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My name
is Mike
"SweetPea" Kinann. I enlisted in the Army in 1965,
volunteered for Nam in 1966. I took a 30-day leave after my
1st tour and it somehow extended to 53 days. Expecting to
be given an Article 15 when I reported in, I was surprised
to see a new Operations Sergeant who knew my brother in Germany,
so he let me off the hook.
I got
the nickname "Sweet Pea" at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky.
I was 19 years old and I looked like 12 years old. Well, it
stuck and I was "SweetPea" from then on, to officers
and non-coms alike.
I took
my Airborne training at Ft. Benning, GA., and Military Police
training at Ft. Gordon, GA. I volunteered for Vietnam because
I wanted to see what a war was like. In August of 1966 I was
in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division,
1st Brigade. It turned out to be totally different than what
I'd imagined. It was several months before I saw combat and
see it, I did! Standing behind an M-60 in a gun jeep providing
security for convoys was exciting, to say the least. I did
enjoy it and I actually volunteered to go out on every convoy
that I could.
Two buddies
and I decided that we wanted to get a different perspective
of the war, so we volunteered for L.R.R.P., Long Range Reconnaisance
Patrol...talk about a different perspective! Little did I
know or even suspect that events that happened in the bush
would affect me to this very day.
Even after
32 years since leaving the Nam, hardly a day goes by that
I don't think of my experience in Vietnam. I'm sure each and
every one of you is forced to look skyward the instant a chopper
is heard coming your way...it's mesmerizing...the whap, whap
sound of the chopper blades is like being in a time machine.
Coming
home in 1968 was an eye opener. People were hostile to me
because I was a Vietnam Vet. It was hard to believe. I was
called a baby killer, stupid for fighting "over there,"
a war monger. From the beginning, I've always been proud to
be a Vet. I didn't let people intimidate me and I've always
had a response for the people who tried to insult me.
My wife
and our three daughters can be called "Veterans after
the fact." They've stood by my side as I've gone through
my emotional roller coaster with PTSD and I've always been
comforted by their love and support. I'm sure a lot of you
guys know what I'm talking about.
When I
came home it was a curse to be a Vet. Now it's cool to be
a Vet. There are a lot of wanna be's out there...I'm sure
you've seen them...you can tell in a heartbeat that they're
trying to capitalize upon our sacrifices.
To all
of my Fellow Vets I say Stand Tall...it's time to be Proud!
Welcome Home!
—
SweetPea —
Mike@proudvets.com
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