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strange encounter in grocery store yesterday. a woman about our age approached me and said she was one of those protesters who treated us like crap when we came back to the states. she apologized and said she was sorry. I thanked her and gave her a hug. anybody else have something like this happen?
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Administrator
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There was a woman our age that posted on our old Forum with a very honest and sincere apology and history of what she did during that time frame. I believe I found and contacted her to thank her, but I can't remember her name, so I can't find her in my database.
But I believe there are people out there who regret it. Only heard it from these two women though. Many who did, probably thank us for our service now, but don't mention what they did back then.
Dan
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In 1986 Chicago had a welcome home parade for vietnam vets... it was totally organized by Vets, the city had no idea how many to expect... organizers said 30,000... days before the big hotels started to fill up... Marriott atrium had a 3 story first cav flying in the lobby... Every downtown hotel was full of vets, flags hung by Vets in hotel lobbys... it got very drunk the night before... The parade rally point was Navy Pier, the expected 30,000 mushroomed to 200,000.... as the March began there were a veterans along the route, parents holding pictures of their sons who didn't return... but then we took a left onto LaSalle... and marched directly down one of the world's most famous financial districts...
And all he'll broke loose, veterans in wing tips and pin stripe suits joined us... office workers started shredding paper and throwing it out of high rise office buildings... young ladies gave hugs, the sidewalks filled... The city closed downtown streets.. police joined marching with their old units... signs were hung "protest wars, not warriors"... we marched all the way to the Buckingham fountain... and a lot of old, bald exhausted guys saluted each other, hugged and stood in amazement as the city cheered.... we sat, exhausted mentally and fiscally, till way after dark... drink8ng, backslapping...
It was like it must of been for other wars... there's a lot been written about it on line, pics etc. Me and Tony were there, grinning from ear to ear... for the 4 miles...
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I'm just jumping into this conversation but the 'Party at the Ranch' was the closest I had to a welcome Home event.
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I agree totally with you Tommy!
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Administrator
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In reply to this post by George "Tommy" Decker
I second that Tommy and Lee! Thanks to the Perot Family for what they did for us! And Thanks to President Mike Dobson, Treasurer Gary Ely, and Reunion Coordinator Extraordinaire Barb Ely for contacting the Perot family, setting up buses and whoever and whatever else they did for that wonderful event!
Dan
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The unknown person who refused attention is Bruce Watts, who had the original point of contact
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>>Thanks to the Perot Family for what they did for us!
would have liked to have been there ...
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Unlike many of my brothers who received scorn upon returning home from vietnam, I experienced none of it after returning home to my little town of Wynnewood, OK. From there on to NAS Whiting field and VT-2. For my remaining years in the Navy, I never had discouraging words directed at me but regretted the pain many of my brothers experienced.
I agree with those who attended the "Ranch Reunion" that it was undoubtedly my and our most impressive thank you and welcome home Seawolves. I expressed those sentiments at the end of the"Scramble" movie.
Today whenever I'm thanked for my service, I acknowledge their appreciation with "I did it for you".
Mike Louy
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Thank you Mike, I now have a perfect response , other than "thank you" , when someone says to me "Thank you for your service" !!!! ------ it will definitely be "I did it for you !"
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I have now used your "I did it for you" several times ----- it is amazing seeing the "light " go on when they realize what I have said ------ and to a fellow Vet, I now say " We did it for THEM" ........ as our lights become dimmer, I hope they don't trash the nation we gave so much to preserve --- there isn't another one
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