Monday, October 13, 2014

Vietnam Vet Jan Scruggs AMA selected quotes:


*This veteran began the funding for the Vietnam Veteran memorial in D.C., amongst many other activities

[–]mrmasonater 40 points 11 months ago 
Top of Form
What's your favourite memory from your whole military career?
Bottom of Form
[–]JanScruggs[S] 92 points 11 months ago 
Top of Form
My favorite memory was being on jet on a runway in Saigon and applauding, along with 200 other soldiers, who had just completed their twelve months in Vietnam. About half of them, like me, were also getting out of the Army as soon as the plane landed with an honorable discharge.
Bottom of Form
[–]mrmasonater 29 points 11 months ago 
Top of Form
That definitely sounds like it'd be a relieving experience for everyone who took part. Were you applauded in the same way upon your discharge?
Bottom of Form
[–]JanScruggs[S] 87 points 11 months ago 
Top of Form
Upon discharge and returning home, it became clear that being a Vietnam veteran was a liability. One girl who I was trying to date found out that I had served in Vietnam and told her friend to tell me that we would not be seeing each other.
Bottom of Form
[–]Prosopagnosiape 22 points 11 months ago 
Top of Form
Why do you think she would react like that?
Bottom of Form
[–]sebaz 58 points 11 months ago* 
Top of Form
After Vietnam a lot of people didn't respect troops, because they disagreed with the war and instead of blaming the administration responsible, they blamed the people risking their lives for  our country's administration. I remember my dad telling me a story about when he was returning from Vietnam in uniform, and he couldn't get a ride back home from any passing motorists. After he changed into normal clothes, he had a ride within five minutes.
Bottom of Form

~

[–]uberlad 18 points 11 months ago 
Top of Form
What's your very best life advice?
Bottom of Form
[–]JanScruggs[S] 48 points 11 months ago 
Top of Form
Read a wide variety of books and magazines, always be engaged with people, listen to your friends and enemies, work hard and begin investing money for your retirement at a young age.
Bottom of Form
[–]Spotinye 9 points 11 months ago 
Top of Form
I've read a few books about the conflict - care to recommend any? Thank you for your service and continued dedication to the Memorial.
Bottom of Form
[–]JanScruggs[S] 30 points 11 months ago 
Top of Form
Phil Capputo's Rumor of War and Vietnam; A History by Stan Karnow.

~

[–]JanScruggs[S] 35 points 11 months ago 
Top of Form
The memorial design is brilliant because the names are listed chronologically by date of death. This allows veterans to see the names of their friends who died together listed alongside of each other. The other nice thing is the quality of the granite which is reflective in nature allowing you to see your own reflection. It is also nicely placed in the shadow of the Lincoln Memorial which was built to commemorate the nation reuniting after America's Civil War.

~

[–]snnb 7 points 11 months ago 
Top of Form
Certain people rise above and beyond their call of duty. It is an honour to be able to write to you. How would you describe the perception of PTSD and the militaries acknowledgment of it today, compared to your service in Vietnam?
Bottom of Form
[–]JanScruggs[S] 12 points 11 months ago 
Top of Form
PTSD is widely recognized however during the Vietnam War this psychological condition was not understood. It was viewed as a sign of weakness.

~

Bottom of Form
Bottom of Form
Bottom of Form


No comments:

Post a Comment