I wish my dad was still alive to talk about these things, but I lost him at 55 from the ravages of the memories he carried from his time with the Corps. He was there from 66-68. He met my mom in Japan and moved back to Ohio in 71 where I was raised. I’m 55 now and it was a tough birthday to reach but I feel so privileged to have reached this age. I miss my dad. Would’ve been 80 this year.
@ thanks. I ended up serving in the National Guard during the late 80s-early 90s, myself. My dad wasn’t all to pleased that his only child and daughter joined up, but it was my only way to pay for college at the time. Made it through to E-5.
It's shocking that the US feed morphine to their soldiers, then left them to manage on their own, grave withdrawal when they landed home, and no welcome home parades, 😢😢😢😢😢
There was nothing positive about Vietnam or the war before and especially desert shield and the Highway of death. The military should not be praised like the heroes this breeds false sentiment of nationalism in war that breeds fascism.
I lost my good friend two days ago. He was about to be 78. He was drafted in '67, did basic at Fort Ord, and shipped off to Nam. He was 101st Airborne, 75 Infantry, and served as an LRRP in the A Shau Valley through is first tour, he was in Hue for the Tet Offensive, and he lived his whole life with a 7.62 x 39 round next to his spine. He was shot in three different firefights, actually. The bullets in his shoulder and leg were successfully removed. He also helped set up the training base in Panama, that Mr. Kopec mentioned. His last ( third ) tour was actually only a few weeks. In 1975, he was stationed on the roof of the American embassy for the fall of Saigon. A couple years ago, he gifted me his web gear and helmet. As unlikely as it sounds, his plastic canteen was a third full. He assured me that it hadn't been opened since he stepped onto the Bell-H1 that flew him off that roof and delivered him to an aircraft carrier. So, on my shelf at home, there's a glass bottle full of water from the American Embassy in Saigon from April 1975 and I treasure it. As I treasured my friend.
Respect to your friend. LRRPs do not get enough recognition. They were the most experienced teams operating in Vietnam. My father was a LRRP with the 173rd airborne / 74th infantry detachment 67-68. He is still alive and well- very humble good man and I'm proud to call him my father.
@@michaelscott466not to take anything away from your father, or the awesome LRRP dudes who did a hell of a job in Vietnam, but you should check out some of the stories from the MAC-V SOG guys, you can find interviews and stuff on TH-cam. THOSE guys were the absolute baddest of badasses, the stuff they did was unbelievable. They were made up of Green Berets, Navy SEALs, Recon Marines, Air Commandos, Mercenaries, CIA operatives, local fighters, and literally every single one was either wounded or killed. They were the ultimate LRRP outfit doing covert operations deep into Laos and Cambodia, doing search and destroy missions along the Ho Chi Minh Trail, rescuing downed pilots, etc. Truly some badass dudes, their stories are worth listening to.
@@southphillylilly Armistice Day also known as remembrance day, to remember and honour WW1 fallen and returned soldiers. Canada would call it same. Australia, New Zealand and all commonwealth countries. We celebrate all fallen vets ... with nation/commonwealth wide 2 mins of silence and subsequent services. Also called 'Poppy Day' when we were kids. Poppies covered the Turkish war fields, Gallipoli.
@@southphillylilly Artillery shells and shrapnel stirred up the earth and exposed the seeds to the light they needed to germinate. This same poppy also flowers in Turkey in early spring - as it did in April 1915 when the ANZACs landed at Gallipoli. According to Australia's official war historian C.E.W.
11.11 is the portal to the first journey - War is distracting Us from positive spirituality. War is drummed into Us as a harsh reality. Modern Day War is the making of Rich White Men. IGNORE WAR.
Oh bud. I’ll hope you’re just young. Maybe when you grow up hopefully your mind will broaden and you will learn to see things through the others shoes as well as the big picture, the world that we live in. Cointelpro is a real thing that still exists. Money power greed is a real thing. Evil is a real thing. Not to mention most of these men were drafted with no other choice. Wisen up. Don’t go through life making dumb statements based on things you’ve heard that were pushed purposely with an agenda by the same people creating the evil. There’s a little truth in most arguments that’s how they’re able to spin people like u. Look at this hand waving so u don’t see the one under the table flipping u off. You can’t even begin to fathom what these men or I should say in most cases boys went through so don’t even go there. You have nothing nice to say don’t say anything at all
Thanks, Rick for telling your story! My dad was over there commanding a tank platoon during '69-'70. Amazing he made it home but with a heart broken and demons up to his eyeballs. As a kid, I remember finding him in the living room in the middle of the night looking at slides he'd taken of battles and buddies. Once home, he drank everyday and never quit smoking even though he'd been an olympic hopeful in swimming in '68. He took his life when I was 18 and I hated the military and wars and veterans for most of my 20s and 30s. I've found resolve since and have tried to learn as much as I can about his experience and the experiences of our Vietnam Vets especially. Keep talking and keep writing. I believe my Dad would still be here if he could have shared some of his stories.
My dad was in Vietnam, special forces, and he refused to talk about it. We got bits and pieces but he struggled until the day he died with severe ptsd. I wish I knew him better. Thank you for your service and your interview
I really wish I got to knew my grandparents. They was all dead before I was old enough to ask them any stories. I know my one grandparent, man it really sucks we lost his M1 Garand, he marched through Europe. Unfortunately he became a violent abusive drunk. This is what the MAGA crowd idolizing the 1950s doesn't want to tell you about, the neighnbourhood knew but nobody talked about it. A lot of wives had been beaten by PTSD'd vets, and a lot of our economic boom was thanks to the GI Bill (basically our economy was partly socialized back then, we had a higher tax rate and lower class divide). I sadly only got bits and pieces of who he was from my dad. I only know he strongly emphasized education, and would break down crying while he was drunk and cycling moods over the shit he saw and did over there. A lot of the 1950s is seen by youth these days through the lens of our basic Soviet tier propaganda and marketing, actual life was very different behind closed doors. I wouldn't say we were ever truly "great" in that sense. The 1990s was probably our peak in a lot of ways and it's only kept going downhill consistently through every presidential administration since I was born. Like Leave it to Beaver had the parents sleeping in separate beds since they didn't want to imply sexual activity, frankly I wish they didn't do that, I almost wonder if they had an impact on our own parents who themselves eventually slept on seperate beds, dad sleeping on the couch. It's just my grandparents was the last generation where the whole country was willing to unite to get shit done, because they fucking HAD to. It's why I openly disrespect the way society is these days, and I am somewhat glad none of them lived to see these weak chucklefucks pozzing them in line because some ahole couldn't wear a mask and have them dying alone on ventilators, rather than dying many years ago often surrounded by family in hospice or a hospital.
Thank you for you service? Which service? trying to implement "your/our/theyr" ideology (democracy) to a foreign country? Jeer, we should thank also columbus & co for bringing religion to natives! Dont forget the therm for north-vietnamese was "termites". On this intercourse, we should propably thank also the death vietnamese, thanks for you service!
