What was the public's opinion of the Vietnam War and how did it affect Vietnam veterans when they returned home?

Answer 1

Many of the young soldiers that came back home came back with not only broken bodies, but broken minds and were met with ridicule; people spitting at them for being 'baby killers'; not being able to find work; their own government turned their backs on them and many never got the medical or psychological care they deserved. There are many Vietnam Vets to this day that suffer from nightmares, night sweats and a myriad of other maladies. They fought for their country and were considered scum! The U.S. government wasn't even going to honor them until the Black Wall was put up with the names of the dead soldiers (this is all some other Vietnam Vets had and families had left of their buddies, husbands, sons, grandchildren. Just to feel their names!) Then there was some of society (and the government) that felt Black Americans didn't deserve to have their names etched on the Black Wall, but thankfully there were enough people who had their heads out from under their rocks that realized no matter what color your skin is if you give up your life for your country you deserve the Royal Treatment in spades!!!! The Vietnam War was a grave and embarrassing mistake for the U.S. Government and like many other things they just wanted to cover it up, forget it as if it never happened. Unlike WWI and WWII or even the Civil War it was the first time in American History that young American Soldiers were not respected or honored in the ways they should have been. Little was taught in the schools about the history of the Vietnam War, but thankfully that is changing. America was nin Vietnam as a police action. American opinion was against this action. America was not at war with Vietnam which leads to the biggest reason that public opinion was against this action, American soldiers did NOT fight for their country in this action. Public opposition to Vietnam was brought about by young and old not wanting to stick their noses in someone else's business. This sticky nosing by the U.S. Government caused the deaths of many who did not believe USA should even be there. That is the reason that not much is taught about the "Vietnam war" BECAUSE AMERICA WAS NOT AT WAR.