Gautam Mukunda wrote:
I was just e-mailing with a former boss of mine, now in the Middle East as he was called up in the Reserves. The people who do this sort of thing don't deserve to have him protecting their freedom. What is wrong with these people?
If you have a problem with the policies of the administration, don't take
them out on the members of the armed forces. That's just wrong. Write
letters to the president, your senators, your congressperson. Hassling
people just because of their job isn't at all civil.
What was it like during the Viet Nam war? Did this sort of thing happen
then? I've heard about vets being mistreated; what about those still
actively serving?
Julia
Oh, wearing your uniform off base was pretty bad during the 70's and early 80's (at least that was my experience). Even out of uniform, people seemed to know you were military and subjected you to all kinds of verbal abuse. Some of my squadron mates were harassed to the point of getting into a fight (and more trouble than the satisfaction was worth.) I never had anything thrown at me in the States, but I did get hit by a rock during an anti-American demonstration in Greece (just a bruise; had worse playing stickball.) Now, my cousin (two tours in Vietnam and a career soldier) had a pretty frightening return to the States after his second tour was up. The demonstrators at the airport spit on him, called him all manner of vile things, and one damn near hit him with a sign. He told me he wanted to fight back but was just too damn tired. He ended up being escorted by airport cops.
john
_______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
