Obama to Vietnam Veterans: Welcome home
January 21, 2009 posted by John Allen · 4 Comments
Vietnam Veteran Salutes President Obama
by Michael Leon, Vietnam Veteran
He had me at "my fellow citizens."
But of the many remarkable things Barack Obama said as he assumed this office of president, this simple phrase spoke volumes to me, and no doubt to many of my fellow Vietnam veterans, numbering some 2.5-million with another 6+ million who served during the Vietnam era:
For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sahn.
I’ll leave the analysis to others. I know what hearing that from the lips of our new President meant to me.
Vietnam, like Iraq, was a terrible mistake. But, as Vietnam Veterans Against the War have said for 40 years, it is possible — and fitting — to honor the warrior, not the war.
By mentioning Khe Sahn in the same breath as Lexington, Gettysburg, and Normandy, Obama has done that.
Korean War Veteran Talks About Obama
I predict that the Army and Navy will have a big problem if Gays are allowed to openly enlist and serve. Mark my word. I did not care for nor vote for Obama, but we were taught to salute the rank/ uniform– not the person. Christians are admonished to pray for the king [president] so that he may respect the Law [U.S. Constitution] and be favorable towards the preaching and teaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We MUST obey the President in all things that are lawful– unless they interfere with our pure worship of God Almighty and His work.
I hope that I am wrong about Mr. Obama. I hope he does a great job in rebuilding America with it’s terrible economic woes and challenges. But I am a serious student of history and the Bible, and I must obey God as Ruler rather than men.
Tom Schuckman
Wisconsin
DoorGunner–240th AHC, BearCat, RVN: 68-70.
http.//tomschuckmanjournal.blogspot.com — my URL/ Blog.
If you have to say that you “hold no animosity toward white americans” T.R. – - – it makes me wonder whether that is truly how you feel.
Actions speak louder than words.
This should be a turning point for Black and White Americans alike and I hope it is.
Understanding the human condition like I do, I am not expecting race relations miracles from either “side” . . . at least in the short term.
I hope Obama does a great job and as my President he has my support.
Americans should not delude themselves however that this presidency is going to improve their lives. If you want a better life . . .you are going to have to get off your duff and do it yourself! Nobody, not even a president, is going to hand you the good life. You have to work for it and sacrifice for it.
Dennis Byrne
Vietnam 68-69
Well said! I would write more but I gotta go and get off my duff. Let’s Go U.S.A.!
There is too much talking about things that have to be done, but it takes years to get them done. The claims backlog is so huge, that it will take a miracle to rid of the claims that are pending in the va regional offices and the board of veterans appeals. It seems that every claim, or the majority of the claims are denied and therefore, the process takes even longer to clear. There is no ending to this rainbow.