Title: Unclaimed: Vietnam Veteran Tells Story In New Film After Being Left Behind For 44 Years Source:
Freedom Outpost URL Source:http://freedomoutpost.com/2013/04/u ... nd-for-44-years/#ixzz2RfFb9ytf Published:Apr 26, 2013 Author:Tim Brown Post Date:2013-04-27 14:38:36 by X-15 Keywords:None Views:414 Comments:8
Many of our brave men and women in uniform carry a motto that they will not leave a man behind. Sadly, in many instances that happens and it’s not because that is what those men want to happen. Such is the story of Special Forces Green Beret Master Sgt. John Hartley Robertson, whose helicopter was shot down over Laos in 1968 on a classified mission. He was declared dead in that same year. A new movie by Emmy-winning Edmonton Filmmaker Michael Jorgensen titled Unclaimed is Robertson’s story.
Robertson never forgot that he was a husband, a father and an American soldier who was born in Alabama. However, he did forget English and learned to speak only Vietnamese.
Robertson was captured by the Vietnamese and was accused of being a CIA spy. As a result, he was tortured for a year. He was badly injured and confused, but finally released and ended up marrying a Vietnamese nurse that had taken care of him during his captivity. The two had children and he assumed the name of her dead husband.
Jorgensen says that audiences will “lose their minds” and “come unglued” when they see Unclaimed. “They don’t hold anything higher than service to the country,” he said.
Ironically, Jorgensen said that there were roadblocks from the military in making the film, especially in contacting Mr. Robertson’s family. One high-0placed government source told him, “It’s not that the Vietnamese won’t let him (Robertson) go; it’s that our government doesn’t want him.”
Linda Barnard writes:
Unclaimed follows the dramatic quest of Vietnam vet Tom Faunce to prove that the man he was told about while on a 2008 humanitarian mission in Southeast Asia was indeed an Army “brother” who had been listed as killed in action and subsequently forgotten.
Faunce, a soft-spoken man who has suffered crushing loss and turmoil throughout his life, has devoted himself to helping the world’s most desperate people. He was determined to make good on his vow to leave no man behind after serving two years in a war that divided America and made him feel like a pariah when he finally came home.
“Tom went to meet him (Robertson) and was very skeptical, grilled this guy up and down trying to get him to break, to say, ‘Oh, no, I’m just making it up.’ And he was adamant he was that guy,” said Jorgensen, who was in Toronto to help host an invitation-only patrons’ screening of Unclaimed at the Hot Docs Bloor Cinema two weeks ago and sat down for an exclusive interview with the Star.
Robertson’s story seems unbelievable. And Jorgensen was equally skeptical when Faunce contacted him in 2012 about making a doc in the hope it would add muscle to his quest to reunite Robertson with his American family.
The film is complete with a touching meeting of Robertson and a soldier he had trained in 1960 and also a very moving scene when he is reunited with his only surviving sibling, 80 year old Jean Robertson-Holly, who had no idea that her brother could even be alive.
According to Jorgensen, “Jean says … ‘There’s no question. I was certain it was him in the video, but when I held his head in my hands and looked in his eyes, there was no question that was my brother.”
Both the soldier and the sister claimed there was no need of verifying fingerprints and DNA because they knew him at first sight. However, attempts were made to have DNA testing with his American wife and two children, but though they had previously agreed, they abruptly declined.
“Somebody suggested to me maybe that’s (because) the daughters don’t want to know if it’s him. It’s kind of like, that was an ugly war. It was a long time ago. We just want it to go away,” says Jorgensen. “I don’t know. What would compel you not to want to know if this person is your biological father?”
Hugh Tran, a Vietnam-born Edmonton senior police constable, was with Jorgensen to act as a translator between him and Robertson. He could find no evidence of an American accent at all. “To tell you the truth, after I interviewed him the first time, I was 90 percent sure he is MIA,” said Trans. “I still didn’t believe . . . until I saw the family reunion.”
Though Robertson appears to forget his birthday and even the names of his American children, Jorgensen says that there are moments that were not in the film where his memory is quite sharp. “These memories pop out,” says Jorgensen. “I’ll give you an example that’s not in the movie. The minute he (Robertson) walks in that room in Edmonton, he knows it’s Jean. He says to Henry, her husband, ‘Oh, I remember, you worked in the drugstore.’” Jean’s husband had been a pharmacist for 50 years.
