Vietnam War Speech

The Vietnam War is the longest war fought in American history, lasting from November 1955 to April 1975. The Vietnam War greatly changed American forever. It is one of the most important events in the history of the United States. During the late 60’s and early 70’s, anti-war movement was steadily progressing in the United States. The peace movement was directed to stop all forms of war. During this time, many artists produced songs either with or against the protesting. Merle Haggard wrote the song, “Okie From Muskogee” during this time. Haggard was against the protesting. Regardless if one supports war, one should support America and our troops. The Vietnam War was the first war to be broadcasted on television. The public could see what was happening on the battlefield. The media caused major changes in America. The media brought all the horrors of the war life. For the first time, people could see the action every day on the news. Merle Haggard loved his country and was supported of the troops. When the protesting started against the Vietnam War, Haggard became dishearten and incorporated this emotion in the song ‘Okie From Muskogee’.

Protests were forming around the United States. As the Soldiers started returning home, some Americans were doing horrible things to the Soldiers. As they would return home, people would boo and hiss at them. People would even spit on them as the Soldiers would walk by them. Many civilians had a negative image of the retuning Soldiers that was hard to shake, Veterans recalled. Many Vietnam vets complained of employment discrimination and hostility from anti-war activists who didn’t understand the traumas Soldiers suffered. (Carroll) Even many years later some Vietnam Veterans still don’t say that they served or that they are a Veteran because people made them feel ashamed for doing the job their country called them up to