Chereads / Life of a Soldier: A Vietnam War Story / Chapter 30 - Chapter 30, Home

Chapter 30 - Chapter 30, Home

I was in Med Bay getting diagnosed by the Doctors.

I suffered a gunshot wound to the shoulder, slash to my arm, dirt and other things in my lungs, concussion and other physical trauma.

So I stayed in Med Bay for almost an entire month in Tokyo, Japan until I was ready to be shipped home.

I was awarded the Purple Heart, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Bronze Star and the Medal of Honor.

It's funny I was given two Medals for serving in Nam the Service Medal and Campaign Medal one from my own Nation and the other from South Vietnam.

Purple Heart for the wounds I was given, Bronze Star for my heroic acts, Two Vietnam Medals just by serving there and the Medal of Honor for going above and beyond the call of duty.

I was on a plane with other Nam vets a lot of us we're Army, Marines, Air Force and other things. I once I touchdown I couldn't wait to see my family again.

Sometimes I wish Scully was right by me right now since he should of gone home.

When the plane landed we walked out and instead of being greeted with cheers and welcome homes.

I listen to chants calling us Baby killers, Murders and Rapists. I just pushed through them they spat at us and continue to call us many things.

Something inside of me grew and it wasn't pride but loathing, these ungrateful bastards are calling us Baby killers? I've seen young men get torn to shreds by explosives, machine guns and other things.

I went into a prison camp to save some boys and what I found wasn't a prison but a damn torture site.

Suddenly one of them grabbed my hat which set me off, I turned and punched a protester into the face as I hope the rail and begin beating on him.

Grabbing my hat back just as few Troops held me back as both side begin shouting.

"We were fighting in a damn war you idiots!" "I didn't kill anyone but Soldiers!" "Baby Killer?! I'm a fucking Marine!" I heard from what the side I'm on.

"You kill for money!" "Your not heroes your murders!" "Your no better then them!" I heard from the other.

I went through them all carrying my bag and holding my hat firmly to my head. I was already angry with these idiots so ungrateful.

I fight in Nam and this is the thanks I get it?! I turned to face someone grabbing me I was ready to fight again.

But it wasn't a protestor it was my Dad, he looked at me with a sadden look he held me tightly as I just stood barely moving as he held me.

Then I felt another hug me, it was my mother they both held me tightly. She was crying while Dad just muttering welcome home over and over.

When I came back to our home my sisters cried as they held me then Chau came down and handed our baby.

I looked at her with my eyes my tired eyes as they begin to wet. "I love her..." I said as Chau held me in her arms tightly.

I was finally home my time in Nam is over, to be honest I don't think I can ever go back to Nam as a Soldier ever again.

After my service I married Chau properly once my unit came back home.

Kyle was wearing an eye patch after saving Gillan from a sniper shot. This earned him a Purple Heart and other Medals.

Bucky had a prosthetic leg after his leg was pinned down by some metal yet he continue to fire his rifle, he got nicknamed Bucky the one legged Sniper, he was given the rank of Sergeant and the Purple Heart and Medal of Honor.

Marshall was partially deaf right now but he came back mostly unscathed from his time in Nam.

Paul was using crutches for while after having his leg broken yet just like Bucky he held his position earning him the Purple Heart and other Medals.

As for Jamie crazy Bastard remained in the military and reach the rank of Colonel when he hit his thirties, he settled down and married an Japanese woman and moved to Japan.

Gillan stayed in Nam til the Fall of Saigon and once he came home we gave him a hero's welcome and to our surprise Nolan was there as well.

We celebrated our return home as well mourned the lost of Scully. Maybe we all lived cause of Scully watching over us.

I'm practically in my Fifties now and still happy married to Chau and our daughter is a grown woman with a kid of her own now.

"So Mr. Tobias would you like to tell us anymore?" A voice told me I looked up remembering now I'm in a interview for a Documentary.

I look at my wrinkled hands as Chau held my shoulders gently behind me.

"I can't say if my time in Nam was worth it but I knew what I could of gotten into however there's nothing great about war...Scully is a great man and as for the people of Vietnam...Your sons and daughters fought like Soldiers to secure their freedom...I do apologize for taking your sons" I said removing my glasses.

"I knew after Nam another war would begin cause war is apart of human nature...My two nephews are in service....My nephew from my sister Hayley is in Afghanistan while the other is in Iraq...I wished hell I even hope for a future where we don't have to send our young to fight anymore....Nam took alot our sons now places like Iraq and Afghanistan among other places will take more of our children..."

"Mr. Tobias do you feel any pride in your service in Vietnam?" I was asked which I began to chuckle.

"I could never feel pride in war...Never I do feel pride in that fact we still have a generation of those who wish to make a difference...I hope this generation doesn't make the mistakes I did" I said.

After the interview I walked with Chau along with our Daughter Nhu and one of our grandchildren. We came to the large black wall which had many names of our fallen comrades.

"There...right there" I pointed at the name "Sergeant Franklin Scully, that's him" I said with a smile.

Chau kissed my cheek as Nhu held her child as we look at the wall before turning around and walked away.

From the corner of my wall I saw Scully but as an old man like me, he smiled at me and saluted which I did the same.

"Dad?" Nhu looked at me worried which I smiled "Just seeing an old friend...just an old friend"

My name is Anthony Tobias, Sergeant of Golf One, Vietnam Veteran husband, father, grandfather, brother and son.

I've been called Mickey Mouse for my height and Helltrooper for my service but right now I rather just relax and enjoy my time with my family.

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