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“Where did you serve, Sir?” MG Jeff Phillips asked an older veteran he had just met as a group of
us waited for the next table at a local restaurant. “Vietnam, two tours,” said this Soldier, with a
poignant mix of pride and sobriety. General Phillips was not in uniform so this veteran did not
know he was talking to another Soldier, but he knew immediately as all MG Phillips said was,
“Welcome home…and thank you for your service.” There was an instant recognition of
brotherhood from this older Soldier as he heard those simple words of “welcome home,” and of course,
they began to compare notes from their respective careers.
Why is a simple “welcome home” so important? Well it’s obvious, really (isn’t it?),
as we transport our thoughts back to the idiotic, shameful, and downright embarrassing behavior of so many so-called
Americans during the Vietnam era. For Servicemembers today, they are acutely aware that they are the
beneficiaries of an America that is remorseful for their stupidity in somehow equating service to country with mishandled
policies. Today, Americans separate our troops from our government’s foreign policies and we do a fairly good job
supporting them, thanking them, and welcoming them home. So our Servicemembers are the quickest ones to say the
simple words that our Vietnam veterans ached to hear: Welcome home!
That was a great lesson for me to observe during those few minutes waiting at a restaurant.
I’ve never forgotten it and now, when I learn of someone’s service to Vietnam, the first thing I say
is “welcome home.” And it never ceases to amaze me how such a simple comment is so gratefully
received. Wow. Very powerful words…not just to be home…but to be welcomed. That’s what
we all want. But most especially, it is the privilege, honor and duty of those of us NOT going somewhere with a big
target on our body, to give a sincere and genuinely felt, “welcome home” to all veterans, from all
wars. Vietnam veterans at the top of that list.
—Sharlene |
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