DELHI - At 75, John VanNostrand has a wealth of memories to share — some bittersweet, others laced with the frustration that comes from witnessing decades of U.S. military engagements he deems unnecessary. A veteran of the Vietnam War, VanNostrand’s journey from a young draftee to a seasoned soldier and later, a cheerleader for Delaware County’s Veterans Services, reflects a complex relationship with the conflicts he experienced and the country he served.
Drafted in 1971, VanNostrand faced the specter of combat.
“I didn’t want to get shot,” he recalls.
He enlisted for three years in the U.S. Army, opting for the Signal Corps, where he felt he could minimize his risk.
“I went to the longest school I could,” he says, which turned out to be a year of training in New Jersey as a fixed stations facilities controller. This preparation would lead him to a year-long deployment in Vietnam, where he was stationed primarily in Nha Trang.
Despite his military role, which kept him away from the front lines, VanNostrand spent his time in Vietnam organizing top-secret signal equipment, a responsibility that would weigh heavily on him.
“I was pretty negative about the whole thing,” he admits, reflecting on the ambiguity of the war and the constant tension of being on high alert. “You didn’t know who you were fighting.”
His active duty ended in 1973 when he returned to the United States, and he transitioned to civilian life in Delhi.
“Coming home, they treated me good,” he said, expressing gratitude for the support he received and for the Veterans Administration, which he credits with providing critical care that he couldn’t afford privately.
“Thank God for veterans’ healthcare,” he said.
After the army, VanNostrand embarked on a career in construction, training as an apprentice carpenter under George Cochran & Son. Instead of pursuing a college education, he applied his military discipline to his work, eventually traveling to New Mexico for several years for better wages before settling back in the area.
“I’ve been a carpenter until not too long ago,” he shares, reflecting on his lengthy career in construction.
Yet, it has not been without health struggles. Approximately three years ago, VanNostrand was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), a blood disorder associated with exposure to Agent Orange during his service. The VA has provided him with essential medical care and disability payments, which he describes as lifesaving. VanNostrand is disillusioned with ongoing military conflicts, from Desert Storm to Afghanistan.
“To protect our country is one thing,” he asserts, “but going to war for nothing — like Ukraine — it doesn’t make sense.”
His concerns extend to the perception of the U.S. globally, suggesting that constant military engagement has tarnished the nation’s reputation.
“The government seems to need one of these wars going on,” he says, reflecting on a perspective many veterans share. “Warmongers keep it going because they make money.”
Amidst his criticisms, VanNostrand recognizes the potential benefits of military service for young people.
“Some kids can join to get college benefits; it gives them discipline,” he asserts.
For him, the military experience instilled a sense of discipline that has lasted a lifetime, even as he questions the motives behind the war he felt forced to engage in.
As a veteran and advocate, John VanNostrand stands as a voice for his generation, urging both recognition of the sacrifices made by those who served and a critical reevaluation of the wars that continue to shape the nation’s history. His reflections are not just about his own experience but a call to consider the broader implications of military action — both at home and abroad.
