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Why did returning World War 1 and World War 2 soldiers get parades but the Vietnam war veterans did not?
Wiki User
∙ 8y ago
I disagree with the above statement and would like to see some confirmation of the answer. As a Vietnam veteran I think there were three reasons why we did not get parades (not that we wanted them-but that is another subject for another day) 1. the war was not popular back home and the warriors were not seen as noble warriors who deserved the nation's thanks. (there is a lot of information out there on this issue) 2. The war was long and was not seen as a victory in the end. In WW 2 there was a sense of victory after VE and VJ day. and 3. Vietnam Veterans came home individually, not really as whole units. Thousands and thousands of us simply got off the plane at Travis Airport and melted into the crowd and flew home alone to our own towns. Doesn't really lend itself to any parades that way.
AnotherWW1 and WW2 were different kinds of wars. Ground was captured until the enemy surrendered, and Allied soldiers were in it until they died or the war ended. And if they survived, they got to march in a parade.The soldiers (mostly American) who fought in Vietnam after the French withdrawal were fighting a defensive counter-insurgency. They fought for one year, or two or three if they volunteered, before being rotated back. There was no national parade, but individuals and units were welcomed back locally with parades or parties. It is left to the individual to decide which soldiers got the better deal.
Wiki User
∙ 8y ago
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Describe the emotional hardship of Vietnam soldiers?
During the war, many soldiers wondered whether the war could ever be won and questioned the real purpose of it. After the war, many of the soldiers learned that many Americans did not support the war or their efforts, and that many Americans were angry with them for fighting in what became a very unpopular war. This led to anger and disillusionment. There were no welcome home parades as in other wars, and veterans felt like they had put their lives on the line for nothing.
Why was the Vietnam war viewed differently from previous wars the United states had fought?
As President Johnsson escalated the war effort, and became a hawk himself, his chief critics became known as “doves” and included antiwar protesters, college students and faculty, liberal Democrats, and many other people in various walks of life who felt that the war was immoral, dragging on to no benefit for the US, and was causing increased casualty lists to mount. Many believed the US was fighting a war against the wishes of the majority of the Vietnamese people. These critics felt the war was a civil war in Vietnam between north and south and we had no business interfering. Some supported the communist effort in Vietnam and hoped for a defeat of the “imperialist capitalist” United States. Many Americans felt we were fighting a small, unimportant county, while the real enemy was China and the Soviet Union. The Vietnam War was not a popular war at home. Troops were rotated in and out of the fighting, rather than "in for the duration." That meant that new recruits to Vietnam would have to "learn" how to fight in the jungles of Vietnam every two/three years. It was the first "televised" war. People saw the death toll of American soldiers climb every night on the national news. Because of civilian deaths in South Vietnam, and the difficulty soldiers had in telling a Viet Cong or North Vietnam Regular from the South Vietnam, many innocent civilians, including children, were killed by mistake. Many Americans thought all US soldiers were "baby killers." Americans did not come home in groups. They usually returned to the US a few at a time. There were no parades or news coverage honoring the soldiers returning home.
Did American soldiers return home as heroes in ww2?
Oh yes very much so. America looked upon their soldiers like they had single handily liberated Europe of Adolf Hitler's hateful destruction. There were parades and celebrations for a while.
What happened to veterans after the Vietnam war?
The neglect and resentment of veterans was an unfortunate social effect of the war. Whilst after other wars, the soldiers were welcomed back with parades and open arms, the Vietnam veterans were shunned, demeaned and booed. Since it was such an unpopular war, Americans held veterans responsible for the war, although many of them did not approve of the war either. The veterans' situation was a tough one, especially with little or no support. About 150,000 veterans came home wounded, or amputated, and at least 21,000 were permanently disabled, unable to work for the rest of their lives. Many developed illnesses after the war such as cancers liver disease and rashes, mostly due to exposure to Agent Orange. Having seen the horrors of Vietnam, many veterans were psychologically scarred. Nightmares, anxiety causing flashbacks, and fits of terror from loud noises were common behaviors reported amongst veterans. Approximately 830,000 survivors of Vietnam suffered mental and emotional disorders and showed symptoms of Posttraumatic_stress_disorder. (PTSD) However many were unable to get the help they needed and deserved, because they were perceived as crazy and dangerous, and even deserving of their circumstance. Economic medical and educational aid were not made available to them right away, and many veterans felt abandoned by the country they served. In trying to deal with this situation, some veterans developed drug or alcohol habits and many felt driven to suicide.
What were soldiers treated like when they come home from World War 1?
