Should I apply for a Vietnam War Medallion?

The State of Missouri has started a Vietnam War Medallion Program. To get it, all you have to do is submit a form and a copy of a DD 214, which is very easy. I%26#039;m not one for medals and certificates and all that jazz so I was not going to apply. But now I%26#039;m under preasure from my sons and my daughter because they say they want it to keep it within the family archives to show their kids and grand-kids. They have since enlisted some of my friends to help them with the arguement. I tell them all that the medallion and $ .50 just might get me a cup of coffee. Besides, I have a couple of shoe boxes full of that kind of crap and no one has taken interest in any of it until now. I have the form and my 214 is in my safety deposit box. Am I being a hard head or a %26quot;stubborn old goat%26quot; as one son put it?

Should I apply for a Vietnam War Medallion?
Ultimately, the awards and medals awarded to us are not really for us. We know what we did, and most of us know that we could have done it better.





Most people awarded a decoration for bravery will tell you that they were never more scared in their lives. Medals for valor are often issued to people for situations where they were simply doing their best to stay alive and keep their buddies alive with them.





In this case, the people of the State of Missouri feel a need to say %26quot;thank you%26quot; for your service and hold your sacrifice up as an example to others. They are the people who benefit by being given the priviledge to say that %26quot;thank you%26quot; in a formal and proper way. You do them a kindness by taking it, and it is a kindness that costs you very little.





There is the added benefit to your children and grandchildren. Service to anything beyond personal self-interest is rarely taught these days. This is a way you can help them learn something about honor and duty. Those lessons will serve them well, and any opportunity to teach anyone about honor and duty should be taken.





You should be glad that your children and grandchildren want those lessons. You must have done something right with them.





So, swallow your pride and submit the form. To you, it%26#039;s just another brass trinket to toss into the shoebox.





To your children, your grandchildren and to the people of the State of Missouri, it%26#039;s important.
Reply:I think its time the men and women in the Vietnam War got their recognition. They were cheated of it in the past.


We do a lot for our kids, and now we are in a cycle where service to country is appreciated, do it.


Do it for all the ones who can%26#039;t.
Reply:I would, it sounds like you more than deserve it. It would make a lovely thing to pass down to your children and grandchildren.
Reply:As a fellow in Country Vietnam Vet. I tend to agree with you about the Medallion on a personal level. I deep six-ed mine as soon as I got out of the service.


I know how you feel about them first hand. However, now kind of wished I hadn%26#039;t done it because of kids and grand kids.


Our time over there is a part of our family histories and, should be documented in every way possible for those in our families who follow after us.


Taking that into account I%26#039;d say go ahead a apply for it. If for nothing else our family%26#039;s histories.


Yeah I still get a bad taste in my mouth everytime I think of Vietnam like most others who served in Country I know. .
Reply:Please list all the decorations in your couple of shoeboxes, its always interesting to see who was the most decorated soldier from the war.





Only official issued medals mind you, not the commemorative in-field self-awarded ones, they tend to clog up history.
Reply:The fact that your sons and daughters say that they want you to get this shows that they are proud of you.





I am similar to you as I fought in the Iraq war and thought the exact same thing about the give-outs the military were handing me as I left my service. I could care less. So I took a Saddam dollar and gave it to my daughter along with the coin-medallion thing I got. In hindsight, I should have kept onto it as I%26#039;m divorced and my children may be a bit young to appreciate that gesture... I just didn%26#039;t want it myself and figured it could be something they could remember me by.





My grandfather recently died and my grandmother keeps the folded american flag with his army medals at the base of the television. It is a good way to honor and remember someone whether alive or dead.





I%26#039;d go ahead and get the medallion as they will at least quit nagging you about it. :)





I remember my dad%26#039;s old green army field jacket from nam. I used to wear it a few times until he threw it out. It was totally cool and I wish I still had that thing. Maybe your grandkids will get a kick out of it.
Reply:The state is awarding a medallion now. About 30 years late don%26#039;t you think? Of course, Missouri just apoligized a few years ago for Governor Boggs issuing an extinction order back in the 1830%26#039;s making it legal to kill Mormons. I guess better late than never.


If you deserve it, and your kids would like to have it, go ahead.
Reply:Y E S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Vietnam Veteran - 1967 - 1968 - 1971


Dau Tieng, Tay Ninh, Chu Chi, BearCat, and Long Binh!!
Reply:If you served in that war, you deserve a medal just for being there. It was one of the most injustice ever done to the American soldier that I have ever seen.





You should be commended, My brother in law lost his leg there stepping on a land mine. when he came back, he was so changed that my wife had lost her brother.





