Vietnam, Dancing, and Boulders

**cavscout** · 8th September 07, 12:08 PM

The phrase "alcohol was involved" says it all. Aside from a Vietnam Era veteran hanging out with a 21 year old kids socially (no offense intended) making him the brunt of jokes wasn't necessary. Obviously, he was the "outsider" of the group so what if the tables had been turned and you were the loan kilter at a party of White color executives. Would it be OK for them to make fun of your eccentricities? I gamble the story would have been written differently.

The vet probably felt a bond to you as someone who would stand alone and was not afraid to be different. So his joking was a sign of that bond.

I know you probably wanted this thread to be about a good time kilted with friends so I'm sorry for not seeing it as a good time when a fellow vet is treated this way even if he may have initiated it.

**ccga3359** · 8th September 07, 12:42 PM

Vets returning from Viet-Nam were not greeted as the heroes that they were, they were spat upon and called baby-killers. Such was the political climate in the US at the time. All Veterans deserve respect, they should also be given a bit more tolerance and understanding than most. This being said a drunken tirade such as this is not is not excusable.

**cacunn** · 8th September 07, 05:39 PM

Originally Posted by ccga3359

All Veterans deserve respect,

I agree that all veterans deserve respect, but as a Vietnam Vet I believe that they owe respect. As a vet I stood for the freedom of speech, but I don't believe in the freedom to insult someone else.

It may have been better to explain that you did not care for the comments. Ans talk to him about it, drinking didn't help but I wonder if by being much older he was feeling out of place and his defense method was to take shots at the only other person he found out of place. This is no excuse since there is not excuse for rudeness.

**Ozman1944** · 8th September 07, 06:12 PM

And of course remember that some 'nice' people can suddenly turn quite nasty with booze. Most of us get jolly or maybe a bit amorous, but not all. Usually a pleasant conversation seems to suddenly take a nasty turn (first sign). Glad you got away, a rock in the head would not be pleasant, and you'd get blood all over your Kilt.

**Riverkilt** · 8th September 07, 10:42 PM

For some reason I find myself wondering if there are any respectful photos of kilted vets at The Wall......that most Sacred of healing spots....?

Ron

**Archangel** · 8th September 07, 11:26 PM

Originally Posted by GMan

Any war can do strange things to people's minds. You have just encountered some of what happens. Just remember with a Kilt on you have the responsibility to be above board in your behavior. Glad that you were able to get away unhurt.

I'll give you two out of the three. Any combat vet needs a bit of room and understanding (although by now a 'Nam vet should know his own limitations). And it's good that RC got away safely. I've been in that place and sometimes it is not easy (like in a car with a Congo mercenary vet, who has just decided I'm lying about not being in the jungle with him in some battle that few survived).
However, kilts are clothing. There's no responsibility to be above board. Just be yourself, in a kilt.

p.s. I made the above comment about a vet knowing his limitations more as an ideal. I know that a) the therapy/support is not always there, and b) sometimes the damage can never be undone. The UK people can help me here, it was fairly recent that UK publications had ads encouraging people to be understanding of WW2 vets. That was longer ago than 'Nam and those people, I believe, had more support.

**slohairt** · 9th September 07, 05:44 AM

Yes, war is hell, it is often said.

However, it doesn't give one the excuse to wield boulders in a threatening manner towards young people. I'm sure everyone here can think of countless veterans they know of (from any conflict) who do not exhibit this sort of behaviour. It is a reason but not an excuse.

**James MacMillan** · 17th September 07, 11:44 AM

I spent three tours in Viet Nam, and many other conflicts (it was my job for 33 years) and I would request that you look beyond that aspect of his character, or lack of.

Like any group of people, Green, black, white, red / Brittish, American, Mexican, Scottish / WW-II, Korea, Viet Nam, Falklands, Lebanon, Gulf-I, Gulf-II / male, female / etc. etc.

There are some good and some bad. Please don't think that Viet Nam vets are all like that!