Gen Abrams Letter - K Troop - 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment

I left Vietnam on Wednesday, April 9, 1969 having completed my 365 day Tour Of Duty with the Blackhorse. When I left, I was given several booklets, one of which was titled "Tour 365". On the inside front cover was a letter from General Creighton W. Abrams. It reads, in part:

Headquarters
US Military Assistance Command, Vietnam
Office of the Commander
APO San Francisco, CA 96222

Your tour of duty with the US Army in Vietnam is ended. May your trip home and reunion with family and friends be the pleasant, happy occasion you have anticipated. You go home with my best wishes.

As Veterans of this war, you can now look back with perspective on your experience and know the trying and difficult tasks inherent in fighting to protect the freedom of peace-loving people against Communist invaders. You know of the local Viet Cong terrorists who kill and maim their own neighbors and appreciate the terror and destruction they spread. Having served here, you understand better than many of our countrymen the meaning of aggression against South Vietnam.

You have fought beside soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Vietnam and many other nations in a common struggle. You have been more than just a combat ally to the South Vietnamese soldier. Many of you have worked with his people in hamlet improvement and pacification programs and been looked upon as a teacher and builder, as well as a fighter.

Whether you served in a combat or combat support role, people at home will want to hear your story of the war. Tell it.

I extend my sincere appreciation for your help in accomplishing our task in Vietnam and my thanks for a job well done. Good luck in the future.

Creighton W. Abrams
General US Army
Commanding

One of the outstanding remarks that General Abrams made in his letter was "People want to hear your story of the war. Tell it." Following my second tour of duty in Vietnam and upon discharge, no one wanted to here my story of Vietnam. I learned later that many of my fellow Vietnam veterans encountered the same sentiment.

2009 was the 40th anniversary of my second tour of duty in Vietnam. 40 years has done much to change the minds of many Americans about wanting to hear about Vietnam. Many people today are inspired by the courage and sacrifice of America's soldiers who fought and died for freedom's cause.

I'm happy that this time in history gives me an opportunity to tell my story. A story about the men of K Troop whose blood, sweat and tears poured out onto the soil of Vietnam watered the seeds of hope for a people so much in need of it.