I was drafted into the Australian Army in 1967 I am glad I didn't experience the problems that Ernie suffered. When I read of his death in match 2021, I was quite disturbed to think he did not fit in anywhere. He was an asset to his unit in the American Army I know that the service in military does that to some guys. Noel dealy National Service Aus army
"I felt sorry for every soldier who served over there, on either side". That sums up the humanity and compassion of this humble and intelligent man. Respect!
You probably dont give a shit but does any of you know a way to get back into an instagram account? I somehow lost the password. I would love any assistance you can offer me.
It is excruciating to listen to Mr. LaFountain unburden his soul about Viet Nam. But you have to listen. The interviewer does a fantastic job giving him time to tell his story, occasionally getting back on track. This whole series is an incredible testimony to the bravery, horror, humanity and inhumanity of war. I hope the interviewer writes (or has written) a book. Rest in peace Mr. LaFountain.
Started to watch and this guy was painfully slow. I sped up the play back and after some time I was engrossed in his story. I felt shame because I did not hear it in his time so I restarted it at normal speed. I can't relate to what these men felt, I could see the emotion in them though. In truth I was just fascinated by the things he spoke of. Well done sir. I was a fool to be impatient,thanks. I am not saying in any way that you must do as I did, only perhaps don't just turn it off if these interviews as playback or pace are not suited for you. I want others to try and alter whatever to aid their own preference. So much better to listen than not. I nearly turned off and moved on, glad I did not. Thnks
Never judge a book by its cover. This slow talking, thoughtful gentleman that you’d never give a second look on the street is an absolute badass. Truly an American treasure. Thank you for your service and sacrifices.
Well at least they are honest. Have you been homeless before and spent time down there? Most people treat you like you're invisible, then go on Facebook and say how much they care to virtue signal their guilty bs away. Not 1 in 500 would even say hello, and the ones who did help were ALWAYS those who visit least afford to. At least they were honest, and that's worth something
This gentleman is the type of guy I like to have conversations with. Their stories are fascinating and I learn so much from them. They know how to fix a problem.
@@CameTo the reality is the homelessness is karma for the atrocities and outright evil commited on foreign soil. They are mentally destroyed because once they return to normal life their brains can no longer rationalise the rapes and murder these people commit on innocents. Their is no honour in invading people in straw huts...
@@hebisty4163 you can't force people to live war and do so in their normal state of mind. They survived. You judge as if you would have did something different
@@feleciaplessinger3098 please stop calling it war. War suggests 2 opposing sides fighting for a goal. These are INVASIONS on foreign soil. Self defence isn’t a choice, it’s a necessity when your land is being invaded. & you are right I wouldn’t go in the first place … who am I to shoot farmers protecting their land just so corporations can make money. I’m not that entitled or dumb. I can critically think for myself
A man with an unfortunate upbringing who still put his live on the line and proudly served his country. Let that sink in. A model solider. Thank you for your service, Ernie.
He thinks his goverment was wrong in doing the Wietnam war,As he said he did what the goverment told him, The same aplies to all the Nazi soliders also. If he claim to be a beliver in God and belives in Jesus(i dont know if he does) He have not read or studied the bible or just did not obey God over human orders/bids.New testament Acts 5:29 say you shall obey God more than man..Proverbs 25:21. If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. 22 In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.,,This give eternal life,To constant seek precise knowledge about God and me(Jesus).New testament..
@@susans64 I guess leohobb has never read the bible.. HEY LEOHOBB....THE BIBLE IS A BOOK OF WARS....MUST OF MISSED THAT PART OF THE BIBLE....WHAT ARE YOU A SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST. .JW...OR JUST A COWARD
Yes, this interviewer should be commended for giving the man space for his own thoughts. the time to remember it, feel it, smell it, see it, communicate it. I'm sure it was NOT enjoyable for him, but I believe he must have done this for others somehow that they may learn. May he now rest in peace, God Bless Soldier.
It was a great interview. A very pensive man. He actually thinks before he speaks. As the interviewer you get top marks. You let him set his own cadence.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen an interviewer so patient. Yet I hated to hear him hurry him back on topic every once in a while. I don’t think I’ve ever watched a 3 hour interview with no breaks and thought this wasn’t nearly long enough.
Anyone who could give a thumbs down to this video with this man , i just feel sorry for you . thank you Ernie for your service to our country you are a hero to many of us .
Their were some sacred pauses in that story, I'm glad they were not interrupted. I am not watching this in one viewing but over several nights, because of time constraints and a desire to hear every word of it. For me, as for most of you I'm sure, it is a tremendously moving story. Mr. LaFountain has no fear speaking his mind as he seemingly appears to see his life there before he speaks, and what a precious gift it is to have an opportunity to listen. May he Rest In Peace.
@@Proud-pop How, in detail, is boomer’s comment in any way bigoted? If you’re referring to the media and the left lean, that’s a given, not at all questioned. Looking at the thumb up votes leaves your statement by itself.
My father was a WW2 Marine. A native american from a small tribe in the SW. After the war he suffered PTSD. Crazy but the most non judgmental n generous person My sisters n cooked n served food for many veterans he found roaming n brought home. He never shared his war experiences but I'm sure he saw
The veterans of Montana are a pretty impressive bunch. You can tell by Ernie's frame that he's been a hard-working man his entire life. I enjoyed this interview above all others. Thanks for your service Ernie and for sharing your experience RIP my friend.
I intended to write a comment starting with the hand Ernie was initially dealt - the four strikes, the appreciation gained from his father on which animals can be killed, and then go through the injustices and battles he has faced but in all honesty, watch the programme then rewind to 1 hour 15 minutes... look at and listen to the man.... you will see he is still seeing the horrors right in front of him. He asks for compassion and understanding, but never mentions respect. Having watched the programme who could deny him all three?
