Oral History Interview with Phil Kallas, Vietnam War Veteran

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 ม.ค. 2025

ความคิดเห็น • 63

  • @stevefirst1512
    @stevefirst1512 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I watch a lot of these. This man is so impressive. Forget the disability. Hes just very impressive even if he had three arms. Kind of a modern day renaissance man. Only thing is that i think universities and students really needed professors like him. Too bad he got such a bad vibe from academia but certainly understand why and how he got that vibe.

  • @peterherrick6863
    @peterherrick6863 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Phil, you probably don't remember me, but I was in the same dorm as you at UWSP and our paths crossed many times. I ended up being drafted in 1968 after graduation and also went to Ft. Campbell. I was lucky and was assigned as a combat correspondent and went to Ft. Rucker, AL and then to Vietnam. I had it easy compared to you and survived the experience without injury. I returned to UWSP in late 1970 planning to get a Master's Degree in Education. After one year back it was discouraging to say the least. I eventually got a civil service job in DC and have been in this area ever since. I salute you for your service and sacrifice. Thank you for telling your story.

  • @earlemorgan5068
    @earlemorgan5068 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Man alive, this guy is the real deal.

  • @willmears1111
    @willmears1111 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Thank you. A Vietnam Veteran.

  • @kennethprice3978
    @kennethprice3978 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I am a 68 yo Navy Veteran Who salutes every Vietnam Veteran I encounter... Thank you Sir for your service

  • @bruceschulze7487
    @bruceschulze7487 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    You are a true hero who served our country admirably .

  • @sandeewood2948
    @sandeewood2948 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thank you for your service Phil..I appreciate you serving your country…I was in nam 68/69 11bravo 25th infantry division…welcome home…

  • @michaelangileo2760
    @michaelangileo2760 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Thank you for your valor, your service to our country, God bless you.

  • @paulkelly7896
    @paulkelly7896 4 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    This guys attitude is just amazing; clearly very well educated and so cool and calm about thing that’s happened to him and his family: just amazing

  • @electrochubb
    @electrochubb 5 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    i was in the Au Shau area (LZ Sharon) in 1968, i can appreciate what this man went thru.
    All my respect.!

    • @johnalves3583
      @johnalves3583 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Ted Cregger God Bless you Sir and all the men that did their jobs. I was born in 68, and the Vietnam War really interests me.

    • @electrochubb
      @electrochubb 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@johnalves3583 Thanks sir

  • @ronsbeerreviewstools4361
    @ronsbeerreviewstools4361 8 ปีที่แล้ว +21

    I Salute Mr. Kallas he is a true American Hero. Thanks for the Good interview, and posting this good historical information.

  • @richardray1523
    @richardray1523 5 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    A true American, thank you for sharing your story

  • @happydays2090
    @happydays2090 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    THANK YOU

  • @donaldjones7678
    @donaldjones7678 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    I was a grunt in Vietnam 1971. Thankfully I wasn't wounded. You have paid a big price. I thank you for all the hell you went through for all of us.

  • @charlieporch3181
    @charlieporch3181 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    An outstanding American. A great attitude. 🇱🇷🇱🇷🇱🇷🇱🇷

  • @14arma
    @14arma 8 ปีที่แล้ว +31

    I would really like to see more progress being made in the field of regenerative medicine. Thank you for your service Phil if you ever read this.

    • @3710lillie
      @3710lillie 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Doc G they're rare et. Erggerwh🏹🎣😀🙂🙂

  • @kennethprice5628
    @kennethprice5628 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Aww elcome home brother, 71 yo Navy Veteran

  • @emmanuelcruz3723
    @emmanuelcruz3723 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Sir...you are one of the best to serve in your generation...

  • @RudigerDumiharter
    @RudigerDumiharter 7 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    God bless you all

  • @colinfrasier2954
    @colinfrasier2954 8 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    thank you very much Mr Kallas, im grateful you shared your story with us. thank you

    • @samuelparker9882
      @samuelparker9882 7 ปีที่แล้ว

      Colin Frasier How do you not ADMIRE these men and women that served during this war?!! I don't mean you... It's just a general statement said for those that think they did wrong by serving. Most didn't want to go. But were drafted... and went. ADMIRABLE to say the LEAST!

