Vietnam Veterans, what kind of reception (or lack of one) did you receive when you were back in the U.S. after your tour of service?


 I was a Canadian who went down to the US to join the military to help our neighbour to the South like 30,000 other Canadians. We took up the slack of about 30,000 US draft dodgers who came up to Canada to stay out of the war.


When I walked through the airport in San Francisco with some buddies from the flight, I proudly wore my Class A uniform with the Blackhorse patch on my shoulder, something I was even more proud of. No one bothered us or said anything derogatory. I remember three very pretty girls walking by us with big smiles on their faces. I remember Mal, one of the guys with me said, staring back at the girls,”Man, I hope the salt peter leaves my system soon.” We had a laugh over that one.


An older man came by, stopped and shook our hands saying, “Glad to have you back guys.” He shoved his thumb at his chest and said “Double U Double U Two (WWII),” just like that. I gave him a salute and he gave me a big smile back. No one else said anything or bothered us.

When I got back to Canada, same thing. Folks in Canada do not see a lot of soldiers walking around like in the States, so it’s quite something to see a soldier in uniform. I don’t think anyone had any idea I was wearing a US Army uniform. I got a lot of stares that’s for sure. Just curious ones though. Nothing bad happened to me in Canada.


I caught a cab and was on my way home at last, excited as hell to see my family. They had no idea I was coming. I wanted to surprise them. They told us not to do that but I wanted to. I wanted to see the faces of my mom, my dad and my sweet older twin sisters. I got out of the cab and went to pay the driver. He waved me off saying, “Don’t worry son, it’s on me. Get home now.” And he drove off.


So, on returning, not one bad thing happened to me from San Francisco to Canada. My tank crew told me the same thing, nothing happened, no spitting, no vegetables thrown, nothing. Some pleasant things only. However, it was good to be home... Continue reading 

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