@@Kiwionwing When I saw this one was 3hrs long I said this guy must be interesting and I was right. I also knew this one was different just by the number of comments before I even started watching. VERY interesting fellow.
Meaning: This man has every reason to claim our undying appreciation for his bravery and service, but he took total control of this interview, and the interviewer, in a fashion that separates him from the rest of the Vets on this program, none of which, took his approach.
Thank you kindly BG for giving this man careful time and allowing him to be detailed, respected and allowed to share his service. What a great interview. You did a wonderful job interviewing this fine soldier!
"I felt sorry for every soldier that served over there on either side." These Veterans are real American men. My heros. Some of the bravest men I've ever known. My Uncle included.
This is an amazing interview. A number of comments suggest watching faster than normal speed as it is a long video. If you watch at any faster than1 or 1.25, you miss the emotion that is in every second of this interview. If you can't watch it all, at the time, watch it in parts. It is well worth taking the time to watch. Listen to this guy, 3 tours of Vietnam and he deserves your time. This interviewer has learned to let the subject speak at his own speed, something that was missing in the earlier videos which caused a a lot of comments of complaint. This is almost a monologue of a very brave and wise man. Thank You Ernie from Australia
This is the 3rd time I've came to hear this man's story, each time I hear something I didn't pick up the other times. God bless him and his family, hes had a hard ride in life but still kept going.
I've tried, I fall asleep, can't keep myself concentrated on him, there's no need for him to talk so very deliberately slow, with the huge pauses in between, pretend phsyco is what we call them here in scotland, been in combat or not in fact more likely to have been in combat
Ernie, You were an amazing person. (Died 3-24-21 of Cancer) I will pray for you and remember you from your interview for the rest of my life. On my behalf of me and that of a grateful nation, please accept our appreciation for your honorable and faithful service. May you finally rest in peace. Dan
His memory was amazing. Acronyms, names, places, dates and times…I’ll be lucky to remember my own name tomorrow. May you ride on the wing’s of angels into the after life sir. RIP.
Watching him will show what the "thousand yard stare" looks like. Seriously impacted by the early battle, with no one reaching out to him to bring him back. He is one of our walking wounded - and we have many.
OUR TROOPS WERE SUCH PUSSIES OVER THERE. BUNCH OF BOYSCOUT DAYCARE HORSESHIT. THEY DIDN'T WANT TO BE THERE. THEY WERE SCARED. THEY FOUGHT LOUSY. THEY RETURNED A BUNCH OF DAMAGED LOSERS. AND WE TREAT THEM LIKE HEROES. THEY WERE A DAMN BUNCH OF SISSIES.
Worth listening to every minute. This gentleman articulates so eloquently the challenges, the pride, the loneliness, the anger, betrayal and finally, the reality that responsibility and accountability for the prosecution of that war in the way in which it was executed lies not with the service member but with the government who made the decisions, often for worse and worse yet. Thank you, sir. Your observations regarding the DEROS system have been confirmed repeatedly. It is the outcomes of that system that resulted in the decision to send entire units to the current wars together. Any advantage conferred by this approach appears to be (at least preliminarily) systematically undermined by repeated deployments. Just like DEROS, the road to hell was paved with good intentions gone bad by competing agendas. Once again, it's the service member as "experiment"-and expedience. Best wishes to you and your family. I sincerely appreciate your service and your participation in this program.
TundraWoman Says you have written one of the most heartfelt genuine attributes I have had the honour to read. If ever words matched a portrait you've come closest. As for the man being interviewed, I'd like to start with Hero and god bless you.
Amazing interview like all the others. This veteran knows how to talk and keep you listening he would make a good narrator.This interviewer is very patient and knows how to conduct these interviews without asking ridiculous questions or trying to be funny, he is to be commended for this. Thank you for this interview.
The interview goes at the soldier’s pace. The tape could be seen by HS students for it’s quality of dialogue, the Vietnam war and it’s listening quality on both parties. Too often the interviewer is noticeably trying to score points and give a manipulative sense of trying to control the interview. A good interview is more about what you don’t say and how little you say without pushing the interview. Thank you for your service soldier.
As a Veteran from 1963 to 1967 ,,This great HERO who gave it all , Sir may God bless you and give you some peace, what a great insight in to war and what our government force’s us to do ..
Our government, sadly, knew no shame, sending boys barely out of high school, alot of them, to fight in a war that we had no business engaging in in the first place. A generation of young men who answered a call, some for various reasons, who did not leave that battle field alive for a country that did not tell them the truth. Then to add insult to injury, some of their fellow countrymen, misled by the media and some sheltered and spoiled knew nothing about hardship or sacrifice showed them nothing but disrespect when they returned to their home land. That was shameful😮 Welcome home❤❤❤❤❤❤
I stumbled accross this series about a week ago. Being british and born a decade after the war ended I didn't know anything about the Vietnam war. Absolutely loving this series and its great to see that these stories have been captured before they are lost forever. Every person I've listened to so far has been absolutely fascinating.
I’m also British (English) and find this series absolutely fascinating. I don’t agree with the nam war. But that in no way diminishes my respect for the American soldiers that fought during it. Warriors every single one of them, who clearly left a part of themselves out there. Those that made it back of course.
you ought to find some real Vietnamese voices of the Vietnamese people who were raped tortured murdered and mutilated in much greater numbers than the Americans were. The Vietnamese peasantry had it from both sides and no one gave a damn about them.
The quiet respectful dignity and authenticity of this man given the without doubt incomprehensible ongoing hell and injustice placed upon him and every other frontline Vet expresses something very powerful about humanity and the profound contempt of Governments universally. We feel your pain Mr Fontaine and all the others. Thank you for expressing your experiences and helping us better understand, it is important and appreciated. God speed to you Sir.
