I was impressed by your interest and knowledge of the historical background of the war. Too few Americans value historical precedent and it's impact. Thus we have tendency make opinions/decisions based on limited contextual information. This dismisses the "big picture", and can negatively impact our future, individually and as a country. History will judge our actions today and create lessons for future generations...not enough Americans see the wider perspective. Thank you greatly Randy for your sacrifice and sharing your experience.
Thanks for your life story--you sure have a resilient nature and can-do attitude about life! And a healthy sense of humor as well. It really must have helped you adapt upon your return. People have so many personalities and I have a hard time judging anyone who was afraid to serve, yet also understand the resentment of anyone who did serve toward those who ran away. There were cowards, and there were people who could overcome their fear, and there were those who felt it was their duty, and those who wanted to go, but it was such a different war from that of their father's. I am sure those who ran away or made excuses not to go harbor deep shame the rest of their lives, yet their fear and cowardice or meek nature might have made them easy targets or even a burden or risk for their brothers in arms, and their were periods of heavy casualties when it seemed like a life-or-death decision and they just didn't have the nerve to face their fears and go. My older brother was born in 1952 or 53 and barely missed being selected in the lottery. He is 8 years older than I. Knowing him now, my brother was not cut out for being in the infantry--he could physically have handled it, but he is an introvert and, although he has been hunting with his friend for decades now, he has never been able to shoot a deer or elk and I know he has had opportunities. I'm sure his friends make fun of him for it. My father served in WWII in the 97th Infantry Division in both Germany and in Japan during the occupation. He loved Japan and traveled there with my mother in the 60s and 70s--I grew up surrounded by things they collected on their journeys. I was too young to really understand what was going on during Vietnam, but my older sister told me recently my father didn't want my brother to go. Maybe he knew then that my brother was just not cut out for it. I'm not sure if there was a choice back then to serve, but not in combat if you were drafted? Luckily the decision never had to be made. It's shameful how vets from Vietnam were treated upon coming home. Let's be thankful that people of all political stripes and backgrounds now understand the sacrifice they and all other service members make for our country. One thing I have learned from these interviews is that service members are some of the least racist or sexist people--everyone is interdependent on one another no matter their color, sex, religion, or whether they came from a big city or a small town. It makes me think that some type of national service would be really good for bringing our country together. Nobody would be excluded, rich or poor, man or woman. I believe the Swiss have such a system and probably other countries. Vietnam--such a complicated period in our country's history. I am learning so much from these interviews. Thank you Randall "Sylvester" for your interesting and intelligent perspective. I'm so sorry about your wife--she lives on in your story and it sounds like she was a wonderful woman. Wishing you all the best.
I've listened to hundreds of these interviews, enough so that I'm recognizing names these vets are mentioning. Jim Swick's interview is worth watching, his ride on the cable THROUGH the trees!
This guy has a far better grasp of history than anyone I have heard in these vids. It is as if he read Bernard Fall.. "La Rue Sans Joie" No one in the US Army apparently ever read it so they screwed up totally!
Mr Kusiak was there the same time I was there. I was in the Amelical Div in Chu Lia. I was infantry. The 198th inf the 101st kicked ass lol Herb Swain. Sgt U S ARMY
He is. I'm glad he knows the history of Vietnam and how the US downfall was its alliance with France. If France was kept out of Vietnam, the war would of likely never happend and Vietnam would be under US support which it somewhat currenlty is as Vietnam doesn't have much beef with the US. Their main enemies are China and France. Side note: The British along with Japanese had decimated and almost destroyed Communist Vietnamese right after WW2 as they had years of jungle training. It all went to he'll when the French who had zero jungle experiance started acting like nothing had changed and were being rulers again. Thet got whooped by the Viet Minh who were now very experianced and well equipped.
Sounds so stupid to hear people thank someone for doing what the guys doing the thanking should be doing also ... These are all kids who were clueless on what they were doing other than saluting the flag that some politician ran up the flag pole.
THANK YOU MR. Kusik for your Service in Vietnam, and to ALL THE VETS THAT HAVE SERVED.
I've listened to a lot of these and this man is the best yet. Thank you sir.
I love this guy. Good health and happiness to you, sir.
Great story Randall! Thankyou for your service.
I was impressed by your interest and knowledge of the historical background of the war. Too few Americans value historical precedent and it's impact. Thus we have tendency make opinions/decisions based on limited contextual information. This dismisses the "big picture", and can negatively impact our future, individually and as a country. History will judge our actions today and create lessons for future generations...not enough Americans see the wider perspective.
