For those of you who knew Saigon and have wanted to go back, the below link is to 16 episodes which are fascinating to watch and which underscore the old phrase ‘you can’t go home again’. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Es0eBxE0Dmw&list=PL411389E938E5BC9C        

Along the Ho Chi Minh trail today:

 http://www.laosgpsmap.com/ho-chi-minh-trail-laos/

 If you want to obtain a copy of any family member’s military records or your own, this web site allows you to begin the process:

http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/

Hatfield Agent Orange Reports and Presentations BIEN HOA BASE A HOT SPOT

http://www.hatfieldgroup.com/services/contaminantagentorange/agentorangereports.aspx

Download and DVD List URLs:                              

                 Vietnam War History Units In Vietnam

                      Vietnam War 1st Abd Outlaws CD Recording Extraction:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=aI38qX-KGyo

                       Vietnam War 1st Abd Helicopters and Door Gunners Music 1islonelynumber: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGtQSjLduQw

                           Vietnam Airmobile Division Dod 1966:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=rBASFH5iYzE

                              Vietnam War 101st Abn Div. 2/502 inf  1968:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCPMkeQQt3Q

                            Vietnam War 1st Infantry Vietnam:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=cayRqLZeZbM

                Vietnam War 1st Air Cavalry Air Mobile:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=1k9yZKjE6Ro

                  Vietnam War 1st Air Cav Vietnam Combat:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIbmtsbuczU

                          Vietnam War 5th Infantry Div 1968-1970L  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBw1jZtCRYI

                Vietnam War 9th Infantry Division:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0Syzj1rO3w

                               Vietnam War 9th Inf. Div. Ben Cat:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90SmIUVepd0

                Vietnam War 11th Cav Reg.  Big Picture:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kydy7HSQPgE

                Vietnam War 23rd Infantry Division Americal Chu Lai:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIE-juy7QHw

                Vietnam War 25th ID Cu Chi 1967-1968:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1b3-EeLmEOU

                         Vietnam War 173rd Abn Operation Big Spring 1967:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9THn3b2SFU

                Vietnam War 173rd Abn 1968 Sky Soldiers:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4MUxmMN704

                Vietnam War 198th Infantry and Americal 1968: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=dta2mCEPYXs

                Vietnam War Americal Division:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyhKFWYM2R0

                 Vietnam War History

                Vietnam War Combat Shots http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxe9Q8Q4Yk0

                Vietnam War New Soldier:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7E9Tl4-r_Es

                               Vietnam War History A Day in Vietnam War:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=mIARadcw2JA

                Vietnam War Bien Hoa Air Base 1964-1969:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mR-dWZ6Aqc0

                               Vietnam War History AFVN

                Vietnam War AFVN 1970 Long Binh Post:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=yUoepmsGdh0

                Vietnam War AFVN 1970:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUoepmsGdh0

                Vietnam War AFVN Radio Pics:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54Wyfuotiug

                Vietnam War Public Radio:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=SmA1aaiDppM

                Vietnam War AFVN Trip From Long Binh Post To Saigon:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=fbe6WML2uxE

                Vietnam War AFVN Saigon City Street and Black Market: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=jRXpRSPKQh0

                 Vietnam War Weapons

                Vietnam War M113 APC:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Gd-GsZMkqxY

                Weapon M16 XM16E1 5.56mm AR US Army Film 1966:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlcCOCg62CA

                          Vietnam War Locations

                Vietnam War Long Binh:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=LhwTnCJCa2k

                Vietnam War Cu Chi 1967-1968 25th ID:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=1b3-EeLmEOU

                               Vietnam War USN Patrol Boats Pt 1of:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BpZgeObTfg

                                  Vietnam War USN Patrol Boats 1967:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yIR9VhYYhw

                                    Vietnam War History Bob Hope Cu Chi:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHYnb5sRK40

                 Vietnam War Dong Ha Combat Base and Airfield:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=2Mp9mnWKhkw

                Vietnam War Da Nang AB Sapper and Rocket Attacks:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDdIdT9pd3s

                Vietnam War History Phan Rang Air Base 1965-1970:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrHt34mo6Ro

                                            Vietnam War Saigon 1961:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Svs2RIJ4Pw

                Vietnam War Saigon Ton Son Nhut 1966:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=H6ZV3s63hBk

                Vietnam War History Cam Ranh Bay 1966-1968:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xC0evt63t5M

                               Vietnam War History Cam Ranh Bay 1969-1970:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61UYPb9SZS4

                Vietnam War History Da Nang Airbase 1965-1970:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=XYavDV00k8Y

                Vietnam War History Bien Hoa 05/16/1965: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teHsjwXTrcU

                 Vietnam War Dog Trackers Vietnam:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3SIndRyWX4

                Military Salute to Military War Dogs:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=lggDvmoJ3QA

                 Vietnam War Branches Of Service (USMC, USN, US Army

                Vietnam War History USMC 1966 First 80 days:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=nSa96KakIZw

                Vietnam War History USMC 1973 Few Good Men:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJCzHVzOXmw

