Has anyone watched PBS - Vietnam?

Russell G · #1 10-01-2017, 09:03 PM

A very sobering look back at a time in which I grew up.

Tico · #2 10-01-2017, 09:08 PM

I suspect this thread will be moved to Open Mic, but yes, I just started it yesterday.

At the link below anyone can watch it free, no commercials, no subscription.
You can opt to see the broadcast version (less graphic violence and explicit language) or the raw unedited version.

http://www.pbs.org/kenburns/the-vietnam-war/episodes/

Ken Burns is an amazing documentary filmmaker.
His docs on Prohibition and America's Civil War were excellent!

Skip Ellis · #3 10-01-2017, 09:33 PM

As an active participate ('68-'69), I choose to not bring back those memories, especially with Mr. Burns' spin on them. I have Agent Orange to remind me every day and for the rest of my life.

Tico · #4 10-01-2017, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip Ellis

As an active participate ('68-'69), I choose to not bring back those memories, especially with Mr. Burns' spin on them. I have Agent Orange to remind me every day and for the rest of my life.

Thank you for your service.
I'm also a US military vet right out of high school, 1976 - 1982 so I did not see combat.
The full six years of active duty, honorable discharge.

Athens · #5 10-01-2017, 09:39 PM

Yes, brings back a lot of memories. Not all good.

Jerry D · #6 10-01-2017, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip Ellis

As an active participate ('68-'69), I choose to not bring back those memories, especially with Mr. Burns' spin on them. I have Agent Orange to remind me every day and for the rest of my life.

Me, too, Skip. Same years, and I have Agent Orange disability as you do.

Where were you? I spent the entire year at Pleiku, with TDY's to Da Nang, R&R to Bangkok.

zmf · #7 10-01-2017, 10:25 PM

Watched all of it. Not pleasant to have the memories rekindled.

I'd like to think it helped us move forward as a species, but I'm skeptical.

jaybones · #8 10-01-2017, 11:00 PM

Started it, and really thought I knew a lot about what was going on here and there at the time, but realized I knew some but not everything.

jaybones · #9 10-01-2017, 11:03 PM

Is that one of those Vietnamese rip offs of an American design?

Looks like a Fender headstock, but I don't think they were using that on their acoustics back then.

greenshoe · #10 10-01-2017, 11:04 PM

Skip, Jerry and Tico, thank you for your service.

I watched it. I don't blame you guys (vets) for not wanting to revisit it, because as exceptional as the film is, it's meant for a broader audience who may not have had firsthand experience with the war on the ground (like me).

flaggerphil · #11 10-02-2017, 12:39 AM

Having been there in '72-'73 i decided to give it a pass.

srick · #12 10-02-2017, 04:14 AM

I found myself near tears after watching the last episode. So much tragedy - so much futility and so much hubris on the part of the politicians and generals.

If any good came out of this war, perhaps it was the realization that war is an ugly, ugly thing.

Rick

47gene · #13 10-02-2017, 05:44 AM

Did not watch... I fulfilled my responsibility near Bien Hoa (May - Sept 68) and Chu Lai (Sept - Aug - 69)...

I feel this was the beginning of a rapid decline of the US... when we, as a nation, began to care more about ourselves, then our nation or the world as a whole.

And this downward slide has turned into an avalanche... I hope for the sake of my children and grandchildren, that, a a nation, we can turn ourselves around.

My only combat related injury: PTSD has disrupted my life since I left Viet Nam

The disrespect and treatment received from "My Fellow Americans" upon my return was just as great an injury.

I'm proud to have served & fought to protect our country.

I did not want to go to war but it was a duty and responsibility.

We can voice our opinions and protests through voting... this is what I was fighting for and the hope that we would never have a war on American soil...

My only hope is that we as a people and country can and will have enough "backbone" to prevent a war on our own soil....

No offense is intended to anyone... this is just my opinion... Gene

#14 10-02-2017, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip Ellis

I choose to not bring back those memories, especially with Mr. Burns' spin on them.

I skipped it as well, and for the same reason.

BrunoBlack · #15 10-02-2017, 05:56 AM

Yes, I watched it all. And as far as documentaries go I thought it was excellent. However it ripped open old wounds. The disrespect for our society, citizens and servicemen and woman by our leaders was followed by the aweful disrespect paid our servicemen and women when they returned. I was fortunate, but many close friends & family are still paying the price. Have we learned anything? I wonder.