Vietnam veteran receives thanks at last

Approximately one year ago, one of my Marine buddies had a serious heart attack. While receiving treatment at the VA Medical Center, he purchased a hat for me inscribed with the words "Vietnam Veteran."

At first, I was reluctant to wear the hat in public. The last time that I had worn anything that denoted I was a Vietnam veteran was in the mid-80s after my early disability retirement from the VA. I was living in a rural county in North Georgia. To put it mildly, I was not treated well by the locals. There was a lot of fear and suspicion of me that was always evident. Prior to my leaving for Washington state, I was informed by the County Solicitor's office that if I wanted to enter the Courthouse (even if only to pay my license tab fee), I had to call for a Deputy Sheriff to escort me into the building.

So, it was with great trepidation that I began wearing the cap. Was I ever in for a surprise. Since I've been wearing it, large numbers of individuals, especially from Moses Lake and the rest of the Basin, have approached me, shook my hand and thanked me. They are male and female, mostly in their 20s, 30s and 40s.

And that's what this letter is all about. I want to apologize to all who have said those words: "Thank you for your service." For quite some time, all I could think of saying in response was, "It is a little too late," but because most weren't even born until after the war was over in 1975, they would not have known what I was talking about. Usually, all they received was a blank stare and I would mumble something more or less inaudible.

After a lot of soul-searching, and speaking with non-veterans, I have recently been able to say, "Thank you. I appreciate your kind words." I'm sure that most Vietnam veterans, like myself, constantly wonder why those words were never spoken to us then,instead of 40 years later.

Anyway, thanks to all those people who made my day a lot brighter.

W. Michael Sallis

Moses Lake