Nobody wants to play the Grim Reaper here, but statistically based fact, shows that time apparently is in short supply for Nam Vets. Nothing is written in stone; however, on average, these stats are quite convincing, and perhaps discomforting to all who are affected.

On the bright side,  in most scenarios, there can always be exceptions to all situations, and a certain percent will survive longer. Just who, and how many, is the unknown value...perhaps it is time to start on that "bucket list" that we never seem to have time for!

Some Important Data and Statistics:
In case you haven't been paying attention these past few decades after you returned from Vietnam , the clock has been ticking. The following are some statistics that are at once depressing yet, in another sense, should give one a sense of pride.
Read more...

Recent letter from Iraq to a stateside friend.  OooRah !!

Thank You to all Vietnam Vets from a Marine in Iraq.

A guy gets time to think over here and I was thinking about all the support we get from home. Sometimes it's overwhelming.

We get care packages at times faster than we can use them. There are boxes and boxes of toiletries and snacks lining the center of every tent; the generosity has been amazing.

So, I was pondering the question: "Why do we have so much support?"

In my opinion, it all came down to one thing: Vietnam Veterans. Read more...

Rising military suicides

The pace is faster than combat deaths in Iraq or Afghanistan.

By John Donnelly

More U.S. military personnel have taken their own lives so far in 2009 than have been killed in either the Afghanistan or Iraq wars this year, according to a Congressional Quarterly compilation of the latest statistics from the armed services.

As of Tuesday, at least 334 members of the military services have committed suicide in 2009, compared with 297 killed in Afghanistan and 144 who died in Iraq, the figures show. Read more...

THE THINGS THEY CARRIED

They carried P-38 can openers and heat tabs, watches and dog tags, insect repellent, gum, cigarettes, Zippo lighters, salt tablets, compress bandages, ponchos, Kool-Aid, two or three canteens of water, iodine tablets, sterno, LRRP-rations, and C-rations stuffed in socks.

They carried standard fatigues, jungle boots, bush hats, flak jackets, and steel pots. They carried the M-16 assault rifle. They carried trip flares and Claymore mines, M-60 machine guns, the M-70 grenade launcher, M-14's, CR-15s, Stoners, Swedish K's, 66 mm Laws, shotguns, 45 caliber pistols, silencers, the sound of bullets, rockets, and choppers, and sometimes the sound of silence.They carried C-4 plastic explosives, an assortment of hand grenades, PRC-25 radios, knives and machetes.

VETERANS SERVICE CENTER

The Coalition of Southeast North Carolina (CSENC) is a diverse group of veterans and/or concerned citizens with one goal, establishing a veterans service center in Southeast North Carolina.

We are currently soliciting the city council of Wilmington for a physical location, either a building or portion thereof to set up a veterans service center. The veterans service center would function to assist current returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. The center would provide services and referrals to veterans of all other combat arenas as well as assistance to significant others of such veterans as well.