Comments:
Forty years ago in mid September, a young soldier quietly slipped back into the United States. There were no ticker tape parades or welcome home raillies. Instead, there was name calling and a serious need to hide from public awareness. He was, after all, returning from an unpopular war. He had seen death first hand as most of his platoon died there. He put away his uniform, pictures and memories. Years later his father-in-law would fight for his acceptance into the VFW (Vietnam was never declared a war). He talked little of his experiences there, describing just a few things to his family. Once when a grade school boy came to interview him on Veteran's Day, he dug out some pictures and discussed his time at war. He went to college on the GI Bill and became a teacher. He did not suffer PTSD, only the humiliation of fighting for his country in a war disgraced by the media. Decades later, he would join the American Legion and march with pride in the Vietnam fatigues. Today the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are just as unpopular, but our boys come home to celebrations with pride and honor. Thank God we have changed our attitudes. So this Veteran's Day, should you find yourself with the day off work or school, stop and think about the Vets you know. Give them a call or a hug or an "atta boy" no matter what war they fought in. Thank you God for all the Vets who gave so much for our freedom here in the USA.Incidently, the young soldier was John Tuttle. Congratulations on 40 years home from Nam!!! Written with love from John's wife, Gail.
