Essay On Vietnam Myths

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Xxxxx Xxxxx Ms. Xxxxxx Xxxxx HST221-E1 7 April 2009 In Country (1989) Vietnam Myths It’s difficult to have a discussion about the Vietnam War without invoking statistics. The fact that it was our longest military conflict and almost 60,000 Americans died there is common knowledge. The four to six million Vietnamese and Laotian deaths are not as well known. Unfortunately, other bits of common knowledge are erroneous and have even solidified into damaging myths: most American soldiers were addicted to drugs, guilt-ridden about their role in the war, and are a danger to society. In reality, according to Harris, there was and is no difference in drug use between Vietnam Veterans (VV) and civilians, the vast majority are proud of their service (most would even serve again knowing what they know now) and most importantly, VV have for the most part, made a successful transitions back into society and are less likely to be in prison (1980). Yet the myths persist. "No event in American history is more misunderstood than the Vietnam War. It was misreported then, and it is misremembered now.” (Nixon 1985)…show more content…
Of course, all wars leave similar scars and lifelong challenges to those who serve in them. But, more importantly, it’s what happens afterwards that is crucial for a soldiers successful reentry into society. When I came home on leave from “down range” in Baghdad, a thousand people applauded me as I rode the escalator up to the lobby in Atlanta’s airport. VV were spit at, shunned and essentially denied any honor upon their return. Many found it impossible to go through the difficult and timely process of repackaging their painful experiences into something other than stifling guilt. Rather than admitting to the internal distress and seeking competent mental help, many resorted to self-medication and social alienation (Neu

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