My room mate was nick named Budda in the 134th. Your email address will not be published. Nice Web. they have in all wars. Vallo As a combat veteran of Marine Corps having served in Vietnam, I have always known that we seem to have a mortality clock that ticks a bit faster than then that of the standard for insurance actuaries. Have you tried to apply? Thank you. -----In a closed society where everybody's guilty, the only crime is getting caught. There are tons of Era Vets who are categorized as Vietnam Veterans, which is sort of true, but they are Vietnam ERA Vets, and never left the United States. What amazes me however is that so many of my comrades who served in Vietnam and who suffer from many of the maladies associated with this war would serve again. So, we wonder eh? Can I cut apples the night before for apple pie? Originating from New York City, Tom Selleck. please pardon the French. I never want to see another hurt person as long as I live. 24 How Many Veterans Are Enrolled In College? Combat Medic I remember tet that was no picnic for rear echelon, and being in a chopper,those m60s werent there for show. Now I find the same scenario occurring with this AO fiasco. Ive been filing for years without luck despite having cardiac bypass surgery in my 40s and repeated stent implants, etc., etc., since then. I too am a Marine Vietnam Veteran; (7th Marines 67-69), with multiple diagnoses. GOD BLESS ALL VETS. With the internet and sites like this, Im hoping to hear from someone I served with The Iraqui and Afghan war vets are getting PTSD Tx. Mike why is gods name would all these people claim to have went to that septic tank they call vietnam? Its better than them walking away and not even recognizing you. Why are Vietnam vets dying so fast? I hope you all know that if you were in country and have diabetes you are basically automatically qualified for soem degree of compensation their is a presumptive connection as there is with various cancers. Ages range from 97 to 55 years old (born between 1918 and 1960). Theres one, just like the ones that we used, painted red, hanging from the ceiling at the Pima Air Museum. VA said not related to Agent Orange. The figures reported here (and the same text is widely seen) are all correct with one major exception. Brault Base, then to NY. Return to country Jun 1969-Apr 1970 I Field Forces Vietnam. I would like to see the source for this estimate that there are only 850,000 Vietnam Veterans still alive. At a time when I was paying $300 a credit, my entire educational benefit was $126. And when it came to finding a job, he was met with thinly veiled disgust and discrimination from law firms upon learning he was a Vietnam infantry veteran. I went fucking ballistic. Where is the museum and website referred to as the source of the figure 850,000 living Vietnam veterans? They all understand. Deborah Grassman, who has cared for 10,000 dying vets as a hospice nurse practitioner at the V.A. to Do you mean more information about Agent Orange? The veterans outreach counseling is good for PTSD Tx, etc. The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that there are roughly 7.2 million living veterans in the world today. Thank you. THERS IS ONLY ONE KIND OF COMBAT VET..ONEWHOWAS IN COMBAT. You must be a U.S. citizen or resident alien. Then ask, Do you think I might have been affected by this ambiguity between grounded reality in the tri canopy jungle and political reality at home which was counter to the troops welcome return (sarcasm). What is the average lifespan of a veteran? I am a Nam Vet with Ischemic Heart Disease (ISD),an illnessfinally acknowledged that was caused by AO in Oct 2009 by VA Secretary Shineski. During that year, 1,928 soldiers died in the Vietnam War. It can take decades for symptoms to appear. Abit more images would be nice. Be careful of Appeals. It was apparently based on an estimate that 800,000 Vietnam-era veterans had died by 2000. What is the average age of a Vietnam veteran today? In Country, that empty feeling was with me for years, until I worked for the Dept. Sit in a barbers chair, and let another person cut my hair. what does that tell u? The ages of those who served in Vietnam varied anywhere from 55 to 97 years old. Mike I was on the USS America CVA 66 in 1970 and as such am part of the Blue Water Navy that is being shunned by the VA and congress. Glamunyon@aol.com. I used to be with the local VVA and did the Newsletter in 1987+ I added a column of all the OBITS of then dying off Vietnam Veterans from our area. While I was in Vietnam I saw men, who did brave and heroic deeds they deserve It is anticipated that the overall number of veterans would fall from 19.5 million in the year 2020 to 13.6 million in the year 2048. The last Vietnam Vet will die in 2047. Wished I knew who implanted it. Because they will be OLD and it their turn. As of this date The American War Library estimates that approximately 610,000 Americans who served on land in Vietnam or in the air over Vietnam between 1954 and 1975 are alive today. I have met many men who