BadFisherman Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

Decades ago, I ran across this while visiting the VietNam Memorial at Angel Fire, New Mexico. The memorial was built by the efforts of a Father whose Son was lost in the War. It was his way of paying tribute to his Son, who fought alongside a good friend of mine. The following was left there by a visiting Veteran...unknown. As Memorial Day approached and remembering that Viet Nam was a war fought primarily by teenagers, I felt compelled to post it on OPP. I am posting it again, here on FS, just as it appeared at the Angel Fire Memorial.

'LOSS OF INNOCENCE'

We were children.
Patriotic, brave children.
Innocent of Honor.

All too soon,
We were forced to grow up,
To face danger and bloodshed.
Terrors, real and imagined,
Waited there in the dark.
But, grimly determined,
We stood our ground,
Though the reason got lost
In the fight.

And we were proud!
Then we came home....
Some of us whole and some of us not,
And no one cared.

All these years we've stumbled along,
Bewildered and lost, remembering,
And lonely...
Scorned, ridiculed and ignored,
For something out of control.

And now we're men...
Hardened and inside ourselves.
But it's not too late,
Won't you try and understand?
We were just children.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Loss of Innocence can be, and often is painful. Just Sayin...RJS

BadFisherman Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

Apologies, as this was meant to be added onto another thread as a regular post. It most likely belongs in The Attic. Again, my apologies. It has been added to that thread...'The True Meaning of Patriotism.'

striking viking Loc: Brockport ny

Thanks we needed to here it it wasn’t a mistake 👍👍

HosChap Loc: Deland, FL

Hey BF,
I’m glad you erred. It really moved my heart for my vets I work with every day!

Kerry Hansen Loc: Bremerton, WA

I have always hated how some of the returning Vets were treated and by mostly those who wouldn't defend this country!

BadFisherman Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

HosChap, my counselors/doctors and group therapists did me a world of good in the past. I still see them when I need to...and, I do every so often.

FourchonLa. Loc: Fourchon Louisiana, South Louisiana

👍👍👍

HosChap Loc: Deland, FL

I have an Uncle that went in on Omaha Beach. Another Uncle in the Islands. My Dad was in during Korea. Had friends came back from VN and shared their stories when I was in high school. I always thought I’d end up there. My heart bleeds for vets, to me America’s great assets. I am a rather gentle soul, but I can get fighting mad in support of my vets! I am the counselor, but they are my treasure. I am the one who gains the most in the relationship. I love you guys! You are the best.

Foodfisher Loc: SO. Cal coast

I have thought I just shrugged it off. These talks have caused me to rethink. Looks of disdane, sneers,pointedly ignored, is probably why us baby killers hung around together. Doubt and unassuredness are the fruit. Hidden, cocked and loaded,safty on.

bozokarl Loc: south central Pa

It's a travesty the way Vietnam veterans were treated. Not only by the anti-war people but by our own government too.

Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina

Very good post BadFisherman. You posted it the right place.

striking viking Loc: Brockport ny

My uncle was in as army in vn.father-in-law Air Force ,and wife’s stepdad helicopter medic .3 men who I really looked up to.gets to me to. My dad lost his dad in ww2 he was 12 years old and never really talked about it until his last years.stories I’ll never forget.

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

It's always the children. Mature adults don't make good grunts. You are trained to fight for your fellow warriors and to do what you're told by those senior to you who you are taught have your best interests at heart. By the time you figure out that they don't know what the hell they're doing any more than you do, either your enlistment's up or you're dead. Men ask too many questions.

ZoeyC2000 Loc: Charlotte, N.C.

Hi Mr. BadFisherman :)
I know it was way before our time. My favorite class I loved and still do
is history. It saddens me what I've read about it. Even so more how you
all we're treated when you all returned.

Z&B xoxoxo ❤️