This man may not have had the most glamorous mos but he adds tremendous amount of insight to understanding Vietnam and he’s a great story teller. I was temped to speed up the playback but found myself enjoying his slower and deliberate tempo. Rest in Peace
Wow! Just Wow! What an intelligent, brave, spiritual and thoughtful man. He’s a hypnotic storyteller. What a life from childhood to now. Amazes me how he survived all that and still with his dignity. Blessings from Ireland 🇮🇪
the best 3 hours i’ve spent in a long time. I like how he remembered gardening and hunting with his pops. How his pops taught him to be careful only to shoot a deer that was a dry doe. That stuck with me.
Just minutes into this program I became an admired. Any man who is a Choker Setter has big brass Balls, hand eye coordination and a strong sense of survival. Else they end up with the nick name "Stumpy" because of the multiple fingers and hands or parts of hands missing from having them caught between the steel cables and very large, heavy logs
I want to take a second to commend the interviewer. Have seen all of these by now and some twice. I appreciate how he’s run these interviews and the leeway left in the interview to let the man speak his mind. The ADD generation can’t handle the speed of the interview. Pity them.
I'm 39yrs old and ADD has plagued me my entire life. This video was not one where I expected to be insulted. I did, despite my disorder and your expectations, enjoy this interview immensely and managed to watch it in it's entirety. I do agree with you about the interviewer.
Wow, Kudos to Darrell Ehrlich for this wonderful interview .. He is the one in a thousand interviewers who would let this pace out at the tempo it did ... I love all the interviews in this series, all different men, all different backgrounds, all different personalities, all different interpretations of their experience, all different outcomes in life ..... if you watch a couple dozen of these, you will get almost the entire human experience .... Fantastic
A riveting interview, thank you sir for your service of this country, going above and beyond the call of duty. Your inner strength is something to see. I’ve learned much listening to you Ernie, your experiences, your wisdom and openness, a true hero in my eyes and someone I’d be proud to personally know. God bless you brother.
Thank God for men like him. Meaning no disrespect, but I put the playback speed at 1.25 and that made it easier to listen to. What an amazing, brave hero.
God bless you Ernie. I'm very deeply touched by your testimony. I wish I had you as a friend. You truly are a teacher, a guide and a true Warrior, in every sense of the word. My deepest respect to you sir.
Another great interview, Darrel Ehrlick. Thank you for letting him tell his story in his way. I'm not American, but thank you for your service, Ernie LaFountain.
One of the most poignant interviews of any war. Soft spoken, highly intelligent and precise in his words, the pace is sometimes halting and the voice so faint, you can feel the pain this veteran has experienced.
What you are probably observing is the effects of Agent Orange. A couple of my 1967 classmates now have dimentia and other neurological problems. Sadly, there will probably be more.
I too served in Vietnam in those same years. The first tour was with the 4th IN Div as a LT platoon leader, and was wounded and medivaced. I returned to Sunny Vietnam for a second tour as a Capt Company commander with the Americal Div. When I took command of the unit I found a young soldier badly damaged from the effects of an arty round that burst overhead, with a fragment striking his helmet, leaving this poor soldier barely able to speak. The previous Commander kept him in the unit to carry a large Orange mail bag, and collect the outgoing mail. I quickly sent the soldier back to base camp and was deemed unfit for service and sent home. The Doctor was furious that this young man had been kept in the field and thanked me for sending him home. I lasted for only a few weeks before being wounded again, but some poor N Vietnamese soldier trying to shoot me and get away, but was shot and killed by my RTO. As I watch this man trying to tell his story, I see a man damaged by that stupid war and not how he conducted himself during the war, because he would have been medivaced from my unit talking like he is now. I feel for him and sorry he died from cancer. I too suffered from Cancer, prostrate cancer to be exact. I still suffer the effects from cancer and hate the doctor that mistreated me, but thankful for the Doctor that saved my life at Stamford Hospital in CA. I am now 84 years old and time is passing me by, and my wife gets upset when I say life is about over for me, just as it attacked Ernie LaFountain. He is a true American hero and I wish he were here today to tell him so. To his family I pray for Ernie and God bless him for his service.
1.5x playback speed and it’s insane how animated he becomes realistically. You can tell that Vietnam really fucking took a toll on this man. Much respect to this soldier!
It is the way he looks at the camera isn't it. Good call. On top of that, there would be no reason to think of this decent person as anything other than a fellow human or friend. I had a vet act out toward me once but I knew it wasn't personal. I knew it was a noise trigger and I did everything to keep quiet make him feel safe.
I am 30 minutes in and I'm finding myself overcome with emotion! My dad fought in vietnam in the late 60s. Recently I have been really digging into what happened to these guys over there and I can only vaguely grasp the atrocities that they have seen and been forced to commit in the name of survival. He VERY rarely talks about it. I try and respect that and I don't ask too many questions. I know that it shaped him into the man and father I have known. I have a much better understanding of who he is because of interviews like this. Thank you so much for this!
Thank you for your excellent interviews. They are priceless to me and many other Americans. They are our national and personal history. I am grateful for their sacrifices, which seem to never end.
Not only is it a brave, courageous and selfless act to server and go through the horrors of war... but to talk about it and pass the experience along is truly admirable and appreciated! Thank you to all of the vets! And thank you for allowing them the platform to share the history.
Also 10/10 to the interviewer. So refreshing to see someone who is respectful and lets the other side speak rather than getting triggered and over shouting to try and push their narrative (CNN, MSNBC etc) basically all MSM
I immediately started to have tears watching and listening to this gentleman. I knew instantly he truly gave his health and wellness for this country. I understand he has since passed away. RIP sir.