Thank you greatly Randy for your sacrifice and sharing your experience.
I am a 68 yo Navy Veteran and would salute this man
Wonderful OUTSTANDING
Thank you sir, much appreciated hearing your experience.
now there is a straight shooter, i was that b-52 munitions guy he was speaking of.i was rivited to the screen the whole interview.
Hell of a guy, would serve with him anytime !
Thanks for your life story--you sure have a resilient nature and can-do attitude about life! And a healthy sense of humor as well. It really must have helped you adapt upon your return. People have so many personalities and I have a hard time judging anyone who was afraid to serve, yet also understand the resentment of anyone who did serve toward those who ran away. There were cowards, and there were people who could overcome their fear, and there were those who felt it was their duty, and those who wanted to go, but it was such a different war from that of their father's. I am sure those who ran away or made excuses not to go harbor deep shame the rest of their lives, yet their fear and cowardice or meek nature might have made them easy targets or even a burden or risk for their brothers in arms, and their were periods of heavy casualties when it seemed like a life-or-death decision and they just didn't have the nerve to face their fears and go. My older brother was born in 1952 or 53 and barely missed being selected in the lottery. He is 8 years older than I. Knowing him now, my brother was not cut out for being in the infantry--he could physically have handled it, but he is an introvert and, although he has been hunting with his friend for decades now, he has never been able to shoot a deer or elk and I know he has had opportunities. I'm sure his friends make fun of him for it. My father served in WWII in the 97th Infantry Division in both Germany and in Japan during the occupation. He loved Japan and traveled there with my mother in the 60s and 70s--I grew up surrounded by things they collected on their journeys. I was too young to really understand what was going on during Vietnam, but my older sister told me recently my father didn't want my brother to go. Maybe he knew then that my brother was just not cut out for it. I'm not sure if there was a choice back then to serve, but not in combat if you were drafted? Luckily the decision never had to be made. It's shameful how vets from Vietnam were treated upon coming home. Let's be thankful that people of all political stripes and backgrounds now understand the sacrifice they and all other service members make for our country. One thing I have learned from these interviews is that service members are some of the least racist or sexist people--everyone is interdependent on one another no matter their color, sex, religion, or whether they came from a big city or a small town. It makes me think that some type of national service would be really good for bringing our country together. Nobody would be excluded, rich or poor, man or woman. I believe the Swiss have such a system and probably other countries. Vietnam--such a complicated period in our country's history. I am learning so much from these interviews. Thank you Randall "Sylvester" for your interesting and intelligent perspective. I'm so sorry about your wife--she lives on in your story and it sounds like she was a wonderful woman. Wishing you all the best.
I've listened to hundreds of these interviews, enough so that I'm recognizing names these vets are mentioning. Jim Swick's interview is worth watching, his ride on the cable THROUGH the trees!
This guy has a far better grasp of history than anyone I have heard in these vids. It is as if he read Bernard Fall.. "La Rue Sans Joie" No one in the US Army apparently ever read it so they screwed up totally!
👍👍 Impressive man.
I was in Charlie Company 2/501st infantry Geronimos was there in 1969 November 1970
38th parallel was Korea..been there done that one..2nd infantry.".keep up the fire"
joe cheney mtia
Mr Kusiak was there the same time I was there. I was in the Amelical Div in Chu Lia. I was infantry. The 198th inf the 101st kicked ass lol Herb Swain. Sgt U S ARMY
I was in the 196th at that time around DaNang
I was in the 196th Inf when you were there.
Airborne all the way, God bless the airborne.
He was such a thinker I beat there was many times he prob kept comments to himself when he was in Nam. Well enjoy the sun :)
He is. I'm glad he knows the history of Vietnam and how the US downfall was its alliance with France. If France was kept out of Vietnam, the war would of likely never happend and Vietnam would be under US support which it somewhat currenlty is as Vietnam doesn't have much beef with the US. Their main enemies are China and France.
Side note: The British along with Japanese had decimated and almost destroyed Communist Vietnamese right after WW2 as they had years of jungle training. It all went to he'll when the French who had zero jungle experiance started acting like nothing had changed and were being rulers again. Thet got whooped by the Viet Minh who were now very experianced and well equipped.
CRANK..volume up??"!"...
Sounds so stupid to hear people thank someone for doing what the guys doing the thanking should be doing also ... These are all kids who were clueless on what they were doing other than saluting the flag that some politician ran up the flag pole.