I was very young during the Vietnam War. The conflict began before I was born and I had just turned 16 when Saigon fell. An Army brat, I led a sheltered life and honestly at that age, if it was not happening in my neighborhood, I was not paying attention. I was living the life of a carefree child and can say that I was never personally affected. But through the years, and now a veteran, I have seen the effect that this war had and still has in many of our veterans today.
I was very young during the Vietnam War. The conflict began before I was born and I had just turned 16 when Saigon fell. An Army brat, I led a sheltered life and honestly at that age, if it was not happening in my neighborhood, I was not paying attention. I was living the life of a carefree child and can say that I was never personally affected. But through the years, and now a veteran, I have seen the effect that this war had and still has in many of our veterans today.
Second in a three part series by the Lemon Grove Historical Society, and in conjunction with the Lemon Grove Branch Library, I went to “Vietnam Remembered,” a reflection of the observance of national Vietnam Veterans Day on March 29.
It was one of the most moving and riveting events I have witnessed in a long time. With the personal stories of local Vietnam veterans, their families, a conclusive history and a compelling documentary, it was such an intimate event that I took no notes and felt it inappropriate to run around trying to take photos. I was on an emotional rollercoaster that lent me a fresh understanding of the conflict and a richer understanding of this part of American history. I quickly realized that the old saying, “history repeats itself” is relevant, as we face many of the same turmoil and division in beliefs of what is happening in the world around us today.
Historian Karl Zingheim of the USS Midway Museum gave an impressive overview of the many views on the war, providing an insight to the politics involved and the division of the nation. This preceded the documentary “Different Sons,” directed by Jack Ofield of Lemon Grove. Filmed in 1970, it chronicled Vietnam Veterans Against the War as they marched in uniform with plastic rifles through New Jersey and Pennsylvania as the talked about their personal experiences at war and simulated many of the Vietnam War activities. This provided a lot of insight into the division of the people and reminded everyone, regardless of whether or not they agreed or disagreed with the conflict, the horrific ways that these veterans were treated when they returned home from serving their country. This was solidified by the personal testimonies from our local veterans, all were passionate and all held different views and experiences of the war.
From a nurse, to medic, combat veterans and intelligence officer, this gathering of memories still showed that although the war is over, the beliefs of how it was handled and ended are still different today. Each person that spoke held an undeniable conviction in their participation, their losses, their gains and their continued fight even after returning home to an unwelcomed nation. They all felt the discrimination of being deemed “baby killers” from protesters of the war, but were also ostracized by their fellow veterans, who would not allow them to join the Veterans of Foreign Wars, because it was never declared a war. But it was evident through testimony and the film that the root of this discrimination was much deeper than whether or not the U.S. declared it a war or not.
Many moments were heart wrenching when talking about the loss of comrades, a son, and a father and in many cases for many years, a nation. Although much has changed now in the opinion of the Vietnam War, it is because of this era of veterans and families that fought hard to get the recognition and help needed to continue on in society and life. And many are still fighting for the right to medical benefits and respect. But these veterans have done something remarkable in not letting history repeat itself, as today’s veterans are coming home to a welcoming nation, even though today’s wars and conflicts are deeply divided in belief and support.
So to our Vietnam veterans everywhere, thank you for your service to this country, and thank you for ensuring that today’s veterans do not face the same fights that you did as you returned home from war. You deserved better then and you deserve better now.
If you have never been to one of the Lemon Grove Historical Society’s events, you should. Whether it is history, culture, art and everything in between, Helen Ofield is much more than a preserver of history, she is a teacher, mentor and contributes so much of herself to our region and beyond.
