This letter should have been written a long time ago. I apologize that
it
took me so many years to finally get to it.
I wanted to let you know that I'm sorry for all the pain the War has
put you through. I'm sorry that you went over there with so many
friends & came home with only a few or even alone.
I'm also sorry that when you returned home, that people spit on you &
called you names. That a parent might have asked you why you came
home & their son didn't, or even your own parents turned you away.
I'm sorry you spent all those days and nights over there, representing
a country that treated you like crap during & after the War. That you
had to watch friends die right before your eyes, or even in your arms.
I'm sorry you spent long nights awake, sometimes crying, over
memories that you can't seem to forget. I forgive you for the nights
you may have paid more attention to a bottle than to me.
I'm sorry if Mom left you because she couldn't handle it, & I love her
if she stayed & stood by you.
But there is something I am not sorry for...
And that is being your child. Your flesh & blood. I am proud of you
because you did something that not everyone had the guts to do. I
don't care what you might have done while you were over there,
because I understand. You stood up for total strangers in a world torn
by hate & violence. And I love you for that. I love you for being my
father! Thank you.
Love, Please visit the Children of Vietnam Vets
website.
  (This letter is not geared towards a certain Dad/stepdad. We wrote it because any of us out there could have.)
Your Child