@@marcusaetius9309following orders is following orders. Let me guess, you have never served but feel you can sit there and judge… We have absolutely started wars and were lied to as to the why of the wars. Our government have done horrible awful things in other countries. That is not our troops fault. It’s very easy to keep scrolling instead of spreading hateful, hurtful comments about men and women who were used and then thrown away, most suffering from PTSD. My brother came back from Iraq a mess. He died as a result of gulf war syndrome. My other brother is a veteran, just not a war veteran. Do you have people you love that have served? In most cases they do not know the real reasons they are there
@ The old man was career airforce and I did a stint in the infantry reserves (I hope this satisfies your criteria for me to have an opinion). The fact of the matter is that it is the responsibility of each and every citizen to understand whether or not their government is justified in attacking another country. The key factor should be ; is the “target “ a direct threat to my country? Here’s a short list of countries that were/are NOT a direct threat; Vietnam, Panama, Grenada, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Serbia etc. If an individual signs up for the military while wars such as these are being waged then they are complicit and saying “I was just following orders..” is what most of the people executed at Nuremberg used as a defence.
One of my best memories is my dad’s Vietnam reunion in Vegas. The stories, laughs, and tears were amazing. These guys after all those years loved each other, it was something to witness. After all those years, his buddy showed up, looked straight at my dad and the first thing out of his mouth was “you almost got me killed” they laughed and hugged and it was amazing
My Dad served in Nam. He came home and became a Police Officer and retired after 30 years on the job. He passed in 2015 due to diabetes and heart disease. God, I miss him. Thank you to all those who served
So he was a government parasite for his whole life. Government is slavery and needs to be completely abolished ❤. Police and military are inherently immoral because they force government onto people.
This was a great interview and its got me thinking. I served in the Marine Corps as an infantryman with 2/7. We had a very tough deployment to Afghanistan in 2008. It was heavy combat consisting of firefights, IED's everywhere, in a very isolated region called nowzad. It was literally like walking through a mine field. I've felt the very same feelings as mr. Kopec, as far as not being able to share my experiences with other people who've not experienced similar situations. I can relate to not having anyone in my peer groups who've experienced intense combat or even served in the military for that matter. I think that linking Vietnam vets with today's combat veterans could really help heal one another. I can also relate with writing my experiences down and how much that has helped me with my own trauma.
How weird is it, that we basically JUST concluded operations in Afghanistan. That people born AFTER 9/11, could've been stationed anywhere near Nowzad. I wasn't a soldier, and I certainly can't relate on a meaningful level, but I can imagine that experiencing that much "intensity" at such a young age has to paint everything that comes after, for you. The very concept of a mine field ( and IEDs ) is something the human brain isn't meant for - knowing the ground is full of invisible, unknowable spots that explode... I'm QUITE sure that's an experience that can't just be described. If, when I was 20, I was carrying M4s, driving Hummers, jumping out of planes, watching AC-130s circle overhead and raiding houses in a foreign region - and doing it with friends and having powerful comradery - well, my 30s and 40s, and working a regular 9 - 5 would seem out of order. You experienced too much intensity at a young age. I'm in my mid-40s, I look at 20 year olds like they're babies. I bet you've got a lot, circling around in your head that only other combat veterans can connect with.
I'm sorry you went through that - and I hate to say it but, just like with Vietnam, it was all for nothing. The Taleban are still in control of Afghanistan, just as the Vietnamese Communist Party are still in control of Vietnam, almost 50 years after the US was driven out of the country. So many lives lost and ruined, and for what? As an outsider, it's very strange too see the USA's constant glorification of military service without ever really seeming to question the rationale behind it, and asking why so many young men were fed into the meat grinder in the first place
Happy Veteran's Day, Mr. Kopec! 🇺🇸 Thank you for your service and for sharing your story. Happy Veteran's Day to all Vietnam Veterans 🙏🏽🇺🇸 especially my dad! Thank you, Billy Cooper! ❤ to us all who continue to be affected by this horrible war.
Happy Veterans day sir!! My father was a tunnel rat in for the US Marines in the Vietnam War. He rarely spoke of his experiences but he definitely battled it entire life. May he rest in peace!! Thank you and all veterans for their service.
My dad is a Viet Vet. He volunteers for the honor flights as well. If you have a grand parent or Vet parent please send them on this. It's such a great thank you. Our country was awful to these veterans and a lot were just kids. My dad was only 18 when he was sent. ❤ To all of our Veterans!!
And what is that? What secret info do you have that the rest of us don't? Because there's a lot of info out there and there are scholars on the war and historians, but I guess you know something more than anybody that ever studied or dissected it?
A.I.C ~was in Vietnam in the late 40's early 50's and A prominent president was killed to get the full go ahead into Vietnam, but i'm sure historians talk about that publicly right Lilly?
What a cool person, Thanks Richard. My dad was a WW2 vet who saw the worst conflict of that war, Pele, the Philippines, etc etc.. He went crazy at about 55 yrs old from most likely that war, and no mental help back then. Sadly, he abused me as a kid and my family, so hearing a person like yourself makes me feel like a dad would have been had they stayed normal. Thanks
our mother said of her brother, who served on PT Boats in the Pacific, "he died FROM the war, not IN the war". She never spelled it out for us, but I'm guessing some combo of PTSD, Alcohol, Drugs, Suicide.
My grandfather never talked about his life as a tank battalion sergeant in WW2! I saw him crying when Eisenhower died, he never, ever explained his feelings. But that generation never talked about feelings. He was my hero, I just wished I could have known his story! He was a great man!
My 5 year old and I look for Vietnam veterans while we are out and about because it’s our favorite thing to see their smiles when we say “Welcome home!!!!”
my father-in-law served 2 tours in vietnam from 66-69. i never once pressed him for any stories, but any time he wanted to tell one, i would listen intently. sometimes, it would be a quick talk, and other times, he would speak at great length - much like richard does here. you handled this perfectly, mark. don't interject. don't probe. just listen.
My father served two tours in vietnam,US army.. he was a combat veteran.it affected him and my siblings and I in ways nobody could truly understand. The PTSD.. the trauma,the flash backs..my brother was born a twin with severe autism and cerebral palsy.. thank you for posting something that touches home for my family and I.
People say the armed forces during ww2 were the “greatest generation” and that fucking pisses me off. What your dad sacrificed during and after serving in Vietnam is equally as great as what the ww2 vets did. Thank for sharing and for his service.
Brother, 92-12 with two tours in Iraq, I doubt you will read this but some other Vietnam or Korean vet might. Gentlemen, you done good. This nation did not then, nor does it now, deserve the likes of you. You're duty is done. You stand relieved. Stand down. Stand secure Brothers. I love you all.
