1Were parents allowed to view dead soldiers after Vietnam? Were there support groups for them in the 60's?
116506
They could view them , unless they had the bodybag marked as "unviewable remains" . In the Army we have"AFTB" program\nit stands for Army family team building.\nyou can go to the website for more info
145181
Oh, I'm so sorry to hear about your Mom, but I think your response to honor her memory is awesome. Yes, it's quite normal, even after all the years have gone by. I just lost my Dad last month and I feel that he touched my life like nobody else ever could. I hope to feel that same way forever too. Memories are meant to cherish. Your Mom was lucky to have a devoted daughter like you. I think when we lose a parent it's a gap that no one else can ever fill. And it's important to pass along those memories and traditions to our children.
1018558
Not sure if this will help, but my father is also deceased my son and I wanted to know more about his military career.  We found a web site to request his military records.  I cannot remember the website but I have the mailing address.  It took about 2 weeks and his records came to me in the mail.\n\nNational Personnel Records Center\nMilitary Personnel Records\n9700 Page Avenue\nSt. Louis, MO 63132-5100\n\nI am sure if you do a search on the name you will find the web site, but you have to have his social security number.  I truly hope this helps you out.  I am in your shoes, ever since I remarried a US Army soldier and we now live on a military base, my 14 year old son has taken a big interest in finding out about my dad's military career.  \n\nGood luck to you:)\n\nGOD BLESS OUR TROOPS\n\nP.S.  I just found the website, www.archives.gov
808717
yes, and i donate bloond too. when i die i think they will take any parts that are useable. they can have any thing they want i will not need it where i am going(hevean). when my cousion died on oct 11 they took his eyes, and bones . they most likly took other things too. i guess you could tell his bones were taken because if you tuched him he would of felt soft.
64143
"You're from the sixties.\n\nWell, yes.\n\nBack, back with you!  There is no place for you here"\n\n\nThe era associated with the sixties essentially ended when the Vietnam War ended and the hippies became yuppies.
403300
my dad was in Nam. i am old enough to remember the way he was before he went. he was never the same. i also remember how he was treated when he returned. i remember how many American died. a sad day in human history. i hope it never happens again. but knowing human nature it will.
960829
Fialko David Andrew Jr  PFC  Marines  Bridgeport  CT  November 14, 1968  S.Vietnam  December 4, 1949  hostile, killed \nSOURCE: Combat Area Casualties Current Files (CACCF) (machine-readable record), Records of the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Record Group 330.  \n\nOnly 19 years old..... *sigh*\n\nYou may find these sites helpful as a beginning (in order of relevance, the first one contained the above):\nhttp://www.accessgenealogy.com/military/vietnam.php\nhttp://www.geocities.com/tlwolf98/marine16.html\nhttp://www.vetfriends.com/?source=google500c\nhttp://members.aol.com/veterans/warlib64.htm\n\nMany states maintain an archive such as this:\nhttp://www.archives.gov/research/vietnam-war/casualty-lists/nv-alpha.html\n\n\nHowever, the US depatment of Veteran's Affairs will be the place to request detailed information from. Remember, they will only be likely to provide information already available to the public. If you know what state David was from, you can contact the department local to him.
577038
A time of remembrance for me... of young faces I once knew a lifetime ago who are no longer here and of a lot that are. Faces of my beloved family who fought in WW2 and Korea who have crossed over to a place where no more internal battles are fought and no more sadness felt for those they once knew and lost. Places no one will ever remember, that is, no one but those who were there. Battles, large and small, in war and within ones-self, that do not rate a mention in history but definitely helped write it. Sounds of long ago but were only yesterday this morning. Survivors guilt but deep inside.... glad it wasn't me. Reading citations and asking myself," Did I really do that"? Looking for lost loves and lost youth knowing that you will find neither. Memories, some good...some bad. Touching the scars on my body from shrapnel and on my chest from a 7.62. Looking at that rifle that I brought home with me that put that bullet there and remembering the young Vietnamese that once held it that I killed almost at the same time as he shot me. Looking into a mirror and then at a picture on a wall and wondering where did that kid disappear to? Still feeling the pride that I felt then and feeling pride in those who wear, or have worn, the uniform of today ( Do you ever really take it off?) Looking at my sons face, my daughters faces, my grandchildren's faces, and whispering a prayer that they will never forget me or others like me who sacrificed so much so other people may seek freedom and have rights and when necessary, fight for this country and for their rights that so many of its citizens take for granted. Looking at the colors and feeling the pride for I know the price many youth have paid to keep it flying. Understanding, that one more year has passed and that I am closer to paying my dues to the one I cheated out of them three+ times. Not really caring about life or death personally anymore for after what I went through, saw, did, etc. what is really left but the waiting.... just like then. Yes, today I especially remember. Thanks for serving. Welcome home. God bless and see you in Fiddler's Green.
