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Message: <blockquote data-quote="db-2" data-source="post: 404850" data-attributes="member: 4743">The peace, joy and gratitude of hearing welcome home were two words not often spoken back 50 years ago.Upon leaving Fort Lewis in 1970 to end my career in the Army, i was told to shed my military clothes as soon as possible and replace with civilian clothes.  Did not understand why as i was proud of that uniform and what i had done over the last 22 months but upon my first visit out in public i soon understood.Vietnam was a conflict riddled with drugs, unobtainable goals, filled with protests dividing this country and somewhere along the way the cause was lost as was the battle itself in the end.However, for all who served, it had its purpose, reason and meaning.  For me it was the honor of serving this country, the honor of doing battle for what our elected leaders thought just and doing what i was trained to do.  Not all have been privilege to that honor.At that point, i had a new future awaiting me, a new life in the world, a wife to find to share it with and a job with little thought of that time in 69-70 until now.Today the words thanks for your service are said.However, I find myself longing for the welcome home being said.On March 29, and as a Vietnam Vet, i will provide a hug, handshake, pat on the back or whatever one is comfort with upon returning home at our local bar.  I will ask for your brand of beer and put one in your hand and say WELCOME HOME SOLDIER.  Glad to see your back home.  Let's visit about the past and talk about the future that awaits you.I know it is late to issue those words and cannot make up for what was not said back then but it is the best i can do for the two of us today.You and i now know and have experience that future and dreams that awaited us upon our return home back then.  I hope it went well.Maybe a walk down main street will come to play.  db</blockquote>

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