Thank you Richard Kopec for your service and dedication to our country. Many blessings and peace to you. Thank you Mark for always putting excellent interviews out there 🥰
I'm old enough to remember watching the footage of the Vietnam war on the nightly news with my parents. I remember the protests and the draft. I remember being terrified that my brother would be called. It was a bad situation, and the returning soldiers were treated very badly even though they had no choice in the matter.
@@scottyh1509 ... A choice my arse. There was a draft ran like a lottery on TV. If the number came up and it coincided with your birthday, you had to sign up. Fucking scam.
“I guess you could say I was lucky.” 🥺 Wow. What an honor to hear this noble veteran’s stories of life and war. I sincerely hope the right publisher comes across soon to get more of his stories heard. It’s vital. He is living history!❤
I grew up during the Vietnam War in a Military town I knew school friends who Fathers were POW’s & MIA’s. The ones who came home had changed & didn’t want to talk about it. To this day I don’t think anyone knows the real reason we were there & we certainly don’t know 1/2 of what these poor Veterans went thru but, I do know it was hell & they saw things that no one should have to witness. Thank you for your service Sir.
What the Pentagon brass and multiple White House residents told the public is very different from the truth. Read the Pentagon Papers. The war was unwinnable. It was an unjustified invasion. It was an enormous massacre and desecration of a peasant country. Were the veterans heroes? Maybe, but that word is thrown around pretty easily. They were mostly cannon fodder, expendable bodies, sacrifices to the MIC. Until we question every single time the U.S. goes to war, nothing changes.
My stepdad got shot twice in combat during Vietnam. Than my two older brothers and myself joined the Navy to serve both conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Happy belated birthday to US Marine Corps and Happy Veterans Day. Thanks to those that served and or still serving.
My goodness the stress on your mother, I can only imagine. To say thank you for your service seems so inadequate. I sincerely thank you and hope that all of you are doing well. God bless you and keep you safe.
@@carolseven3802 Thanks. I never thought about that. Okinawan woman been together with a US Marine for almost 50yrs. I guess we were very lucky sometimes during deployments. I never told her about them. lol.
Thank you for telling your story! You remind me so much of my dad (we are South African), he was in the Navy, on the SAS President Steyn Type 12 frigate. I could sit for hours listening to the stories he told me of his life on the ship and the experiences he lived through. I hope the people around you value you.
I absolutely loved listening to your story! You explained it in a way we all easily understood. Mr. Kopec Optimist, Husband, Teacher, Witness of War, Warrior, Lover of Life and American! Thank you for representing the best of America!
I really don't understand how we allow or elect presidents that have never served our country for a single day. Seems to me if you're going to send a bunch of men into war , you need to have served at yourself
I'm from Wisconsin. My dad is a Vietnam veteran. I have lived in Hanoi, Vietnam for 9 years. My father in law was a colonel in the North Vietnamese Army. I've heard both sides of the story.
I have many questions. I've always wondered what the other side of the story was. I know the history, but have never heard the perspective of a Vietnamese soldier.
As we all know the gulf of Tonkin incident was a lie, just as the WMD horse shit and Osama bin Laden family tales. War is a racket. What a crime against the people of Vietnam and a crime to the people of this nation who were lied to and lost family members and such. War is a racket. It is generally seen as immoral for warriors to fight in immoral wars for the royal class. I’m not a pacifist but the day we are not deceived into thinking these are moral ventures will make way for a time of much more peace. You can judge the morality of a war by the way its soldiers come home. It laid waste to a generation here. I bet the Vietnamese did not suffer in the same way for protecting their homeland. I know there is corruption there too but it’s still different. I’d love to hear your father in law’s tales. My father was there as a doctor. Smedley butlers war is a racket is a must read for all “modern” humans. Cheers 🥂
You should definitely do more interviews with Vietnam veterans. His stories are so fascinating and thank you for your service Mr. Kopec. I salute you good sir 🇺🇸
ANZAC day is in April, Hoss. If you're going to say it, get it right. Tomorrow is just Veterans day. Not Memorial day, Not ANZAC day, Veterans day. Let me guess, you think you're the only living person aware of Australians and Kiwis fighting in Nam?
@johnqpublic2718 excuse me, you are behaving poorly. As an American, know little about Australians in Vietnam or other wars. As for our beautiful ANZACs it's who they ARE! We have a very special day to celebrate them. ANZACs' are/were the most private soldiers. Would never bleat on about 'service'. Anzac day was for them to get together, be honoured and talk/remember fallen mates amongst themselves. We still honour them, and all other vets, fallen and returned, our vets aren't precious about 'whose' war/rememberance. And certainly would never say they enjoyed what they did.
My friend John is now 75 years old, he is a tough old bird. Served in Vietnam from 65' to 68'. I haven't seen John in years but I'm glad to hear so many stories about life in the jungle. It's insane
Yes fascinating. Phenomenal job Mark, by day one of the best yet, please do more veteran interviews, this is the positive & inspiring influence our society needs more than ever. Thank you for this & thank you to ALL our vets both past & present. God Bless.🤘🏼🇺🇸🙏❤️
Thank you for serving sir. My dad was a staff sergeant of transportation during WWII. I have always been proud of his service. I hate war but I have respect for the soldiers who give their lives for the rest of us. Bless you.
My Dad as well, 3rd Raider Battalion which was a stand alone unit, and classified, served from Guadalcanal, Bougainville, Guam, Okinawa scout sniper in 4th marines 6th div. When Mr. Kopec said my dad said " just dont go in the infantry " that rang so true. Thank you Mr. Kopec for sharing some defining times of your life, my dad became a functional alcoholic, did share somethings with me ,always proud of the Raiders hated war.
Thank you for that very refreshing interview. Pretty please get more interesting people like this. I am tired of the tragic train wrecks. I love your work Mark!
Richard, Thank you for telling your story. Also thank you Mark, for pursuing, producing, and conducting these interviews. Just a quick Vietnam related thing I heard. ~ One day I was sitting at a table in the scholarly journal/reference section of the library on campus at the University of Missouri. ~ A librarian (older man) saw student reading a book about Vietnam, and the librarian without thinking, quietly said "Vietnam, I was there"...to this the student replied...."Do you still think about it"...and then I heard the librarian say something simple but profound...he said...."sometimes It feels like 20 years ago, sometimes it feels like last week." ~ That just really struck me, because the librarian looked off in the distance like he was remembering something, almost like he was looking straight at it. The librarian didn't want attention or a lengthy conversation, it was just the quickest impromptu exchange in passing. I think that after the war, maybe he liked the quiet of the library on campus.
Thanks so much for this interview - I really hope that the unpublished book gets published and is sold on Audible. His experiences in his voice is very powerful. I will buy it.
