Like a lot of you, I never felt the need to put on a lot of the hardware. When I got back from Vietnam in 1970, I put a USARV unit crest on my Legion cap, and that was all. I served a bit less than two years and don't have that many anyway.

Since last year, though, I've looked at things a bit differently. I now have a 'Welcome Home" sticker with a Vietnam service ribbon representation on my truck window. I've come to believe things like this are part of never letting others forget, and remembering and respecting those who didn't come home. Three different times at Highland Games, someone else about my age has come up, stuck out his hand, and said "Welcome home, brother". Nothing more was said or needed to be said. The connection was made.

Our high school has a Veteran's Day assembly, with all veterans invited and honored. After 39 years, last November I dug out my uniform and all the stuff that went on it. (Much of a bargain I could remember how it went on.)
The reaction from the other vets was, "I can't believe you can still get that thing on". But the students were really interested. They asked lots of questions, some of which I wasn't comfortable with, but got through. Several insisted on pictures with the 'old guy', especially the ROTC kids.

Wearing these things now has less to do with what I did, and more about a way to continue patriotic service by keeping people aware that most of what they enjoy in this country today was paid for in blood.

Yes, I'll wear them now when appropriate. Maybe they will generate some more questions. I hope so.