I recently attend a baseball game at spring training in Phoenix. As they were playing the National Anthem I saluted the flag as I always do. After I sat down a woman who was seated a few rows behind me came up to me and asked, "Did you serve in the military?" I answered, "Yes, during the Viet Nam era." She replied, 'Thank you for your service," and she shook my hand and went back to her seat. Although I didn't actually serve in Viet Nam it seemed like all returning vets were vilified. A tear came to my eye when I realized that this woman was the first, other than family and friends, to actually thank me for my service. I felt like I had finally been welcomed home.

Mike Allen
Shawnee, KS