I am deeply offended by Dean Miller’s statement, “Thoughtless anti-Viet Nam protesters, mostly self-righteous juveniles, did incalculable psychic damage to veterans returning from that …
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I am deeply offended by Dean Miller’s statement, “Thoughtless anti-Viet Nam protesters, mostly self-righteous juveniles, did incalculable psychic damage to veterans returning from that war. ...When the country that demanded it then casts you out, is it any wonder some veterans struggle?”
I served in Viet Nam from January, 1970, through February, 1971. Two of my classmates, Bill Smith and Steve Lopeman, died there. The “incalculable psychic damage” I came home with wasn’t caused by “self-righteous juveniles” - cleverly disguised as thoughtful, compassionate human beings - it was living every day in a world where I knew just how thin the veneer of civilization is.
Vets have been welcomed home since Desert Storm-yet 20 veterans a day die by their own hand. Opposition to immoral policies is a moral imperative-for thoughtful and compassionate human beings.
Mr. Miller trivializes the experiences of veterans and echoes Trump’s love it or leave it rhetoric.
Erik Poulsen
Port Townsend
