Ike warned us about a war like Vietnam 

This Vietnam story is again, compliments of Kenneth Reeder. To sponsor an individual theme or story send your idea to robertmford@aol.com. 

A “forever war” was just the type of conflict the military and defense industries were dreaming of, great for the bottom line. 

Eisenhower saw the “industrial military complex,” gain political clout during his presidency. Now he was suggesting they could influence international policy, promoting war and thus their products. 

In his farewell address to the nation, Ike went out with a bang. He warned the country to be vigilant against the "acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex.” 

That statement didn’t come from just anyone, this was 5-star general and two-term President Dwight D. Eisenhower. He knew a thing or two about military procurements. 

Post-World War II, the Cold War provided another set of circumstances. Thanks to the times, public naivete and propaganda, an arms race with the Soviet Union was in full swing.

Fearing annihilation, the public felt the spread of communism had to be stopped at all costs. Remember duck and cover?

Industrial military lobbyists did their job well, greasing palms, running selected candidates and generating fear. 

I often think of the McCarthy hearings, all the lies and innocent people whose lives were ruined. All in the name of democracy! 

The stage was set, our country had to fight against the spread of communism or it would take over the planet. The civil war in Vietnam is where the line in the sand was drawn. The military complex got what they’d paid for, an open-ended war. 

On Dec. 1, 1972, I was driving back to college from Kansas City with my best bud “Mad Dog” John Groneman, a middle linebacker of the fierce but winless Baker University Wildcats. 

It was a big day .. the day we learned our fate. It was draft lottery number day!

Who among us would be the unlucky cluck to get plucked out of college by the Army and sent to that jungle meat-grinder called Vietnam?

It was thought if your number was over 50 you were home free. If it was lower ... well, we all had friends who had gone and a few that never came back. At this point the war had been escalating for seven years. 

Listening to the drawing on the car radio, my number came up first: Oct. 20 ... 352, bingo! They would have to take 4 million men before getting to me. 

John’s life would change 20 minutes later, March 12 ... 15! We drove straight to the local 3.2 watering hole that was full of other high-numbered celebrants. John just sat at the bar staring at his glass. 

In the next two weeks he dropped out of school and enrolled in the New York National Guard. By doing so he kicked his enlistment can down the road for at least for one year. 

We knew that was the game you had to play now to avoid getting shipped off. In the end, 58,220 Americans died in Vietnam. An additional 150,000 were wounded and 21,000 permanently disabled.

The generation that served was one that ultimately dealt with personal demons that bled into other lives. 

I never saw John again. 

“As remembered from pilot Hugh Mills.”

Many hardened Vietnam combat helicopter pilots didn’t have much respect for superior officers, especially if they were on their second or third tour. 

Once in a great while the brass would bring nice, classy Vietnamese and Filipino girls to the O-Club to change things up. 

On one such occasion, our bud and fearless Cobra pilot -- we will call him Jake -- was acting crazed ... which for him was normal.

One ground-hugging major whom everyone loathed had a great looking gal with him all evening, but when the major would go get a drink or hit the head, Jake would move in. 

The major chased Jake away several times and was getting ticked. Beers flowed, Jake was having fun at the major's expense until the final approach. 

Now, the major was physical. Standing up, he pushed Jake backwards as my buddy and I moved in to make sure punches were not thrown. The four of us stood inches from each other as the major ranted with a finger in Jake’s face. 

“Look fly boy, she’s with me, got it Lieutenant! You're the sorriest excuse of an officer in this man’s Army I’ve ever seen, got that soldier! I’ve had it with you and your attitude, we’ll see you tomorrow my friend,…yada, yada, yada.”

We were all standing so close I was proud of the misty-eyed Jake not saying a word and keeping his hands by his side, or so I thought. 

As the major finally dropped his finger and pulled away, Jake hit my chest with the back of his hand.

“Let’s get out of here!” he said.

As we quickly zig-zagged through the crowd I heard the major yelling.

”Lieutenant, lieutenant … you're mine Lieutenant!”

We ran out the door. 

Turned out, as the major was in Jake’s face, the calm chopper pilot had an urge and was well ... relieving himself on the major’s boots the whole time. 

It’s always bothered me when someone wins an award or has an opportunity to thank people for their success and then proceeds to bail by declaring, “I’m so moved there are no words, I’m just speechless.” 

I’m thinking, “Give it an effort!”

There are those deserved, needing to hear your praise who sacrificed for you, and the young who can always use motivation! 

I’ll give it a shot on this one, here we go. 

I revere those men and women who served in Vietnam. Not only for their country but for those like me who didn’t have to go because you did. 

Did we get anything from it? Yes, our country’s determination stopped communism. There are many other pressing international issues but the spread of the communist doctrine right now isn’t one of them. 

If the United States was willing to commit itself to the degree we did in an unpopular war, think what force would be unleashed in a nationally-recognized “acceptable” war. Take WWII for example. 

Concerning the way society treated the soldiers returning, I agree with helicopter pilot Hugh Mills.

“Blame the war, not the warriors.” 

Thanks to all these gallant Americans who served, we are and will always remain forever grateful. 

Salute to Kevin Drewelow, director of the Combat Air Museum in Topeka and Hugh Mills, author of “Low Level Hell.” 

———————————— 

Bob Ford’s History will appear in each edition of the Weekender, Midweek and Corner Post. You can find more of Bob’s work on his website bobfordshistory.com and videos on YouTube, TikTok and Clapper.

To support this work, contributions can be made via Venmo @bobfordshistory.