Dick Hagerty: Finally, Vietnam era vets are appreciated

“Thank you for your service.”

I hear that line more frequently these days, as America wakes up to the fact that we veterans were not responsible for the unpopular wars of the past.

People who did not like the Vietnam war took some of their anger out on the very guys who put their lives on the line in that miserable mess. Serving our country was our duty, and we had no say in the politics or the “correctness” of the situation.

But now when I wear my Navy jacket, embossed with the name and profile of my ship, people go out of their way to come up and say thanks. Citizens have come to realize that we who served had no voice in the policies that were so very unpopular at the time. We simply stood up and agreed to defend our nation. No questions asked.

Those who served will readily recognize that statement.

The recent Veterans’ Day parade up Needham in Modesto had a fairly small turnout of spectators, but a lot of enthusiasm from those who came out. Milling around in Graceada Park after the event, the level of appreciation expressed by those who attended was clear. In fact, as the morning went on, the crowds grew and the warmth and mood became obvious to those being honored.

Attending concerts and sporting events these days veterans are often asked to stand and be recognized. My favorite musical group, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, makes it a featured part of their annual 3-hour concert to honor and applaud veterans.

Last week, when the pastor at my church asked those of us in the pews who had served to stand, the applause from the congregation was prolonged.

Most of us who stood were old timers. Of the 1.9 million veterans in California, it always surprises me to note how few are members of the younger generation. Then again, perhaps the younger generation was stung by some of criticisms of the past and simply doesn’t want to be identified. If that is the case it really is a sad commentary on how criticism of the past lives on.

The Modesto Salvation Army’s Berberian Homeless Shelter gives priority to veterans. In fact, there is a separate section administered by the Veterans Administration. The program offers not only a safe place to live but counseling and vocational opportunities.

Major corporations, like WalMart, have gone out of their way to make veterans feel appreciated. WalMart has a policy that any vet who was honorably discharged in the previous year will automatically be hired upon applying. Earlier this year the company announced that in its first two years the program hired 92,000 veterans and nearly 10 percent of those had been promoted to higher paying positions.

We served. We survived. Most of us still carry some scars, either physical or emotional. But we are proud to be American veterans.

So, this old veteran simply says “Thanks for saying thanks.” Perhaps this year’s outpouring of appreciation will inspire me to wear my Navy jacket more often.

As Bee columnist Jeff Jardine pointed out a few days ago: It is a shame this recognition comes only once a year.

This story was originally published November 12, 2015 at 8:35 PM with the headline "Dick Hagerty: Finally, Vietnam era vets are appreciated."