Just thinking about this the other day, and while the supposition that no Vietnam veteran was ever spat on was easily disproved (quick goggle searches brought up numerous articles of the sort from the mid-sixties on), one interesting point was that 90% of all Vietnam veterans reported no issues with returning home. However, 10% of them did, and when you think about that, 3.4 million Americans served in SE Asia during that time period. That's well over a quarter of a million of them reporting a hostile reception (possibly up to 340,000). In contrast, that's more than twice the number of soldiers currently serving in Afghanistan and Iraq, even during the surge. There were 8.7 million active duty servicemen during the Vietnam era. If even a small percentage of them were harassed when they returned, that would be a significant number. Just interesting how the facts can be interpreted in different ways. The current concept in some circles that no Vietnam veterans were disrespected by american civilians upon their return, and that the myth they were is simply propaganda by the right to get consensus for military actions is just another in a long line of despicable lies by the peace movement. There's plenty you can complain about in terms of the military, such as US generals advocating shooting down our own airliners to blame Cuba post the Bay of Pigs, you don't need to make up things as well. But then you have to consider the source. In this case, the book which started this prevarication was written by the same man who was chosen by the communist party of america to write their history. You have to wonder if his outlook is altered by his political choices.
It's a reeeaaal waaar Right outside your front door I tell ya!!! Out where they'll kill ya You could use a friiieeeeend!! Where the road is That's the place for me Where I'm me in my own space Where I'm free that's the place I wanna be 'Cause the road is long yeah!!!! Each step is only the beginniiiiiiiing!!! No breaks just heartaches!!!! Oh man is anybody winniiiiiiing?!!?!?
It's a long road And it's hard as hell Tell me what do you do To survive When they draw first blood That's just the start of it Day and night you gotta fight To keep alive It's a long road ...
It's been a long road Gettin from there to here It's been a long time But my time is finally here And I can see my dreams come alive at night I can touch the sky And they're not gonna hold me down no more No they're not gonna change my mind (Chorus) 'Cause I've got faith of the heart I'm going where my heart will take me I've got faith to believe I can do anything I've got strength of the soul No one's going to bend nor break me I can reach any star I've got faith Faith of the heart It's been a long night Trying to find my way Been through the darkness Now I finally have my day And I will see my dream come alive at last I will touch the sky And they're not gonna hold me down no more No they're not gonna change my mind (Chorus) I know the wind's so cold I've seen the darkest days But now the winds I feel Are only winds of change I've been through the fire And I've been through the rain But I'll be fine
