www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Yes, I've posted this before but as an old veteran combat grunt I have to commemorate this much valued salute to those who served in all wars. I don't reflect on this for me but the many men and women who fought for their country.

This story took place in San Jose some 45 years ago.

I initially wrote this article in 2006. Thought I would again post it for the new members since that time. It was about an encounter in San Jose with a fellow Vietnam veteran.

I sat there on this early Sunday morn eating a greasy breakfast in MacDonalds. Normally I would be at the Presidente hotel enjoying the buffet while observing the pedestrians walking along the bricks of Ave. Central, but due to an unpleasant experienced yesterday I find myself once again after many years doing the MacDonalds thing. The unpleasant experience I shall write about later.

As I sat there I noticed a frail man of my age range a few tables down. His demeanor was withdrawn, his complexion pale and his eyes stared with a blank look as he nibbled on his hash brown and sipped on tea. I've seen that stare before....especially many times in the past. It was 35 years ago when I use to frequent this place along with other ex-pats and veterans. It was sort of a gathering mecca for those who reached out for fellow companionship and support.

I first came to CR in 1971 with a couple of other vets that I had served with. We were looking for a couple of vets that had given up on society in the U.S. Like myself, we were spit at, cursed at and literally not welcomed back after our tours in Vietnam. There were no bands playing, no applause at the airport terminals, no welcome home signs. Disdain for us was very apparent.

This frail soldier must have been in some serious combat. He had some noticeable scars to prove it. He just sat there, occasionally glancing around but no expression on his face. As with myself, he probably has no family or perhaps then again....no family has him. His appearance was one of an old soldier that had given up on whatever there was left in life....he just had that look.

When I finished my meal I got up and slowly walked by him. Glancing over I muttered "Class of 68." He briefly looked up and replied, "Class of 67 and dying. Yea, I was right....he's a Vietnam vet. I stopped and gently placed my hand on his shoulder and said, "Hang in there man and take care brother." He said nothing else as he lowered his head and returned to his lost world. I would have spent more time with him but some vets just want to be left alone and I respected that. I thought that I would perhaps see him again in the following days but until my last day there, I never saw him again.

With a lump in my throat and moist eyes I walked onto the pigeon smelled park on Avenue Central and reluctantly reflected on the many men I had known who found this once jewel of 3rd world privacy an escape from the horrors that mankind bestowed on itself. There are no good wars but there have been hundreds of thousands of good men and women that made the ultimate sacrifice.

This man was a skeleton of what he once was. So many veterans today live on the streets or in homeless shelters. This country spends more money on illegal aliens than it gives help to our veterans of war. Sadly, there will be many more like him....forgotten.

Thanks for sharing Circus and thank you for your service!!

Definitely an eye opener. Thank you for your service Circus, along with all the brave men and women who have served or are still serving at home and abroad. Happy Veteran's Day to all

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You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

The Vietnam area changed the way our citizenry views its military. Where once they saw men of honor, now they only see deadbeat losers that can't hold a job. There is no more respect given to the men and women that serve, and in fact many people view military service as a losers choice.

I was brought up to believe that if you put on the uniform, you deserve respect. But the country I grew up in has long since past, and it ain't coming back any time soon.

To all US military veterans and first-responders: Thank you for what you have done (and continue to do) for me and my family.

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bypassin' kinky, and usin' the whole chicken!!!

Circus Partially Wrote:


This day for me is like a nightmare. It always brings back the memories of walking through the San Francisco Airport in my uniform, and all the sh*t that I took. I couldn't wait to get home and take off my uniform.

I was fortunate not have been in combat, but I was stationed at a Med-Evac hospital. Daily/hourly there were choppers coming in with some of the very brave men. I often wondered why I had to be there. One night I fell severely ill with bleeding in the brain. Since I was at a trauma center, complaining of a headache, they let me sit for five hours. I refused to let myself go into coma because I believed that if I kept my eyes open I would not die. I had seen many young men who did not keep their eyes open, and left us. If I did not have the support of those men I do not know what would have happened. I am so very, very thankful for their sacrifices.

I was only fortunate enough to have met Circus once in CR. This man is a jewel. For those of you who do not know him, or of him, he deserves the utmost respect. I admire him greatly.

Have a great day brother............ Class of 68-69

Crashdollar

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It's not the size of the wand that put the rabbit in the hat, it's the magic in it!!!

Semper Fi..........USMC 1967, Paris Island.

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I am NOT a Cien Boy!!

Thank all of you who replied. You feel the way I felt. Vietnam and Korea were wasted wars for American soldiers. Over several hundred thousand died and for what. It is a sad commentary on our politicians over the last 65 years. Now it is the mid east and the thousands of soldier's lives that are wasted on Muslim countries. Phuck them...let them live in their 5th century and fight each other.

I guess I'm not politically correct.

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Damn if I'm going to repeat this shit again. I need a drink.
I've been drinking vodka every day for 45 years and I have certainly never found it to be habit forming.

+1000