I am one, and this scares me !

[Drdogface]

VIETNAM STATISTICS

In case you (if you are a Vietnam vet) haven't been paying attention
these past few decades after you returned from Vietnam, the clock has
been ticking.

"Of the 2,709,918 Americans who served in Vietnam, less than 850,000 are
estimated to be alive today, with the youngest American Vietnam
veteran's age approximated to be 54 years old." So, if you're alive and
reading this, how does it feel to be among the last 1/3rd of all the
U.S. vets who served in Vietnam?

I don't know about you guys, but kinda gives me the chills, considering
this is the kind of information I'm used to reading about WWII and
Korean War vets.

So, the last 14 years, we are dying too fast, only a few will survive by
2015, if any. If true, 390 VN vets die a day. So, in 2190 days from
today, if you're a live Vietnam veteran, you are lucky... in only 6
years. These statistics were taken from a variety of sources to
include: The VFW Magazine, the Public Information Office, and the HQ CP
Forward Observer - 1st Recon April 12, 1997.

Additionally:


INTERESTING CENSUS STATISTICS &THOSE TO CLAIM TO HAVE "Been There":

1,713,823 of those who served in Vietnam were still alive as of
August,1995 (census figures).

During that same Census count, the number of Americans falsely claiming
to have served in-country was: 9,492,958.

As of the current Census taken during August, 2000, the surviving U.S.
Vietnam veteran population estimate is: 1,002,511. This is hard to
believe, losing nearly 711,000 between '95 and '00. That's 390 per day.

During this Census count, the number of Americans falsely claiming to
have served in-country is:

13,853,027. By this census, FOUR OUT OF FIVE WHO CLAIM TO BE Vietnam
vets are not.

[BeyGon]

I look at it as I have been extremely lucky.

[A930Rocket]

To young to go, but it was a real impact on me back then. Thanks to all who served!

[David McLaughlin]

I don't know what's more sad, the fact that most are now gone and that part of history my die with those that served or the fact that so many are making false claims... many of these I'm sure protested the war and degraded our true veterans.

[sammyg2]

My uncle claimed to have served "in-country" but I later learned that he split his time as a disc jockey in Tailand and on the mainland US.
He's also as far left as a person possibly can be.
Co-inky-dink?

[techweenie]

I stayed stateside. Friends I trained with have died from various cancers they attributed to Agent Orange. The other big influence is generally lumped into the PTSD bag. We're getting smarter about how we are treating transitioning veterans. But the Iraq veteran stats aren't going to be much better, I fear.

[red-beard]

That seems like an awfully high mortality rate. OTOH, can age explain it? What are the stats on who served?

[Drdogface]

There is more to the article I got in my email box. I just posted some of the more interesting stuff. I'm in a Veterans Men's Group and we discussed this last week. Most were pretty surprised.

[chuckr]

I was there in '75 for the evacuation and I'm 54. USS Oklahoma City CLG-5/CommSeventhfleet
Still in touch with some of the guys...nobody I know dead, yet !

[Drdogface]

I was aware of some guys falsely claiming in country service but I was quite surprised the number is so high.

I know several who have passed. One died at 50 of lymphoma of the liver. But then I'm older than most Nam vets I suspect. I was denied AO benefits even thought I have three related conditions.

[juanbenae]

i saw a thing on US vets returning from the middle east and the propensity for violence once back state side. as a reference it noted that the vets from VN were as a group in prison at a much higher rate than other vets before or since. don't recall the numbers but it was overwhelming. they did expect the current vets returning from the mid east to shatter numbers of VN vets serving time in the coming years. due to the longer tours and significantly less fatalities more vets will return only to be incarcerated at some point for violent crimes due to PTSD.. it was a pretty dim forecast

doc-dog, if the weather is good a few of us will be at thunder hill this weekend with ncrc. come out if you can pull away for a few hours to visit. if not, hope you are well

toby

[cashflyer]

My father's enlistment ended in 1965. He didn't re-up.
I think he's pretty content with that fact, as he has never portrayed himself to anyone as a Vietnam vet. (afaik)


The last remaining US WW-I vet died over the weekend. Age: 110
http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/americas/4715866/Last-US-veteran-of-WW1-dies

[Zeke]

I don't know where this information is substantiated, but 2.7 million in Viet Nam or 2.7 in the armed forces at the time frame? Of the 3 vets that I know well, 2 served stateside and one was in Nam.

There certainly are a lot of gray areas to be considered. Lots of Navy personnel were close to VN, but never landed ashore. Did they serve in VN? I'd say yes, but I'd like to see the source of the figures.

Another statistic important here is the number wounded or otherwise injured on VN soil. It's a big number.

Also, what's the point in claiming to be a vet? No benefits will be awarded to posers.

[tabs]

It does seem like a very high mortality rate. Even the WW2 Vets seem to be living longer lives.

Why would it surprise that the VN vet suffers from a higher mortality rate and higer incarceration rate. The best and brightest Americans were not drafted nor did they serve IN COUNTRY. The poor, uneducated and minorities served. Thus one can see why they would suffer from high rates of mortality etc.

PTSD.....everybody who was ever in a war suffers from PTSD...war is barbaric cruelity at it's finest. Where people wind up haing trouble is if their coping mechanisms are limited.

[Drdogface]

Milt....it's 2.7 mil in country during the the VN years. Of those, a bit over 1mil are still alive. Thirteen mil are falsely claiming they served. The suicide rate for war vets in general is huge.

Tabs, I agree with your statement on PTSD.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by milt

Also, what's the point in claiming to be a vet? No benefits will be awarded to posers.

No financial benefits, but they seem to like the attention.

To all those that did serve, live long, in peace.

[Drdogface]

Hawk...that's all I can figure....self aggrandizement. I know that some slimy politicians claim it to build an image, but 13 million ?

[krystar]

guessing all this is triggered by the story that the last WWI vet died today?

[Seahawk]

Doc,

The movie Patton had a great line, that applies to many of those who would lie about their service: 30 years from now when your grandchild is sitting on your lap. And he asks you what you did in the war , you don't want to have to tell him you shoveled ***** in Louisiana.

I don't why they lie, but they do. Everyone who served during 'Nam who wasn't in country who has a clue, will honor those that did.

Again, you folks be well.

[PorscheGAL]

There was a book written several years ago called Stolen Valor by Burkett and Whitley. That book, using freedom of Info act found that a good number of VA patients never served in Vietnam or ever. They actually forged the documents. I can't remember the specific number but it was quite high. There is financial benefit to those who never served but are willing to fake it. The book also points out that the average Vietnam Vet made more money and was more successful in their careers than the average person who did not serve during that time. Interesting read.