Digging Out of the Hole

I returned from service in Vietnam as an Army engineer officer. I also went the I entered it after two years with a regular shrink. in the outreach program the major step was realizing that other warriors (read vets) were as screwed up as me and in the same ways and for the same reasons. As unpopular as we Vietnam vets were I began to take pride in the fact that I was a warrior and in the realization that we had won the vietnam war simultanious with the public walking away from us and our government surrendering to the enemy.

When that happened I realized that I was not the bottom of the American barrel but the elite at the top. I began running Marathons and racing cars to keep reinforcing this. I started several businesses, some succeeded, some failed. I learned from all of them. I was willingness to make mistakes and learn from them and to find opportunity in every adversity. I was willing to gamble and go back and forth between big companies and my own businesses. Next thing I knew I was a senior executive, then a lobbyist for seven years and finally CEO of a private corporation and of a public -gency consecutively.

I knew something the braggarts in the boardroom didn't know. When they talked about taking chances, or "killing or being killed by the competition" I knew that the only chances and killing worthwhile occurred on the battle field. I was a proud warrior, they were less. Now I am a retired warrior who never yielded on my ethics or morality. The comfortable retirement near Aspen and Vail is my due.

I never found a job with a resume. I went out and personally met my employers and interviewed them.
You can do it too if you're an American warrior. If you're standing in a hole put the damn shovel down, toss the booze and drugs, there just a procrastination tool. Get the help you need to do that and get a firm grip on how special you are to have defended this country. Help overthrow the "Patriot Act" which discarded the constitution we fought for.people who value being safe above all else aren't worthy of liberty. You are fellow warriors.

(Submitted by Ray Lloyd)

Comments

[Tom Green]

Ray,
Thanks for your Digging out of the hole article. As a fellow Vietnam vet, retired AF, current military contractor and non-associated small business owner, I share your view word for word. I'm forwarding it to a bunch of other former AF helo aviators who are of like mind. Thanks again for your inspiring words.
v/r, and welcome home bother.
Tom Green, sr.

[Tom Green]

Ray,
Thanks for your Digging out of the hole article. As a fellow Vietnam vet, retired AF, current military contractor and non-associated small business owner, I share your view word for word. I'm forwarding it to a bunch of other former AF helo aviators who are of like mind. Thanks again for your inspiring words.
v/r, and welcome home bother.
Tom Green, sr.

[Tom Green]

Ray,
Thanks for your Digging out of the hole article. As a fellow Vietnam vet, retired AF, current military contractor and non-associated small business owner, I share your view word for word. I'm forwarding it to a bunch of other former AF helo aviators who are of like mind. Thanks again for your inspiring words.
v/r, and welcome home bother.
Tom Green, sr.

[Dick Rohde]

It wasn't the Vietnam Vet people didn't like, it was the war they didn't like. I don't know how the Vietnam vet started to think that way.

[David Craig]

Mr. Rhohde:
You obviously are not a Vietnam Vet, or you never had to wear your uniform in public. When I 'started to think that way.' was when I came home from boot camp (Navy). I waned to go see a family that I was close to. I didn't have a car, and besides it was only a couple mile walk. And the BONUS to walking was I could walk up Main St. in my dress whites. As I walked up Main St., a carload of kid that I had gone to high school with drove by. As they drove by, they yelled out the windows at me; war monger, baby killer, and dumb f***. That wasn't enough though, as one of them had a need to throw his large soft drink at me. That was the last time I wore my uniform in public unless I absolutely had to. So Mr. Rohde, try walking the mile before you talk about the experience as if you know about it.

[Lee]

david craig is right on...when I came home in dress uniform, my own father - a 28 yr af retiree - told me to "get out of uniform asap!"...I too am successful biz owner; however, still bitter...

[David Craig]

A few months ago I was talking to an American Legion Service Officer. She asked me what era I was and I replied Vietnam. She reached out to shake my hand and said, "Welcome home." I cried. Over 30 years after I "got home", she was the first person to say that to me, including my family (except my wife). It seems that people are just now starting to realize that it was the war that was bad, not the Vets.

