I have been following all your stories and comments relative to returning home to the World. Thanks for sharing.
I have never let myself forget my first encounter with war protesters upon returning home from Vietnam. My first wife (a big mistake) and her daughter picked me up at Ft. Lewis in my 1964 Chevy convertible.... that had somehow lost its rear window. That’s another story. Not only was I returning home from Vietnam, but I was being discharged from the Army....up to that time the happiest day of my life. Of course my car was running on empty, which I should have seen as a fore-warning of our lives to come, but I didn’t, so within 2 miles of the base we had to stop for some of that 35 cents-a-gallon fuel. While the attendant pumped the gas, I went inside for that ice cold Pepsi I’d been thinking about for months. On my way back to the car, I met two college aged idiots that made the typical “baby killer” comment. I responded with the old standby F---k you and continued on my way.
However, as we continued home, I found myself more bothered by their comment. Although I had wasted an opportunity to see if those protesters were willing to stand by their words, I vowed to myself that someday I’d find an opportunity to challenge one of those idiots. I never had that opportunity, but I’m still looking. Well, at 74 years of age, maybe I’m not looking as hard as I once was.
After settling in at home, I found employment opportunities difficult once I had to reveal I was a Vietnam veteran; until I met a WWII vet that took me under his wing.... he enjoyed a different prospective on the Vietnam veterans. For several years he had volunteered with the Red Cross to help communicate between families and servicemen stationed in Vietnam. He was quite familiar with the family issues war created and veterans experienced. With that exception, I kept my veteran status to myself and for the next 40 years never voluntarily shared it with anyone.
I remember very well the first time someone thanked me for my military service. It was 2009 while returning home from our 589th Association’s first reunion. I walked into a Hardees restaurant wearing my new 589th Engineer Association hat, when a young man of high school age walked up to me and thanked me for my service. After being home 40 years and 4 months, his thank-you shocked me, nearly to the point of bringing tears to my eyes. His thank you, along with the opportunity to meet and share experiences and feelings with my lost-but-found 589th Brothers, completely changed my perspective, from hide my Vietnam service from the public, to share it with pride. I wish I could have made that transition sooner in life.
Welcome home Brothers. I am extremely proud of you.

To my fellow VETS. - BE PROUD N STRONG FOR YOUR SERVICE. About 20 years ago Whenever someone Thanked me for my Service- I would give them a small U.S. FLAG pin.
Most people are surprised, but Proud of the USA enough to put it right on their lapel. I know it makes them feel good as well as it makes me feel good. WELCOME HOME BROTHERS
GOD BLESS THE USA

WOW! Look how close we came to meeting all those years ago! Glad we finally met at the reunion and still have fun with all the gang! see in September! Welcome Home!

Nick
Sounds like the same flight.Got off the plane at SeaTac in khakis and nearly froze to death.
Army i
Issued dress greens and a steak dinner before we left there.
what a coincidence.

Hey Tommie! Was your plane delayed in Nam and again in Kyoto Japan? If so, we were on the same plane. About 20 hrs. in Nam and another 4 hrs. in Japan. But we made and man was it cold when we got off the plane!

Hey Nick
That was when I came home. Cam Rahn Bay to Japan,Seattle.Chicago.Nashvi lle,and
finally Chattanooga. Not 1st class but it got me home a few days before Christmas.

I came home just before Christmas in 1968. Flights were mostly full so I bought the first available confirmed seat for Chicago, it was first class and a champagne flight! The lady I was seated next to did not drink champagne but every time they came around she filled her glass. I almost did not recognize my family after we landed. I had to wait 3 days for my flight and if you would like to hear that story come to the reunion!

Hanoi Jane and some others should be charged with treason. We had the misfortune of being in the same time as the so called flower children and pot head peace -niks.
We were Veterans before it became popular.

Hi Perry
where did our vidos go
i must have missed that info
hope every one are doing ok
see ya in Sept

After all the wars in the Mid East people began to thank soldiers for their service. Eventually I admitted that I served in Vietnam and I'd hear the words, "I had no idea you were over there. Thanks for your service". Initially I was angered by that, thinking "Where was the thanks 50 years ago!" I too had a few sessions with a VA counselor and now, after all these years, feel a sense of pride that I didn't shirk my duties and proudly served my country. Welcome home, brothers, be proud.

I remember going to Renton,Washington a few days early to visit relatives before flying to V Nam.big party before I left. Upon my return certain relatives were all over me for being a baby killer.I tried to explain that wasn’t me Or my Company but got home-n people thought the same,so I kept my mouth shut about V Nam. NEVER FELT COMFORTABLE TALKING ABOUT IT. Then after years went to the VET CENTER n talked to a Councilor which helped alot! It will always be in your head what people thot of us

When I got off the plane in Chattanooga I was met by my Mom and her entire Jr. High Sunday School class and a few others from my Church, about 2 am. People on the flight had been buying me and a few other soldiers drinks and I was some what embarassed to say the least.
If you remember shortly before Thanksgiving in 1969 the V.C. realeased 3 enlisted men as a P. R. show. one of them was one of my best friends from my community. Most of our experience was positive or no reaction at all.

Richard, I think this is a great topic to talk about. Maybe the reason there have not been many comments on it is because we just don't remember it that well, at least that's that's case for me.

I don't remember too much, but I do remember that being a Vietnam vet was not an asset for me, so it was better if I never mentioned I served at all!

Much different today though isn't it? Welcome Home Brothers!