Your thoughts on the real antagonists in the story?

Use this forum to discuss the November 2019 Book of the month, "Deadly Waters: The Vietnam Naval War And Its Aftermath", by Randy Miller.
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Re: Your thoughts on the real antagonists in the story?

Post by SHALLU RAWAL »

They must give pension to the war solider. They fought for their country and during this they got many serious illness and disease. They are unable to go to other profession. So, a pension is must so that they can live their remaining life happily. If the soldiers were sincear toward their country, then the country must be sincear toward them.
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Post by María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda »

Karina Nowak wrote: 03 Nov 2019, 19:38 The Vietnam War may be in the past but it serves as a great example for these countries to learn from on how to treat their soldiers once they've given their all to 'God and country'.
I agree. Sometimes the importance of reading these accounts, even if they're events of the past, is to remember that these things happened and to understand how and why so that we don't allow our societies to commit the same atrocities. Even if you're not American, as is my case, we should all learn from this and how it relates to current social problems.
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Post by Julehart1 »

I definitely thought that the Veterans Affairs Department were the antagonists of the story. The way they denied pensions to veterans was so cruel. I’m glad that this book might bring more attention to this very serious issue. Veterans sacrifice so much and need to be given all the benefits that are available to them.
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Post by Beatus »

Men are selfish and corrupt by nature. I have seen the same people complaining about an institution, but once appointed in office they end up doing the same things. So few will actually put others before themselves.
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Post by Julie Petitbon »

Mbrooks2518 wrote: 08 Nov 2019, 18:14 I don't know anyone in the military, but I've still heard about people having trouble with the VA. It's sickening that people who risked their lives for our country aren't being taken care of.
I completely agree! We should honor our veterans and take care of them. They fought for our country, they deserve proper treatment. Hopefully, this book will shed some light on the problems that we continue to have with VA.
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Post by shravsi »

Ferdinand_otieno wrote: 01 Nov 2019, 03:57 The Veterans Affairs department were presented as a heartless organisation that went out of its way to pass laws that may deny veterans their pensions. I particularly hated them in this book and found them to be worse than the act of war itself. To send men to die for them in a war, and then to deny pensions to those same brave men and women was truly evil.
What are your thoughts on the Veterans Affairs department, and their role in this book?
I agree with you. It is such an inhumane thing to do. Sending innocent people to war in the name of patriotism but what about taking care of those who serve the nation? Where did their patriotism disappear?
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Post by Ngozi Onyibor »

I have read stories of war veterans becoming homeless after their return as a result of the system not paying their benefits. Withholding benefits from veterans who put their lives on the line for their country is the height of callousness.
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Post by La Cabra »

DC Brown wrote: 10 Nov 2019, 22:45 My late father-in-law fought in Korea. I was not impressed with the care he got before he died. This book brings out not only the horror of war but also the horror of the aftermath.
I haven't completed the novel yet, but I can really appreciate that story doesn't romanticize the idea of working in the US military. The treatment Vietnam war veterans have faced is truly appalling.
It's pretty insane that the real antagonist in this story comes from the same country the main character is fighting for.
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Post by Kabui-nj »

I agree with you. It is sad that a person put their life on danger for a country and then later denied their pension.
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Post by Samy Lax »

I have heard before how it gets really difficult for veterans to get benefits from the military. They do not end up getting the kind of care they deserve. Though this book talks about something that happened in America, there is so much people from any geography can learn from it and see how the learning can be applied to understanding or solving today’s global issues.
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Post by Jeremie Mondejar »

djr6090 wrote: 04 Nov 2019, 11:24 My husband is 70 years old, and has chronic mylogenous leukemia. I believe it is the result of standing night watch on board the USS Hector in Vung Tao harbor, where he was drenched with agent orange as the planes defoliated the harbor islands every night.

He can not even get the the VA to provide the medication he is prescribed for this blood cancer. It is not on their formulary. Only an older, less effective drug.

He spent over a month in-country, and when we tried to get help for the extreme cost of his medical treatment, he was denied because he could not PROVE that he had boots-on-the-ground. And his leukemia was not the type associated with agent orange disabilities. Other types were listed in the mid 70s, but at that time CML killed quickly, so it was not listed as long term.

Maybe Mr Miller's book will help raise consciousness. This is not just fiction. Real lives were and are being impacted.
Hoping for a lot of people will read this book and will fight their rights.
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Post by VTEC lar it »

At first, I thought the real antagonist of the story was the Veteran affairs department. Clearly, the injustices they serve these honorable veterans are unthinkable.

However, on a closer look, I think the real antagonist here is not even human. Sometimes we get so caught up in post-war politics. I think we have to realize that the real antagonist isn't the enemy or the Veteran Affairs department despite the wrongs committed by them.

The real antagonist, in my opinion is, war itself.

Do you agree?
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Post by Neha++ »

It enraged me after knowing the treatment they gave to the people who served their country honestly.
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Post by djr6090 »

jeminah28 wrote: 17 Nov 2019, 00:11
djr6090 wrote: 04 Nov 2019, 11:24 My husband is 70 years old, and has chronic mylogenous leukemia. I believe it is the result of standing night watch on board the USS Hector in Vung Tao harbor, where he was drenched with agent orange as the planes defoliated the harbor islands every night.

He can not even get the the VA to provide the medication he is prescribed for this blood cancer. It is not on their formulary. Only an older, less effective drug.

He spent over a month in-country, and when we tried to get help for the extreme cost of his medical treatment, he was denied because he could not PROVE that he had boots-on-the-ground. And his leukemia was not the type associated with agent orange disabilities. Other types were listed in the mid 70s, but at that time CML killed quickly, so it was not listed as long term.

Maybe Mr Miller's book will help raise consciousness. This is not just fiction. Real lives were and are being impacted.
Hoping for a lot of people will read this book and will fight their rights.
So do I. Thanks, Jeminah.
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Post by djr6090 »

VTEC lar it wrote: 17 Nov 2019, 03:43 At first, I thought the real antagonist of the story was the Veteran affairs department. Clearly, the injustices they serve these honorable veterans are unthinkable.

However, on a closer look, I think the real antagonist here is not even human. Sometimes we get so caught up in post-war politics. I think we have to realize that the real antagonist isn't the enemy or the Veteran Affairs department despite the wrongs committed by them.

The real antagonist, in my opinion is, war itself.

Do you agree?
A very deep thought, VTEC. It is hard to imagine a world without war. There are just so many power hungry ruler types out there. But the US made one step in the right direction. They ended the draft. If there had been no draft during the Vietnam war, I don't think the country would have been able to send troops over there. No troops, no war. The enlistees certainly did not fight for the pay or benefits!
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