I absolutely appreciate this video and the attention you're giving to men like my father who was drafted and served prior to 1970... but we need video speech captions for the greatest attention to your work. I'd like to send to my dad but I'm afraid he won't be able to hear well enough to spend three hours watching. Thank you for any attention you may give to my first comment here on your channel.
His eyes are seeing the horrors of war as he speaks and remembers. All who have been in combat are heroes. My father-in-law was a WWII vet and had PTSD symptoms that he kept inside himself. He drank a lot when he got home and fought a lot trying to kill the demons of war that were inside him. A good man that was misunderstood and labeled as a drunk. He was a hero.
PTSD is just the start! What about agent orange and other chemicals they dumped on those vets while they were fighting. This guy is awesome! God bless all the vets!
Took 15 years to to be compensated for the damage done by agent orange, would rather have had a body without the ravages of that chemical. Thanks guys you are the toughest.
The way this guy looks, he reminds me of Harry Dean Stanton. The way he looks, he stands out in a crowd. Wow, 3 tours in Nam. He’s a hero in my book. I listen to a lot of these interview, however, this is the first combat engineer I’ve seen interviewed. The engineer performed a lot of food service in WW2 and Vietnam, Korea too I expect.
These interviews are incredible! I stumbled on Darrell Ehrlich's work a couple months ago and every one of the interviews are fascinating. These vets are heroes!!!! Great job Darrell.
I thought back in WWII only 1 brother could go to war. It sounds as though all 4 brothers came home. As a citizen my appreciation for each of you and your families is enormous.
Staff Sgt. Ernest F. LaFountain died March 24, 2021 after a year-long battle with cancer. May he rest in peace.
I was drafted into the Australian Army in 1967
I am glad I didn't experience the problems that Ernie suffered.
When I read of his death in match 2021, I was quite disturbed to think he did not fit in anywhere.
He was an asset to his unit in the
American Army
I know that the service in military does that to some guys.
Noel dealy
National Service Aus army
Thank you
God please take care of Ernie's family...guide him where he needs to be. I will never forget him or this interview. God Bless America's Cold Warriors!
RIP Guy👍
Until Valhalla 😖🇺🇸
Semper Fi
"I felt sorry for every soldier who served over there, on either side". That sums up the humanity and compassion of this humble and intelligent man. Respect!
Wonderfully stated.
A humble & compassionate person doesn't announce his traits, you may have to add narcissistic to your list.
@@michaelgallagher3640 huh?
You probably dont give a shit but does any of you know a way to get back into an instagram account?
I somehow lost the password. I would love any assistance you can offer me.
@Alexander Cairo instablaster ;)
It is excruciating to listen to Mr. LaFountain unburden his soul about Viet Nam. But you have to listen. The interviewer does a fantastic job giving him time to tell his story, occasionally getting back on track. This whole series is an incredible testimony to the bravery, horror, humanity and inhumanity of war. I hope the interviewer writes (or has written) a book. Rest in peace Mr. LaFountain.
Thank you Ernie and welcome home. And thanks to the interviewer for allowing Ernie to tell his story at his own pace.
Thank you for your insight and your service amen.
"A
Started to watch and this guy was painfully slow. I sped up the play back and after some time I was engrossed in his story. I felt shame because I did not hear it in his time so I restarted it at normal speed. I can't relate to what these men felt, I could see the emotion in them though. In truth I was just fascinated by the things he spoke of. Well done sir. I was a fool to be impatient,thanks. I am not saying in any way that you must do as I did, only perhaps don't just turn it off if these interviews as playback or pace are not suited for you. I want others to try and alter whatever to aid their own preference. So much better to listen than not. I nearly turned off and moved on, glad I did not. Thnks
It's hard to listen to
@@mattysee24 But worth the effort.
Never judge a book by its cover. This slow talking, thoughtful gentleman that you’d never give a second look on the street is an absolute badass. Truly an American treasure. Thank you for your service and sacrifices.
Well at least they are honest. Have you been homeless before and spent time down there? Most people treat you like you're invisible, then go on Facebook and say how much they care to virtue signal their guilty bs away.
Not 1 in 500 would even say hello, and the ones who did help were ALWAYS those who visit least afford to.
At least they were honest, and that's worth something
This gentleman is the type of guy I like to have conversations with. Their stories are fascinating and I learn so much from them. They know how to fix a problem.
@@CameTo the reality is the homelessness is karma for the atrocities and outright evil commited on foreign soil. They are mentally destroyed because once they return to normal life their brains can no longer rationalise the rapes and murder these people commit on innocents. Their is no honour in invading people in straw huts...
@@hebisty4163 you can't force people to live war and do so in their normal state of mind. They survived. You judge as if you would have did something different
@@feleciaplessinger3098 please stop calling it war. War suggests 2 opposing sides fighting for a goal. These are INVASIONS on foreign soil. Self defence isn’t a choice, it’s a necessity when your land is being invaded.
& you are right I wouldn’t go in the first place … who am I to shoot farmers protecting their land just so corporations can make money. I’m not that entitled or dumb. I can critically think for myself
A man with an unfortunate upbringing who still put his live on the line and proudly served his country. Let that sink in. A model solider. Thank you for your service, Ernie.
He thinks his goverment was wrong in doing the Wietnam war,As he said he did what the goverment told him, The same aplies to all the Nazi soliders also. If he claim to be a beliver in God and belives in Jesus(i dont know if he does) He have not read or studied the bible or just did not obey God over human orders/bids.New testament Acts 5:29 say you shall obey God more than man..Proverbs 25:21. If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;
if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
22 In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head,
and the Lord will reward you.,,This give eternal life,To constant seek precise knowledge about God and me(Jesus).New testament..
