No Homecoming

Today many of our Viet Nam vets are living on the street unable to cope with civilian life after returning from

Viet Nam.

When the Viet Nam Wall was built in Washington D.C. it did a lot to help the Viet Nam veterans, finally they

were getting the recognition they deserved. Then they built 3 moving walls. So that everyone in the country would

get a chance to see the wall and remember.

I remember a part of a TV show I saw a long time ago. I have forgotten the name of the show. There was an old lady who wanted to see the Viet Nam Wall and find her son’s name but no one would take her. Finally the male lead drove her to the wall. They found the name but it was too high she could not trace it. So he got a ladder that was there so people could reach the top names. She said she couldn’t climb up the ladder someone will look up my skirt. She told the man to do it for her. He said no this is something you have to do. He also said no one would look up her skirt. So finally she climbed up the ladder and traced her son’s name.

I saw the moving wall twice. Each time I was awed by the size of it and all the names on it. I know many of my friends have their name on that wall and it saddens me.

I have never hid the fact that I was in the Air Force form July 1970 to July 1974. I went in the Air Force hoping

that I would not have to go to Viet Nam. I hate guns and didn’t want to carry one. I didn’t think I could ever make

myself shoot another human being even to save my life.

I have always been sadden by the lack of respect our returning soldiers got during that time. I used to hate

veterans day because I was always reminded of the lack of respect the public showed the Viet Nam vets. Then 10 years ago people started thanking me for serving my country. Even strangers when they find out I am a vet come up and thank me. Everytime someone thanks me it makes my day. The Viet Nam vets are finally being recognized and I am happy.

Oh by the way. because I was never in Viet Nam so I cannot call myself a Viet Nam vet. The Government calls me a Viet Nam era vet. I was Sgt. Arnold Edwin Nelson Jr. USAF. It doesn’t matter what label the Government gives me. I was proud to serve my country then and I am still proud of my service to our great country.