1103281
I check the list from time to time - but I know I'll hear about the people I'm looking for from friends before I see them on the net.\n\nBest way to support? Be strong, send care packages, letters, take advantage of video conferencing if your base has a program. My dad and I went in and bought my uncle a spare bullet proof vest, in case he misplaced his - crazy I know, but you never know.\n\nLean like hell on your family and troop support groups. Stay busy, don't read to much news. Alot of it is bad news that looks alot worse then it is.\n\nKeep the faith.
867327
It all depends on what you really want them to see. Take into consideration that they most likely don't want to be reminded of the wars and fighting that they had to go through. There are several documentaries out there that honor veterans very well but they might not like being reminded of the hell they had to go through. Your heart is in the right place and god bless you for that. Your best bet to honor them is to just keep a US flag in the home and tell them thank you for all they have done for us.\nHope this helps and bless you for haveing a big heart with veterans.
1019595
They do supply the plot for the spouse and children under 18 if the service member was kia or 100% disabled when they passed away. I know this for a fact becuz when my husband died they needed all the info on me and the kids. They also will supply a new headstone with all the names on them.
670975
Getting all of my people back to their loved ones from Viet-Nam, except one, over a time span of three years as a 21 year old Staff Sergeant in Recon You can count the DSC if you want too and a few others. The other great accomplishment in my life is still being around to watch my kids and 21 grandchildren do good in this world. Like in Viet-Nam, miracles still very much happen.
490538
might want to try here:\n\nhttp://home.hiwaay.net/~magro/gbook2.html\n\nhttp://www.82airborne-assoc.com/guestbook/guestbook.html\n\nhttp://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/12/16/203625/46\n\nhttp://www.koreanwar.org/html/units/dmz/dmz_53_60.htm?set=700\n\n\nMy husband was in the 82nd in the 80's.  Take care and God Bless :)
560721
Try to Yahoo Search US Army Units-Vietnam 1966-1970 and also Yahoo Search 468 Transportation Battalion- Vietnam '66-'70. That might do it for you.
1174723
I am 58, and in those years I have lost friends and loved one including both parents.  My only suggestion to you is to do what you need to for yourself.  In my opinion this is by far the most important thing a survivor can do.  When my Dad died, I did a number of things.  I was always with the him if he wasn't locked away somewhere safe.  I had my Boy Scout pin buried with him, my Mother gave me his pin.  Scouting was important to both of us.  I flew with him to his final resting place.  I put the first shovel full of dirt in the grave.  At one point my Mother became worried about me, my Brother understood.  He told Mother I was on a mission and would be back as soon as the mission was complete.  You see I am retired from the military and we do things a bit different.  So do what you need to do for yourself, you never want to look back and say "I wish I had done thus and such".\n\nThe important thing to remember is that what you are feeling is perfectly normal.  There are stages of grief as follows:\n\nDENIAL --- The just can't be dead.\nANGER --- Why did they have to die?\nBARGAINING --- God help me get through this.\nDEPRESSION --- Oh God, what am I going to do. \nACCEPTANCE --- OK, they are dead and I am powerless to do anything about it.  I must live on...\n\nOne more story.  When my Dad died I decided to cut his lawn the following day.  When I tried to start the mower, it was out of gas.  At that moment I was absolutely dumb struck.  I didn't know what to do.  I didn't think to look for a gas can, it never occurred to me that I could buy some, and so on.  If it hadn't been for a neighbor, I would still be setting on that empty lawn mower in the middle of the garage with absolutely no clue as to what to do next.\n\nI hope this helps some.  I understand how much you are hurting and I am terribly sorry for your loss.  It will take some time, but rest assured, you will get through this.  \n\nContact information is available on my profile.
501746
Contact the local office of the branch of service they were in.   Ask for the names of military cemeteries.   If they died in combat their families will probably want them buried in that cemetery.   Also deaths are public record, they may have a listing of obits. for servicemen.   If the person served more than 20 years and left the military with an honorable discharge, they are likely buried in a military cemetery.   If from this current conflict check with the public affairs office of the Department of Defense, they maybe able to give you some lead for your area.
235073
I was in Nam in 2001.  But too young for the war.\n\nMaybe you should go back and check it out now.  It might help put the past behind you.