101 Vietnam Veterans
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​COMRADERY

I just finished coming back from the 101st reunion in Hampton Roads, VA. While there I spoke with veterans of WWII, Vietnam, and Iraq. Some war stories were told about conditions and fighting that took place in all of those countries and yet though being there were similarities in the fear, loss of friends, and what toll it took on them personally, I sensed a real difference in the pride with which each different war veteran took in his/her service. 
I also noticed a real difference in the attitude of each generation towards the other and though words such as "brothers in arms" were used frequently I couldn't help but feel that these were used without real feeling. I do not believe that the different war veterans clearly understood what the others had gone through and that created an air of indifference that was evident to me and a couple of others that I spoke with about the matter. 
Though this reunion was suppose to be about the "Screaming Eagles" which conjures up the idea of paratroopers jumping into fight the enemy, many Viet Nam vets were actually "legs" as are the Iraq veterans. This change in the unit creates a different sense of pride for those who went the extra "gut check" to get a set of silver wings and who took that pride into battle. 
I also noted that those from the WWII era and Iraq era had a better sense of comrade ship with their fellow soldiers because they trained and served together for longer periods of time and thus had better personal and longer relationships. Admittedly, many, if not most, Vietnam Vets served short periods of time with others due to the transitory nature of the Viet Nam assignment and since most of the men never trained or served together in the states long lasting relationships were few.
I myself found no persons who I knowingly served with at the event and have not been able to locate them during my lengthy internet searches. 
I believe that once the WWII and Vietnam Veterans pass away and its long history of being an "airborne fighting unit" so will the real esprit de corps of the unit and its annual get togethers. 
Sad, but though wars and death bring personal tragedy to all who serve, it does not bring real "brotherhood" because that can only endure with and in people who are truly of the same generation. 
Larry Fuller
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  • About Us
    • Board of Governors >
      • Elected and Appointed Officials
      • Past Presidents
      • Want to Run for Office?
      • Voting Ballot
    • Constitution and Bylaws
    • Memberships
    • Founding Fathers
    • Brief History
    • Eulogy to a Paratrooper
    • Thua Thien Province Base Camps/Firebases
    • General Order #1
    • The Challenge Coin
    • Army Donation 2010
    • YOUR WAR STORIES
    • John Gertsch
    • BATTLE OF PHOUC YEN
    • November 28, 1971
    • Our First Patrol
    • Award to a hero
    • Mountain Tales
    • Duty in the Sky
    • Ambush
    • These Colors Didn't run
    • POPCORN!
    • BATTLE OF AP DONG LAM
    • Monkey Man!
    • "MadMonk" >
      • Letter Home
    • My Bestest Buddy
    • The Chat
    • The Day it Snowed
    • Just Last Night
    • C-Ration Cook Book
    • The Truth of it all
    • Almost got Blown up
    • A SHAU VALLEY
    • 40 Years Ago This Week!
    • Comradery
    • Operation Lamar Plain
    • The Iconic Huey
    • THE DEATH OF LIEUTENANT PERSHING
    • FNG's Prelude to Our First Patrol
    • Sgt Flaherty Unsent Letters 1
    • Sgt Flaherty Unsent Letters 2
    • Sgt Flaherty Unsent Letters 3
    • A Personal Memoir
    • Poems and Tributes >
      • I am the Flag
      • The Airborne Creed
      • Paratroopers Theme Song
      • Why please
      • Reciprocity
      • Burnin' the shit
      • Aquarius
      • LZ Jane
      • I am a Soldier
      • It's been some time
      • Dedication by Dwight Lane
      • Taps
      • The Old Unit
      • AMERICAN SOLDIERMAN
      • REMEMBRANCE DAY
      • A Grateful Nation
      • Airborne History
      • LESLIE TOWNES HOPE
      • Pow / Mia
      • The Wall
      • The Wall
      • Escape
      • Killed in Action
      • Another Year
      • Women of Valor >
        • Sitting in the Dark >
          • Dear Larry
      • A Tribute to Veterans
  • Policy Letters
  • History
    • Airborne History
    • Going Back to Fort Benning
    • Branch Anniversary Dates
    • Order of Battle 65-72
    • Unit History 67-72
    • Unit Awards
    • Battle Campaigns 65-72
    • How to Fold the Flag
    • Memorial Dedication
    • 101 Dedication
    • Proper Flag Display
    • Distinctive Unit Insignia
    • Video Tribute
    • VIET CONG TERROR DOCTRINE
    • Unit Citation Pamphlet
    • Pocket guide to Vietnam
    • Awards
  • Historical Photo Gallery
  • Useful and Important Veterans Links
  • Contact Us
  • Memorial Dedication
  • A Veteran
  • Vietnam Service Medal
  • Fallen Eagles
  • Special Notice Items
  • UPCOMING REUNION 2025
  • Past Reunions
    • Reunion 2024
    • Reunion 2023
    • REUNION 2022
    • 2019 Reunion
    • 2018 Reunion
    • 2017 Reunion
    • 2016 Reunion
    • 2015 Reunion
    • 2014 Reunion
    • 2013 Reunion
    • 2012 Reunion
    • 2011 Reunion
    • 2010 Reunion
    • 2009 Reunion
    • 2008 Reunion
    • 2007 Reunion
    • 2006 Reunion
    • 2005 Reunion
    • 2004 Reunion
    • 2003 Reunion
    • 2002 Reunion
  • NEWSLETTERS
    • Januray 2025
    • Spring2024
    • January 2024
    • SEPTEMBER 2023
    • June 2023
    • APRIL 2023
    • Summer 2022
    • 2021 NEWSLETTERS
    • 2020 Newsletter
    • SPRING 2022
    • 2019 Newsletters
    • 2018 Newsletters
    • 2017 Newsletters
    • 2016 Newsletters
  • Update Honorary Air Assault Badge
  • Chaplains Corner