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Ask Amy: Veterans respond to tough homecomings

Amy Dickinson, Tribune Content Agency on

Dear Amy: I am the wife of a Vietnam vet.

My husband was drafted, so he went. There wasn't 24-hour news coverage; mail to and from Vietnam was spotty and the internet didn't exist.

The poor treatment of returning vets isn't a myth!

I will always remember waiting at Travis AFB for his returning plane with protesters shouting curses. And yes, spitting. It was awful.

Neither my husband or I thought the war made sense, but what protesters didn't seem to understand is that the members of the armed services didn't start the war, and few were volunteers.

They were just American "kids" answering the call of duty.

– Mickie

Dear Amy: For four generations, my family has served as pilots in WWII, Korea, Vietnam and Afghanistan. There are two words most appreciated by vets and rarely heard, “Welcome Home.”

 

I’ve had vets respond with heartfelt gratitude and pride, often telling me it’s the first time anyone has welcomed them home.

– An Air Force Brat

Dear Amy: I am an older vet. When people say thank you for your service, I reply: "I was drafted. But I would do it again for you.” -- Anonymous

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(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)

©2021 Amy Dickinson. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


 

 

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