Did this book change your views on the Vietnam war?

Erin Dydek · Post by **Erin Dydek** » 22 Nov 2019, 08:29

For me, this book opened my eyes to what the VA neglected to do for the men in the Navy. I knew military men were treated poorly when they came home from Vietnam but I had no idea that they were not given their rightfully earned medical benefits. The lack of provision destroyed these men and their families.

This book also did a great job of showing the horrors done to the civilians in Vietnam from Zach’s perspective. His reluctance to stay at a gun position showed his struggle to stay loyal to his duty after witnessing the horrible things that the weapons were doing to innocent people.

sarahmarlowe · Post by **sarahmarlowe** » 22 Nov 2019, 12:15

jeminah28 wrote: ↑16 Nov 2019, 23:56 No, it did not change my views because the events of long ago will never change forever. It is so sad, good soldier are not treated well, when in fact what they did saves many lives.

I agree. I believe that wars like this are not about the soldiers or the citizens. Instead, they are about what the two governments want done.

Bles · Post by **Bles** » 23 Nov 2019, 01:04

I wouldn't say that my view about Vietnam war did change because war is just war and there's no winner in wars. Also, war is usually two-sided and never one-sided. Usually when I read books that have war in it, I get too emotional.

elizaron878 · Post by **elizaron878** » 23 Nov 2019, 09:09

Wars are bad,period.They showcase the evil side of us humans, and it's always the vulnerable and innocent that suffer most.

Infinite I · Post by **Infinite I** » 23 Nov 2019, 13:38

Wars are devastating. This book did change my outlook on Vietnam war. I realised that the ones doing wrong might be the ones who were wronged in the past. But ultimately it's the innocent general public, who suffer.

jessinikkip · Post by **jessinikkip** » 24 Nov 2019, 02:05

I wouldn't say that this changed my mind on things, but I don't really know much about Vietnam anyways. Anytime I can find an opportunity to learn about it, I tend to take it because of how little I really know.

aolayide · Post by **aolayide** » 24 Nov 2019, 13:13

Michelle Fred wrote: ↑14 Nov 2019, 01:22 I know nothing about wars, and like you said I'm lucky that I only get to read about it in books. I'm not American, but from what I know about the Vietnam War I couldn't stop asking, to what end?

I agree with you. Wars are not pretty. I am glad I only read them in history. Like seriously, to what end? Right?

MirageParul · Post by **MirageParul** » 24 Nov 2019, 13:51

I'm not from the US, and I knew of the Vietnam War only through movies and TV. Although any war is terrible, this one seems to be more than usually so. And needless.

UnicornKnight · Post by **UnicornKnight** » 25 Nov 2019, 04:05

I want to say no because I always had an inkling on what happened during the Vietnam war. Being from the Philippines, we learned a little bit about the different wars that happened in Southeast Asian countries but honestly I feel like all wars do terrible things to countries and to the people all over the world and that's just the sad fact.

Post by **Jeremie Mondejar** » 25 Nov 2019, 06:02

sarahmarlowe wrote: ↑22 Nov 2019, 12:15
jeminah28 wrote: ↑16 Nov 2019, 23:56 No, it did not change my views because the events of long ago will never change forever. It is so sad, good soldier are not treated well, when in fact what they did saves many lives.
I agree. I believe that wars like this are not about the soldiers or the citizens. Instead, they are about what the two governments want done.

Exactly. War is just the product of old leaders, but young soldiers lost their lives to follow suit the orders of old leaders, in favor of saving the country. Too many young men and women sacrifices their lives and a lot of mother cried for once their precious child were now gone.

kdstrack · Post by **kdstrack** » 25 Nov 2019, 17:10

I was interested in reading this book to learn about the Navy's participation in the war. The book surprised me as I learned just how difficult their job was and the difficult situations they encountered. You can't move a large ship like you can a helicopter or airplane. The lack of respect and mutual cooperation between the Army and the Navy disappointed me.

Chelsey Coles · Post by **Chelsey Coles** » 25 Nov 2019, 17:59

This book absolutely changed my views on the Vietnam war. I am glad it did. It made me rethink who is really to blame for the war? As a civilian, it is easy for me to point the finger at a man in uniform, because he chose it, right? Wrong. I should be pointing the finger at our government, who are the real bosses here. I really wonder what would happen if none of our men or women left home to fight. The book brought up this point and I have been thinking on it for weeks. What if a war was scheduled.... and no one went? Sure this is impossible, but what if? I imagine stricter laws and physical force would be used by our government, to make sure they have bodies for their cause.

This brings me back to the scene where the protester gets his face punched in for literally pointing the finger at the wrong guy.

Post by **Jeremie Mondejar** » 26 Nov 2019, 20:12

UnicornKnight wrote: ↑25 Nov 2019, 04:05 I want to say no because I always had an inkling on what happened during the Vietnam war. Being from the Philippines, we learned a little bit about the different wars that happened in Southeast Asian countries but honestly I feel like all wars do terrible things to countries and to the people all over the world and that's just the sad fact.

Though Philippines was just there for support, during those times Olongapo became the Vets shelter for relaxation. My grannies stories about the Veitnam war made their lives in chaos. Most of the times, they said, "it's hard to sleep at night."

justjim · Post by **justjim** » 28 Nov 2019, 07:51

While I didn't go to Vietnam, I have friends that were in the service and the stories they tell are impossible to believe. Books like Deadly Waters always surprise me with facts that match the stories from my friends.