Both Jean and her husband want answers as to why he was left in Vietnam. They were both involved in a car crash within days of their reunion with Robertson.
Mr. Robertson is back in Vietnam now, having fulfilled a long awaited wish to see his American family one more time before he dies.
When I think of men like John Kerry being promoted to Secretary of State after the treasonous actions that he engaged in and the politicizing of his “service” in Vietnam in his presidential bid and I compare him to someone like Mr. Robertson, I genuinely am disgusted with how such a man could ever be seen as anything but a coward. Perhaps if enough people were to flood the U.S. State Department on behalf of Robertson’s sister and brother-in-law, the pressure might be enough to get some answers for this family that were separated by nearly a half a century.
Unclaimed is scheduled to be screened at the G.I. Film Festival in Washington, D.C. in May. Please visit the Unclaimed website or take the time to introduce this generation to what men like Mr. Robertson and many in this audience have endured in the service of their country.
#2. To: X-15, Luke The Spook, christine, *WAR CRIMES* (#0)
My heart aches for Sgt. Robertson and for so many other MIAs, alive or dead, whose names we probably will never know. I can't begin to describe my pity for their families.
Still I have to ask, as a Viet Nam War veteran, myself; where is the American 'heart' for the returned Viet Nam War veterans? Or, is it time to use the descriptor, "remaining" returned Viet Nam War veterans?
Last year a veteran friend of mine died of Agent Orange complications. About nine months earlier, the VA finally admitted that he was "eligible" for VA medical care - which required paperwork and further 'determinations.' He never got any medical care; he performed his desired role for the VA; he died first.
As he lay on his death bed, the VA called his wife, attempting to get her to say anything to the effect that Ron was "refusing" to appear for VA 'processing.' Ron didn't even have a doctor's appointment scheduled. The VA caller wasn't satisfied that his wife kept screaming that he had hours left to live; he wasn't "refusing" the appointment, he didn't have the 'life' left in him to make the appointment. The VA caller just kept pushing for the obviously desired response. Ron died less a day later - at home; in his wife's arms. Funny, his "Military Funeral" and burial happened incredibly quickly.
It's a natural question: "Where are the movie producers for the 'remaining' Viet Nam War veterans?" Is there a "profit" problem in that picture? Of course! After all, can anyone seriously expect an audience?
It's all a nearly bizarre function of psychology. Those millions who so safely cheered from a mental and emotional 'distance,' don't want to get any closer. The "cheering gallery" creates their 'to-be-admired' image. That's what the 'cheering is all about - "A good person would look like .... ."
Get serious for just a minute. Is it any accident that you don't see the families of the soldiers in those cheering-galleries? The families fly the flag at home and on their cars; and sport the rear-window decals & bumper stickers. Certainly they happily receive their sons & daughters when they return home; with all due tears in their eyes. In tears of another kind, they see them off again. Too many families see their returned soldiers in a military or VA hospital - if they are missing a limb or two - or worse. Far too many bury their soldiers. Sure, there are a few unrelated flag-wavers; but precious few.
When it "really counts," where is that same massive cheering-gallery? They don't - and never did - want any part of the "reality!" There is no "image" or "rapture" to be had amidst the close-in reality of war. Sure, they again flag-wave at the organized public parades - for those soldiers healthy enough to appear - again in front of the media cameras! But only if they think that they'll get the "image" payoff.
AND, there's the automated micro-burst phrase, "Thank you for your service." But it abruptly ends there. Hell, I even get that, on occasion - but nothing more is said; no questions are asked. No 'notes' are compared. They don't want to risk "knowing."
Human psychology is such that combat veterans are condemned to a world of denial. They don't want to talk about "it," either. Something safe and 'interesting;' maybe even funny. Even that is pretty rare.
So, here we get the story of Special Forces Green Beret Master Sgt. John Hartley Robertson. I'm sure his account is factual. It doesn't matter if it's not. It's a great TLC or History Channel presentation, for sure. But there's so much missing in this picture - which should be obvious and a concern for so many. Where is the President - or at least Senator John McCain?
The most important question isn't asked, "Where is everybody?"
Master Sgt. John Hartley Robertson has known the answer for a long time; " Nobody fucking cares!"
