[Souled_Out]

I started my first of three tours of Nam when I was 17.

Different world.

[Fightin Whitey]

started my first of three tours of Nam when I was 17

That's what I was thinking.

This kid might have been enterprising, or he might have been a coward...but he wasn't a blankety-blank victim.

[whistleduck]

Not just a different world. For many of our young it is a coddled world.

No kid today could take the conditions you did as a youngster. Surviving basic at 17 is an accomplishment.

Surviving a deployment (combat or not) in a war zone is an entirely different matter.

I tip my hat to your courage and strength of character. And as always—welcome home. (with accompanying hand salute)