@@leohobbleohobb3781 are you for real?? If so, your an idiot
@@susans64 In many cases yes as i also have said.But not mentaly blind to see what is what on some topics.Not shure what has/comment that p you off.
@@susans64
I guess leohobb has never read the bible..
HEY LEOHOBB....THE BIBLE IS A BOOK OF WARS....MUST OF MISSED THAT PART OF THE BIBLE....WHAT ARE YOU A SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST. .JW...OR JUST A COWARD
and kept going back.... who went back twice? but THREE TIMES! to Vietnam of all places. God Bless this man.
The pain this man is experiencing is so horrific. But he keeps going and is seeking help. A true hero and dedicated human.
A hero to whom?
@@alexgrenlie862 STFU, a hero to me!
@@Dingdongwitchisdead He is a hero to me too and i m not even American...
Hero to me.
Freakin scumbag.....going over to kill women and kids. Lowest of the low.
Excellent Interviewer...He let Mr. LaFountain talk without pushing him and to allow the pauses to just hang without comment. God bless Mr. LaFountain.
Who would have thought the best interviewer was the one who just stayed quiet? Lol. Sometimes I guess its knowing when not to talk.
@@brianshissler3263 🇺🇸👊100%
Yes, this interviewer should be commended for giving the man space for his own thoughts. the time to remember it, feel it, smell it, see it, communicate it. I'm sure it was NOT enjoyable for him, but I believe he must have done this for others somehow that they may learn. May he now rest in peace, God Bless Soldier.
It was a great interview. A very pensive man. He actually thinks before he speaks. As the interviewer you get top marks. You let him set his own cadence.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen an interviewer so patient. Yet I hated to hear him hurry him back on topic every once in a while. I don’t think I’ve ever watched a 3 hour interview with no breaks and thought this wasn’t nearly long enough.
Thank you sir, for your testimony.
This is probably the most powerful vietnam interview that i seen
Anyone who could give a thumbs down to this video with this man , i just feel sorry for you . thank you Ernie for your service to our country you are a hero to many of us .
Their were some sacred pauses in that story, I'm glad they were not interrupted. I am not watching this in one viewing but over several nights, because of time constraints and a desire to hear every word of it. For me, as for most of you I'm sure, it is a tremendously moving story. Mr. LaFountain has no fear speaking his mind as he seemingly appears to see his life there before he speaks, and what a precious gift it is to have an opportunity to listen. May he Rest In Peace.
TOO FLOWERY A COMMENT.
@@TacticalReligion Thanks, it is not like me to be flowery so it is nice to know I have it in me. Aren't you a sweetheart. LOL
This man has had a tough life, I'm a Canadian, but if I was an American I would be proud to have a man like this in my country, hats of to you sir.
This man sounds like he doesn't have bigoted bone in his body, unlike the self-described commenter who aptly chose the name " LowEnergyBoomer "
@LowEnergyBoomer exactly said the news would never put a man like this on TV this is a true American hero him and his family 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
@@Proud-pop How, in detail, is boomer’s comment in any way bigoted?
If you’re referring to the media and the left lean, that’s a given, not at all questioned. Looking at the thumb up votes leaves your statement by itself.
🇺🇸🍺
My father was a WW2 Marine. A native american from a small tribe in the SW. After the war he suffered PTSD. Crazy but the most non judgmental n generous person
My sisters n cooked n served food for many veterans he found roaming n brought home. He never shared his war experiences but I'm sure he saw
The veterans of Montana are a pretty impressive bunch. You can tell by Ernie's frame that he's been a hard-working man his entire life. I enjoyed this interview above all others. Thanks for your service Ernie and for sharing your experience RIP my friend.
"I felt sorry for every soldier who served over there...either side." What a cool guy. A hero and a gentleman. RIP
He passed away?
@@je6874 his obituary is the first comment?
I intended to write a comment starting with the hand Ernie was initially dealt - the four strikes, the appreciation gained from his father on which animals can be killed, and then go through the injustices and battles he has faced but in all honesty, watch the programme then rewind to 1 hour 15 minutes... look at and listen to the man.... you will see he is still seeing the horrors right in front of him. He asks for compassion and understanding, but never mentions respect. Having watched the programme who could deny him all three?
Watched many of these
This guy has an interesting spin
As you say pain , deep thoughts, still veiled anger
TOTAL RESPECT!!
Smelling cooked people when he closes his eyes no wonder he went mad.
@@Kiwionwing When I saw this one was 3hrs long I said this guy must be interesting and I was right. I also knew this one was different just by the number of comments before I even started watching. VERY interesting fellow.
@@hikerJohn extremely clear true life no Glitz
Meaning: This man has every reason to claim our undying appreciation for his bravery and service, but he took total control of this interview, and the interviewer, in a fashion that separates him from the rest of the Vets on this program, none of which, took his approach.
Let me tell you, there’s a reason why the happiest years of this man’s childhood were in that cabin with unbridled garden space.
What is the reason?
Thank you kindly BG for giving this man careful time and allowing him to be detailed, respected and allowed to share his service. What a great interview. You did a wonderful job interviewing this fine soldier!
"I felt sorry for every soldier that served over there on either side." These Veterans are real American men. My heros. Some of the bravest men I've ever known. My Uncle included.
This is an amazing interview. A number of comments suggest watching faster than normal speed as it is a long video. If you watch at any faster than1 or 1.25, you miss the emotion that is in every second of this interview. If you can't watch it all, at the time, watch it in parts. It is well worth taking the time to watch. Listen to this guy, 3 tours of Vietnam and he deserves your time. This interviewer has learned to let the subject speak at his own speed, something that was missing in the earlier videos which caused a a lot of comments of complaint. This is almost a monologue of a very brave and wise man. Thank You Ernie from Australia
This is the 3rd time I've came to hear this man's story, each time I hear something I didn't pick up the other times. God bless him and his family, hes had a hard ride in life but still kept going.
