That’s the way I always felt too. And until the mid 2000s, my dad never had any interest in letting anyone know about his service.

But once he saw the outpouring of support for Iraq/Afghanistan vets he got a Vietnam vet license plate and started wearing a Vietnam vet hat. The first time I saw him get thanked by a stranger on the street I understood how much it meant to him.

Now anytime I see someone wearing anything related to Vietnam vet status in public I make a point of saying thanks.

I was reminded of this by people talking about Rambo on Twitter today. The context of how vets were treated in the ‘70s and early ’80s is an important element of that story that I think is lost on some people.

My dad still hates Jane Fonda and starts ranting and raving any time she comes up.