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Featured The Vietnam War

Discussion in 'History Forum' started by evangelist6589, May 29, 2015.

  1. evangelist6589

    evangelist6589 Well-Known Member
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    Memorial day recently passed. I just finished watching We Were soldiers for the first time in a year or two. This is one of the best war movies, and right up there with Saving Private Ryan, but obviously set during a different time period and different war. Any history buffs what would be the historical accuracy of this film? Did anyone here serve in Vietnam? Thanks.
     
  2. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    From what I've read they did a good job.
     
  3. carpro

    carpro Well-Known Member
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    The movie is pretty accurate. Best put out on Vietnam. Bat 21 was pretty good.

    Memorial Day is more of a holy day than a holiday for me. I keep the names of 21 men in my head at all times and think of them often. On Memorial Day, I think of them a lot and how each one died.

    I tire of hearing well meaning people wish me a happy Memorial Day. There's nothing "happy" about it.
     
  4. Sapper Woody

    Sapper Woody Well-Known Member

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  5. wpe3bql

    wpe3bql Member

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    The Vietnam Era was a time during which many life-changing events and decisions in my life took place.

    I graduated HS that year and was quite subject to the draft. I'd already planned to join the USAF because I believed that every male should spend some time in the military. My scheduled entry into the USAF was in September of 1964.

    Just in case I decided not to enlist in the USAF, my local draft board had scheduled my draft physical earlier that same month--so I knew that Uncle Sam was looking for me.

    At any rate, I did join the USAF as I'd planned (didn't have to take their physical because my draft physical was sufficient for them).

    After completing the USAF's fun & games during basic training and subsequent tech school training, I was assigned to my first "permanent" base. The USAF rule back then was that you had to have at least 1 year at your first permanent assignment (PCS) before you could volunteer for any overseas assignment.

    Well, the very next day after my 1 year's assignment date, Yours Truly was in Base Personnel signing up for Vietnam. The clerk there told me that I had to also include a second choice for overseas assignment. He put down "Germany" for that 2d choice. As he did so, he assured me that I'd get Vietnam since I volunteered for it.

    My 1st PCS was considered a "choice" assignment (& it was!); therefore, all the other men who'd came to this base about the same time I did definitely did NOT volunteer for any reassignments anywhere. When my duty section's overseas levy took place, all of the "eligible" men got Vietnam----all except the one single person who volunteered for it.

    You guessed it. I was assigned to Germany. There was one little catch to it, and that was that I had to extend my active duty for an additional 6 months because Germany was a 2-year assignment. This wasn't a real problem for me since I didn't have any particular job (or other plans) awaiting my scheduled release date.

    So, after 4 1/2 years of active duty USAF service, I never set foot in Vietnam.

    OTOH, I knew some men who had spent time in Vietnam, including one of my cousins. The first person I knew who went to Vietnam was also my hometown's first Vietnam casualty. He was a Marine who'd been a member of an IFB church.

    Another person was my closest HS pal. He had been a relatively "good Christian boy" during HS. But Vietnam had changed him into a rather aloof person when it came to "the things of God." (Thankfully, he did eventually get his act together and is now serving in some pastoral capacity in a local church.)

    My cousin served as an Army helicopter crew chief in Vietnam. This seemed to suit him well because he always seemed to be one who sought action---some of which wasn't always legal. Vietnam had taken its toll on him because after the war the effects of both PTSS and being exposed to Agent Orange, he gradually became more and more depressed until he spent the final years of his life as a recuse.

    Did my USAF experience during that time have any positive effects on me? I'd say that would be true. For one thing, God used the USAF's sending me to my first PCS to get me to the place where I first heard the Gospel of Salvation and received Jesus as my Savior!!

    Then, when I was in Germany, God led me to a small IFB mission to the service people in that area. It was there that this "babe in Christ" learned more about God's Word and serving Him through a local church than I probably would have ever learned in any other 2-year period of my life.

    As with all of us, I'm still very much a work in progress. The good things that have happened to me have been more often than not in spite of me rather than because of me.

    In closing, I can honestly state that the Vietnam Era for me was certainly one of major changes in my journey here on earth.
     
  6. evangelist6589

    evangelist6589 Well-Known Member
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    After being reminded of Vietnam by this film I would agree with you. Certainly the best Vietnam film and not as bad on the cussing as some other films. Full Metal Jacket is a very filthy film. If only people would take films like We were soldiers seriously would people take Memorial day seriously.
     
  7. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    I agree, and that is not the only misconception.

    I visited a church to hear a friend preach this Memorial Day. At the start of the service they had all of the veterans stand and be recognized (to recognize us on Memorial Day). I typically skip church on Veterans Day for this reason…but I think that many do not understand the meaning of Memorial Day. They just see it as a holiday and recognize those who have served. It doesn’t really bother me because they mean well. I’ve also lost friends, but that’s more of a personal reflection on my part. I don’t like being recognized for my service, particularly because my service is not what I would call “sacrifice.” I like Memorial Day much better than Veterans Day.
     
