I joined the the Army right out of high school and found myself in Vietnam 9 months later, served 18 months in Vietnam, the last 6 months as a combat photographer (attached photo), it was very different when I returned home in 1970, no one thanked us, we were looked at in a different light compared to our returning troops today.
The first decade after returning home, I would almost never mention the fact that I served in Vietnam, then later it was a little easier to talk about when asked or the subject came up. Now forty years later, looking back, I finally can hold my heat up with a since of pride, knowing that I answered the call to duty for my country, didn't burn my draft card or leave the country, made the 18 month sacrifice, paid my dues for the freedom so many take for granted.
Please try and remember to always thank the solders who go off to foreign lands in the name of FREEDOM, even if you disagree with the politicians in the government who send them into harms way.
I too thank all my fellow veterans and all those who are currently serving our great country in the name of preserving our FREEDOM.