Thank you for your service. I am so happy this is on video. I am in my mid 40's and work with young college students, they are clueless and have no idea about history and www1 and 2, & Vietnam war, & definitely have zero knowledge and understanding of the Iraq war. The younger generations struggles consist of crying and taking a sick day because school is too stressful or the president they didn't vote for didn't win, or their cell phone isn't working. I wish the schools focused more on people like Richard Kopec in history class rather than focusing on personal opinions of the teachers rather than teaching factual history.
What’s the title of your book? I can’t find it anywhere. I’m a Persian Gulf Marine who just retired from teaching. I can tell you these stories are very important.
I don’t think this guy is aware that Oliver Stone wrote and directed Platoon based on his own experiences as an infantryman in the 25th infantry division in Vietnam, that movie was his personal story that he actually made because he thought everyone else got it wrong, just like this guy. Dale Dye who had three combat tours in Vietnam was essentially assistant director as well as multiple other Vietnam vets on set, that’s the only film to get it right, it should never get lumped in with the others. Producers also had no involvement in what was being done on that film, it was very low budget and they did it the cowboy way. It’s not gonna ring true for every vet because it’s one man’s experience, but the little details were all authentic
What an interesting man. Thanks to him for telling his story. I wish more men could have handled their experience like he has. Almost using it to his advantage. Seemingly not having any negative repercussions from it. Not many were able to do that. This guy is one in a million. God bless all our veterans.
I recommend reading a book called A Rumor Of War by Philip Caputo. It offers a chance for reflection and redemption by eliciting public consciousness about the harsh realities of the Vietnam war. My AP English teacher gave it to me when I mentioned to him that I was heading to the military after graduating high school.
Thank you so much for your service, and please try to get that book published! Im sure so many veterans would appreciate it, and us non veterans would be interested to see that war through your eyes
...the Hawaiian Pinup is so complimentary to this man's experiences and presence. You can tell he definitely, like others did, left a piece of him there...more of this please! I'd love to see a story of a Combat Vet through Desert Storm/Desert Shield/Mogadishu!
What a small world, seeing Rick here. This is a whole new side of him I knew nothing about. I remember reading the article in Hot Rod Magazine about him back in like ‘15 or ‘16.
The Vietnam veterans were treated so horribly. They were drafted. They served our country. And yet, when they finally came home, they were treated as criminals. How do we make this right, we can't.
My boss and friend was a platoon leader in Vietnam,did 3 tours,he took literally thousands of pics ,of firefights,R&R,from the mundane to the terrifying,he went through hell and survived only to be killed on a desolate stretch of highway in Montana,where he was born,Bob you could be a hard man to work for and be around,after what you’d been through,but I still considered you a friend,I hope you finally caught one of those tigers,you had nightmares about,and made peace with it🙏🇺🇸🙏🇺🇸🙏🇺🇸
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Please interview more people who served in Vietnam. Their stories are so interesting and should be shared. Thanks Mark!
💯%
Many of them don’t want to talk about these things but I do agree
He needs to go on the streets and interview the 1000s of homeless viet nam vets
There are other interviews on utube. Yes, they are very interesting.
My father was a Tunnel Rat in Nam! I spent the whole day with my parents after the field of Valor ceremony
I wish my dad was still alive to talk about these things, but I lost him at 55 from the ravages of the memories he carried from his time with the Corps. He was there from 66-68. He met my mom in Japan and moved back to Ohio in 71 where I was raised. I’m 55 now and it was a tough birthday to reach but I feel so privileged to have reached this age. I miss my dad. Would’ve been 80 this year.
Thanks for your life story bro
❤
Im sorry about ur father! War is fucked up and usually over fucking money
Thank you to your dad, and ultimately you & the rest of your family, who sacrificed for others freedom.❤
@ thanks. I ended up serving in the National Guard during the late 80s-early 90s, myself. My dad wasn’t all to pleased that his only child and daughter joined up, but it was my only way to pay for college at the time. Made it through to E-5.
Great to hear a non drug addict / prostitute story. (No hate intended). Perfectly timed catching this on Veterans Day morning.
♡ a veteran.
It's shocking that the US feed morphine to their soldiers, then left them to manage on their own, grave withdrawal when they landed home, and no welcome home parades, 😢😢😢😢😢
Agreed the usual stories are so sad and at times infuriating at what society does to people theirs was inspiring in his simple honesty
There was nothing positive about Vietnam or the war before and especially desert shield and the Highway of death. The military should not be praised like the heroes this breeds false sentiment of nationalism in war that breeds fascism.
Nope. I'm here for drama - addicts, wh0res, and the mentally ill. I skip boring stories.
Totally .
Remembering my brother today who died in Vietnam in 1969, at 20 years old. 😓
❤❤❤
Sorry for your loss.
Sorry Janice
RIP. ! He had a awesome sister 🇺🇸
Sorry for your loss
I lost my good friend two days ago. He was about to be 78. He was drafted in '67, did basic at Fort Ord, and shipped off to Nam. He was 101st Airborne, 75 Infantry, and served as an LRRP in the A Shau Valley through is first tour, he was in Hue for the Tet Offensive, and he lived his whole life with a 7.62 x 39 round next to his spine. He was shot in three different firefights, actually. The bullets in his shoulder and leg were successfully removed.
He also helped set up the training base in Panama, that Mr. Kopec mentioned.
His last ( third ) tour was actually only a few weeks. In 1975, he was stationed on the roof of the American embassy for the fall of Saigon. A couple years ago, he gifted me his web gear and helmet. As unlikely as it sounds, his plastic canteen was a third full. He assured me that it hadn't been opened since he stepped onto the Bell-H1 that flew him off that roof and delivered him to an aircraft carrier.
So, on my shelf at home, there's a glass bottle full of water from the American Embassy in Saigon from April 1975 and I treasure it. As I treasured my friend.
Respect to your friend. LRRPs do not get enough recognition. They were the most experienced teams operating in Vietnam. My father was a LRRP with the 173rd airborne / 74th infantry detachment 67-68. He is still alive and well- very humble good man and I'm proud to call him my father.
Amazing story
@@michaelscott466 It's a lucky man to be his age and have your children be so proud of you.
@@michaelscott466not to take anything away from your father, or the awesome LRRP dudes who did a hell of a job in Vietnam, but you should check out some of the stories from the MAC-V SOG guys, you can find interviews and stuff on TH-cam. THOSE guys were the absolute baddest of badasses, the stuff they did was unbelievable. They were made up of Green Berets, Navy SEALs, Recon Marines, Air Commandos, Mercenaries, CIA operatives, local fighters, and literally every single one was either wounded or killed. They were the ultimate LRRP outfit doing covert operations deep into Laos and Cambodia, doing search and destroy missions along the Ho Chi Minh Trail, rescuing downed pilots, etc. Truly some badass dudes, their stories are worth listening to.
Respect. Thank you for sharing.
A fitting post for Remembrance Day. Shout out to all vets.
