA International, on the plane, and in Dallas Love Field.

I may have received some looks( probably because I looked so good in uniform Wink

), but nobody spit.

I didn't think much about it at the time, but there's a good chance someone would have died or been severely mauled had I been spat upon. I was glad to be home but was probably still operating on a short fuse. Smile

_________________
"If he believes his 1971 indictment of his country and his fellow veterans was true, then he couldn't possibly be proud of his Vietnam service."

Me#1You#10 · Site Admin Joined: 06 May 2004 Posts: 6503

Anker-Klanker · Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2005 11:31 pm Post subject:

For anyone that's interested there was a whole long thread on this same subject - instigated by the same author (Jerry Lembke) - late last year. (A search on his name will probably find that thread.)

The consensus was - if I recall - that there were some instances of spitting, but literally not that many that anyone could personally recall. But I think everyone agreed that the hostility and insults most encountered was every bit as bad.

LewWaters · Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 12:36 am Post subject:

Anker, I posted this as an update because Lembcke and several other leftists are still claiming we made up the stories about spitting, mistreatment and such. One site even claimed it was us spitting on peaceful war protesters showing love and support for soldiers returning.

They are doing this to undermine support for the troops today, I feel. However, in this quest to brand all of us as liars, one of their own, their latest darling in fact, also says it happened.

Since the left feels sKerry is above reproach, his words can be used to counter some of the revisionist history coming from the left once again branding us the liars and the left as the peacemakers.

Anker-Klanker · Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 1:17 am Post subject:

I'm with you, Lew. I just think there's some good information and ammunition in that old thread.

mtboone · Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 1:17 am Post subject:

LewWaters · Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 2:29 am Post subject:

Anker, maybe this is the thread you are thinking of?

http://www.swiftvets.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=17147&highlight=lembcke

kate · Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 4:49 am Post subject:

Me#1You#10 · Site Admin Joined: 06 May 2004 Posts: 6503

A fairly up-to-date bio on the good perfesser...

http://www.discoverthenetwork.org/individualProfile.asp?indid=1999

Anker-Klanker · Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 3:24 pm Post subject:

Lew: yep, you found the thread I was remembering

Me/You: Thanks for that link. It's an excellent summation of what I remember finding late last year.

Deuce · Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 5:49 pm Post subject:

GM,
I agree totally, and just had to add my tale, mate....the tales, the honest stories of honest men, have been my way to 'open my mind' to the possibility that the country has a chance yet to 'get it straight' for a change. I remain cynical (the 51-49 vote comes to mind) but hopeful. As an ex-Pennsylvanian, with my first connection to the Military, our UMass (I had a Box address in Gardner MA at the time, 1-2/69) squad in Boot Camp at Dix, our cadet Platoon Seargant was Greg Landry....thought I'd compare notes with yours. I can't match your dedication on getting the degree after the Army, tho. I had graduated by that time. On that score, I admire your dedication, at the same level I admire your service to your country.

As for my return to CONUS, I landed ,on a civilian charter, at Ft. Lewis. Within minutes of getting off the plane, a Customs Agent took the only [unopened] carton of Marlboros out of my opened duffel bag contents, broke it in half, and cut one of the packs in half. The carton wasn't for me, it was a birthday gift to my sister-in-law, (bout all I could afford at the time). It went downhill from there, tho' I don't remember many details, 'cause the hair on the back of my neck did a lot of my 'talking'. I (to the best of my knowledge) didn't see any spittle, literally, but lotsa rhetorical spittle on my return to PA (and for months thereafter). So started my 35 year silence on the subject. I think I figured if they said the protestors could be 'bad', the government was worse. But then I can honestly say that I had never been very impressed with gummint 'results' anyway. (present VA company & swifties, military, etc, excluded).

Thought I'd feel better after that......nope, still the same,
regards, and I'd enjoy comparing PA/MA notes someday with you over a beer!
Deuce