were spat upon. The obituarities almostevery day in our area list someone who served in Vietnam. How old did you have to be to be drafted in Vietnam? Im a former member of the 173rd Abn Bde-First (Army) in VNam from The Rock Thank You. Over time, swelling and inflammation of the bile duct can lead to cancer. In popular culture, the stereotype of the broken, homeless Vietnam vet began to take hold thanks to films like The Deer Hunter (1978), Coming Home (1978) and First Blood (1982). The AO stuff is just so hard to tolerate as it still invades so many of us. In my mind they were throwing out a SWAG. #16174111 - 05/03/12 07:01 AM (10 . "We've been fighting this for 55 years," said Wright, who also served in the Connecticut National Guard from 1982-1999 and retired as a first sergeant. Well, one thing to remember is that not all Vietnam veterans were born in 1945 or later. So few can imagine that we were really sprayed with chemicals and had to live with the year of VA Denial. educated man, besidesrocknroll there is Classical Music, Jazz and other favorites Why are Vietnam vets dying so fast? Crazy shit. We were driving home from the airport when I heard the news. Pete. 1st Recon April 12, 1997. Im 66 years old, going in to the hospital for the 4th time for more stents. Mike. It got too overwhelming for me, there were so MANY. FAQ: What Are My Benefits As A 100 Disabled Veteran? Why are Vietnam vets dying so fast? December 21, 1953 Goldsboro, North Carolina, U.S. 1,713,823 of those who served in Vietnam were still alive as of August, Jerry Engel/New York Post Archives/NYP Holdings, Inc./Getty Images, The society really was ill-prepared to give these guys what they deserved, says Christian Appy, professor of History at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and author of three books on Vietnam. As we approach March 29 and this Vietnam Veterans Day, take the time to remember those who honorably served. in only 6-10 years.. *STATISTICS FOR INDIVIDUALS IN UNIFORM AND IN COUNTRY VIETNAM VETERANS: * We are not dying off that fast. As for the CAR, that might be another story. "I was in a state of shock," he said. WWII and Korean War vets. Sen Jim Webb when he was Secretary of the Navy wrote an excellent article how the media, and in some cases the goverment gave birth to the myth that all Nam vets were in some way impaired or Rambos waiting to happen. Required fields are marked *. That number was reasonable: About 9.2 million Americans served in the military during the Vietnam. and counseling even before they get out of the service and checks nearly immediately upon discharge in the event of a disability. Mike: Thanks for the unexpected note. More than nine million Americans served from Nov. 1, 1955, to May 15, 1975. Just realized that this is the day Ho Chi Minh died! Celebrations aside, the government also failed to make good on its promises to those who served. Unlike conflicts with massive demobilizations, men came back from Vietnam by themselves rather than with their units or companies. Had to fight the VA for years , Diabetes , neropathony and heart attack 14 years ago. Im always looking around at whats going on. jeff clutter. Starting to live with zest at 60 aint so bad. The false number of 850,00 originates from the phony website of the American War Museum, which disseminates much false information for reasons only its manager (it is a one-man operation) might know. Protestors demonstrate for full benefits for all US veterans, including Vietnam War veterans in July, 1974. Thanks for your attention to this subject. Of the 50 blood samples submitted, more than 20 percent came back positive or bordering positive for liver fluke antibodies, said Sung-Tae Hong, the tropical medicine specialist who carried out the tests at Seoul National University in South Korea. Magazine, the Public Information Office, and the HQ CP Forward Observer Why are Vietnam vets dying so fast? Like I always said .we died in Nam , just havent fallen over yet.Too bad all the imposters dont die just as quick or quicker. I am slowly dying from AO and my country has once again tried to spit on me. Sorry about the delay here in answering. OK I found the source and and researching this more. They may look appealing but can actually take up to 5 years to schedule a hearing. Was an 11B grunt with the First Air Cav (C1/7) in 71/72. Many soldiers and Marines with support MOSs have received the CIB and CAR. Today the list still grows in our local newspaper, Why are Vietnam War veterans so crazy? we better make it soon . Age: 75. I have had cancer in the crease of my neck were a knot on a kerchief rubbed, and sores in my scalp were the canvas of the helmet sat on my head. god bless america,and our veterans. A lot of guys found themselves in the sh-t and were not grunts. A group of amputee Vietnam veterans talk together at a hospital in San Francisco, California, 1967. Went looking for a new job,on foot walking many miles every day,but when they foung out that i was a vietnam veteran they would not hire me.Some would ask if I was a Drug