Fakers: Don’t brag about Vietnam if you were not there

I am a Vietnam veteran who served in the Coast Guard. I did two tours in Vietnam and am proud to have served our country.

This issue has bothered me, and I am sure there are other veterans out there who also notice. There are so many people who wear the Vietnam era memorabilia (belt buckles, caps, even medals, never earned) who have never set foot in country but can talk about what they did there or just plain brag about it.

You have no idea going up the river on your gun boat and being blown up. Having to pick your comrade/best friend out of the water having not lived and then wondering you’re going to live or die.

Please just say “thank you” to your veterans for fighting to keep your country free. I know I can say this for the proud veterans out there.

This story was originally published July 9, 2015 at 6:41 AM with the headline "Fakers: Don’t brag about Vietnam if you were not there."