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We have Memorial Day to remember those who gave their lives in service to our country. We have Veterans day to remember all veterans who served. We don’t set aside a day to remember vets who served in a specific conflict.
But the Vietnam War was different. We mistreated her vets. We showed no gratitude or respect when they came home. Maybe we didn’t see this mistreatment ourselves first hand. But it happened. We spat on them. We ridiculed them. We called them baby killers. Their superiors told them to change out of their uniforms when they landed at the airport back home, so that no one would know who they were. We made them feel like less of a citizen while they lived a hell that we cannot imagine…for us.
I’ve always wondered if there would ever be a way to make up for this mistreatment. How can we finally say “thank you?” Nowadays, we do a pretty good job of showing respect for our service men and women. We stand and applaud at parades, something that’s easy to do when everyone else around you is applauding. But how can an individual American direct a message to Vietnam vets to say, “thank you for your service?” Perhaps there’s never really a way to undo what we did. But this small gesture, each year on the 8th of November, is something that a small-town boy like me can do.
It’s simple. In the true story of the “8th of November”, Niles Harris, an unassuming vet from South Dakota, puts on a suit and tie on the same day each year, and heads down to the local pub to raise his glass as a toast to his fallen comrades. Let’s join him. Let’s do it as a show of respect and gratitude for Harris and all the other men and women who served with him in Vietnam.
If you don’t normally wear a necktie, wear one. If you usually wear one, wear a special one. But do something different. It’s not much. I’ve been doing it since November 8, 2006 and it’s enough to help me remember; and it might even cause someone to ask what’s up. And maybe someday, a Vietnam vet will appreciate it. Just one.
I hope you’ll join me.
- Scott