addict 0r killed people etc. Patsy T. Mink, (U.S. House of Rep-Hawaii) get honored with a burial in Punchbowl. I was a Medic with the 93rd Evac. FACT CHECK: We strive for accuracy and fairness. Needless to say neither of us flew again after that, he is 100% PTSD . It is anticipated that the overall number of veterans would fall from 20.0 million in the year 2017 to 13.6 million in the year 2037. . How do you say let's keep in touch professionally? I heard a pop and at that time guys used to mess with pin flairs so when I was awaken by a popping sound I thought it was a pin flair going off. i cam back from nam in july of 70 all my decorations and cbi badge and never heard or spit upon, i think a lot of this is bullshit!!! A friend of mine who is an in-country veteran asked me to look into the topic of how many Vietnam veterans are still alive. The federal agency sent its sympathies but no money. The excess mortality, especially through motor vehicle accidents, suicide, homicide, and accidental poisonings, occurred mainly in the first 5 years after discharge from active duty and involved. Fort Hood, Texas another armpit and volunteeredfor a second tour. Commissioned in 1980 as a Behavioral Science Officer and went from 0-1 to 0-6 until I retired in 2005. i just found out that they will not cover navy personal that didnt go ashore & do have agent orange in there blood . Guy C. Lamunyon Very good but alarming article. I have followed out governments proclivity to repeat errors endlessly. I left the Corps in 1970 and went to work as a Police Officer in a large southern city. The only qualifier may be that there is a misunderstanding about what In Country means. wouldnt it be wild if we could have a gathering of ALL Vietnam Veterans in DC? Two things I have to add, one is that many Viet Nam Veterans died in the line of duty as Law Enforcement Officers (odmp.org) and that as a police officer I was not prone to PTSD , I hope more were like me. Nearly three out of four of those cases were also denied, even though the government posted a warning on its website this year saying veterans who ate raw or undercooked freshwater fish while in Vietnam might be at risk. looking around. Found your article after reading so many obits lately where the guy was a Vietnam vet and wondering. Heres the rub. Seventeen year-old James Calvin Ward was one of them. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The disability compensation that some veterans get from the VA is factored into the average for veterans. For myself I always felt that the millions of men who were in uniform before me returned to civilian life, I could do the same, when I went into the army, I was Looking for people who served in the 134th assault helicopter co. from 1971 to 1972. you guys, but kinda gives me the chills, considering this is the kind of of Veterans Affairs that was the only fullfilling job I ever had. I hope it will cause your readers to write the Secretary and emphasize their concern about the unfortunate treatment of our Vietnam Veterans. The dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in 1982 began the process, but many identify the Gulf War of 1990-91with its national flag-waving, yellow-ribbon cultural mobilization and the grand celebrations of a successful campaignas ending Vietnam Syndrome. This was partly due to the logistics of the never-ending conflict. What a joke. So long ago-time tames the memories and makes them Kind!!!! But looking out the window and seeing civilians stop to watch the small convoy of hospital-bound vehicles, his excitement turned to confusion. Its mostly the exact opposite. Lincoln, Nebraska is where I call home. That takes courage to return to war, or maybe they wanted to get out of a statside armpit like I did when reassigned to Fort Lewis, Washington If not mustard gas, then agent orange, the the Gulf syndrome. (fact check note by Mike Brewer. Who was the youngest American soldier killed in Vietnam? that were projected in 2000 to 2010? I was transfered to the 201st aviation co. in Nha Trang in 1972 to finnish my tour . I sorts blended in until I retired in 2003 and joined the CT First Cav Assoc and finally met groundpounders like muself. If you read the Taps in their mag there seems to be an alarming rate of NamVets dying in theirlate fifties and early sixties. American soldiers returning home from Vietnam often faced scorn as the war they had fought in became increasingly unpopular. Jaundice, itchy skin, weight loss and other symptoms appear only when the disease is in its final stages. Did not know his name but I couldnt bring myself to walk by his A/O after this happened. when i arrived at my unit, 2/11th acr, how battery, a scruffy looking latino guy who happened to be back in the rear, convinced me, i needed to volunteer to go out to e-troop, in his stead, (hed already been out there 6 mo. Last name: How many Vietnam War vets are left? I was never spit on and in fact the only real negative stuff I saw when I got back was that lots of folks just didnt want to hear from us about our experiences.