A Generation in War and Turmoil: The Agony of Vietnam

Chapter 10:

A Generation in War and Turmoil: The Agony of Vietnam

It has been known that the Vietnam War affected many American soldiers who were involved in the war physically and psychologically. The Vietnam War was one of the most memorable wars in history. Many Americans' lives lost for no objective at all. Chapter 10 informed us about how the Vietnam War started and what really happened during that time. It also gave us background information about Vietnam Veterans and nurses who were involved in the war and what they went through during the war. I had the opportunity to interview a Vietnam Veteran also.

The Vietnam Veteran I interviewed was my grandfather; he was 27 years old during the time of the war. He volunteered to go to Vietnam because he didn't like picking fruits and vegetables in the hot sun with his father. That's when he decided to join the service and he volunteered to go to Vietnam. My grandfather only served one tour, because he wanted to go home to his family. So, his younger brother Rick who was single volunteered to go to Vietnam. My grandfather told me that Rick had a death wish so it didn't really matter to him if he came back dead or alive.

The day after my grandfather left Playku Central Highland the army was overran by the Vietcong and there began the hand to hand combat. My grandfather was really scared for his little brother because he was afraid he would never come back, and my grandfather would blame himself for letting Rick go, but he was very appreciative that he got to be with his family. The war affected my grandfathers' life because he didn't want to see people being killed and he wanted a better life for himself and for his family. He had a three-year-old son and a two-year-old daughter and a lovely wife to take care of.

My grandfather believes that regardless of political views, war is senseless. Luckily his younger brother Rick came back alive after three tours, but he is psychologically affected till this day. Although my grandfather wasn't physically affected by the war, he was definitely affected emotionally.

Some of the other interviewees in chapter 10 had the same views as my grandfather had. I believe it was John who didn't want war also. My grandfather didn't want to be in the Vietnam