JACKSON, Tenn. — In honor of Student Veterans Week, proclaimed by Gov. Bill Haslam, Woodie Robinson shared his personal story as a Vietnam veteran on Sept. 28 at Jackson State Community College.
“America was totally different,” Robinson said. “(Americans) resented the Vietnam veterans. They called us baby killers; they called us everything.”
Robinson was drafted right after high school at 19 years old. He served from 1966-69, and then from 1980-2001 in the Army as a Chief Warrant Officer 4.
Within six months of being drafted, Robinson was sent to combat in Vietnam.
Because a great number of soldiers were needed in a short time, they were not as well trained as soldiers today are, Robinson said.
“It wasn’t as orderly as it normally is,” he added.
Robinson said sharing his story provides history to younger vets, as their experiences are a lot different.
American people respond so great to Iraqi war veterans, but that was not the case when Vietnam vets came home.
“People didn’t like you,” Robinson said.
