The headline “Soldiers feeling lost” in Thursday’s Herald brought memories that I hoped were long gone. Lost, unwanted, frustrated, inadequate are just some of the feelings I experienced when I returned from Vietnam in December 1966.
Rejection from my family, fellow military and the civilian populace and even the government only added to my misery. All this probably caused the breakup of my marriage, loss of a friendship that began in 1949 and a deterioration of a couple of relationships, plus a 22-year military career instead of 30 years.
This letter is not a plea for sympathy or pity. Just understanding for those people. Welcome them home. Tell them they did a good job. Accept them back into the community so they will remain part of our society. They need it.
Don’t try to understand them. You can’t.
Clifford S. Gray, CMSgt USAF (Ret)
Everett
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