I confess; I have an attitude problem. I also still have a lot of company - for a few more years, anyway; we are a dying breed, after all.
The veterans' story, however unpopular, gets worse.
What America doesn't appreciate is that there we have a new generation of veterans - with an attitude problem. They haven't been guilt-conditioned by the media; at least for now. But, they may become a "real" problem before very long. Physical wounds and scars aside, given their combat time-in- theater, their heads are more messed up than the Viet Nam War veterans, by far.
Enough Afghan & Iraq soldiers have been discharged that there has to be a large number of war-related "consequences," by now; even if we haven't heard the stories - yet. But when we do, we won't hear much about the veterans; we'll hear about the families.
Sure, we see "happy" veterans in the news; they are missing limbs and are being well cared for by the VA - who can't rationalize them away.
But, what about the rest? Unless they personally put up one hell of a fight, the bulk of them don't stand a chance.
How many know that the original medical term for 'drug addiction' dates to the Civil War; "Soldiers Disease?" But, they'll probably see little mercy. How desperately I want to be wrong about that.
It's a fantasy for sure, but I hope the current group of veterans 'organize;' and hang out in front of the military recruiting stations - in their old uniforms and wheel chairs.
If they don't get arrested, that just might possibly get them some 'official' support.
BUT, keep all eyes forward. Those remaining in Afghanistan still have to make it home - hopefully at least alive. Whether an 'official' withdrawal or a rout; there will be major casualties of all types. We can safely bet on a 90% mental and emotional "wounded" figure.
What is going to happen when the total 'official' fraud of 9-11 becomes the new American mindset? The 4-15 Boston bombings have accelerated the rate of "reality converts." What is going to happen when all those who served in Afghanistan and Iraq finally come to grips with reality? Pity the question from their children: "Daddy, did you fight in the War Crimes?"
God forbid that they should envy me as 'only' being a "baby killer."
No thinking person says Baby-Killer about any of the children sent over to the 'nam.
...maybe I'll finish my thoughts tomorrow.
Sorry for the post.
“The most dangerous man to any government is the man who is able to think things out... without regard to the prevailing superstitions and taboos. Almost inevitably he comes to the conclusion that the government he lives under is dishonest, insane, intolerable.” ~ H. L. Mencken
Where is the President - or at least Senator John McCain?
Don't bother John McStain: he said that They're All Dead Over There.
“With the exception of Whites, the rule among the peoples of the world, whether residing in their homelands or settled in Western democracies, is ethnocentrism and moral particularism: they stick together and good means what is good for their ethnic group." -Alex Kurtagic
No thinking person says Baby-Killer about any of the children sent over to the 'nam.
Diogenes had a simple task; he was only looking for an "honest" man.
In modern America, good luck finding a "thinking man." Amazingly, there's no shortage of those who want to do everyone else's thinking for them. Or, if anyone is so foolish as to utter an intelligent observation, a line instantly forms; made up of those desperately wanting to announce: "You can't say that!"
I used to find a perverse thrill, asking dumb-asses if the First Amendment had been revoked. The "standard" (automatic) reply was, "You can't shout FIRE in a crowded theater!"
My rebuttal used to be, "If you discover a fire, it's the law - to shout FIRE! Something about criminal negligence, involuntary manslaughter, depraved indifference - something on that order."
Now, my retort is, "Damn, you're smart! Everybody knows that. I'm sure that's exactly the last thought of the twelve people who died in that Aurora, Colorado theater, when the gunman appeared. Too bad somebody didn't yell SOME kind of timely warning; don't you think? What was it; sixty more wounded? Nobody said a word; they just screamed in terror - AFTER people started to die!"
Oh, I forgot to mention something. I heard that Diogenes finally did find an honest man; but he forgot what he was going to ask him.
So, here we meet, to offer honest information; while also desperately seeking honest 'answers.'
I guess I'll have to see the documentary for myself. I wouldn't put anything past the U.S. Govt., but something about this story smells fishy to me.
We should all be livid. Stop acting like docile, mentally castrated pussies and grow a pair. It's time to get in their face. Why should we speak in hushed tones and act all polite when we are being raped every day?
“The most dangerous man to any government is the man who is able to think things out... without regard to the prevailing superstitions and taboos. Almost inevitably he comes to the conclusion that the government he lives under is dishonest, insane, intolerable.” ~ H. L. Mencken
