My father was a war protester.

[cubansammich]

Had supper with Dad today we ended up talking about old times. He told me about a war protest in Washington during the Vietnam war and HE WAS THERE! He was there in a group of over 250000 peaceful protesters. Searching on the google and turns out that he was talking about this protest. From his view everything was cool until the teargas started. My dad was a protester. I had no idea.

250,000 War Protesters Stage Peaceful Rally In Washington; Militants Stir Clashes Later

 

[jimlookup]

Today we have political wars that most people detest.

This is how it was in 1943.
Press Releases and Published Articles From the "Unique Kitchen Decor Stores"

 

[cubansammich]

It was a different world Jim that is the gods truth. My Dad didn't look like the other protesters nor was he into the culture of drugs and free love. He remembers it as being a wonderful day of peaceful demonstrations that included black whites and even some uniformed soldiers together in solidarity against the war. It was a beautiful day until nightfall when the radicals and teargas took the stage.

 

[aquitted]

Hmm never heard of any peaceful demonstrations just the hippies spitting on military persons and calling them baby killers. not saying your wrong but what you said was nice to hear. It would be nice to hear from some vets from that era.

 

[scottm4211]

Hmm never heard of any peaceful demonstrations just the hippies spitting on military persons and calling them baby killers. not saying your wrong but what you said was nice to hear. It would be nice to hear from some vets from that era.

That old gag.

 

[purgoose10]

I know how you felt when your dad told you that. When I was medevac'd back from VN found out my brother was packing for Canada. Never could grasp what his thinking was. He decided not to go and was never drafted because he was doing well in College. He later told me he wasn't going to go through what I did. Wonder how they handled that in Korea.

 

[aquitted]

That old gag.

Scott whatever do you mean?

 

[scottm4211]

Scott whatever do you mean?

http://message.snopes.com/showthread.php?t=2360

 

[cubansammich]

Spitting on returning Vietnam vets - snopes.com

This is interesting reading Scott. The fact is that the alleged vast outbreak of returning military personnel being spat upon by war protesters was undocumented until many years later. This proves beyond any reasonable doubt that it did not happen on a widespread basis or possibly at all. If there were any incidents they were likely very rare and perpetrated upon troops that were non threatening. Not only are there no documented cases of troops being spat upon there is also no evidence of the ensuing fights that would have been unavoidable had the spatting occurred. I don't think any sensible person can fathom a returning Marine would just take that sort of disrespect lightly and continue on his way.

The only reports I can see involving war protesters and spitting were cases where the war protesters were the ones spat upon and not the aggressor.

 

[runrunner]

That was an unpopular war,and I don't know if we should have been there or not,doesn't matter,a lot of America's best were called to go and they went,they did what there Country ask of them weather they wanted to or not. It is a shame a lot of American's did not at that time show or Troops the gratitude that they deserved. I was lucky and was not drafted. I can not say enough to Thank those Brave Men who went and sacrificed so much,to keep me and all America Free!

 

[aquitted]

I bet Layout would know something about this. Hey Layout tell us what you know.

 

[Dreamer]

I have several family members and friends who served... and while there were many peaceful protesters, as the OP presented, there were many others who violently 'welcomed' the returning soldiers. There were indeed spat upon as they walked down the street.. they were indeed called names, had garbage thrown on them, and were ostracized by friends, and even family.

It definitely was not like now, where wearing that uniform generally invokes respect, thanks, and well wishes.. wearing that uniform in public invited assault.


Easy to read about one side or the other... I know people who were there..they've told me their stories. and years later, it's hard for them to talk about without getting angry.


Dale

 

[purgoose10]

I have heard of soldiers being spat upon but don't know first hand. When I returned home from my first deployment on an extension leave I was walking through O'Hara airport and a Moonie was selling roses. He would not let me pass to go through the door, kept mumbling something. Being an officer I didn't want to make it to much of a big deal but I dropped my bag, grabbed him and kind of through him to the side, grabbed my bag, stood up and a Chicago Cop was standing in front of me. I figured oh boy here goes my leave. All he said was welcome home and walked off.

 

[cubansammich]

Behavior like that to our vets is reprehensible and disgusting! I would like to hear more about the vets and their return home. Dreamer and Purgoose thank you for sharing and I too would like to hear what happened when Layout returned from the battlefield.

 

[cubansammich]

Behavior like that to our vets is reprehensible and disgusting! I would like to hear more about the vets and their return home. Dreamer and Purgoose thank you for sharing and I too would like to hear what happened when Layout returned from the battlefield.

 

[Humble2drive]

It definitely was not like now, where wearing that uniform generally invokes respect, thanks, and well wishes.. wearing that uniform in public invited assault.

My wife and I were having breakfast at Cracker Barrel near a table with 6 uniformed military members chowing down.
An old feller approached their table, thanked them for their service and paid their bill. It was good to see.

 

[cheri1122]

I bet Layout would know something about this. Hey Layout tell us what you know.

What - did you somehow miss the 14,877 times he already told us?

 

[RLENT]

I can not say enough to Thank those Brave Men who went and sacrificed so much, to keep me and all America Free!

Yes ... the vast hordes of little yellow rice farmers were certainly a terrifying and threatening bunch ...

No doubt ... had 'Murrika not been "defended", they would have all hopped on their personal water buffalos and ridden them across the Pacific and invaded the US and taken over ...

BTW, the only real problem with your sentiments is that you aren't really free ...

 

[Turtle]

Post that are off-topic and/or violate the Code of Conduct have been removed.

 

[davekc]

Yes ... the vast hordes of little yellow rice farmers were certainly a terrifying and threatening bunch ...

No doubt ... had 'Murrika not been "defended", they would have all hopped on their personal water buffalos and ridden them across the Pacific and invaded the US and taken over ...

BTW, the only real problem with your sentiments is that you aren't really free ...

And each day it gets a little less.