Vietnam Veterans Need No Reminders of War

Vietnam veterans say they need no reminders of war 
Standard Speaker
BY JILL WHALEN
Published: April 12, 2015

“Every single day, I think we all think of Vietnam almost every single day,” said Dando, of Gordon.

Daniel Krauson has a ritual when he visits the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.

“There are a few names on there that I always walk over to,” he said.

So does fellow Vietnam veteran Ed Bickowski.

“I guess we all do,” Bickowski said, referring to others who made it back from the war.

This year marks 50 since U.S. combat troops became involved in the Vietnam ground war, and to mark the event, the Pentagon is planning a series of commemorative events beginning in May.

Krauson, Bickowski, and fellow veterans Ed Macknis and Tom Dando recently met at the Anthony P. Damato American Legion “Medal of Honor” Post 792 in Shenandoah and agreed that they don’t need to be reminded of the war.

“Every single day, I think we all think of Vietnam almost every single day,” said Dando, of Gordon.

And while they’re not opposed to the commemoration, the local men agreed that all veterans — regardless of where and when they served — deserve respect and support.

“We don’t want to see our troops coming back the way we did. Not at all,” said Krauson, of Shenandoah, who served in the U.S. Air Force Security Police from 1967-68.

“After the way Vietnam veterans were treated when they came home — the lack of honoring them really played a big part of what goes on today,” said Dando, who served in the Army infantry from 1968-69. “I think people in this country did not want to allow what happened to the Vietnam veterans for whatever reasons to happen to the young men and women of today.”

For the most part, there were no parades or celebrations. Some, like Krauson, ran into anti-war protests upon their return.

“We got off the plane and they briefed us in a room,” Krauson said, remembering the landing in California with Air Force, Marine and Army personnel. “They said, we are going to put you on buses to take you out to the airport. Expect eggs. Expect tomatoes being thrown at you. When you get off the bus, you’re going to have protesters.”
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If you don't believe that part, they listen to what happened to MOH Sammy Davis after he was wounded saving lives in Vietnam. The citation is read while Sammy talked about when he came home.