kelsey+k

Iraq Vs. Vietnam Comparison is the considering of two things with regard to some characteristic that is common to both. We can make a comparison with many things in Vietnam and Iraq. We can compare the [|living conditions], the missions, the weapons, and the feelings of the soldiers. We can also compare the media and the means of communication in these wars. Comparing Vietnam and Iraq was difficult but possible. In order to understand what it was like to be in the war, we must first understand all we can about both the Iraq War and the Vietnam War. The Vietnam War was hated in the United States. When the soldiers came home, they were disgraced by those who should have been supporting them. It seemed that no one was for the war. There were few who were for the war but were too afraid to come out of hiding with their opinions. 3 million US soldiers were sent over to fight, and 2.5 million Vietnamese and Americans together died. The war lasted 25 years. There were many political influences on the state of the war, but the media did the war real harm. People believed that there was no need for war. Which in turn cause so many anti-war movements. The media had major influences on the people. Always telling about how our soldiers were doing nothing and about how we were helping no one while we were in Vietnam. In reality we were doing much more then just causing pain and misery in one part of the world. We were doing something that had to be done. A soldier in Vietnam had many different things to deal with other than the war. They had all the people who did not support the way to think about. What was supposed to be a physical war quickly turned into a mental war. They had to learn how to block out any information they may have gotten about the people hating them. They had to keep holding on and pushing forward. They had to pray that there families would give them the best coming home ever and that their family still loved them enough to think and pray. In Iraq, a soldier has the support of his or her country. That soldier knows that he or she has the country behind them, over half the country praying for them. In today’s world the government allows freedom of speech but does something about the anti-war movements. We have different means of communication with the soldiers and we understand better what the war is all about. The media today is actually able to go into the bases and see what the war is really like. In turn we all support the war more then the Vietnam because we know what is happening. One famous anti-war movement was the Kent State Massacre. Many people, students and public alike, lost their lives that day. It was a devastating time for everyone who knew any who had gotten killed there. The Kent State Massacre was only one of the very many anti-war movements that had taken place. All over the US young adults had seemed to go crazy. The media always had another story to tell about cars being set on fire and mass shootings. It was one of the worst affects the war had on American citizens. Today, all we see on television is about the bad things that seem to be happening in the Middle East. Every day we hear about a roadside bomb and about how many people got killed. In today’s world the media has an even greater effect on the war and whether it is a good or a bad thing. People are still very confused about what is going on in Iraq, and they are beginning to wonder why our soldiers are still over in Iraq. Although the media mainly reports the explosive things, they do report some important things as well. They report the deaths, and every once in a while they report something that is boring but vital to understand what is happening in the war. What the newscasters do not realize is that no matter how much they tell about the war they will never be able to capture the raw emotion that these soldiers feel but cannot show because there job prevents them from doing so. I was lucky enough to have the chance to interview a soldier from the Iraq War and a soldier from the Vietnam War. That made comparing the two wars easier. Interview: How were you’re living conditions while on duty? Iraq: “Built our own room and sometimes running water but only 2 minute showers.” Vietnam: “ Kinda rough. No running water.” What were your initial thoughts going into the war? Iraq: “Proud to serve, but signed up. Ready to get it done.” Vietnam: “Drafted so shocked, but proud to serve.” How did you handle things when they got bad? Iraq: “Delt with the situation as best as I could.’ Vietnam: “Scared but just keep working through it and stuck to the routine.” Did fear ever strike you while in combat? Iraq: “ Yes.” Vietnam: “Yes.” What type of weapons were you supplied with? Iraq: “M4, smaller rifle, 240 round machine gun.” Vietnam: “M16, M14, artillery, 105 cannons.”

How did you feel when you were finally coming home? Iraq: “Relief, excited, happy.” Vietnam: “Real proud. Happy.” How do you think the living conditions and security differ between the Iraq War and the Vietnam War? If so how? Both thought that the living conditions in Iraq were better because you had access to more things and better armor. They also believed that the medical access is better What did you eat while you were on duty? Did you like the food? Iraq: “Chicken, hamburgers on base. MREs or snacks.” Vietnam: “I was the cook. Lots of roast beef. Sea Rations (canned goods).” Do you think that the Iraq War is another Vietnam War? Iraq: “No.” Vietnam: “No.” In what ways, if any, did you have contact with your family? Iraq: “Cell Phone, Internet and letters.” Vietnam: “Phone on R&R out of country, mail, Mars Station (hand radio).” What were the conditions where you served? Iraq: “Dry and hot. It was literally a desert.” Vietnam: “Rain season and we were always on the move” What was the clothing like? Iraq: “Lighter, easier to move in. Fit for desert like conditions.” Vietnam: “Heavy boots with metal on the bottom so we didn’t step on a thorn. Heavier material. Fit for jungle like conditions.” ** Works Cited ** , . "Geraldo in Iraq : A Tour of US Troops' Living Quarters!." __http://youtube.com/watch?v=pd36MrFOpA0.__ 1 Dec. 2007. 2 May. 2008. , . "Welcome to VietnamWar.com." __http://www.vietnamwar.com/.__. 2007. 29 Apr. 2008. Carney, M. . __http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/images/2007/05/07/soldier.jpg.__ 7 May. 2007. 7 May. 2008.  Hull, T. . "Statistical information about casualties of the Vietnam War." __http://www.archives.gov/research/vietnam-war/casualty-statistics.html.__ Feb. 2007. 29 Apr. 2008. Neiman, D. . "Vietnam War." __http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/.__. . 27 Apr. 2008.