                       Vietnam War USN Naval Support Danang:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVCKu61222k

                             Vietnam War Combat Engineers Clearing The Way:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPm0zk9hrMw

                Vietnam War US Army Big Picture

                Vietnam War Army Big Picture Action Vietnam:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZ04y43WgaQ

                Vietnam War History US Army Tng Film Ready To Strike:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Fl-T8JcshLA

                Vietnam War History US Army Tng Fil Army Transportation:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=57CsPk70ILc

                Vietnam War History US Army Tng Film Helicopter Operation:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xb05PyrvkAEE

                Vietnam War History Chopper Pilot:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=wULbHHjJUjY

                Vietnam War History Hidden War US Army Big Picture:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wgUFXsxtyQ

                 Vietnam War 1975

                    Vietnam War Fall of Xuan Loc ARVN 18th Division 1975:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=VfhBb0eBNCY

                               Vietnam War Defending Saigon 1975:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=tTgoNFcKlJI

                 US Army In Vietnam:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=xfV9fmFIQwA

                USMC Parris Island 1970:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=ud9ZOIyMO7Y

                               Weapon M16 XM16E1 5.56mm AR US Army Film 1966:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlcCOCg62CA

Alcohol Rehab Help:

https://alcoholrehabhelp.org/resources/dealing-with-alcoholics/

https://www.mesotheliomaveterans.org/prognosis/survival-rates/ 

MesotheliomaVeterans.org

                                      TRICARE  HomePage:  http://www.tricare.mil/

Contacts:  http://www.tricare.mil/ContactUs.aspx   [regional and program numbers]

           General info (North Region):  (877) 363-2273

           TRICARE For Life:  866-773-0404           http://www.tricare4u.com/

           US Family Health Plan Customer Service  (800) 748-7347   http://www.usfhp.com/ 

                               Dental Programs

   Active/Activated: Contractor: United Concordia ; http://www.addp-ucci.com/ 

  (866) 984-2337

   Retiree Dental Program Contactor: Delta Dental; http://www.trdp.org/  (888) 838-8737

VETERANS ADMINISTRATION  General information:  (800) 827-1000

 Veterans Affairs       https://www.benefits.va.gov/benefits/

  VA TOLL-FREE NUMBERS  https://iris.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1703  [Chart]

   CARE CENTERS

      Martinsburg VA Medical Center  http://www.martinsburg.va.gov/

           10 Butler Avenue  Martinsburg, WV 25405; (304) 263-0811

      Harrisonburg Contract Outpatient Clinic  http://www.martinsburg.va.gov/visitors/harrisonburg.asp

           847 Cantrell Avenue, Suite 100; Harrisonburg, VA 22801; Phone: (540) 442-1773; Fax: (540) 442-6923

      Salem VA Medical Center  http://www.salem.va.gov/index.asp

           1970 Roanoke Blvd.; Salem, VA 24153; (540) 982-2463 or (888) 982-2463

  MEDICARE   HomePage:  http://www.medicare.gov/  

Phone Numbers:  (800) 633-4227  and  http://www.medicare.gov/contacts/state-search-results.aspx?stateresult=ALL&stateabbr=VA%7cVirginia

 DEERS  HomePage:  http://www.military.com/benefits/tricare/defense-enrollment-eligibility-reporting-system-deers.html

     Phone:  (800) 538-9552 (DSO.. Defense Manpower Data Center Support Office); Fax:  (831) 655-8317.

     Find nearest uniformed services personnel office at: http://www.dmdc.osd.mil/rsl/.

 DFAS (Defense Finance and Accounting Services)   HomePage:  http://www.dfas.mil/

     General information:  888-332-9411  Fax:  (800) 469-6559

         Military Retired Pay: (800) 321-1080 or (216) 522-5955

 Below are web-sites that provide information on Veterans benefits and how to

file/ask for them. Accordingly, there are many sites that explain how to

obtain books, military/medical records, information and how to appeal a

denied claim with the VA.

Department of Veterans Affairs Home Page http://www.va.gov/ Directory of

http://www1.va.gov/gulfwar/docs/DUHANDBOOKNONGW130340304.DOC

Fee Basis, PRIORITY FOR OUTPATIENT MEDICAL SERVICES AND INPATIENT HOSPITAL

CARE http://www1.va..gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=206

Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependants 2005

http://www1.va.gov/opa/vadocs/fedben.pdf OR

http://www1.va..gov/opa/vadocs/current_benefits.htm

Forms and Records Request http://www.va.gov/vaforms/ General Compensation

Provisions

A guide to coping with depression and addiction

http://www.rehabs.com/guides/substance-abuse-and-anxiety-disorders/

 Veterans Benefits Administration Main Web Page http://www.vba.va.gov/

Veterans Legal and Benefits Information http://valaw.org/ VHA Forms,

Publications, Manuals http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/

VHA Programs - Clinical Programs & Initiatives

http://www1.va.gov/health_benefits/page.cfm?pg=13

http://webmaila.juno.com/webmail/new/UrlBlockedError.aspx>

VHA Public Health Strategic Health Care Group Home Page http: //

www.publichealth.va.gov/ VHI Guide to Gulf War Veterans (tm) Health

http://www1.va.gov/vhi_ind_study/gulfwar/istudy/index.asp

Vocational Rehabilitation http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/ Vocational

