It's good to see the recent returning veterans are getting much better treatment and recognition than those of the Vietnam era, even if the VA has stumbled a bit. When I returned to the States I was dumbfounded to see a group of young folks throwing rocks at our transport bus. I was given a haircut, a dress uniform that didn't fit ( plus, no rank, unit ID, or any identifying insignia) and a voucher for an airplane ticket to the nearest big airport to my home, on a stand-by basis. I came right out of the boonies straight to the processing center on a 20 something hour flight, receiving no debriefing, no exit interview and was out on the street in just a few hours. As I sat in the airport in Washington State hoping there would be a seat on a flight soon, no one stopped to welcome me home, nothing. Arrived home on the night of July 3rd - fireworks going off everywhere and people laughing as I ducked down in reflex. So for me, the spectre of Veteran's Day has an edge that's never worn off, although I do pay respect for those who went before and those who went after, prepared to give their lives to preserve our freedom. Those men and women have certainly earned our respect and gratitude...My thanks to all the forum Vets for "signing that blank check".
A.J.