March 29, 2024

Book aims to ease pain still felt by Vietnam vets

When Bud Pickett came home from Vietnam in 1967 he didn’t get a ticker tape parade. The Newton native figured out pretty quick he’d be better off if he didn’t wear his uniform, and he didn’t talk about what had happened during his time in Vietnam. With the release of a book on the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, Pickett said he’s finally able to find some peace.

“The book, it’s helped me in a lot of ways, watching the disc, it kind of opens up memories,” Pickett said.

Released to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the war, the book is being distributed by the Veterans Affairs Commission in Jasper county. Director Kurt Jackson said the goal is for every Vietnam veteran in the state to eventually receive a copy of the book. There are more than 1,200 veterans who served during Vietnam living in Jasper County. Jackson hopes it will help right some of the wrongs that Vietnam veterans have experienced since they’ve returned home.

“Vietnam veterans were the worst treated veterans of any conflict that we’ve had,” Jackson said.

Pickett figured out right away when he came home it wasn’t a good idea to talk about Vietnam. He quit wearing his uniform, and went back to the his job at the Vernon company. After hearing shouts of “baby-killer” it was easy for Pickett to just pack up the war and put it in a dark corner of his mind.

“People knew I’d been in the service,” Pickett said. “They seemed pretty nice, but you could tell that something was in the air.”

Changing attitudes about service members has made it easier for veterans like Pickett to talk about the war. He’s proud when he sees the effort people put into welcoming home veterans from the Middle East.

“I don’t have any resentment, but it brings back the memories,” Pickett said. “We don’t want guys coming home now to feel that way, we don’t want them to feel rejected.”

Both Pickett and Jackson hope the book will serve as a touchstone for Vietnam veterans, and give them a chance to keep healing and make connections with another. The book contains photos and memories from those who served and an hour long documentary about the war, narrated by Tom Brokaw.

“There’s a lot more pride in being a veteran than there ever was before,” Jackson said.

Still, reaching out and connecting with Vietnam veterans remains a challenge. Jackson received 600 books in an initial allotment, and he’s only managed to hand out a 100 so far. Many Vietnam veterans are still reluctant to talk about their service, and often shy away from participating in events. Pickett, a member of the Jasper County Vietnam veterans group said he’s found that many veterans aren’t interested.

“Because of Vietnam, many are bitter, they won’t have anything to do with any organization,” Pickett said.

Jackson’s hope is veterans will get connected, and become part of the veteran community in Jasper County. He’s gotten a good response from every book he’s handed out so far, and he’s constantly hanging flyers, running newspaper advertisements and doing everything that he can to get the word out.

“Attitudes have changed a lot about veterans, especially Vietnam veterans,” Jackson said. “These people stepped up for our country when we asked them to.

To get a copy of the 50th Anniversary book, Contact Kurt Jackson, the director of the Jasper County Veterans Affairs Commission at 641-792-7993 to receive your copy.

Contact David Dolmage at 641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or ddolmage@newtondailynews.com