This man and his brother have riveting stories. Much respect and welcome home.
I've tried, I fall asleep, can't keep myself concentrated on him, there's no need for him to talk so very deliberately slow, with the huge pauses in between, pretend phsyco is what we call them here in scotland, been in combat or not in fact more likely to have been in combat
@@frasercheyne8332 he's an old/elder man, give him a break. Don't watch it and don't complain.
This guy has seen some things... And some stuff. The eyes never lie. Poor guy.
Ernie,
You were an amazing person. (Died 3-24-21 of Cancer) I will pray for you and remember you from your interview for the rest of my life. On my behalf of me and that of a grateful
nation, please accept our appreciation for your honorable and faithful service. May you finally rest in peace. Dan
I feel so small next to a man like this. Heroes
His memory was amazing. Acronyms, names, places, dates and times…I’ll be lucky to remember my own name tomorrow. May you ride on the wing’s of angels into the after life sir. RIP.
God, the things he went through before Vietnam were so heartbreaking. What an amazing man.
It depressed me just listening to it . I shouldn't complain about my life . That guy was as tough as nails
From the bottom of my heart.......thank you Ernie! A true warrior!
Watching him will show what the "thousand yard stare" looks like. Seriously impacted by the early battle, with no one reaching out to him to bring him back. He is one of our walking wounded - and we have many.
OUR TROOPS WERE SUCH PUSSIES OVER THERE. BUNCH OF BOYSCOUT DAYCARE HORSESHIT. THEY DIDN'T WANT TO BE THERE. THEY WERE SCARED. THEY FOUGHT LOUSY. THEY RETURNED A BUNCH OF DAMAGED LOSERS. AND WE TREAT THEM LIKE HEROES. THEY WERE A DAMN BUNCH OF SISSIES.
@@TacticalReligionWhat war have you been in?
Worth listening to every minute. This gentleman articulates so eloquently the challenges, the pride, the loneliness, the anger, betrayal and finally, the reality that responsibility and accountability for the prosecution of that war in the way in which it was executed lies not with the service member but with the government who made the decisions, often for worse and worse yet.
Thank you, sir. Your observations regarding the DEROS system have been confirmed repeatedly. It is the outcomes of that system that resulted in the decision to send entire units to the current wars together. Any advantage conferred by this approach appears to be (at least preliminarily) systematically undermined by repeated deployments. Just like DEROS, the road to hell was paved with good intentions gone bad by competing agendas.
Once again, it's the service member as "experiment"-and expedience.
Best wishes to you and your family. I sincerely appreciate your service and your participation in this program.
TundraWoman Says you have written one of the most heartfelt genuine attributes I have had the honour to read. If ever words matched a portrait you've come closest. As for the man being interviewed, I'd like to start with Hero and god bless you.
2:10:41 , the world changed
Das
Christmas morning 2022 watched this morning all I can say is I would of liked to shake his hand. And that he is in heaven and at peace.i admire him
Amazing interview like all the others. This veteran knows how to talk and keep you listening he would make a good narrator.This interviewer is very patient and knows how to conduct these interviews without asking ridiculous questions or trying to be funny, he is to be commended for this. Thank you for this interview.
The interview goes at the soldier’s pace. The tape could be seen by HS students for it’s quality of dialogue, the Vietnam war and it’s listening quality on both parties. Too often the interviewer is noticeably trying to score points and give a manipulative sense of trying to control the interview. A good interview is more about what you don’t say and how little you say without pushing the interview. Thank you for your service soldier.
THEY BOTH SUCK THE OLD VET HAS AN IQ OF 2 and can’t even think talks slower than and interview ever lol
Ernie thanks for telling our story. It's been silent way too long. What you have said will live for ever.
Probably one of the best series I’ve ever seen on the Vietnam war. Thank you
As a Veteran from 1963 to 1967 ,,This great HERO who gave it all , Sir may God bless you and give you some peace, what a great insight in to war and what our government force’s us to do ..
Our government, sadly, knew no shame, sending boys barely out of high school, alot of them, to fight in a war that we had no business engaging in in the first place. A generation of young men who answered a call, some for various reasons, who did not leave that battle field alive for a country that did not tell them the truth. Then to add insult to injury, some of their fellow countrymen, misled by the media and some sheltered and spoiled knew nothing about hardship or sacrifice showed them nothing but disrespect when they returned to their home land. That was shameful😮 Welcome home❤❤❤❤❤❤
I stumbled accross this series about a week ago. Being british and born a decade after the war ended I didn't know anything about the Vietnam war. Absolutely loving this series and its great to see that these stories have been captured before they are lost forever. Every person I've listened to so far has been absolutely fascinating.
I’m also British (English) and find this series absolutely fascinating. I don’t agree with the nam war. But that in no way diminishes my respect for the American soldiers that fought during it. Warriors every single one of them, who clearly left a part of themselves out there. Those that made it back of course.
you ought to find some real Vietnamese voices of the Vietnamese people who were raped tortured murdered and mutilated in much greater numbers than the Americans were. The Vietnamese peasantry had it from both sides and no one gave a damn about them.
This is one of the best interviews, this guy is still there in his mind, thank you Ernie & thank you to the billings gazette for running these
The quiet respectful dignity and authenticity of this man given the without doubt incomprehensible ongoing hell and injustice placed upon him and every other frontline Vet expresses something very powerful about humanity and the profound contempt of Governments universally.
We feel your pain Mr Fontaine and all the others. Thank you for expressing your experiences and helping us better understand, it is important and appreciated.