Rehabilitation Subsistence

http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/InterSubsistencefy04.doc

VONAPP online http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp

WARMS - 38 CFR Book C http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/bookc.html

http://www.gibill.va.gov/ What VA Social Workers Do

http://www1.va.gov/socialwork/page.cfm?pg=3

Top 10 Things Your Combat Vet Wants You To Know

July 21, 2012, in Deployment by Guest Bloggers

 Read more:

http://spousebuzz.com/

 SpouseBUZZ.com

I’m a psychiatrist. Every day I listen to my combat veterans as they struggle to return to the

“normal” world after having a deeply life-changing experience. I do everything I can to help

them. Sometimes that can involve medications, but listening is key. Sometimes a combat

veteran tells me things that they wish their families knew. They have asked me to write

something for their families, from my unique position as soldier, wife, and physician. These

are generalizations; not all veterans have these reactions, but they are the concerns most

commonly shared with me.

(Author’s note: obviously warriors can be female — like me — and family can be male, but

for clarity’s sake I will write assuming a male soldier and female family.)

1. He is addicted to war, although he loves you . War is horrible, but there is nothing like a life-and-death fight to make you feel truly alive. The adrenaline rush is tremendous, and can never be replaced. Succeeding in combat defines a warrior, places him in a brotherhood  

where he is always welcome and understood. The civilian world has its adrenaline junkies as  

well; just ask any retired firefighter, police officer, or emergency room staff if they miss it.

 2. Living for you is harder.  It would be easy for him to die for you because he loves you. Living for you, which is what you actually want, is harder for him. It is even harder for him if you are smart and do not need him to rescue you, since rescuing is something he does really well.

3. “The training kicks in” means something very different to him. It is direct battle doctrine that when ambushed by a superior force, the correct response is “Apply maximum firepower and break contact.” Unfortunately, your tears are unbearable to him; they create explosive emotions in him that are difficult for him to control. Unfortunately, warriors frequently respond to strong waves of guilt by applying more “maximum firepower” on friends, family, or unfortunate strangers.

 4. He is afraid to get attached to anyone because he has learned that the people you love get killed, and he cannot face that pain again. He may make an exception for his children (because they cannot divorce him), but that will be instinctual and he will probably not be able to explain his actions.

 5. He knows the military exists for a reason. The sad fact is that a military exists ultimately to kill people and break things. This was true of our beloved “Greatest Generation” warriors of WWII, and it remains true to this day. Technically, your warrior may well be a killer, as are his friends. He may have a hard time seeing that this does not make him a murderer. He is a sheepdog, not a wolf. The emotional side of killing in combat is complex. He may not know how to feel about what he’s seen or done, and he may not expect his feelings to change over time. Warriors can experiences moments of profound guilt, shame, and self-hatred. He may have experienced a momentary elation at “scoring one for the good guys,” then been horrified that he celebrated killing a human being. He may view himself as a monster for having those emotions, or for having gotten used to killing because it happened often. One of my Marines recommended On Killing by Dave Grossman, and I would pass that recommendation on.

 6. He’s had to cultivate explosive anger in order to survive in combat. He may have grown up with explosive anger (violent alcoholic father?) as well.

 7. He may have been only nineteen when he first had to make a life and death decision for someone else. What kind of skills does a nineteen-year-old have to deal with that kind of responsibility?

 8. He may believe that he’s the only one who feels this way ; eventually he may realize

that at least other combat vets understand. On some level, he doesn’t want you to understand, because that would mean you had shared his most horrible experience, and he wants someone to remain innocent.

 9. He doesn’t understand that you have a mama bear inside of you, that probably any of

us could kill in defense of someone if we needed to. Imagine your reaction if someone pointed  

a weapon at your child. Would it change your reaction if a child pointed a weapon at your child?

 10. When you don’t understand, he needs you to give him the benefit of the doubt. He

needs you also to realize that his issues really aren’t about you, although you may step in them sometimes. Read more:

 http://spousebuzz.com/blog/

     Health at Home: How to Design the Perfect Meditation Room at Home

Caregiver’s Guideto Understanding Dementia Behaviors 

Six Things Seniors Can Do To Improve Memory 

Preparing Your Home for a Loved One with Alzheimer’s: A Caregiver’s Guide 

10 Easy Ways Seniors Can Boost Their Mental Health and Well-Being 

Eating for Your Brain as a Senior 

Overcoming The Loss Of A Child Without Drugs Or Alcohol — A Parent’s Guide 

Mourning A Parent or Spouse’s Death 

Promoting Mental 

MesotheliomaVeterans.org

MesotheliomaVeterans.org

Links to resources about Vietnam, Units, Helps, Agent Orange, VA

You can use this page to find information relating to Vietnam. As you send me more resource info, I will post here.

Update - 2/20/20