Korean War veterans aren't...say what?

KFC911 · 11-10-2015, 03:24 AM

First of all...Salute and respect to all who have served and sacrificed for the rest of us!!!

Having breakfast with my dad and a couple of his breakfast buddies last week, when one (two actually) related that they weren't considered war veterans (I.e. VFW posts, etc.) and I was simply dumfounded

....just don't get it at all.

Upon getting ready to leave, the owner came over and said another younger regular had paid all their tabs (though my dad didn't serve...same age), but not mine. So when I went up to the register to pay, I gave the owner enough to pay for his breakfast the next time, and to tell him thanks!

Saying all that to just say this...THANK YOU....no matter who, when, or where...THANK YOU!!!

aap1966 · aap1966's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC911

..........another younger regular had paid all their tabs...,.

Good to see

tevake · 11-10-2015, 04:04 AM

Nice to hear that someone stepped up and said thanks in a tangible way like that!

As to the not being war vets. After the victory of the World War 2 . Our country viewed the ugly conflicts. ( Korea, Vietnam ). And their vets very differently. And the experience the vets have had is also very different.

This seems to be changing. But for lots of vets of those conflicts the experience is set by what they had to deal with for years afterward. Nice to see the change finally.

Wishing a good vets day to all that have served !

Cheers Richard

Rot 911 · 11-10-2015, 04:45 AM

I know it seems odd, but there were, at one time, bragging rights among war vets. In the 70's I would go in the VFW and the WWII vets would look down on the Korean War and Vietnam War vets. Apparently they thought "their war" was tougher. That was one reason why I quit going to the VFW. It's also the reason why the VFW has shown such a sharp decline in membership compared to the American Legion.

rumlyne · 11-10-2015, 12:51 PM

I was in the CoastGuard during the Vietnam war. The Govt. considers me
a Vet.

BE911SC · 11-10-2015, 12:53 PM

No doubt some WWII vets feel/felt as though Korea and Vietnam guys didn't see the same kind of combat. Common competitive nature of humans. "My fight was tougher than your fight."

flatbutt · 11-10-2015, 12:57 PM

Perhaps because there was no formal declaration of war? Seems to me a bullet fired during a "policing action" does the same damage as a bullet fired in war time. May heaven bless all who took the oath.

bob deluke · bob deluke's Garage

Korea called the forgotten war, undeclared but still a sh%#!y place to be. I do volunteer work at a vet outreach in our area and they provide free lunch once a week to any and all vets. I sit at lunch with vets from all wars, ww ll through Afghanistan and Iraq. The guys from Korea have some harrowing stories to tell, amazing what they went through. I am a Nam vet, and I have not heard any disparaging remarks from the old ww ll vets regarding Korea or Nam. These guys all respect each other for what they did in the service of their country. Should be an interesting lunch tomorrow!

techweenie · techweenie's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by BE911SC

No doubt some WWII vets feel/felt as though Korea and Vietnam guys didn't see the same kind of combat. Common competitive nature of humans. "My fight was tougher than your fight."

It could also be: 'we won OUR war.'

:-/

afterburn 549 · 11-10-2015, 08:26 PM

If there ever was a Righteous war it was WW 2.
Simple as that.
They came back as heroes as they should.
After that, we returned one at a time ...
Wars not celebrated or even recognized.
The wars after WW2 that were just as bloody if you are involved.*
However, they were not recognized and soon forgotten.
I was instructed by a good meaning person to join the A Legion when I got back from Nam.
At that time, it was run mostly by "old" guys from WW2.
I sat through the meeting and went up to sign up - they said, " we are not sure we are ever going to have or let Viet Vets join the A. legion!
Needless to say, that was the never-ending story for the Nam vets. ( I am sure the K vets to an extent too )
My point is the "little wars" after WW2 are just shuffled under the carpet.
Forgotten, .
Nam was taught a blight to this Country.

Ref
*Statistics about the Vietnam War

*The average infantryman in the South Pacific during World War II saw about 40 days of combat in four years. The average infantryman in Vietnam saw about 240 days of combat in one year thanks to the mobility of the helicopter.

*2/3 of the men who served in Vietnam were volunteers. 2/3 of the men who served in World War II were drafted. [Westmoreland] Approximately 70% of those killed were volunteers. [McCaffrey] Many men volunteered for the draft so even some of the draftees were actually volunteers.

BE911SC · 11-10-2015, 08:32 PM

Not to mention the endless deployments to sand-land that today's soldiers, sailors and airmen endure with practically no notice by anyone but their families and friends.

afterburn 549 · 11-10-2015, 08:40 PM

True !

MRM · 11-11-2015, 03:34 AM

Seems appropriate.

Veterans Day: Among those who've served, none better than the others | Star Tribune

KFC911 · 11-11-2015, 03:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MRM

Seems appropriate.

Veterans Day: Among those who've served, none better than the others | Star Tribune

Thanks for posting that! Hold your heads high all of you veterans....though some of you weren't treated "right" back when, we know better now....thank you ALL for your service and sacrifices! Happy Veteran's Day....