I’m glad you’re home safe

There are precious few veterans of the two World Wars around these days, and with the passage of time and the precedence of the last decade’s conflicts in the Middle East, we now hear less from or about our Vietnam vets. But you likely know someone, in your family or through friends, who has done a tour of duty in the war on terror.

No matter the setting for their service, retiring or returning members of the military must eventually face the challenge of redefining themselves as civilians — especially those who have been in high-risk combat situations. Whether career soldiers or whether they simply answered a call of conscience to serve our country for a few years, veterans need to know that the community appreciates their personal contributions.

Let’s make sure we do what we can to help veterans reintegrate into our town, first of all, by understanding that it might be hard for them to see themselves as anything but soldiers. Basic training, esprit-de-corps, and especially war will do that to a person. Don’t be shy about greeting retirees or returning soldiers with a word of thanks for their service. If your personal and political convictions won’t allow for that, nothing is stopping you from a simple, “I’m glad you’re home safe.”

Issues such as boredom, post-traumatic stress, physical injury, and even just feeling out of synch with age-group peers might complicate an individual veteran’s ability to reintegrate. Keep that in mind, and at work, at college, and at home, step up to an opportunity to offer support, understanding, and encouragement to a veteran.

Watch interview with local WWII veteran.