The year was 1968 . The place was my hometown of Saginaw,Mi I was home about 6 mos from my tour of duty in S E Asia when the local recruiter called me at home and asked if I would participate in the local Memorial day parade. Their were supposed to to be a sailor, Airman, marine, and a soldier riding on the back of convertibles. I was that Airman.The first half of the parade was OK as we traveled through the business section and the poor side of town. We got a small amount of applause but not much. When we crossed into the more affluent part of town the name calling started, Then we were peppered with pop and beer cans along with rocks. I was fortunate that my sister was in the crowd. I manged to get through the crowd with no injuries and get into my sisters car for a get away. I will never forget that day and the disrespect I felt. i was proud of serving my country and could not understand why people hated me. I kept my whole Vietnam Experience bottled up inside me for 25 years. I finally hooked up with a chapter of Vietnam Veterans Of America and the healing started. Lesson learned. NEVER AGAIN WILL ONE GENERATION OF SOLDIERS FORGET ANOTHER

tom
saginaw, MI