By Delores Wilson, November 14, 2019 — What a difference time makes. I was anti-war and one of the voices of protestors against the Vietnam War that started before I was in my teens. As my perception changed I realized not to blame the soldiers. I began to appreciate what they had done. Whether I was in agreement with the war or not, [I recognized] the men and women who served and sacrificed their lives so I could enjoy the freedom that I once took for granted.
My mother’s younger brother served in the Korean War and next to the oldest died with wounds afflicted from World War II. My brother did four years in the Marine Corps and we learned later that he did an extra four years so that my younger brother would not be drafted.
I recall when the soldiers were discharged from the Vietnam War, they would arrive at midnight so they would not have to face the protestors. I’ve repented of my wrong attitude: I’ve asked my brother to forgive me for acting like a “hickey head.” When the country finally gave the men and women that fought in the Vietnam War a parade, I made certain that I had that day off so I would attend. From that day to now, when I encounter men or women in the military I express appreciation for them for laying down their lives for us by thanking them and letting them know I appreciate what they have done.