Absolutely. ❤
What is Remembrance Day? Different than Veterans Day?
@@southphillylilly Armistice Day also known as remembrance day, to remember and honour WW1 fallen and returned soldiers. Canada would call it same. Australia, New Zealand and all commonwealth countries. We celebrate all fallen vets ... with nation/commonwealth wide 2 mins of silence and subsequent services. Also called 'Poppy Day' when we were kids. Poppies covered the Turkish war fields, Gallipoli.
@@southphillylilly Artillery shells and shrapnel stirred up the earth and exposed the seeds to the light they needed to germinate. This same poppy also flowers in Turkey in early spring - as it did in April 1915 when the ANZACs landed at Gallipoli. According to Australia's official war historian C.E.W.
11.11 is the portal to the first journey - War is distracting Us from positive spirituality. War is drummed into Us as a harsh reality. Modern Day War is the making of Rich White Men. IGNORE WAR.
Thank you for your dedicated honorable Service, Sir. Welcome Home. God bless you, Mr. Kopec. 🇺🇲 Happy Veteran's Day. ❤
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!
It's a war that should never have happened. But America greed and policing of the world knows no bounds.
@@Hercules372you’d thank him for killing people defending their homeland?
Oh bud. I’ll hope you’re just young. Maybe when you grow up hopefully your mind will broaden and you will learn to see things through the others shoes as well as the big picture, the world that we live in. Cointelpro is a real thing that still exists. Money power greed is a real thing. Evil is a real thing. Not to mention most of these men were drafted with no other choice. Wisen up. Don’t go through life making dumb statements based on things you’ve heard that were pushed purposely with an agenda by the same people creating the evil. There’s a little truth in most arguments that’s how they’re able to spin people like u. Look at this hand waving so u don’t see the one under the table flipping u off. You can’t even begin to fathom what these men or I should say in most cases boys went through so don’t even go there. You have nothing nice to say don’t say anything at all
Thanks, Rick for telling your story! My dad was over there commanding a tank platoon during '69-'70. Amazing he made it home but with a heart broken and demons up to his eyeballs. As a kid, I remember finding him in the living room in the middle of the night looking at slides he'd taken of battles and buddies. Once home, he drank everyday and never quit smoking even though he'd been an olympic hopeful in swimming in '68. He took his life when I was 18 and I hated the military and wars and veterans for most of my 20s and 30s. I've found resolve since and have tried to learn as much as I can about his experience and the experiences of our Vietnam Vets especially. Keep talking and keep writing. I believe my Dad would still be here if he could have shared some of his stories.
My dad was in Vietnam, special forces, and he refused to talk about it. We got bits and pieces but he struggled until the day he died with severe ptsd. I wish I knew him better. Thank you for your service and your interview
I really wish I got to knew my grandparents. They was all dead before I was old enough to ask them any stories. I know my one grandparent, man it really sucks we lost his M1 Garand, he marched through Europe. Unfortunately he became a violent abusive drunk. This is what the MAGA crowd idolizing the 1950s doesn't want to tell you about, the neighnbourhood knew but nobody talked about it. A lot of wives had been beaten by PTSD'd vets, and a lot of our economic boom was thanks to the GI Bill (basically our economy was partly socialized back then, we had a higher tax rate and lower class divide). I sadly only got bits and pieces of who he was from my dad. I only know he strongly emphasized education, and would break down crying while he was drunk and cycling moods over the shit he saw and did over there. A lot of the 1950s is seen by youth these days through the lens of our basic Soviet tier propaganda and marketing, actual life was very different behind closed doors. I wouldn't say we were ever truly "great" in that sense. The 1990s was probably our peak in a lot of ways and it's only kept going downhill consistently through every presidential administration since I was born. Like Leave it to Beaver had the parents sleeping in separate beds since they didn't want to imply sexual activity, frankly I wish they didn't do that, I almost wonder if they had an impact on our own parents who themselves eventually slept on seperate beds, dad sleeping on the couch. It's just my grandparents was the last generation where the whole country was willing to unite to get shit done, because they fucking HAD to. It's why I openly disrespect the way society is these days, and I am somewhat glad none of them lived to see these weak chucklefucks pozzing them in line because some ahole couldn't wear a mask and have them dying alone on ventilators, rather than dying many years ago often surrounded by family in hospice or a hospital.
Thank you, Mr. Kopec. You are a true American hero, and I salute you, sir. 🫡
🤣🤣🤣🤣
Thank you, Mr Kopec, for your service.
Thank you for you service? Which service? trying to implement "your/our/theyr" ideology (democracy) to a foreign country? Jeer, we should thank also columbus & co for bringing religion to natives! Dont forget the therm for north-vietnamese was "termites". On this intercourse, we should propably thank also the death vietnamese, thanks for you service!
service? invading a country is a service?
True service is defending your country, voluntarily killing in foreign lands for politicians and the industrial military complex is criminal…
@@marcusaetius9309following orders is following orders. Let me guess, you have never served but feel you can sit there and judge… We have absolutely started wars and were lied to as to the why of the wars. Our government have done horrible awful things in other countries. That is not our troops fault. It’s very easy to keep scrolling instead of spreading hateful, hurtful comments about men and women who were used and then thrown away, most suffering from PTSD. My brother came back from Iraq a mess. He died as a result of gulf war syndrome. My other brother is a veteran, just not a war veteran. Do you have people you love that have served? In most cases they do not know the real reasons they are there
@
The old man was career airforce and I did a stint in the infantry reserves (I hope this satisfies your criteria for me to have an opinion). The fact of the matter is that it is the responsibility of each and every citizen to understand whether or not their government is justified in attacking another country. The key factor should be ; is the “target “ a direct threat to my country?
Here’s a short list of countries that were/are NOT a direct threat; Vietnam, Panama, Grenada, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Serbia etc.
If an individual signs up for the military while wars such as these are being waged then they are complicit and saying “I was just following orders..” is what most of the people executed at Nuremberg used as a defence.
One of my best memories is my dad’s Vietnam reunion in Vegas. The stories, laughs, and tears were amazing. These guys after all those years loved each other, it was something to witness. After all those years, his buddy showed up, looked straight at my dad and the first thing out of his mouth was “you almost got me killed” they laughed and hugged and it was amazing
My Dad served in Nam. He came home and became a Police Officer and retired after 30 years on the job. He passed in 2015 due to diabetes and heart disease. God, I miss him. Thank you to all those who served
So he was a government parasite for his whole life.
Government is slavery and needs to be completely abolished ❤.
Police and military are inherently immoral because they force government onto people.
