These guys who return home don't join the VFW. It's not like World War II - these guys become isolated. We need to provide an environment for them and let them know they're OK.

Nixon and the FBI saw VVAW as a major, major threat to the United States, ... Home To War: A History of the Vietnam Veterans' Movement.

Ay, you've already seen that you and your master aren't quite at home in this world, at least not like before.' Terence nodded slowly. 'It'll only get stronger, too,' Robin continued. 'Soon you'll find yourself looking into people's eyes to see if they've been there. And once you find someone who has, you'll greet him as a long-lost friend and take him to your heart.

When you're in the service - you're alone. A lot of times soldiers will find out about their wives leaving them when they're overseas. Information spreads faster these days with the Internet. Any kind of encouragement is valued over there - way beyond money. I've talked to many soldiers and they tell me they'd much rather have a letter than a gift card.

What I would really like from the community is for 50 to 100 people to show up with yellow ribbons to really welcome back the veterans. My dream is to have a large yellow ribbon stretched across the trees at the campus. We want them to know we appreciate their loyalty, patriotism and willingness to pay the ultimate price.

For me, it was a way to bury it. For some, it's hard to relate to other people who weren't there. The war was such a hard, dramatic experience, and it leaves you with a mixed bag of emotions. You're never the same afterward.