Page 101 - Firehouse Pond

THEY WEREN’T AWOL

THEY WERE SUFFERING AND NEEDED
TO ESCAPE THE MISERY OF WAR

Many of those returning from Vietnam went absent without leave (AWOL)
and became deserters. AWOL was considered a cowardly act and frequently

meant an “other than honorable discharge” carrying with it the loss of all
benefits. There would be no GI Bill for those Vietnam Veterans. Almost all
those soldiers were reduced in rank and heavily fined before discharge. Many
soldiers facing potential assignment to Vietnam also went AWOL and faced

the same circumstances.

As we witnessed the demise of our fellow soldiers, we also perceived that the

chain of command was continuing to fail us. Our wounded soldiers returned
from Vietnam in need of counseling and other medical attention. They were
reprimanded - castigated for failing to conform to a normal life.

Those soldiers had served their country. They had lived the U.S. Army
Values and followed the Soldier’s Creed. They had earned their GI Bill

benefits.

But without proper medical care, many of them were unable to conform to the
non-combatant’s lifestyle. The government stripped them of an opportunity.

It was an insult and a mockery. Instead of taking responsibility for its action,
the government chose to ignore the emotional and psychological wounds; the:

“WOUNDS THAT DO NOT BLEED”