@@saleslrp6143 Thank you for his honorable Service. Rest in peace, Sir. 🇺🇲💔🙏
Amen!!!@@PamKay-p8v
This was a great interview and its got me thinking. I served in the Marine Corps as an infantryman with 2/7. We had a very tough deployment to Afghanistan in 2008. It was heavy combat consisting of firefights, IED's everywhere, in a very isolated region called nowzad. It was literally like walking through a mine field. I've felt the very same feelings as mr. Kopec, as far as not being able to share my experiences with other people who've not experienced similar situations. I can relate to not having anyone in my peer groups who've experienced intense combat or even served in the military for that matter. I think that linking Vietnam vets with today's combat veterans could really help heal one another. I can also relate with writing my experiences down and how much that has helped me with my own trauma.
How weird is it, that we basically JUST concluded operations in Afghanistan. That people born AFTER 9/11, could've been stationed anywhere near Nowzad.
I wasn't a soldier, and I certainly can't relate on a meaningful level, but I can imagine that experiencing that much "intensity" at such a young age has to paint everything that comes after, for you.
The very concept of a mine field ( and IEDs ) is something the human brain isn't meant for - knowing the ground is full of invisible, unknowable spots that explode... I'm QUITE sure that's an experience that can't just be described.
If, when I was 20, I was carrying M4s, driving Hummers, jumping out of planes, watching AC-130s circle overhead and raiding houses in a foreign region - and doing it with friends and having powerful comradery - well, my 30s and 40s, and working a regular 9 - 5 would seem out of order.
You experienced too much intensity at a young age. I'm in my mid-40s, I look at 20 year olds like they're babies.
I bet you've got a lot, circling around in your head that only other combat veterans can connect with.
Thank you for your service Sir. God Bless you always🙏🇺🇸
I'm sorry you went through that - and I hate to say it but, just like with Vietnam, it was all for nothing. The Taleban are still in control of Afghanistan, just as the Vietnamese Communist Party are still in control of Vietnam, almost 50 years after the US was driven out of the country. So many lives lost and ruined, and for what? As an outsider, it's very strange too see the USA's constant glorification of military service without ever really seeming to question the rationale behind it, and asking why so many young men were fed into the meat grinder in the first place
Thank you for your service and sacrifices
Happy Veteran's Day, Mr. Kopec! 🇺🇸 Thank you for your service and for sharing your story.
Happy Veteran's Day to all Vietnam Veterans 🙏🏽🇺🇸 especially my dad! Thank you, Billy Cooper! ❤ to us all who continue to be affected by this horrible war.
Happy Veterans day sir!! My father was a tunnel rat in for the US Marines in the Vietnam War. He rarely spoke of his experiences but he definitely battled it entire life. May he rest in peace!! Thank you and all veterans for their service.
My dad is a Viet Vet. He volunteers for the honor flights as well. If you have a grand parent or Vet parent please send them on this. It's such a great thank you. Our country was awful to these veterans and a lot were just kids. My dad was only 18 when he was sent. ❤ To all of our Veterans!!
Richard Kopec, a name I grew up hearing. Thank you for your service❤
He’s not Richard Kopec the author, unless you mean you know him by name personally.
What's with the "thank you for your service" crap? That's when you know you are a sheeple
He's an author...what @3tvet
In honor of Veterans Day I want to say salute to my brothers and sisters in arms. So glad mark has Uploaded a video for the occasion thank you mark.
More veteran content please! Fascinating and humbling.
People need to know the true history of Vietnam, thank you for your service.
And what is that? What secret info do you have that the rest of us don't? Because there's a lot of info out there and there are scholars on the war and historians, but I guess you know something more than anybody that ever studied or dissected it?
@ Why wouldn’t Americans want to know their history, I’m certain it’s being taught in Vietnam.
A.I.C ~was in Vietnam in the late 40's early 50's and A prominent president was killed to get the full go ahead into Vietnam, but i'm sure historians talk about that publicly right Lilly?
What a cool person, Thanks Richard. My dad was a WW2 vet who saw the worst conflict of that war, Pele, the Philippines, etc etc.. He went crazy at about 55 yrs old from most likely that war, and no mental help back then. Sadly, he abused me as a kid and my family, so hearing a person like yourself makes me feel like a dad would have been had they stayed normal. Thanks
My dad too
our mother said of her brother, who served on PT Boats in the Pacific, "he died FROM the war, not IN the war". She never spelled it out for us, but I'm guessing some combo of PTSD, Alcohol, Drugs, Suicide.
Thank you and Veterans in general !
Thanks for what??? Killing a whole bunch of innocent people overseas, for fighting horrible wars in the name of corporations?? Fuck no!
@ this guy loves Rebecca and is asking for a job on the same account he trashes war vets with. Good stuff
Thank you for your service, Mr. Kopec. And thank you Mark, I hope you can help him find a publisher.
I enjoy hearing different veterans share their experiances and perspectives. Thank you Richard I hope you get your book published.
My grandfather never talked about his life as a tank battalion sergeant in WW2! I saw him crying when Eisenhower died, he never, ever explained his feelings. But that generation never talked about feelings. He was my hero, I just wished I could have known his story! He was a great man!
You should read “Other Losses” about Zionist flunky Eisenhower and his program for the starvation of more German POW’s than were killed in battle.
My 5 year old and I look for Vietnam veterans while we are out and about because it’s our favorite thing to see their smiles when we say “Welcome home!!!!”
Omg, that’s so sweet 😊
& has to be so much fun!
You should take your kid to a zoo or playground instead of searching for vets
@@EyeAmBack lol because vets aren’t at the zoo or playgrounds with their grandkids. I meant it as in our general life it’s something we do. God bless
@@EyeAmBack teaching kids to read also goes along with “searching for Veterans” ……
Weirdo
my father-in-law served 2 tours in vietnam from 66-69. i never once pressed him for any stories, but any time he wanted to tell one, i would listen intently. sometimes, it would be a quick talk, and other times, he would speak at great length - much like richard does here. you handled this perfectly, mark. don't interject. don't probe. just listen.
❤
My dad was retired Navy. I will always remember how proud he was to serve . Thank you, sir for your service!
I hope his book gets published. I would love to read it.
💯💯💯💯💯
I'm hoping Mark can help him.
Yeah sure full of lies just like he lied on the jungle evade capture exercise .
PUBLISH!!!
My father served two tours in vietnam,US army.. he was a combat veteran.it affected him and my siblings and I in ways nobody could truly understand. The PTSD.. the trauma,the flash backs..my brother was born a twin with severe autism and cerebral palsy.. thank you for posting something that touches home for my family and I.
People say the armed forces during ww2 were the “greatest generation” and that fucking pisses me off. What your dad sacrificed during and after serving in Vietnam is equally as great as what the ww2 vets did. Thank for sharing and for his service.
Brother, 92-12 with two tours in Iraq, I doubt you will read this but some other Vietnam or Korean vet might. Gentlemen, you done good. This nation did not then, nor does it now, deserve the likes of you. You're duty is done. You stand relieved. Stand down. Stand secure Brothers. I love you all.
Thank you for your service Mr. Kopec.
