TREATMENT OF THE TROOPS
By: Jacqueline W.
In the past, it has always been customary to treat returning soldiers with a sort of hero status. Unfortunately, this did not hold true for those who fought bravely in Vietnam. There were no welcome home victory parades or cheering crowds. Instead, these men were portrayed as baby killers and drug addicts. Anti-war protesters would attack the soldiers with harsh posters, spit, and even throw urine at them. Often times, they were refused service in restaurants.
This hostility caused those who served to be wary of wearing their uniforms. Many were saddened and surprised that they were being shamed for something they were proud of.
Edward Kenney, who served with the Marine Corps in Vietnam, recalled, "They put us in a reception hall and said, ‘If you don't have civilian clothes, buy them. You will not leave this facility in your uniform."
Additionally, Lily Jean Lee Adams, an army nurse, thought it would be no problem to wear her uniform on the bus ride home. She comments on the reactions, "In the bus terminal, people were staring at me and giving me dirty looks. I expected the people to smile, like, 'Wow, she was in Vietnam, doing something for her country-wonderful.' I felt like I had walked into another country, not my country. So I went into the ladies' room and changed."
To top this off, many soldiers were faced with PTSD, a crippling mental disease, and this was only made worse by the treatment from the public.
This hostility caused those who served to be wary of wearing their uniforms. Many were saddened and surprised that they were being shamed for something they were proud of.
Edward Kenney, who served with the Marine Corps in Vietnam, recalled, "They put us in a reception hall and said, ‘If you don't have civilian clothes, buy them. You will not leave this facility in your uniform."
Additionally, Lily Jean Lee Adams, an army nurse, thought it would be no problem to wear her uniform on the bus ride home. She comments on the reactions, "In the bus terminal, people were staring at me and giving me dirty looks. I expected the people to smile, like, 'Wow, she was in Vietnam, doing something for her country-wonderful.' I felt like I had walked into another country, not my country. So I went into the ladies' room and changed."
To top this off, many soldiers were faced with PTSD, a crippling mental disease, and this was only made worse by the treatment from the public.