So dear of you to share that, and your dad would surely be proud that so many of us have been touched by it. Many thanks to him, and to your entire family.

It wasn't just the public that treated the Vietnam vets badly... my brother in law was drafted as a marine in '69 and was shot twice. A few years after he returned to the world his local hometown American Legion post would not let him march in the Memorial Day parade unless he cut his hair and shaved his beard. He decided to stay home and mailed them his 2 purple hearts... he also suffers the effects of Agent Orange. That whole Vietnam war was a tragedy for all who served and we owe them our respect.

I don't think there is animosity toward the military per se, I think it is more toward the military industrial complex. In any event none of it is directed toward our servicemen and women. At least not by anyone who is rational.

Thank you for a very touching story about you father. My father was also a soldier from 1945-1965. He was captured during the first week of the Korean War and was not released until Sep 1953. He passed away in 1996 and I still think of him and the story’s of war.

I appreciate his service to his country. I have never has a bad thought or word to our honourable service men and women. I share your pride in his life.

I hold no animosity towards vets or current military personnel,as the armed forces perform the important function of protecting us.However,it is the gutless politicians,many who have not served at all,and the constant glorification of war which offends me.Also,the faux patriotism which is constantly rammed down our throats,often from people who have never served,or,would ever put themselves on the line for our country.

Yes I can relate very much like my family long military history hard to explain to those who never experience it as a combat medic who flew air combat rescue you get a perspective of those who serve see their sacrifice for their brothers and respect at military funerals to see that watch movie " taking chance with Kevin bacon " on Netflix is a education for those who don't know

What a great tribute to your dad! He was quite the soldier! I don't think there is animosity towards soldiers. I have two nephews that are active duty Marines - two hard working, honorable men - attributes I'm sure that were cultivated in the Corps. Any criticism of the Military is mostly directed at leadership - as it should. Wonderful post - I hope his memory gives you happiness and strength!

Your father was a real hero. Thank you for sharing his story. I joined the Army and was trained as an interrogator. However, I never was sent to war. You can be proud of your father and his sacrifices for our freedom.

Thank you, and thanks to your dad.

I joined the Army to carry on my father's tradition after he passed, unfortunately my physical (or mental) toughness wasn't what his was, and a leg injury lead too me leaving basic and coming home to take care of my mother instead. I hope he would have been proud of me for trying though. It gave me memories and an ethos of service I carry to this day.

Thank you to your father. May his sacrifice long preserve our freedom.

I am sorry about your father...

Beautiful Tribute, Linda. Thanks for sharing your Father’s history.

That's a lot of stripes ths that earned !

That was a beautiful tribute to your father and his life and also thanks for sharing insight into your life also,I can see why you are so proud of him and from your post he did raised a fantastic daughter whom he can be extremely proud of ,Warm healing hugs to you ,Best regards Roy

Thank you for sharing .

Thank you for sharing this with us.

Here's a little history about Vietnam more people should know about. After WWII many U.S. senators wanted to hang the emperor, Tojo and other war criminals. MacArthur however felt that there would be mass suicides if this happened. So he consulted Lord Mountbatten, the English viceroy of India, and told him that the UK bore much responsibility for the war. This little island controlled over 20% of the world's markets. The latter agreed.

So he, Mountbatten, went to Inchine to talk to Gen Le Clerc, DeGaulle's right hand man and told him what MacArthur had said. The French general agreed that it was the right thing to do, but he had strict orders from Paris to maintain the status quo ante bellum. The French wanted to maintain their business interests in particular their supply of rubber.

The Vietnamese people, inspired by Ho Chi Min, were zealous about finally achieving national freedom. They were one of the oldest nations on the planet, had their own language and culture, and fought bravely against the Japanese in WWII. In 1954, they soundly defeated the French at Diem bien phu and were ready to regain their country.

Here's why Ike gave his important warning at his farewell address in 1959. He warned to beware the industrial – military complex as he was pressured to send military technical “advisers” to Nam to start the snowball rolling. We all know what happened when JFK and LBJ took over.

I've written about the uncanny precocity of George Orwell and 1984. The purpose of constant war in Oceania was to destroy the products of industry so people could continue working and the economy thrive. It made absolutely no difference what happened to the products of industry or how many had to die to make it happen.

I've included a link to my book if you'd like to read more about Orwell.

[amazon.com]

To the written of this touching comment: I hope you don't mind my exposing this undisclosed bit of recent history. I hope you agree with old Biblical line: "The truth shall make you free."

Such a lovely remembrance. Thanks for sharing this. My dad enlisted in the AF and then transferred to the Army after about 6 years to participate in their Warrant Officer program (which was being discontinued by the AF). He served 20 years an did one tour in Vietnam. He died in March of 2013, succumbing to pancreatic cancer.

Like you, I was a military brat; born in Germany, and then moving every two to three years as my dad's assignments changed. My mom was a German national her whole life despite spending most of it in the US.

Wow this is a super Awesome Story , I love it I hope he is having a Blast in the Afterlife. Thanks for sharing this

I honor your father, his life, and the sacrifices he made. I'm ex-military but only served 3 years in the Army. Sikorski wanted me to make a career of it but I only served one hitch.

A great tribute. I saw somewhere you said your father taught at West Point ... he must have been respected by his peers and good at whatever role he had in the army.
Those medaks your father wears came at a high price paid throughout the rest of his life - he witnessed the horror of war and afterwards advocated peace. I think I would have liked him.