  • @oldman9843
    @oldman9843 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Thank you for all your service and sacrifice brother

  • @brt-jn7kg
    @brt-jn7kg 6 ปีที่แล้ว +53

    Sir your generation may not have appreciated you but mine DAMN SURE DOES !!!

    • @mirandamiranda5830
      @mirandamiranda5830 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      You can count me out

    • @Leroytheboy
      @Leroytheboy 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      ​​@@mirandamiranda5830I agree with this dude lots of respect for these guys I wasn't around to say it then but I'll say it now welcome home

  • @peterjones1497
    @peterjones1497 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    THANK YOU,

  • @litoneup
    @litoneup 8 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    thankyou phil.

  • @rob61j55
    @rob61j55 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Thank you sir.

  • @williamotto2366
    @williamotto2366 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    We drafted this guy sent him over seas got him blew up the only survivor of his platoon. Damn I’d of been a little angry

  • @dallasbeus2117
    @dallasbeus2117 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thank you Mr. Kallas for your service and sacrifice!

  • @Mike-fo4iq
    @Mike-fo4iq 6 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Thank you

  • @emojiking8580
    @emojiking8580 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thanck you sir , for defending the Underdog !!!
    I was a 81mm mortar man , In Peace time , being a mortar man had its benefits, butt was heavy to hump around . My brother 10 yrs. My senior, was killed in Quang tri province Veitnam, so I know the pain of the war ,especially for my parents.
    Thanck you for protecting
    Our Freedom !!!!

    • @billywylie3288
      @billywylie3288 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Those orders to deploy to Vietnam were unlawful and should have been challenged in court every one who followed them is a war crimanl LBJ and his wife ran Bell helicopter and Vietnam War at the same time they killed a million people for money blind faith loyalty is not freedom and are smart it is national solicalisum and 400 thousand Americans died to get rid of that crap please think for your self stop following unlawful orders

    • @DSPsWifesBF
      @DSPsWifesBF 15 วันที่ผ่านมา

      @@billywylie3288easy to look back and say that. The higher ups should have spoken up and refused, but the soldiers who were drafted? Come on

  • @Blackbart5118
    @Blackbart5118 6 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    He seems pretty mellow, despite all that has happened to him.

  • @johnbailey3877
    @johnbailey3877 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thank you Mr. Kallas . Thank you for your service but even more importantly, thank you for displaying your Humanity and sharing your wisdom. I am very much in awe of how grounded you are and how nuanced and balanced your outlook 6is...
    I still think of being president ( That’s a special, Optimistic dream that our country & Culture offers to many.). As I was listening to you part of my vision for how we should keep our promises to those who serve was enlarged.
    We need a “phase out” plan to accompany military involvements, In parallel, we need a strategy for healing our service people and creating opportunities so these new people - veterans - to acclimate their New selves into civilian life. As I listened o you - & especially when you talked about your trip - It seems as though a vocation for some of our veterans Would be to deprogram & Provide services and therapy for their returning brothers and sisters. As you explained, all are susceptible to PTSD on a spectrum of levels.
    If I were the Pres, I would say Phil “ let’s create a policy and they know approach to our servicemen that will work - let’s have a grunt named Phil
    Rework The life of a soldier from intake til discharge. And let’s make “ discharge” come with an understanding that our country will be there throughout the veteran’s life (I have a very considerate Outlook on government but this is one instance where an expensive attitude is appropriate).
    I think you could do your Brothers and sisters, your country, And maybe yourself another great service By drafting up your ideas of what that policy should look like; I can’t - I haven’t been there.
    I can’t help but think that the part of you that was so moved by art and poetry reflects one part of your make up that helped you to cope. And I’m thinking about having a daughter w/ special challenges What is a blessing of sorts - maybe having to give her more than ordinary love and care was an antidote of sorts to fear and violence. Your wife must be special. So give her and your girls a hug and take one back for yourself.
    My father is a vet & my uncle was in the 101 before you.

