Point to Ponder: To Our Vietnam Vets - Giving Honor Where Honor is Due

I have received more responses to my article, "To Spit or Not to Spit on Jane Fonda" (see 4/23/05) than to any other article I've written. It is such a blessing to hear especially from our Vets. Surprisingly, this article hasn't received any hate mail yet, which I think speaks to the overwhelming respect Americans have for our troops and veterans.

However, about 1/3 of those who responsed voiced their reasons for not supporting the war in Iraq, and only one person stuck up for Jane Fonda. One woman wants to send thank you notes to all the Vietnam Vets we hear from! Having said all this, let me say here, as I've said on the show and in a letter that is going out to the Vets who have responded:

THANK YOU SOLDIER, FOR SERVING IN VIETNAM. Though not everyone treated you with the honor you were and are due, please know that the overwhelming majority of Americans do in fact appreciate you. And while I can't speak on behalf of our country, let me speak on behalf of Changing Worldviews and our family, that we are sorry for any mistreatment, disrespect or lack of acknowledgment you suffered as a Vietnam soldier. You deserved and deserve more. Words fall short, but please know - we are grateful! God Bless you.

Here is just one example of the feedback we've received:
Sharon, I'm a Korean vet - remember the forgotten war? Called that for a reason, but we did not get spit at. I think the reason Jane's issue will never go away, is because to me - a vet is a vet. If you do it to one, you do it to all. We are brother's and sister's. A vet signs up originally in order to serve his country, where ever and when ever. We do not set policy, and we do not determine our areas of service. But people who do what Jane did, in addition to being treasonous, incites the immature, and emboldens the enemy. And denigrates all who have served. We were maybe not as politically correct or sensitive during WW2 and Korea. I'm afraid if somebody had spit on me when I returned, the response would have been immediate. Glad I wasn't tested as the Vietnam vets were. That vet maybe should not have spit on Jane, but I can well understand why he did so. Al

Thank you Al, and God Bless you.

© Sharon Hughes 2005

Related:
"Worth It" Says Vet


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