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Click here"A few now and then around town. Why are you asking?"
"I want to get the old group back together for one last mission."
"Steve, I don't understand. What mission? What are you talking about?"
I told him my plan.
Three weeks later, twelve Viet Nam vets stood in the terminal of the Minneapolis International Airport along with fifteen members of V.F.W. Post #22. I had done my homework. Today there would be four planes coming in that would have returning soldiers on them. When the troops flew back from overseas, friends of mine notified us what airlines and flights they would be on.
We broke into smaller groups, making sure we had all three concourses covered. Twenty minutes later we saw eight men in uniform walking towards the baggage claim area. We walked up to the group, handed each a small American Flag, and shook their hands.
"I want to thank you for your service," I said, and saluted each. To a man they were taken aback. Some smiled, some eyes on both sides were wet, and a few hugs were exchanged. That day, every man and woman in uniform we saw was thanked for his or her service to our country. We began to meet every flight of returning warriors.
Word of what we were doing spread. Other V.F.W. posts and military groups joined in the effort. About three weeks after I started the campaign, Becky came with me to the airport. She watched from a distance, holding our inventory of American Flags.
When I ran out of flags, I went over to grab a few from her. The kiss I received reminded me of the picture taken in Times Square at the end of World War II, only in reverse.
"Have I ever told you how much I love you?"
"Yes, but I never get tired of hearing it." I got another kiss.
"Stephen Moore, you can be a royal pain in the ass sometimes, but you're a good man. Never forget that."
I never did. And, my fellow vets and I never let another serviceman think he wasn't appreciated when he returned home from war.
The demons weren't gone, but I had finally put then to rest. I had won.
- COMMENTS
Old_Fart23 days agoOn July 4th, 1983(4?) during a celebratory concert, I had the privilege to listen to a Vietnam Vet tell his story. A lot of what he said was along the lines of this story, about not being accepted when he came back. Needless to say, I stuck out my hand, shook his, and welcomed him home. I am truly, truly, grateful for the service all of the armed forces have done during the span of my life. Had I not been 4F due to my uncorrected eyesight, I would've joined them. But at least I could be there for a vet who deserved respect and support. And one of my smuggled beers...
Anonymous7 days ago5 Stars as I had tears in my eyes on this one from GW . My Grandma was a great Lady and really knew how to put you in your place .
Olefisherman26 days agoI was never welcomed home and like 30,000 other I was never recognized as going. I did but since it was TDY and I was in the Air Farce the orders were destroyed I waited on the flight line for my C130 to return to Oakland and was sprayed by Agent Orange the plane or if you prefer was full of it. It wasn't until Trump was in office that the Sec. Of the Air Farce was ordered to secece and desist from destroying TDY orders. It was sometime in the late 80's that I was told that there were 30,000 of us. That had filed for V.A. benefits but could not provide proof of boots on ground in Vietnam. I was there in 65 ,66 and told to keep my mouth shut I aided in the transport of sentry dogs. I have Parkinson, type II diabetes, and heart disease. That just the high lites.
Anonymous4 months agoVery good and such a good relating to Viet Nam vets. I r
emeber once in a drunken state saying sayiong something about killing babies. I've never killed anyone that I know about, certainly no babies but coming home to a new daughter diffused a lot of the anti war feelings in the country. I'm glad for the guys getting a much better welcome now.
Anonymous5 months agoOk.... I have one question. How do you overhear that phone conversation and he just sticks around? Also, why throw that out there and not expand upon it any further?
Anonymous5 months agoThere are some things you just can't put behind you -----
Anonymous7 months agoBecky was a bitch. He should have played her the way she played him and dumped her once she was begging to get married and have another child. If it had been a woman suffering from PTSD and a man treated her the way she treated her man the whole sisterhood would have gone to war
Anonymous9 months agoThis story hit me very close to home. It brought a torrent to my eyes. The pain is never gone, it just lies in the back of my psyche only to come out when triggered, but I can deal with it now. I didn't fall as far down as Steve but I did hit my bottom. I came home in November of 71. I was a basket case until 1976. What saved me was my mother who convinced me to get counseling. But there was another factor. I had met a girl, yes a girl. She was 20 and I was 27. She was instrumental in my "rehabilitation". We married and were so for 21 years. We had two biological children, but we raised three others. When she passed I lost my rock. But because of her, I did not lose my way.
My middle son joined the Army. His biological father was a Marine. I asked him why he chose the Army. He said, "Because you were Army Dad." It was the first time he called me Dad. He came home with PTSD and I have been helping him. It is a long road but we understand one another.
doctrpt10 months ago1979 in my hometown, a group of Vietnam Veterans marched in a small festival parade. They had been spit upon, cursed, hated on their return, and here in this parade they had banded together and formed a unit to parade because they loved their country and they wanted people to know it. They were afraid of the reception they might receive, so they were trying it out in a small, ultra-conservative mid-western town. They were received with a standing ovation down the entire parade route, and the band I marched in doubled back and added patriotic music to their march. I have never been prouder of my hometown, and I have never forgotten the reaction of the vets and the people of that small town that supported them. They had finally come home, and for the first time, they were welcomed. I have sounded taps at many of their funerals in the last few years, with pride...
JimmyThePlunger10 months agoThank you, a well told story, I'm not American but I understand the horror of war and I'm old enough to remember & understand how many Vietnam Vets were mistreated, I have also lost two friends in conflict. Really well done.