God speed to you Sir.
This man may not have had the most glamorous mos but he adds tremendous amount of insight to understanding Vietnam and he’s a great story teller. I was temped to speed up the playback but found myself enjoying his slower and deliberate tempo. Rest in Peace
Wow! Just Wow! What an intelligent, brave, spiritual and thoughtful man. He’s a hypnotic storyteller. What a life from childhood to now. Amazes me how he survived all that and still with his dignity. Blessings from Ireland 🇮🇪
the best 3 hours i’ve spent in a long time. I like how he remembered gardening and hunting with his pops. How his pops taught him to be careful only to shoot a deer that was a dry doe. That stuck with me.
I have listened to dozens of these and for lack of a better word this one is perhaps the most touching.
Well interviewed. This man served his country at great cost, and deserves to tell his story at his pace. Thanks to him.
Just minutes into this program I became an admired. Any man who is a Choker Setter has big brass Balls, hand eye coordination and a strong sense of survival. Else they end up with the nick name "Stumpy" because of the multiple fingers and hands or parts of hands missing from having them caught between the steel cables and very large, heavy logs
One-of-a-kind man and a very useful man to have around. Glad we had him on our side.
You can tell he’s seen things. Great story telling. Thank you LaFountain.
I want to take a second to commend the interviewer. Have seen all of these by now and some twice. I appreciate how he’s run these interviews and the leeway left in the interview to let the man speak his mind. The ADD generation can’t handle the speed of the interview. Pity them.
John S. I agree, he did a great job interviewing these Veterans
I have ADD and I love these.
you don't have to insult some to commend few
I'm 39yrs old and ADD has plagued me my entire life. This video was not one where I expected to be insulted. I did, despite my disorder and your expectations, enjoy this interview immensely and managed to watch it in it's entirety. I do agree with you about the interviewer.
SuperChickenLips Ha!
I'm a British man. 57 years old. Moved by your story. May you find peace. Thank you for telling your story and showing us what war is like
Wow, Kudos to Darrell Ehrlich for this wonderful interview .. He is the one in a thousand interviewers who would let this pace out at the tempo it did ... I love all the interviews in this series, all different men, all different backgrounds, all different personalities, all different interpretations of their experience, all different outcomes in life ..... if you watch a couple dozen of these, you will get almost the entire human experience .... Fantastic
I listen to your story over and over..I'm 65.. much love and respect for you and your family sir.. THANK YOU.3 TOURS.YOU ARE AMAZING
A riveting interview, thank you sir for your service of this country, going above and beyond the call of duty. Your inner strength is something to see. I’ve learned much listening to you Ernie, your experiences, your wisdom and openness, a true hero in my eyes and someone I’d be proud to personally know. God bless you brother.
Thank God for men like him. Meaning no disrespect, but I put the playback speed at 1.25 and that made it easier to listen to. What an amazing, brave hero.
God bless you Ernie. I'm very deeply touched by your testimony. I wish I had you as a friend. You truly are a teacher, a guide and a true Warrior, in every sense of the word. My deepest respect to you sir.
This is a great interview,He's has a lot of insight and knowledge.We are lucky to have people like him,God Bless Mr.LaFontain.
this my favourite interview. Ernie is clearly one of the most intelligent people on planet earth
Another great interview, Darrel Ehrlick. Thank you for letting him tell his story in his way. I'm not American, but thank you for your service, Ernie LaFountain.
Very interesting accounts of your experiences Ernie, every minute.
Thank you for your service.
One of the most poignant interviews of any war. Soft spoken, highly intelligent and precise in his words, the pace is sometimes halting and the voice so faint, you can feel the pain this veteran has experienced.
What you are probably observing is the effects of Agent Orange. A couple of my 1967 classmates now have dimentia and other neurological problems. Sadly, there will probably be more.
I too served in Vietnam in those same years. The first tour was with the 4th IN Div as a LT platoon leader, and was wounded and medivaced. I returned to Sunny Vietnam for a second tour as a Capt Company commander with the Americal Div. When I took command of the unit I found a young soldier badly damaged from the effects of an arty round that burst overhead, with a fragment striking his helmet, leaving this poor soldier barely able to speak. The previous Commander kept him in the unit to carry a large Orange mail bag, and collect the outgoing mail. I quickly sent the soldier back to base camp and was deemed unfit for service and sent home. The Doctor was furious that this young man had been kept in the field and thanked me for sending him home. I lasted for only a few weeks before being wounded again, but some poor N Vietnamese soldier trying to shoot me and get away, but was shot and killed by my RTO. As I watch this man trying to tell his story, I see a man damaged by that stupid war and not how he conducted himself during the war, because he would have been medivaced from my unit talking like he is now. I feel for him and sorry he died from cancer. I too suffered from Cancer, prostrate cancer to be exact. I still suffer the effects from cancer and hate the doctor that mistreated me, but thankful for the Doctor that saved my life at Stamford Hospital in CA. I am now 84 years old and time is passing me by, and my wife gets upset when I say life is about over for me, just as it attacked Ernie LaFountain. He is a true American hero and I wish he were here today to tell him so. To his family I pray for Ernie and God bless him for his service.
38 minutes in, guy speaks at a crawl, Vietnam has hardly been mentioned. Yet I’m hooked on the story. What an interesting man.
His memory is amazing......the details are incredible. Thank you for service.
1.5x playback speed and it’s insane how animated he becomes realistically. You can tell that Vietnam really fucking took a toll on this man. Much respect to this soldier!
It’s so normal you forget it sped up. When the interviewer speaks it’s like, calm down buddy!
He has a brain condition that slows his perception. At 1.5x you see the interview as he experienced it. You also get a good sense of the man he was.
That war was not the norm..if there is such a war that could be?