Thank you Richard Kopec for your service and dedication to our country. Many blessings and peace to you.
Thank you Mark for always putting excellent interviews out there 🥰
A true American Patriot, thank you for your service Rick Kopec!
I'm old enough to remember watching the footage of the Vietnam war on the nightly news with my parents. I remember the protests and the draft. I remember being terrified that my brother would be called. It was a bad situation, and the returning soldiers were treated very badly even though they had no choice in the matter.
My mom remembers when her brother signed up for the war. My grandmother cried her eyes out.
@@absinthemindedJI can’t imagine. My mom was absolutely terrified her brothers would be drafted.
How did your Uncle take it?
@DSPsWifesBF my uncle, was proud to serve.
It's the USA, everyone has a choice.
@@scottyh1509 ... A choice my arse. There was a draft ran like a lottery on TV. If the number came up and it coincided with your birthday, you had to sign up. Fucking scam.
“I guess you could say I was lucky.” 🥺 Wow. What an honor to hear this noble veteran’s stories of life and war. I sincerely hope the right publisher comes across soon to get more of his stories heard. It’s vital. He is living history!❤
I appreciate your time in service to our country. I am especially grateful for you sharing the experience. Enjoy Veterans Day! Thank you, Mr.Kopec
I grew up during the Vietnam War in a Military town I knew school friends who Fathers were POW’s & MIA’s. The ones who came home had changed & didn’t want to talk about it. To this day I don’t think anyone knows the real reason we were there & we certainly don’t know 1/2 of what these poor Veterans went thru but, I do know it was hell & they saw things that no one should have to witness. Thank you for your service Sir.
War is a racket. Money is why the USA got involved. Period
Exactly.
What the Pentagon brass and multiple White House residents told the public is very different from the truth. Read the Pentagon Papers. The war was unwinnable. It was an unjustified invasion. It was an enormous massacre and desecration of a peasant country. Were the veterans heroes? Maybe, but that word is thrown around pretty easily. They were mostly cannon fodder, expendable bodies, sacrifices to the MIC. Until we question every single time the U.S. goes to war, nothing changes.
My stepdad got shot twice in combat during Vietnam. Than my two older brothers and myself joined the Navy to serve both conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Happy belated birthday to US Marine Corps and Happy Veterans Day. Thanks to those that served and or still serving.
So much respect 🙏
My goodness the stress on your mother, I can only imagine.
To say thank you for your service seems so inadequate. I sincerely thank you and hope that all of you are doing well. God bless you and keep you safe.
@@carolseven3802 Thanks. I never thought about that. Okinawan woman been together with a US Marine for almost 50yrs. I guess we were very lucky sometimes during deployments. I never told her about them. lol.
Netanyahu and all the other Khazar thugs are proud of your service to the Zionists in their Yinnon Plan for greater Israel.
What was your rate?
Happy Veterans day Richard. Thank you for your service 🇺🇲
Thank you for telling your story! You remind me so much of my dad (we are South African), he was in the Navy, on the SAS President Steyn Type 12 frigate. I could sit for hours listening to the stories he told me of his life on the ship and the experiences he lived through. I hope the people around you value you.
Respect man. Enjoy Veterans Day 2024 🍀✌️
I absolutely loved listening to your story! You explained it in a way we all easily understood. Mr. Kopec Optimist, Husband, Teacher, Witness of War, Warrior, Lover of Life and American! Thank you for representing the best of America!
I hope you are able to interview more combat vets. Thank you for this! And, thank you, Richard, for your service!
God Bless our Veterans 🤍❤️💙 Thank you Mark for sharing this gentleman’s journey, much honor.
Happy Veterans Day to all our Brothers and Sisters, much love ❤️🇺🇸💪🏼
Enjoyed a real take on a war I was alive during and remember the news coverage and protests. Thank you for your service.
Richard
I really don't understand how we allow or elect presidents that have never served our country for a single day. Seems to me if you're going to send a bunch of men into war , you need to have served at yourself
Trump was more of a slacker than this guy.
Absolutely 💯
Maybe in four years It could be JD Vance and Tulsi Gabbard, you never know. They both seved in the military.
Well ideally we don’t have a president who is sending men to war at all
And the pres is 'the commander in chief' of all things!
SAAC member in the 70's. Thanks for your service, Rick.
I'm from Wisconsin. My dad is a Vietnam veteran. I have lived in Hanoi, Vietnam for 9 years. My father in law was a colonel in the North Vietnamese Army. I've heard both sides of the story.
I would like to hear those stories.
How’s your dad feel about that? Has he visited?
Wow
I have many questions. I've always wondered what the other side of the story was. I know the history, but have never heard the perspective of a Vietnamese soldier.
As we all know the gulf of Tonkin incident was a lie, just as the WMD horse shit and Osama bin Laden family tales. War is a racket. What a crime against the people of Vietnam and a crime to the people of this nation who were lied to and lost family members and such. War is a racket. It is generally seen as immoral for warriors to fight in immoral wars for the royal class. I’m not a pacifist but the day we are not deceived into thinking these are moral ventures will make way for a time of much more peace. You can judge the morality of a war by the way its soldiers come home. It laid waste to a generation here. I bet the Vietnamese did not suffer in the same way for protecting their homeland. I know there is corruption there too but it’s still different. I’d love to hear your father in law’s tales. My father was there as a doctor. Smedley butlers war is a racket is a must read for all “modern” humans. Cheers 🥂
You should definitely do more interviews with Vietnam veterans. His stories are so fascinating and thank you for your service Mr. Kopec. I salute you good sir 🇺🇸
I salute you, your life and the wisdom Mr.Kopec. Happy Veterans Day! ❤🔥
And yet again, thanks Mark!
Loved watching this gentleman share his story. Thank you for your service sir 🫡🪖
Great topic / interview especially on 11/11. God bless all vets & ANZACS.
ANZAC day is in April, Hoss. If you're going to say it, get it right. Tomorrow is just Veterans day. Not Memorial day, Not ANZAC day, Veterans day. Let me guess, you think you're the only living person aware of Australians and Kiwis fighting in Nam?
The second sentence has nothing to do with the first. 3 Anzacs in my family who fort for your freedom. Tool.
@@johnqpublic2718 god bless you too John Public
Remembrance Day, Armistice Day... Fkn Vets Day?. Huh? Little Joe..
@johnqpublic2718 excuse me, you are behaving poorly. As an American, know little about Australians in Vietnam or other wars. As for our beautiful ANZACs it's who they ARE! We have a very special day to celebrate them. ANZACs' are/were the most private soldiers. Would never bleat on about 'service'. Anzac day was for them to get together, be honoured and talk/remember fallen mates amongst themselves. We still honour them, and all other vets, fallen and returned, our vets aren't precious about 'whose' war/rememberance. And certainly would never say they enjoyed what they did.
Nearly 6 million subs. WELL deserved. Thank you.