[nate nordin]

i'm retired also -- came home feb 29, 1968 -- i had to wear my dress greens home from fort lewis because
as far as i know my duffle bag is still laying beside the air strip at an khe -- ray knows what i know -- i have no complaints i have no regrets -- i've worked as a construction superintendent from india to indiana
my wheels fell off after i had to much time on my hands -- stay busy do good move forward

[Sarah Ward]

thank you for serving our country, sorry that people treated you so bad, I am a vet of today, after reading your comments I am glad that we have changed our views of the military. We have come a long way. I am proud of our soldiers, no matter what year they served. Welcome home military. I hope that they are treating you well. Sarah

[Chris Martin]

Thanks Ray for saying what many of us have felt for years. I am retired Army and served both as a Truck Driver and a Medic for 23 years. When I got out after my first enlistment people treated me like treated me like a leper so I went back into the Army and am glad I did. I now work for the VA and continue to make sure that current veterans are taken care of and not treated like the Vietnam Veterans were. You are also correct in staying busy, when you do not it comes back to haunt you. Hang tough.

[Don Robinson]

Response to Mr. Dick Rohde's comment. Where in God's name were you during the Viet Nam war? Still in your mother's womb? Let me answer your question about how we (the Viet Nam Vets) started thinking that way. When we exited the plane at oakland, Ca...who did the demonstrators spit on? The soldier or the war? It was the soldier, but I don't expect you to understand. There's a great deal of difference between a Veit Nam Vet and a Viet Nam "era" vet. One actually went to Viet Nam...the other just happened to wear the uniform during that era. By your comment, I'm not sure you were either.

[A Radbill]

I am a veteran of our nation’s recent war in Iraq. I have always loved this job and have been honored to be a soldier.

The comments you Vietnam War veterans posted here have really made me think. I realize the reason why my generation’s soldiers can hold our heads up high is because you Vietnam vets are standing guard for us at home. Today you Vietnam Veterans are Business owners, truck drivers, attorneys, contractors, police chiefs and every other place in American society. Sometimes the American public can be fickle, misguided and shallow. You Veterans never let them forget the debt they owe those who fight their wars. Regardless of popular political opinions about wars we fight, you will never again let our nation’s warriors be mistreated by its public.

It is an honor protecting you, thank you for protecting me. Please except my deepest gratitude.

1LT Radbill

[A Radbill]

I am a veteran of our nation’s recent war in Iraq. I have always loved this job and have been honored to be a soldier.

The comments you Vietnam War veterans posted here have really made me think. I realize the reason why my generation’s soldiers can hold our heads up high is because you Vietnam vets are standing guard for us at home. Today you Vietnam Veterans are Business owners, truck drivers, attorneys, contractors, police chiefs and every other place in American society. Sometimes the American public can be fickle, misguided and shallow. You Veterans never let them forget the debt they owe those who fight their wars. Regardless of popular political opinions about wars we fight, you will never again let our nation’s warriors be mistreated by its public.

It is an honor protecting you, thank you for protecting me. Please except my deepest gratitude.

1LT Radbill

[Alta Corbell]

I have a question for anyone.I have a brother that was in Viet Naum I think he needs help.He has never got over the whole experience.I can't seem to help I live in Arkansas and he lives in Washington.If anyone out there remembers Walter Roby he was in the navy he was one of you guys that went in and disarmed the mines.My sister lives near him now and says everyone thinks he is getting worse.He is a real loner now and lives in a tiny trailer with his dog and cats.When I talk to him he mostly talks about his guns.He dosen't work,nor is he interested.He looks like an OLD man now.Long grey hair and bierd.My sister said everyone thinks he will be the one you find in the bushes shooting someone. Pleae I don't know what to do or who to talk to. my sister's email add. is wallasuebe@aol.com mine is altacorbell@ymail.com Help