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Not a Great Welcome Home Feeling in 1967

I was honorably discharged in August 1967- enlisted from Florida- went to New York ( and reaped larger separation pay ) – stayed in Virginia for a few weeks- and applied for a job in area- went back to New York and a life of uncertainty- torn between family and friends left behind in Virginia. Found a job in a bank back office in Manhattan- hostile work environment as they pounced on me after they found out I was a United States Marine- had arguments and one clown reported me to senior management for being disrespectful. A white haired 60 something executive in an office as big as a lobby in some buildings- started to have me sit down and was nice to me- I saw a picture of an airplane with a young guy on a wing- it seems he was a World War fighter pilot ( Navy ) and after he heard my story- he gave me a business card with his home phone written on the back and told me to call anytime – and he promised to speak to my immediate superiors at my work area. A lot of hostility towards all military on returning stateside after Vietnam era. Mostly college kids and sorry to say malcontents too! Would not trade experience of the 4 years in the Corps if I had to do it over again. I still got the sometimes attitude that gets me into arguments today- different international atmosphere- different type of enemy- different life style- but still willing to interced.
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Comments

Sgt A.J.Manos - April 10, 2020

In reply to Phil J.
Try being from Ithaca,NY.Before and after I was discharged,I was getting into fist fights with our nations future leaders.Never one on one.Always 2,3,4,5,and one time 6 on one.I was fighting 6 and about 70-80 people watching.I saw 2 guys I new from childhood and shouted at them that I could use help.”They are our friends,too.” was their reply.No,I did not quit fighting and I wore them out.I never could figure out why they feared being drafted and going to war but had no problem trying to ridicule me and trying to cause me bodily harm because I enlisted in the Corps

Phil J - April 10, 2020

Returned to Southern California from my 1st tour in RVN in June ’66. I couldn’t pay for anything. People wanted to buy me drinks, pay for my dinner, etc. Returned from my 2nd tour in November ’69. Demonstrators were at the gate at MCAS El Toro. We were advised not to wear our uniforms in or out of the gate. I commuted and wore my uniform every single day. I drove a convertible and usually had the top down. The demonstrators finally gave up on me and left me alone..

Ray - April 10, 2020

SEMPER FI, BROTHER, Chulai Jun 66 to Jun 67. Combat Engr.Ray

sidney crews - April 10, 2020

Hey Jack, not to argue with you but JFK and LBJ ,hated each other. The reason LBJ was VP, they the Kennedy’s needed the southern vote. One of the reasons why Kennedy was assassinated was he was pulling out of the “Nam” and was going to splinter the CIA into a thousand pieces.( His words ) The Texas mafia and the CIA killed Kennedy. Just ask poppy Bush. Your right about LBJ on civil rights.What a SOB he was. Semper FI My friend,

“Bubba” 3/5/1st MarDiv.69-70 - April 10, 2020

I am proud to have stood in front of Old Glory in defense of those who hide behind Her. As a combat hardened Marine I had to muster extreme restraint when, upon my return from Vietnam in 1970, I was greeted with insults and spit at an airport in California. These protesters were exercising the very rights under the constitution I (we) had defended, many thousands with their lives. If I could have a mulligan of that day, I probably would not be as restrained. I probably would have led a far less productive life. To quote Plato, “Courage is knowing what not to fear.” I do not fear cowards or the insults they brandish, only their blatant ignorance.

Jack Durant 1954-1957 - April 10, 2020

The people most vociferous in their condemnation still think that JFK and his side-kick LBJ were the greatest presidents EVER.. I have long stopped calling it the Vietnam War and now call it the JFK-LBJ War. As for civil Rights, LBJ Blocked all civil rights legislation proposed by Eisenhower in the Fifties and the n laughed that he would have the “N—–‘s voting Democrat for two hundred years”.

Wayne Stafford - April 10, 2020

Marines are different. We just have to get used to it. Took just under 50 years to figure that out.

George Dalton - April 10, 2020

God Bless the Servicemen and Women who served and are serving to protect America. The morons who belittled you and hated you should be sent to all those places you went to to serve..maybe then they would understand what it takes to serve…nah, probably not.

robert myers - April 10, 2020

I volunteered for the draft during semester break in 1967. It allowed me to finish my full year of college as I could choose when to report (within 1 year)…I was accepted into the PLC program and over the next 3 years went from being a popular student-athlete to being hated by my peers. I completed PLC and my degree and was commissioned in May of 1971. My former friends shunned me and I was happy that they would not serve with me as potential draftees. I was a 2502 primary and a marksmanship training/range officer, Human Relations Program Instructor and Drug and Alcohol Rehab Officer for the troops returning from Vietnam. The civilians hated us and most still do. To this day….don’t thank me for what I chose to do. Semper Fi!!! Captain Myers

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