Thanks top. For a long time, I didn't mention my Americal service because of the "baby killer" tag the know-nothings put on us. I talked only of my battalion. I'm proud to have served under the Southern Cross now and have attended the last four Americal reunions. Quang Ngai and Quang Tin were two tough little provinces, and those of us who managed to serve there and survive know the real truth.

No Problem Topp..... I was referred to as a baby killer just 1 time and it was a painfull experience for that person. In other words that person gave up their right to a painless exit from that bar.
Topp, make sure you stop by Indy on your way to Michigan
Bob K

Bill,
My older brother was in the army stationed at Fort Dix in the mid-70s. I remember him saying that not only were they not allowed to wear their uniform off base but they also had to wear long wigs. It was for their own safety.
sad, so sad.

When I got out the Army
 

I boarding a plane for home in Boston. Wearing my Uniform so I could fly Military Standby. It was Easter Weekend. All these college students heading home for spring break. Several military guys trying to get on board (6 or 7). This one college kid called us "baby killers". I walked over to him and calmly told him, "I have never killed a baby, but I easily could turn into a college kid killer." He shut up. I guess he took me seriously because he shut up.

Keith

Bill, I didn't get quite as emotional as you! But it had the same effect. That hatred for anything military still exists in our country.

Keith,
I am sure glad your a preacher man!

you scare me. ;-)
DL

I wasn't going to do anything!
 

Just letting him know his remarks were out of line. I wasn't even angry. But, they felt that all Army guys were trained killers (I guess were where / are) but in reality most of us are / where just normal guys who happened to serve in the military. He scared himself, I guess. I'm not all that scary. Just a big teddy bear.

Keith

Us and Them
 

When we got home it was Their idea to make it, Them against US. I didn?t have a beef with most anyone but sure heard the words baby killer uttered in my direction, old high school friends would cross the street to avoid saying hello, you know the routine. Coming from one of Them it make us all angry and sad and no doubt a lot of other emotions.

John needs no big brother to take care of him but do you remember? Other units called us, the 25th the Cu Chi National Guard back when being in the National guard was looked down on by most people in Vietnam. Remember the 101st was called Bird $hit? The 4th was called IV as in intravenous. The 82nd was Almost Airborne or All Afro? Black Horse was called Scared Horse. The most nasty one I remember was the 9th. In 69 when Nixon decided to pull troops out some were saying, they decided to send home the worst division and because the ARVAN?s were already home, the Cookies (9th Division) were leaving. (No offense Gimp). We all dumped on each other, like kids, players, dumping on other high school football teams.

While in RVN I always thought it was a matter of pride on one?s own unit and a fine way of starting bar fights. Among Vets you sort of have to expect that kind of thing, it is part of our collective memory. When outsiders are around it?s best to avoid that sort of language. You know, it?s just like family. My mom might mention the time I ripped the seat of my pants out while in church if she?s talking at a family dinner but would never mention such a thing out side of the house.

Stay healthy, stay calm,
Andy

Yeah Andy,
We are like a big family. We can bicker amoungst ourselves but just let some sorry SOB try to pick on one of us and Whamo all $#@!! breaks loose.
My house is no exception. My husband calls me Wingnut and I call him Scurvy. But if anyone was to try to "diss" either the Navy or the AF we would both give them a good old fashioned whatfor.

Keith didn't really scare me. I was joking around with him. I know there is a good heart there. But that is only because I know him from these boards. I would never think to go up to anyone I don't know and start calling them names, especially something so horrific. It just proves how ignorant people can be.

Andy,

No misunderstanding on my part where John was coming from.Just saying thank you and welcome home. In recent months I have had the opportunity to say that to a few people and it always sets me back somewhat to hear them say "that is the first time anyone has said that to me"

Just an interesting aside it amazes me how those few words will bring forth a whole historyat times.I said those words to a campus police officer a few months back. Turns out he was a Marine medic serving in I Corp where his wounded werebrought by helicopter tothe deck of the USS Repose where mybrother was servingon a surgical unit. Small world.

Peace,

Arrow>>>>>

DL and Andy,

I agree with both of you. I remember throwing the inter-service insults back and forth at "dog faces", "swab jockies", and "jarheads" (and, in a few cases, it escalated to physical), but God help any civie who tried to go up against any one of them because he learned what "Close-In Air Support" meant first hand.