Treatment of returning troops
Brianna C.
Returning troops
When the troops returned home, they were not welcomed in a way war veterans at this time are usually welcomed. There was no brass bands, no victory parades, and no cheering crowds. The only welcoming people were families of the veterans. Most of the country was very hostile to the Vietnam veterans. America was very torn by this war. When people arrived in their uniform were looked at differently. They were never smiled at, nor respected. It made the veterans feel so uncomfortable they had to take their uniform off. Though many veterans adjusted to civilian life, 15 percent of them suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder. They had horrible nightmares, severe headaches, and memory lapses. Many started to abuse drugs and alcohol. Several thousands of them committed suicide.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.
To honor the men and women who served in the Vietnam war, the U.S government set up the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., 1982. Eventually, Vietnam war veterans, and their families, have found visiting this memorial was a moving, and a healing experience.