My hat is off to all you guys and girls that served there and we will never forget what you did.





God bless each and every one of you that had to endure such a travesty to our fighting men and women!
Reply:Go for it , it won%26#039;t hurt anything, hardly make a noticable change in your shoe box, But , it apparently at this point means something to your children. And after all. you earned it.
Reply:Apply for the medal. It will be a nice momentum for your shadow box. You earned it, it should be on your dress uniform and most importantly, I would like to thank you for your service to our country.
Reply:Hell ya soldier get yr medallion you served this country well and deserve this and more especially considering how bad u were treated when u came back It%26#039;ll mean alot to the grandkids AND YOU EARNED IT
Reply:Brad, I am not an American but a Canadian. Alot of people do not realize that Canadians are fighting alongside of the Americans. We do not seem to get much credit I dont know why. But your fight is our fight as what happens within your country affects my country very much so. You have put your life on the line for your country for freedom and you did what you believed was right. I as well as so many others wish war wasnt a necessity. We all wish we could sit down and talk it out. Sometimes its just not so easy is it. You are brave man, a good soldier and you should have that war medallion and your family can know they have a hero in their midst. Go for it Brad.
Reply:We will NEVER forget those left behind...do it and tell your kids/grand kids of those who were left behind. Some folks say LET IT GO ALREADY. I%26#039;ll %26#039;let it go%26#039; when all our men and women are home or accounted for.


Go for the MO V/N recognition and leave it out so your family can see it.


Welcome home. SALUTE!


(USN retired/in country Viet Nam vet...Mekong delta 1966-67)


www.patriotguard.org
Reply:I like it from a family history perspective. Sure you know you were there, what you did and how you feel about it, but it would be nice for your future generations to have.





My Uncle never talked about WWII until Saving Private Ryan came out (we have a book with a picture of him on D-Day on the beach in the first wave it%26#039;s clearly him, but all he said when we showed it to him was, that%26#039;s not me, I didn%26#039;t help anyone on the beach and I would not have had my helmet off). After he saw Saving Private Ryan, we opened up a bit and it was very interesting. About five years ago I found out he was eligible for a Bronze Star that he never received. We told him were were going to get it for him, he said, %26quot;why do you want to do that?%26quot; Well when we got it we had a little family party (about 30-40 of his nieces and nephews), the Army sent replacements of all his decorations (I had to explain them all to the group). He didn%26#039;t say much, but I think he was proud that the family got to know his story (I don%26#039;t think he cared about the decorations at all though).





Maybe when you get it, your family will take some interest in the other things you have. By I agree ultimately it should be up to you.
Reply:do it for your grandchildren. Let them be proud that you fought for freedom
Reply:My kids was helping me clean out the shed one day. My oldest daughter opened a box and it had my Dress Blues. The Tunic had all my medals on it and they wanted to know what each one meant. I told her one day I will explain.Well, 15 yrs. went by and my kids never forgot the box. Last month they made a shadow box for my medals, made a collage with photos they found with the Blues and Got me my HONORABLE DISCHARGE put in a frame. Anyone who was a Vet during Vietnam knows how we was treated so I let it slip by with the years. I want you to know I cried when my children did this for me and said %26quot;Thank you Dad!%26quot; I never cared about the medals. I told them about each and every one. My son wears wears my Gold Wings %26amp; Bubble on my old %26quot;O.D. Green%26quot; cover. Let your family know of your service and share with them some of the stories. I do and it has lifted my spirits! Semper Fi
Reply:If your children want you too, then perhaps you should. I have no momentos from my father who died in Vietnam but I have several from the father that adopted me from his service in World War Two. Someone would literally have to take my life before I parted with them. After answering your question I think I will put in for the Cold War Medal, so I will have something to leave my kids. I have put it off for too long also.
Reply:As a Former Marine, I would say apply for it. The history and legacy you leave your kids and future generations is priceless. My grand Father was a bounty hunter in the old days and I have his six shooter hanging in my living room. That six shooter I am sure meant little to my grandfather in comparison to what it means to me. It means he is here with me. Every time I see it it reminds me of him. Also this six shooter will go to my oldest son. He will remember my grand father and also remember stories I shared of him in our living room. You earned that medal and if you don%26#039;t do it for yourself at least do it for your kids they will appreciate it.
Reply:You served your country during a time of social and cultural revolution. You deserve more than a medal. So, here is my welcome home, %26quot;Welcome home%26quot;!
Reply:Do it for your kids Brad,you%26#039;re one of many who unselfishly served our our nation with honer ,seeking neither reward nor recognition! God bless all our vets and those who gave their all


And God bless America!



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