Flashback!
I've mentioned before that I was in Vietnam. I was there in '68-'69. There was nothin' nice there and I seldom think about it - I never have had a flashback. Until last night. I was watching the crowd at Ned Lamont's victory celebration in Connecticut. The crowd began to chant 'BRING THE TROOPS HOME NOW!' 'BRING THE TROOPS HOME NOW!'
There's something happening here
What it is ain't exactly clear
There's a man with a gun over there
Telling me I got to beware
I think it's time we stop, children, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
That's when I saw myself back in Vietnam. What little news we got from Stateside was generally filtered for our consumption. But occasionally some reality of what was happening here got through. It was grim. The nation was against the war, and by association - me. Me and all the other guys who were stuck in 'Nam, dodging rockets and mortars at night and sniper rounds all day long. We were just doin' our jobs. Our job was stop evil there before it came home. Before it came HOME.
There's battle lines being drawn
Nobody's right if everybody's wrong
Young people speaking their minds
Getting so much resistance from behind
I think it's time we stop, hey, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Like any soldiers in any war, we were all unhappy to be there, but we all shared a comradeship in the certainty that our mission was righteous. We were the front line between the inevitable conflict and our own front porches. There was little doubt and scant disheartenment within the ranks. Sure, there was some. There always is. War is never 'fun'. But we had a job to do. Over there.
What a field-day for the heat
A thousand people in the street
Singing songs and carrying signs
Mostly say, hooray for our side
It's time we stop, hey, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Back then, the prevailing wisdom of the masses as expressed by the 'peace' movement, held sway. We, the American military, found ourselves in a most awkward position. We were fighting and dying in a war that was already lost. It was lost at home. I cannot impart to YOU that feeling. But I can assure you - that feeling is being felt in the hearts of tens of thousands of good men and women right now. Over there.
Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will creep
It starts when you're always afraid
You step out of line, the man come and take you away
It is YOU who is losing the war on terror. I fear it almost over. I cry a little thinkin' about how those comrades in arms must feel today as they see the newsclips and hear the talking heads expound on about how 'America is not behind this war'. 'This is George Bush's war.' 'We must bring the troops home NOW.'
Okay, fine. Bring 'em home. It won't be long before you discover what will be following them. You'll be singing another tune when it is YOUowho is dodging the bullets HERE.o
We better stop, hey, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Stop, hey, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Stop, now, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Stop, children, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Very powerful. You are so right.
Posted by: Phoenix | 08/09/2006 at 11:21 AM
Amen,brother. That is absolute truth. I've been hearing that song myself, and thinking those very thoughts,but of course, I wasn't there, I was here, waiting for my brother to come home, and when he did,we had to take him clear across town. As we drove down through the downtown,people on the street saw the flag,and men took off their hats, and bowed their heads,and ladies burst into tears. I'll never forget it.
Posted by: TINA | 08/09/2006 at 07:53 PM
Very well said, and yes very powerful. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your service, and that of all those who came after you. I said to someone ranting about bringing the troops home, Mother F'er they are coming for you next.
Posted by: SinCerely | 08/09/2006 at 08:02 PM
I had no idea you were in Vietnam. Thanks for trying to keep us safe, and I'm sorry your countrymen let you down. That was a time to feel shame for being American. We are entering another of those times.
When the appeasers forced America to give up in Vietnam, South Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia fell to tyrants resulting in millions of dead civilians, many of them women and children. That's truly despicable, but nothing in comparison to how many will die if the appeasers force us to give up the war on jihadism.
I'm praying we don't let them.
Posted by: Kevin | 08/10/2006 at 01:56 AM
Thank you Steel. As always your commentaries are right on. Most people don't realize that this war is about stopping the terrorists before they bring the battle to our doorstep and start killing the innocent civilians of our country. The men and women of the military have given 4+ years of their lives and some have died defending their harshest critics. Kinda ironic if you ask me.
Sincerely,
a Navy Sailor
Posted by: Russell | 08/10/2006 at 04:32 AM
Well done!
Posted by: OLDCATMAN | 08/10/2006 at 10:40 AM
Yes! I'll second that!
Jimmy the Geek
U.S. Army - 1965-1969
Posted by: Jimmy the Geek | 08/10/2006 at 05:59 PM
[Thanks for trying to keep us safe, and I'm sorry your countrymen let you down.]
I never served... but I have great respect for those who have...
A few years back, in a small mountain berg, I got to know a vietnam vet who lost a leg... On Veteran's Day one year, I approached him and said, "Happy Veteran's Day Ron."
I didn't see it. But I'm told that as I said his name, he wept...
It shouldn't be this way...
Cheers,
Posted by: Moze | 08/10/2006 at 11:47 PM
Very well spoken. I couldn't agree with you more.
America, Bless God.
Posted by: Ed Keener | 08/11/2006 at 09:23 AM
Okay, fine. Bring 'em home. It won't be long before you discover what will be following them. You'll be singing another tune when it is YOU who is dodging the bullets HERE.
Hell, they'll be the first ones to be screeching about how something needs to be done about that problem immediately...
Posted by: Bomb-a-rama | 08/17/2006 at 08:13 AM