Oh, don’t get me wrong, I agree with your assessment of USA Today. It’s “news” for idiots and all that, but they have a HUGE circulation.
Hotels, airports, etc. Their message gets spread far and wide.
And that’s a large part of the problem here. They’re complicit in perpetuating the “myth” about veterans.
Thank you for your service and I wish you and all the others like you all the best in dealing with your PTSD.
The reality of the average Vietnam vet, aside from being a volunteer (70-75%) and unbeatable on the battlefield, is that he was better educated, and better adjusted and successful than the average non-vet.
This was based on percentage of intact marriages, home ownership, education level, average income, etc.
The book “Stolen Valor” is the best book on the Vietnam vet.
The current veteran story will be an improvement over the already successful story of the Vietnam vet, so the media is just doing their usual creating of a falsehood and imagery, to use in their narrative and propaganda for the next 20 years..
I don't mean to be rude and I know that you have the best intentions by thanking me for my service. I'm a Vietnam vet and we were treated so badly when we returned that thanking me for my service has no meaning whatsoever to me.
Another FReeper has the answer, courtesy of her Vietnam vet uncle. Instead of thanking us, please just welcome us home. You won't believe the tears that brings to this old man's eyes.