Henry Rifle Forums

cooperhawk wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 29, 2022 9:50 am

I wear the hat. In the old days it was to spit in the eye of folks that despised us, that seems to have gone away mostly.
Now I wear it so other VN Vets will see me and say hello. Of all the men and women who served in VN less that 30 per cent
are still alive according to the VA. If find that astonishing.

Welcome home brothers.

I served in country.

clovishound wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 31, 2022 6:19 pm

cooperhawk wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 29, 2022 9:50 am

I wear the hat. In the old days it was to spit in the eye of folks that despised us, that seems to have gone away mostly.
Now I wear it so other VN Vets will see me and say hello. Of all the men and women who served in VN less that 30 per cent
are still alive according to the VA. If find that astonishing.

Welcome home brothers.

I served in country.

Well, do the math. The last troops left the country in 1975. That would make an 18 yr old, 65 years old today. Lots of the troops were older than that, and lots served there 10 years or more earlier. Average life expectancy of an American male is about 76 years old. Not surprising to me that a very large percentage are gone, just from the amount of time that has transpired, and demographics.

I just missed the Vietnam war. I enlisted in 76. I was in the Reserves during the first Gulf war. I was never activated, or deployed as such, but flew a lot of missions in support of it. Never saw any actual combat, but kept the beans and bullets coming to those who did. Unlike Vietnam, the attitude of the public towards the troops was 180 degrees out. Everyone was supportive. I caught a little of the nasty attitude when I served on active duty in the late 70s. By the 90s, it was a whole different ballgame.

I have a lot of respect for the fellows who saw combat.