My 92 y/o aunt’s flag pole. My 93 y/o aunt’s front porch is equally adorned with smaller flags. My dear departed mom always wore a flag pin. That generation appreciated the sacrifices of the Depression and of their husbands, brothers and neighbors in WWII and Korea. I trust most of us still do today. Seems today many are reticent to display a flag or thank a vet. Basic core principles regardless of political persuasions. Remember them…do not turn your back on them.
SwittersB & Exploring 
Thank you for continuing to assist this vet. That is exactly what he needs at this juncture. You are probably aware that the services today are quite cognizant of the issues involved with PTSD, and are pretty proactive in reaching out to those who are suffering with it. Maybe the best thing for this fellow would be to get over to the nearest military treatment facility or VA hospital / clinic for help.
Again – thanks for your concern for him. Cheers!
Bob Hendry
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Exactly what he has done and has two exceptional men helping him. Thanks
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I retired from the US Army after 23 years of active service. It included 3 years of service in Vietnam, first as a Staff Sergeant with the 5th Special Forces Group, then OCS, flight school, followed by two more years as a pilot. When we returned, our reception by the American public at large was VERY discouraging. I received 2 Purple Hearts, and I was actually spit upon, and called “baby killer” when I returned home to Philadelphia.
Today’s military are received a lot differently than we were (Korea – Vietnam Vets). My 18 year old son is an amputee (left leg), and the huge staff on medical support at Walter Reed and the National Rehab Hospital have treated him with the higest level of honor and respect that anyone can possibly imagine. People, complete strangers, continually approach him and thank him for his service. I am, on the one hand, just a little green with envy, that we weren’t received as warmly and honorably as today’s combat veterans, while at the same time, more proud of our men and women in uniform than words can express. I want to thank them, as well as all who have worn the uniforms of the US Armed Forces throughout times past, for their honorable service. Because of the sacrifices and contributions of our armed forces, we continue to have the liberty to go fishing when and where we wish, and to chat on the many forums that are available on the internet, with out fear of reprisal.
Perhaps most importantly, I want to thank the American public for the warm and loving reception that you are showering on our young veterans. I only hope and pray that they will understand and appreciate it, as those of us who didn’t receive it do. Thanks to all of you.
Welcome home! 8~)
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Thank you Bob for responding. Recently, as a manager, I had to remove a vet from my work force for behavorial issues. This young man has been deployed 4 times into Iraq. You understand what he has seen and brought home. He was not in the back, but rather involved in the non-delicate tasks. It pained me deeply, still does, to remove him. I have been working with him for two weeks to insure he seeks and continues to seek help. He is overwhelmed with images, frustrations and reacclimation issues. That episode, the termination process and debrief, humbled me. I have always been highly supportive. I did my time too. But, this recent event pierced deeply, for real, what we ask of our young men and women and what they bring back. To not support them is unconscionable. I have one young man in particular, that I will continue to help for sure.
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