July 4th

I met a man this weekend who was in the Navy.  I figured he was because of his tattoo, but I had to ask to be sure.  You know what they say about assuming.  Anyway he had painted the flag pole and rocks around it at Sargent's Island.  The American flag hung proudly along with a POW/MIA flag.  I could tell there was something there close to his heart.
We had a brief conversation.  He served four tours in Vietnam.  I think that attests to the character of the man.  I told him "welcome home." He was so appreciative.
Vietnam was a war that was when I was a child and I can't say I know anything about it from my own life experience.  I was pretty sheltered. We lived in a very small town in the country.  As an adult I have a much better understanding of it.  Our society did not treat those veterans very nice when they returned home.  A lot of emotions that people didn't know what to do with and they thought it was all right to lash out at those most affected and they were wrong.
Here is what I know about Vietnam vets.  They don't talk about it.  It is a rare occurrence to hear any kind of story from a vet.  And that is all right.  People have the right to tell or not tell their story.  I read that to tell them "Welcome Home" is one of the best things we can do and I thought it is such a small thing.  I put it in my head that I would do that because the Vietnam vets I have met in my life have been outstanding men. This weekend was the first time I put it into practice.
And so Happy Fourth of July to all of us and Welcome home to the vets who fought in a horrible war, especially the man on the island, my little Donald and Dave H.  Hopefully for all of those suffering from PTSD you find some peace among this day of great noise.