ACCEPT YOUR PARADE

I felt compelled to respond to your remark about giving up your parade in deference to Viet Nam vets. That's a very gracious thought, however, I think you should humbly accept it on your own behalf. Hopefully, we could take it at face value, that is, an expression for a "job well done". I would ask that you not diminish your own involvement in the military experience particularly where it brought you into combat. It is there, of course, that we all discover that we, as you stated,"don't want to know any more". Be mindful of the fact that you volunteered in the first place, which says something about your character and sense of duty. For that, I commend you. Don't diminish your role in a combat situation by using length of time as a measure of worthiness. Whether one serves a number of days, weeks, or years, the psychological transition that takes place is profound.You have been forever changed because of it. So, accept your parade as an expression of,hopefully, gratitude and appreciation for your effort.