U.S. Representative John Salazar spoke at a Veterans Day event in Aspen yesterday. He talked about legislation he's working on to help veterans get medical care when they return from serving overseas. He also mentioned how a new National cemetery in southern Colorado gained approval from the House last week. After discussing "business," Salazar told a story obviously close to his heart, about his father who was a veteran himself. Holding back tears, the congressman told how his father mentioned family and being buried in his uniform right before he died.
The most moving part of the ceremony though, was not Salazar's talk. Instead it was a short comment made by an unidentified soldier who had served in Vietnam. He said he had never felt welcome upon his return home until 37 years later when he came to Aspen. He said the Fourth of July parade where veterans walk through a cheering crowd, was the first time he had felt "welcomed home."
Another veteran I interviewed said nowadays, "greeters" are standing by and called to duty when a veteran returns to the United States. He said no longer do veterans need to feel "unwelcome" when they return home.
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