My friend John is now 75 years old, he is a tough old bird.
Served in Vietnam from 65' to 68'.
I haven't seen John in years but I'm glad to hear so many stories about life in the jungle. It's insane
Looking forward to purchasing his book. That was incredible. Thank you both.
Yes fascinating. Phenomenal job Mark, by day one of the best yet, please do more veteran interviews, this is the positive & inspiring influence our society needs more than ever. Thank you for this & thank you to ALL our vets both past & present. God Bless.🤘🏼🇺🇸🙏❤️
Thank you for serving sir. My dad was a staff sergeant of transportation during WWII. I have always been proud of his service. I hate war but I have respect for the soldiers who give their lives for the rest of us. Bless you.
This interview was awesome, Mark! Thank you both!
Offspring from the Best Generation. I hope he gets his book published definitely worthwhile
I could listen to this man all day. Loved hearing his story and hope his book is published very soon.
Good morning!!! Fort Worth, Texas in here!!!
My Dad as well, 3rd Raider Battalion which was a stand alone unit, and classified, served from Guadalcanal, Bougainville, Guam, Okinawa scout sniper in 4th marines 6th div. When Mr. Kopec said my dad said " just dont go in the infantry " that rang so true. Thank you Mr. Kopec for sharing some defining times of your life, my dad became a functional alcoholic, did share somethings with me ,always proud of the Raiders hated war.
Thank you for that very refreshing interview. Pretty please get more interesting people like this. I am tired of the tragic train wrecks. I love your work Mark!
Richard, Thank you for telling your story. Also thank you Mark, for pursuing, producing, and conducting these interviews. Just a quick Vietnam related thing I heard. ~ One day I was sitting at a table in the scholarly journal/reference section of the library on campus at the University of Missouri. ~ A librarian (older man) saw student reading a book about Vietnam, and the librarian without thinking, quietly said "Vietnam, I was there"...to this the student replied...."Do you still think about it"...and then I heard the librarian say something simple but profound...he said...."sometimes It feels like 20 years ago, sometimes it feels like last week." ~ That just really struck me, because the librarian looked off in the distance like he was remembering something, almost like he was looking straight at it. The librarian didn't want attention or a lengthy conversation, it was just the quickest impromptu exchange in passing. I think that after the war, maybe he liked the quiet of the library on campus.
Thanks so much for this interview - I really hope that the unpublished book gets published and is sold on Audible. His experiences in his voice is very powerful. I will buy it.
I would agree, the best interview’s I’ve seen on TH-cam so far. BG is good, I’ve watched almost everything, I think.
I was there in 71. I know exactly what what he means.
❤
Thank you for your service. Amazing story. Great interview.
Thank you for your service. I am so happy this is on video. I am in my mid 40's and work with young college students, they are clueless and have no idea about history and www1 and 2, & Vietnam war, & definitely have zero knowledge and understanding of the Iraq war. The younger generations struggles consist of crying and taking a sick day because school is too stressful or the president they didn't vote for didn't win, or their cell phone isn't working. I wish the schools focused more on people like Richard Kopec in history class rather than focusing on personal opinions of the teachers rather than teaching factual history.
What’s the title of your book? I can’t find it anywhere.
I’m a Persian Gulf Marine who just retired from teaching. I can tell you these stories are very important.
I can’t find your book anywhere. Any chance you know how I could get a copy?
I don’t think this guy is aware that Oliver Stone wrote and directed Platoon based on his own experiences as an infantryman in the 25th infantry division in Vietnam, that movie was his personal story that he actually made because he thought everyone else got it wrong, just like this guy.
Dale Dye who had three combat tours in Vietnam was essentially assistant director as well as multiple other Vietnam vets on set, that’s the only film to get it right, it should never get lumped in with the others.
Producers also had no involvement in what was being done on that film, it was very low budget and they did it the cowboy way.
It’s not gonna ring true for every vet because it’s one man’s experience, but the little details were all authentic
So very true
Oliver stone is a commie Jew. Can't believe anything he says.
What an interesting man. Thanks to him for telling his story. I wish more men could have handled their experience like he has. Almost using it to his advantage. Seemingly not having any negative repercussions from it. Not many were able to do that. This guy is one in a million. God bless all our veterans.
Holy talk about some timing. I'm going to Vietnam in 3 days.
Safe travels!
I recommend reading a book called A Rumor Of War by Philip Caputo. It offers a chance for reflection and redemption by eliciting public consciousness about the harsh realities of the Vietnam war. My AP English teacher gave it to me when I mentioned to him that I was heading to the military after graduating high school.
Thank you so much for your service, and please try to get that book published! Im sure so many veterans would appreciate it, and us non veterans would be interested to see that war through your eyes
Richard is a true hero and it's because of people like him we enjoyed all of our freedoms. Thank you for your service to our country Richard.
My brother was in the platoon that the movie Platoon was about. The memories haunted him until he died last year.
💔
...the Hawaiian Pinup is so complimentary to this man's experiences and presence. You can tell he definitely, like others did, left a piece of him there...more of this please! I'd love to see a story of a Combat Vet through Desert Storm/Desert Shield/Mogadishu!
Thanks Mark and Richard 👍🏻
I could've listened to him for hours
nice shirt thank you and you're family for the dedication to our country Richard
This is actually my favorite episode ever.
Thankyou for doing what you could do. Thankyou for coming home alive to tell the tell. Thankyou for your service. My Regards Mr. Dominic James Austin.
Thank you for your service!🇺🇲🇺🇲
I hope you get published, Sir! Thank you.
Thank you for your service, Mr Kopec!
What a gem! I could listen to him talk for days.
Thank you for your service Mr. Kopec! He is such a great story teller, I really enjoyed this interview.
God bless you , thank you for your service . I've met many fine men who served in that conflict
Thank you for posting this video, and thank you as a fellow veteran, Rick for your service, and welcome home
I'm a Iraq war veteran from CT! Thank you my brother for your service
love this guy w/o watching even 30 seconds
What a small world, seeing Rick here. This is a whole new side of him I knew nothing about. I remember reading the article in Hot Rod Magazine about him back in like ‘15 or ‘16.
This is one of, if not the best interview I’ve seen on here.
Wow wish he would publish his book. Thank you for your service sir!
The Vietnam veterans were treated so horribly. They were drafted. They served our country. And yet, when they finally came home, they were treated as criminals. How do we make this right, we can't.
My boss and friend was a platoon leader in Vietnam,did 3 tours,he took literally thousands of pics ,of firefights,R&R,from the mundane to the terrifying,he went through hell and survived only to be killed on a desolate stretch of highway in Montana,where he was born,Bob you could be a hard man to work for and be around,after what you’d been through,but I still considered you a friend,I hope you finally caught one of those tigers,you had nightmares about,and made peace with it🙏🇺🇸🙏🇺🇸🙏🇺🇸