The returning soldiers were generally respected and loved. During World War II, the jobs of the men at war where taken by women, and there were less people. When they returned, there was housing shortages and the soldiers didn't not know what to do. The solution to this was the GI Bill. The GI Bill funded education and housing for all people returning from the war including minorities and women. This stimulated the economy because young men where learning, buying and starting families (and people had to build the houses; it offered more jobs). African Americans who had fought in for the US came home to be treated unequal. They were typically denied the right to vote. They had separate facilities than whites that had insufficient resources and quality which resulted in poor education for African Americans. They were forced to sit on the back of the bus. The civil rights movement began in the 1950's when Rosa Parks refused to sit in the back of the bus.
What message does Dr Robert J Lifton claim that American society sends Vietnam veterans?
Dr. Robert Lifton claimed that American society sent out a message to the veterans of the Vietnam war that they were not appreciated. Unlike soldiers from past wars who came home to adoring masses and huge parades, the Vietnam veterans were reviled.
How do we celebrate Veterans Day?
On Veterans Day, Americans place wreaths on the graves of soldiers that have passed away. They also celebrate the soldiers that are living by having parades, lunches, dinners, etc.
How were the effects of the soldiers who fought in the Vietnam war different from the soldiers who fought in World War 2?
Treatment of Returning VeteransWW2 veterans were respected by the public, Vietnam veterans and were looked down upon by the public, mostly because the media was where it shouldn't have been. Untill several years latter of course, now the veterans of Vietnam are respected as well WW2 Veterans were greated with parades. Vietnam Veterans as well as Vietnam Era Veterans were spat at and called 'baby killers'.
Why were the veterans treated badley when they came back from war?
WW2 returning veterans were deservedly treated as heros; parades and all. They had won the good fight! I agree. Some had a hard time competing for a job with civilians who had stayed in the States and worked in the factories. However, many of the women who had filled in during the war quite work, which provided openings for the returning Vets.
Describe the emotional hardship of Vietnam soldiers?
During the war, many soldiers wondered whether the war could ever be won and questioned the real purpose of it. After the war, many of the soldiers learned that many Americans did not support the war or their efforts, and that many Americans were angry with them for fighting in what became a very unpopular war. This led to anger and disillusionment. There were no welcome home parades as in other wars, and veterans felt like they had put their lives on the line for nothing.
What has the nation done to help repair damage done to Vietnam vets?
The nation as a whole has done very little to repair the damage done to Vietnam Vets. However, there has been some events that have made a big difference in the attitude of the nation towards the vets. For example, in the 80s, there were a few parades sponsored by big cities, the largest being the New York City ticker tape parade in 1985 and the Chicago Welcome Home parade in 1986. These parades opened the door for the American people to say thank you to the veterans who had fought and died in Vietnam without raising the spectre of any wrong doing by our government or military. Therefore, the veteran was allowed to feel appreciated for the first time since he arrived home from Vietnam and this went a long way to healing invisible wounds inflicted by the nation during the war. It was these feelings toward the veteran that created the whole new approach to the returning veteran and as early as 1991 with the Welcome Home parade to the Gulf War veterans, the nation began to separate the warrior from the government's actions. They showed their support more readily to the returning veteran. This continues today with many groups sponsoring welcome home committees to greet returning veterans from Iraq.
How are American veterans honored?
In the US, veterans are honored on Veteran's Day by military ceremonies and parades, military open houses and air shows, and the graves of fallen veterans are visited and decorated.
How did the US honor those who died in the Vietnam War?
American casualties and veterans to the Vietnam War (1959-1975) have been honored across many levels. Community recognition has involved local parades and wreath laying ceremonies. Local and national recognition has come from the construction of monuments and roads. The Vietnam Memorial in Washington, DC is a chief example of this honor.
What do veterans do to be remembered?
Veterans can go to the schools and tell the students what a veteran is and some of their experiences during the wars. Also, veterans can attend parades and services in their honor and to remember those who lost their lives. They can also attend societies that were created by veterans for veterans, like the American Legion. They go to parades on significant holidays and observances, and can see monuments and memorials are erected and maintained to honor the fallen in the cause they, themselves fought for.
Why do we have dawn parades?
To remember those soldiers who have died for our country. The dawn parades is held on ANZAC Day because that is when the Gallipoli Peninsula started!
What obtained soldiers in the civil war?
Basically recruitment posters, parades, and drafts.
What kind of celebrations are done on Veterans Day?
military ceremonies and parades, military open houses and airshows, concerts
