[David Scott]

The fellow to the left of me in the picture is a great cook. He talked about how good those cranes were to eat before the hunt. We killed 5 that morning and cooked some of them that evening. Out of this world. Hope I get to go after them again next year.
Coming back to College after five years in the Navy in 1971 was an experience. I was greeted with contempt and was an angry young man. I never even got thanks from my family. I had a co-major in US Foreign Policy in the 20th century. I so wanted to know how well meaning men could get us into such a war. I knew within two weeks over there the South Vietnamese could care less what Governmental system they had, they just wanted to survive. I also saw that the war was not winnable the way we were fighting it. I could tell some stories how we were bridled at the last minute by Nixon on operations already underway. Being in a political science major at that time put me in the middle of the protesters. It was like I started the war and was responsible for it continuing. The professors were no different. It was a maturing experience.
Sad thing is we continue to make the same mistakes in the two wars we are fighting now. I have talked to special forces operatives coming back and the rules of engagement are absurd, and the way the war is being fought is absurd. We would have far fewer wars if the ones who sent us were put on the front lines first.
The best and most accurate book ever written on the mistakes of Vietnam was written by Neal Sheehan, "A Bright Shining Lie". I learned more reading that book on Vietnam than I learned from two years of my major at Florida State.
For those who have never been to war, the best two books I ever read that depict the true horror, and not the false glamor seen in movies: "All Quiet on the Western Front", written by a German and bone chilling on how similar the experience and training is on both sides. And "With the Old Breed" Elderedge Sledge. Every Marine that still has breath should read that book. It should be required in boot camp.
I left Vietnam with an incredible respect for the American Fighting Man. Unbelievable what man can endure. Unbelievable what politicians can get us into. God help us all.
Sorry to run on, it is still a sensitive spot ;^). Hug a Veteran this Christmas. david