Vietnam vet heads to Iraq seeking closure while embedded with his old platoon

[CommunityEditor]

Bob Konrardy is 64 years old and four decades removed from his combat days in the Vietnam War. He's seeking closure and to find it, he's spending nine days in Iraq embedded with his old platoon, A Company, 1st Battalion, 5th U.S. Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division.

While there, he plans to take part in all its activities except direct-combat missions, and deliver a few goodies (think telephone cards and hand-held video games) to the troops while he’s at it. But above all, he sees this journey as his chance to thank the platoon that saved his life 42 years ago.

What do you think about the idea of a vet embedding in a warzone? Will he find the closure he's looking for?

[The Universal Curmudgeon_guest]

Originally Posted by CommunityEditor

What do you think about the idea of a vet embedding in a warzone?

Let's just say that I think (other than it being a marvelous PR exercise) that it's almost as "brilliant" an idea as reintroducing lancers into modern warfare.

Originally Posted by CommunityEditor

Will he find the closure he's looking for?

Possibly, then again possibly not. "Closure" is something that you find within yourself - once you realize that it was there all along - and not something that you get externally. On the other hand, he'll probably get a reasonably lucrative book deal out of the exercise so it isn't all going to be a waste.

[PCOMND69]

Originally Posted by CommunityEditor

Bob Konrardy is 64 years old and four decades removed from his combat days in the Vietnam War. He's seeking closure and to find it, he's spending nine days in Iraq embedded with his old platoon, A Company, 1st Battalion, 5th U.S. Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division.

While there, he plans to take part in all its activities except direct-combat missions, and deliver a few goodies (think telephone cards and hand-held video games) to the troops while he’s at it. But above all, he sees this journey as his chance to thank the platoon that saved his life 42 years ago.

What do you think about the idea of a vet embedding in a warzone? Will he find the closure he's looking for?

I don't understand why he don't just sit back and wait for the unit to redeploy from Iraq. If all he wants to do is thank the platoon for saving his life all those many years ago. However maybe there is something more behind it then what he is telling. Either or it's his decision so let him try and find the closure he's looking for.

[563327106]

Originally Posted by CommunityEditor

Bob Konrardy is 64 years old and four decades removed from his combat days in the Vietnam War. He's seeking closure and to find it, he's spending nine days in Iraq embedded with his old platoon, A Company, 1st Battalion, 5th U.S. Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division.

While there, he plans to take part in all its activities except direct-combat missions, and deliver a few goodies (think telephone cards and hand-held video games) to the troops while he’s at it. But above all, he sees this journey as his chance to thank the platoon that saved his life 42 years ago.

What do you think about the idea of a vet embedding in a warzone? Will he find the closure he's looking for?

Which platoon in Company A, First Battalion, 5th Cavallry? I was thje platoon leader of that platoon during the Korean War.

[StationedinWA]

I don't think the Editors realize this article was upsetting to at least one recent combat veteran (myself) with 3 deployments to the Middle East in the last 4 years. It was a short blurb about some 64 year-old man who wanted to go to Iraq.....why? Oh, to thank members of the unit he served with in Vietnam. What??? Who in the government approved this? Sounds like a warped version of fantasy baseball camp. I don't really care what his reasons are, the fact that a civilian can hop on a plane and fly over there with some tokens from home after describing the 'goodbyes' to friends and family as '...backward and horrible terror' is scary. Why would you do that to your family if you don't have to? I hope I am not like that 30 years from now. To each his own, I guess. Semper Fi. Army Strong.

[robbyracoon]

Originally Posted by 563327106

Which platoon in Company A, First Battalion, 5th Cavallry? I was thje platoon leader of that platoon during the Korean War.

1st platoon. plese email me.

Bob

[robbyracoon]

Originally Posted by StationedinWA

I don't think the Editors realize this article was upsetting to at least one recent combat veteran (myself) with 3 deployments to the Middle East in the last 4 years. It was a short blurb about some 64 year-old man who wanted to go to Iraq.....why? Oh, to thank members of the unit he served with in Vietnam. What??? Who in the government approved this? Sounds like a warped version of fantasy baseball camp. I don't really care what his reasons are, the fact that a civilian can hop on a plane and fly over there with some tokens from home after describing the 'goodbyes' to friends and family as '...backward and horrible terror' is scary. Why would you do that to your family if you don't have to? I hope I am not like that 30 years from now. To each his own, I guess. Semper Fi. Army Strong.

i definitely did not mean to belittle or upset any vets with my decision. it's a long story and the idea was originated in iraq. it wasn't an easy decision and it was not a matter of hopping on a plane. looking back, it was a good decision.

bob

[William Wilson]

Originally Posted by StationedinWA

I don't think the Editors realize this article was upsetting to at least one recent combat veteran (myself) with 3 deployments to the Middle East in the last 4 years. It was a short blurb about some 64 year-old man who wanted to go to Iraq.....why? Oh, to thank members of the unit he served with in Vietnam. What??? Who in the government approved this? Sounds like a warped version of fantasy baseball camp. I don't really care what his reasons are, the fact that a civilian can hop on a plane and fly over there with some tokens from home after describing the 'goodbyes' to friends and family as '...backward and horrible terror' is scary. Why would you do that to your family if you don't have to? I hope I am not like that 30 years from now. To each his own, I guess. Semper Fi. Army Strong.

I'm really glad you wrote that. See, I'm a civilian and am reluctant to criticize anyone in uniform. But I think you hit the nail square on the head. Iraq as therapy theme park? Someone's not thinking too clearly.

BTW, among other things I attended a going-away ceremony at the Tacoma Dome few years ago for the WA National Guard. I did so after I had decided that I opposed the war. But I didn't voice those opinions there. Afterwards, I went around in the parking lot thanking people for their willingness to serve and wishing them the best of luck. When I see people in uniform in airports I made a point of doing the same thing, without being too cheesy about it. It was really gut wrenching to go to the Tacoma Dome that day but I'm glad I went, and I'm glad there weren't any protesters there.

Thank you for your service, StationedinWA. I appreciate it more than I can convey by mere words on a screen. You should know that there are all kinds of people who don't think we ought to be in Iraq but who will never, ever take it out on the people who are laying their lives on the line there. Any American in harm's way in a far-off land is one of us and I wish for their safe return to this country, where they belong.

[robbyracoon]

Originally Posted by robbyracoon

1st platoon. plese email me.

Bob

would the platoon leader of the 1st cav platoon in korea please email me!!!

[Sabasjr]

Well! if he thinks by going to Iraq with the present A1/5 Cav, 1st Cav Division will bring him closure, good luck. He is reflecting on the unit's designation A1/5 Cav, 1st Cav Division. I like to suggest he go back to Viet Nam and find the location he was rescued or saved, hold an article he had or wore at the time , i.e his unit patch, hold it in his hands and present a sharp hands salute at that location to give thanks not only to the unit that saved his life but also for those who gave their lives to save his. This was my therapy! {MSG, US Army Retired }