Echoes of the Vietnam War

Am grateful for this podcast and for all the vets who share their story here. These men and women are national treasures. I have a history degree and served four years in the Air Force, but I’ve realized how little I know about Vietnam and what our servicemen and women experienced. Thank you for your service.

I’m hooked on this pod cast. I spent a year in Viet Nam 2/67 to 2/68 with the 25th Inf Div; 65th Combat Engineers. Did everything from building roads, jungle clearing, tunnel rat, demo man, humped the jungles with leg units and mech units. Went in to hot L Zs, bridge building , river crossing, even went on a raft ride down a river in the middle of the night to deliver a infantry unit to a ambush site. Story of the Combat engineer is yet to be told…

I love this podcast! Would love to hear about the unique experiences of black soldiers during that tumultuous time in our history.

Born in 1970, my father had served in WWII. My Uncle Jack also served in WWII and was a Mauradier Pilot for the Air Force. Uncle Jack is a war hero. I have never met my Uncle Jack because he never came home from France. There was a generation or two between my parents and I. When I was just around 4, playing outside in the “empty lot“ between our neighbor’s and I, my pretend world was once again interrupted by our neighbors son. He was drinking a Budweiser (I later associated the label) and yelling angrily at no one and talking to no one I could see. This time my dad was home, so he called me up from the field. Dad was standing with hands in his pockets and concern in his eyes. He asked me if when he was at work, if this happened a lot. “Yeah, sometimes“ I answered. We watched from across the empty lot in silence. My dad was disturbed and as I look back now, he was also conflicted, confused and concerned. Returning from WWII and the ticker tape parades to what these brave young men of Nam who thank God DID come home to, my dad knew there was great unjustice in our country. I asked him “what’s wrong with him Dad?“ and while still looking at our neighbor he simply said, “He went to war honey and now he’s back home“. He then shook his head and wiped a tear, took my hand and went inside. This podcast reverberates what I have always felt in my heart towards our Vietnam Vets. A great injustice was done to all who served. Now in my 50’s, I can say I have rode beside them, partied with them, visited friends I knew and those I did not, being treated at the old Denver VA hospital. (Early 1990’s before they built the new one). It was a disgustingly rundown, poor excuse of a government “service“ extended to our Vets. I was too young when I first felt what “coming home“ meant to a VV to do anything for them. Now, I try to show any Vets appreciation. Buying their meals In a restaurant, or a gift card to that restaurant, anonymously. Always thank them for their service. This podcast is the closest I can get besides being 4 and looking across the empty lot. I am grateful to hear their history and always cry at least twice during each episode. This podcast is narrated beautifully and presented with honor and respect. Never have I felt such a high regard to any reporter than the host of this show.