    • @johnbailey3877
      @johnbailey3877 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Good God ! I was moved and I started responding on my phone - I had no idea I had missed so many mistakes.

  • @stokestomlin989
    @stokestomlin989 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    A very very insightful, interview… Thank you so much! You seem to know a great deal about life… Thumbs up buddy!

  • @barrylitchfield250
    @barrylitchfield250 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Phil,
    Thank you for sharing your story with us. I was in the Navy, and served aboard an oiler in '66 -'67 refueling ships at sea while underway. I didn't see combat like you did, and my injury didn't show up until about 45 years after my time in Tonkin Gulf. Agent orange caused Ischemic heart disease. Knowing that your child was born with spina biffida because of your exposure to agent orange made me feel lucky that my children were both born healthy.
    My brother served in the 25th Infantry Division at Cu Chi. He was injured when a GI set off a land mine inside of a heavy metal trash can inside an NCO club on the base. Several of his buddies were killed. His PTSD is still with him, and it has effectively caused him problems since he left Vietnam.
    Thanks again,
    Barry Litchfield

  • @kengrimsley4172
    @kengrimsley4172 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

  • @reid092353
    @reid092353 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Tthank you sir, great interview.

  • @paulsr.dicrispino642
    @paulsr.dicrispino642 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    You are the most positive and brave veteran.

  • @duaneknorr3081
    @duaneknorr3081 6 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Thank you 4ure service!!

  • @Russellsagecline
    @Russellsagecline 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    The A Shau Valley was no joke!

  • @goutvols103
    @goutvols103 7 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Mr. Kallas thank you for your service. Do you think about how you survived and no one else did? Was there any review as to how your unit was ambushed?

  • @danielholman7225
    @danielholman7225 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    After becoming an amputee, he made the best of the situation ( ineffective coping would have been for him to isolate and feel sorry fo himself). I’am really proud of the way he coped and I’am proud of his service to our country. Funny story about the “fuck you” bird.

  • @DSPsWifesBF
    @DSPsWifesBF 15 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Can’t believe some of these guys were literally spat on when returning home.
    The tone has shifted a bit, but it still took Jon Stewart to fight for the vets.

  • @theboxoftexas
    @theboxoftexas 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Poor guy lost his arm during combat :(

  • @teresalundy532
    @teresalundy532 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thank you for your service nothing beats health the government that sent you to Vietnam??have a lot to answer war ??

  • @gypsymanjeff2184
    @gypsymanjeff2184 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    And today ..were still at it in Iraq & Afghanistan.SAD THAT WE COULD BE DOING GOOD BUT THOSE WITH ULTERIOR MOTIVES ARE RUNNING THE SHOW ..THUS JUST MORE OF THE SAME THING ..WELCOME BACK N THANK YOU ALL

  • @stream2watch
    @stream2watch 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Eloquent man. Many ex-grunts are dumb as doornails, but this one was obviously some kind of super soldier. Also appreciate the respect he has for the Vietnamese people.

    • @johnnyangel9163
      @johnnyangel9163 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Youre disrespectful.

    • @stream2watch
      @stream2watch 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@johnnyangel9163 I am correct.

    • @garyyeigh6098
      @garyyeigh6098 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      stream2watch thanks a lot from an old infantry man, I guess maybe I am dumb.

    • @stream2watch
      @stream2watch 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@garyyeigh6098 You're welcome. As for the latter, you be the judge of that.

  • @matabeleman
    @matabeleman 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    cant hear him..darn..

  • @jamesrussell7432
    @jamesrussell7432 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Respect to you sir however you risked your life for a non existant threat.

    • @FIGGY65
      @FIGGY65 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      His death defying RPG experience, injuries and lifetime of physical and emotional sacrifice would seem to prove that the threat was real , and existant.