  8. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    Having served for 23 years, my experience tells me that it may be challenging to present an accurate film and exclude vulgarity. Often the language is an attempt to deal with what is by necessity and nature the vulgar. It is a vulgar (offensive) act to kill someone, or to watch your friend die. I have never heard a soldier say “Gee Whiz, Sarge…..I think those young men are shooting at us.” I don’t think we really want accuracy in film (even us who have served), but we do appreciate accurate representations to some extent.
     
  9. Sapper Woody

    Sapper Woody Well-Known Member

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    That's why I like Hurtlocker. [/sarcasm] For those of you who don't know, not only is Hurtlocker not accurate, it's pretty much a total lie.
     
  10. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    :laugh::laugh: yea...Hurtlocker....I forgot about that one...never even sat through the whole thing. I typically don't enjoy war movies.
     
    #10 JonC, May 30, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: May 30, 2015
  11. Tom Bryant

    Tom Bryant Well-Known Member

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    I served almost 2 full tours in Viet Nam. I thought the movie was accurate.

    For me, the most realistic movie about Viet Nam was "Hamburger Hill". It did have a lot of cussing. But if it was going to be realistic about life for an 11 Bravo in Viet Nam, it would have to be.
     
  12. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    My favorite was Apocalypse Now. I know that it is not an accurate depiction of events (or even an accurate of Vietnam, military combat, etc), but I do think that it accurately portrays the dichotomy between idealistic goals and the fortitude to see those goals to fruition. It took Conrad’s commentary (his book was much better, BTW….not suggesting otherwise) on the subject and applied it to America and Vietnam.
     
    #12 JonC, May 30, 2015
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  13. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    I prefer to say "Have a Respectful Memorial Day.
     
  14. carpro

    carpro Well-Known Member
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    Glad you enjoyed it, but as far as being anything close to an accurate representation of Vietnam, it's pure garbage.
     
  15. JohnDeereFan

    JohnDeereFan Well-Known Member
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    Hal Moore was one of my history professors at Auburn. So when the book and movie came out, I was especially interested.

    The only thing I know that's inaccurate is that Moore has stated that he did not like the way 2nd Platoon were depicted as chasing the scout without orders, thus leading to several casualties.

    But it was done for dramatic purposes, much the same way Chris Kyle's brother, Jeff, is portrayed as a slacker in American Sniper, even though Chris Kyle praises his brother for his professionalism and skill, which he claims was even greater than his own, in his book.

    Marcus Luttrell, the Kyle brothers' close friend and Chris Kyle's fellow SEAL and neighbor, confirmed this on the Glenn Beck program, in which he said that, unlike in the movie, Jeff Kyle was a consummate professional and had the respect of his men and did not, as portrayed in the movie, condemn the war, but believed in it.

    As for Saving Private Ryan, it's a terrific movie, but isn't very accurate, historically.
     
  16. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    :laugh:...yes, I don't think that anyone believes the movie even intended to present an accurate representation of Vietnam. It was a different genre.

    Basically it was Heart of Darkness (Joseph Conrad) set in the Vietnam war. I am a fan of both the movie and the book....but never thought it an accurate representation of the war.

    It is impossible, IMHO, to accurately represent war. You may recreate on film events...but you cannot accurately represent war for people sitting in their living rooms watching it on a screen.
     
  17. Bro. James

    Bro. James Well-Known Member
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    There has never been anything nice about men killing other men--including to help save their souls. Now we have jihad--again. It still makes for good box office and popcorn sales--also gun running.

    This is a good day to wave U.S. flags--made in China.

    Time to wake up--our redemption draws near.

    Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

    Bro. James
     
    #17 Bro. James, Jun 4, 2015
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  18. Sapper Woody

    Sapper Woody Well-Known Member

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    I agree with this. Ironically, the closest reproduction of war I've encountered (having lived the real thing, as have others on the board) is the Call of Duty video game franchise. The scenarios are unrealistic, but the feel of the game is amazing. Of course, having lived it, I may be projecting my feelings into the game. But the immersion and sense of urgency is awesome.
     
  19. OnlyaSinner

    OnlyaSinner Well-Known Member
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    Have not seen the movie - in fact, did not even know it had been made - but read the book a number of years ago. It seemed to capture much of the chaos and fear of war, at least for one like me who never served - draft board did not like my BP, which I've struggled to keep under control all my adult life. Years ago I took my then-teenage son to see "Platoon", the only R-rated flick I've seen since being saved, because he was becoming far too enamored of "Soldier of Fortune" type stuff. I thought this film would be a stark portrayal of the ugliness and chaos of war, which it was for about 15 minutes before turning into a morality play about American values - bad guys drink booze, good guys smoke pot, and such.
     
  20. carpro

    carpro Well-Known Member
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    Platoon was garbage, as well.
     
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