Concern about returning military looms in the minds of many
With the war progressing as quickly as it has unfolded in Operation Iraqi Freedom, it certainly won?t be long before many of the deployed military will be at least temporarily returning from duty and back to either civilian life or back to other bases in the military. With that in mind, many of the family and friends of those military members are showing concern because of recent protests in the United States and around the world. For many Vietnam veterans, the protests have conjured up some mighty unpleasant memories of how they were treated when they returned from a war that was known for its protests.
These vets, many of whom were drafted and had no choice in going to war or not going to war, were treated shabbily upon their return. Cases in point are the fathers of many of today?s military, who made a point of mentioning how badly they were treated years ago. Some said they were spit upon, others had tomatoes thrown at them, and Rosemary Trapp?s son Kevin recently told her someone had even urinated on him.
THE CONCERN NOW with family members is how their loved ones will be received when and if they do come home safely.
?Kevin was drafted in the
Kevin eventually married and had a son, Michael, who also married and has three small children. Michael is presently deployed to Iraq with the 183rd Maintenance Division and has seven years of service to his record.
Both Rosemary and her son Kevin worry about how Michael will be treated upon his return and hope that none of the military will have to endure the terrible treatment the Vietnam veterans had to go through.
?Back then (during the Vietnam era) most of the soldiers were drafted and didn?t even have a choice,? Rosemary added. ?I don?t want to see my grandson go through that kind of experience. Going through the experience of a war is enough trauma. They need to know we support them all the way.?