www.CostaRicaTicas.com

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 McDonalds. 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 His demeanor was withdrawn, his complexion pale and his eyes stared with a blank look as he nibbled on his hash brown and sipped on tea.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 25 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 wth. 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. Sadly, there will be many more like him.

I too, am from the class of '68, China Beach, Da Nang & Vung Tau 1969 (that makes me an old fart).

Probably the worst day of my life back "in the world", to this day, was going through SFO in my uniform to get home. I was so disgusted that when I got home I immediately took off my uniform and tossed it in the dumpster. I was just thinking about this today as I was driving into the office. It is something that will be burned into my mind forever.

While obviously this man never "made it back", there are thousands like him. Those of us who served in Viet Nam are the forgotten ones. Ours was the only "war" where there were no honors upon return, just disdain, and hatred. Not for me, but for men like him, I continually hope that maybe someday their needs will be taken care of. PTSD was not just brought about by the current conflicts. As these men age, there is not much time left to make a difference in their lives. With actions like Circus did towards this man it can certainly help these tormented souls.

For those of you who have not had the honor to meet Circus it is too bad. This man is a jewel. Meeting him, and reading his words of wisdom, has made me a better man.

Health & happiness to all...........

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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!!!

I served in the USAF (10 years) Air National Guard (4 1/2 yrs) and USAF Reserve (5 1/2 yrs).
Fortunately I never had to face combat and have never known the horrors of war.

To all my brothers and sisters in arms I can only offer this: Thank you and Welcome Home.

Wit

Another great thread by our brother Circus, and truly an eye-opener.

I didn't serve in the armed forces. I was lucky in the fact that - when I turned 18, I had the luxury of being able to "choose" between serving in the military, or going to college, or getting a job.
I chose college.

To Circus, Santas Bro, Witling - and to the hundreds of thousands of men & women who have served our country or who are still currently active, I thank you for your service. You are the true heroes of our time and you have my utmost respect.

MG

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