I too have felt the same way as you at times. I really went through a very tough stretch when I started this blog. I sought help from the V.A. and didn’t even find much help there. I was very depressed for a long time and even on A.D.’s I’m still somewhat depressed. I beleive I owe a lot of it to my experiences in Veitnam. When you are fresh of the farm, still green behind the ears and at very impressionable age, it makes an big impression on you when you wonder if you will ever see the ones you love again. Seeing your buddies killed and wondering if your number will be up next.

I think most people don’t know all they have to do is say, ‘thank you’. I have had a small percentage say thank you. I always try to say thank you when I see a war veteran.

Keep your chin up Erie and be proud that you served your country. What you wrote tells me that you are caring person, as is your classmate Jack Carroll.

Gratefully yours,

Val ‘Woody’ Wuthrich

For some reason yesterday I sent an email out, I never pass along emails, however this time I must. Seeing these pictures has been devastating to me.
As a Viet Nam veteran I know first hand that most people, even most of my family members , just don’t give a damn about those children that have been forced to give their lives for our freedom. Sure they say they do but that’s BS. I have family members who never once wrote a letter to me during my 14 terrifying months in Viet Nam.

I came home a different person. I left the comfort of my home in Bergenfield NJ a naïve, caring, sensitive child, age 20 and came back as a person that just didn’t give a damn for people.

I am today that same person. I believe my life would have been much different if not for being drafted, spending my 21st birthday in a bunker wondering if I would live to see another sunrise. I do not want praise, I am NO hero. My best friend died in Viet Nam at the age of 21. You can look it up, his name is James O’ Shaunnessy (never could spell his name) he is my true hero.

I bet if our shores were being invaded attitudes would change.

I know I will not get any or only negative feedback, but shame on each and everyone of you who have not come to me or any Vet and said “Thank you for serving our country in Viet Nam.”. I smoked my first joint in Viet Nam and was addicted to this mood changer for almost 40 years.

I watch the history channel everyday to educate myself about the horrors the World War II vets had to face as they stormed the beaches of France over 60 years ago, I for one feel I would not have the guts to get off one of those amphibious assault vehicles and face devastating machine gun fire. SHAME on each and everyone of you who has not watched a documentary on the wars we have fought. SHAME on each and everyone of you who has not called me to ask if that was what I faced.

I am not religious, however may my higher power bless each vet you died or was wounded in the service of their country. If you have never visited a Vet hospital shame on you.

A few months ago I posted a few pictures on Facebook of some devastation I experienced just to see what comments or silly “Likes” I would receive. I received 2.

Most of you are very good people however I am sad to say most of you are full of shit.

Talk is cheap, for the last 43 years how many of you have called me to acknowledge my service.

I know this email is going to piss off so many if not all of you, I just have to say “I DON’T CARE”.

Am I bitter, YOU BET, and it’s about time I said so. NOW IF YOU HAVE BALLS PASS THIS ALONG. Many thanks to my wonderful classmate Jack Carroll who continues to try to make people aware of the sacrifices some of us have made for this wonderful county. Many thanks to my beautiful nephew Brian who always asks me about my experiences in Viet Nam. These are 2 people who really care.

To everyone in my address book, I would like to post here:

Nice site, you have done a lot of work. I was w/C/3/187th for 2 trips to the field (“the bush”) in Feb and March of 69. C Co. did not have an FO and i was sent while A Co. was back at Evans and or FSB jack. As I recall we had contact a rew times and I handled the Artillery. I remember Cpt Griswald. I also remerber SFC Perez and what a good guy and leader he was. We played poker together.