Whoa, thank-you.
Thank you.
Ok I'm 1 minute into this one and I can already see that this man is intense and I absolutely would not want him as an enemy
It is the way he looks at the camera isn't it. Good call. On top of that, there would be no reason to think of this decent person as anything other than a fellow human or friend. I had a vet act out toward me once but I knew it wasn't personal. I knew it was a noise trigger and I did everything to keep quiet make him feel safe.
THANK YOU for this interview. Incredible! God Bless Mr. LaFountain and all veterans.
I am 30 minutes in and I'm finding myself overcome with emotion! My dad fought in vietnam in the late 60s. Recently I have been really digging into what happened to these guys over there and I can only vaguely grasp the atrocities that they have seen and been forced to commit in the name of survival. He VERY rarely talks about it. I try and respect that and I don't ask too many questions. I know that it shaped him into the man and father I have known. I have a much better understanding of who he is because of interviews like this. Thank you so much for this!
I'm also making my 17 year old son watch these interviews to understand how good he has it!
This man is a true hero. Rip sir thank you for your service.
Thank you for your service! A true American hero! Three tours in Vietnam is really above and beyond.
Eddie B yes...
Why are peeps who go kill innocent people in other countries considered heros?
@@gordongoodman8342 if someone is shooting at you they're not innocent dumbass!
3 tours in motor pool and Seabees is all he did he was about as safe as it gets that’s who he has no real battles he talks about lol
Thoughtful man.
His gaze is incredibly intense.
1000 yard stare
Wow. He is so amazingly lucid of events of a lifetime ago. What an honor to hear his story. Thank you for this amazing interview.
I'm a combat vet and it's amazing how it makes you feel for your fellow man
The amazing gentlemen in this excellent series gave all and for that they deserve the utmost respect.
Yes! He knows basic truths & can tell the difference! He is a special American!
Man I can't get enough of these interviews.
Thank you Ernie!!!
Thank you for your excellent interviews. They are priceless to me and many other Americans. They are our national and personal history. I am grateful for their sacrifices, which seem to never end.
Not only is it a brave, courageous and selfless act to server and go through the horrors of war... but to talk about it and pass the experience along is truly admirable and appreciated! Thank you to all of the vets! And thank you for allowing them the platform to share the history.
That's what you call a thousand yard stare. Thanks buddy.
Also 10/10 to the interviewer. So refreshing to see someone who is respectful and lets the other side speak rather than getting triggered and over shouting to try and push their narrative (CNN, MSNBC etc) basically all MSM
I immediately started to have tears watching and listening to this gentleman.
I knew instantly he truly gave his health and wellness for this country.
I understand he has since passed away. RIP sir.
God Bless you and thank you. Absolutely heart wrenching. Peace and Love to you, Ernie, and to all of your brothers in arms.
Take the time to listen to this (slow talk'n) combat engineer. He has wisdom.
Damn Right
Then why did he go to nam? Wise would have refused.
@@gordongoodman8342 ever heard of the draft?
@@jlfcpa
Yeah. Ever heard of saying NO?
@@gordongoodman8342 Ever Heard of federal offense?
Jesus! How can one not have some serious self reflection to do after this? Thank you Ernie.
One of the best story tellers I've seen.in telling his story you can see in his eyes he reliving it as he tells it.Great gentleman.
I absolutely appreciate this video and the attention you're giving to men like my father who was drafted and served prior to 1970... but we need video speech captions for the greatest attention to your work. I'd like to send to my dad but I'm afraid he won't be able to hear well enough to spend three hours watching.
Thank you for any attention you may give to my first comment here on your channel.
His eyes are seeing the horrors of war as he speaks and remembers. All who have been in combat are heroes. My father-in-law was a WWII vet and had PTSD symptoms that he kept inside himself. He drank a lot when he got home and fought a lot trying to kill the demons of war that were inside him. A good man that was misunderstood and labeled as a drunk. He was a hero.
PTSD is just the start! What about agent orange and other chemicals they dumped on those vets while they were fighting. This guy is awesome! God bless all the vets!
Took 15 years to to be compensated for the damage done by agent orange, would rather have had a body without the ravages of that chemical. Thanks guys you are the toughest.
This may be the best one of all.
I just read where you passed away....I'm speechless and yes I am crying a bit...
Thank you for everything you have done for us. You are appreciated more than you will ever know.
Amazing Interview Thanks for your Service Ernie!!!!!
3 tours running heavy equipment and class A tractors plus did some EOD work. He's a tough old bird.
The way this guy looks, he reminds me of Harry Dean Stanton. The way he looks, he stands out in a crowd. Wow, 3 tours in Nam. He’s a hero in my book. I listen to a lot of these interview, however, this is the first combat engineer I’ve seen interviewed. The engineer performed a lot of food service in WW2 and Vietnam, Korea too I expect.
This guy has an insane memory.
Everything he said sounded pretty hard to forget.
You can see the ferocity in his eyes. This hero has been through some painful times. Great interview!
A true American bad ass.i could sit and listen to this man all day.
My god what a sacrifice for that family. True American Badasses. God Bless these Brothers!
Uncle Remus is your name a reference to the song by Don Williams “Good ole boys like me”
U
These interviews are incredible! I stumbled on Darrell Ehrlich's work a couple months ago and every one of the interviews are fascinating. These vets are heroes!!!! Great job Darrell.
Worthy and Deserving. Thank you.
Thank you. Ernie LaFountain, salt of the earth.
I thought back in WWII only 1 brother could go to war. It sounds as though all 4 brothers came home.
As a citizen my appreciation for each of you and your families is enormous.
Thank you for serving this great country Ernie.
These interviews are all great characters who have interesting life experiences, more of us should take the time to hear them. Respect!