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[carpriver]

on December 15, 1968 I returned to the United States from The Republic of Vietnam. I was greeted at the San Francisco International Airport by a group of people my age yelling calling names and throwing rotten tomatoes. I was able to get a direct flight to Detroit. A flight attendant saw my dirty uniform shirt and asked it she got take it a clean it up for. She did apology for the people protesting.

When I arrived in Detroit I had a fairly clean shirt. Looked pretty good. When I tried to call my family I could not remember the phone number. I ended getting an operator supervisor to call the number (unlisted) the line was busy we waited 10 minutes called back the line was still busy so the operator broke in on the call and told my mother there was a emergency call for my wife. I told my wife I was I in Detroit I had to wait a couple hours for them to arrived.
I was 2 days earlier then expected.

When I remembered this day from 47 years ago all the memories can back. Some of it was funny and some was sad. I met a Marine who was just back from Vietnam we sat in a bar and waited for our ride and talked about what we were going next.

 

[Lee Barner]

been there, done that: only two years later than you. no tomatoes. I did have a little fun with those bare foot idiots in the orange gowns. they get out of your way when you stomp a couple of toes and bust a couple of noses. airport police just looked the other way. welcome home. lee

 

[carpriver]

Thanks Lee, Welcome home.

 

[shouldazagged]

In far too many cases the welcome received by service personnel returning from Vietnam was inexcusable, stupid and cruel. I never thought we should have been there, and I know a lot of military types who were there and felt the same way. But even if I don't support a war, I feel I have to support the young men and women ordered to go fight it. They are serving their country and deserve to be respected for it.

 

[Badger Matt]

Welcome home and thank-you for your service.