Welcome home. I recall the '70s, and never understood why the hatred towards returning vets. Since Q, now I do. It was about the DS shaming anyone for doing their duty, serving the nation, and surviving.

Also, thanks for teaching the children. That can have a much bigger impact than many realize. Sad to say, if it had been up to my parents, I would have never lived up to any of my potential. It was a few good teachers (and a friend or two) who suggested I should consider going to college. Not that college is everything, but understand that my upbringing strongly discouraged anything like that. I can't even tell you who all my teachers were that encouraged me, but looking back, it was often the "little comments" that made the biggest difference.

I try to return the favor when I can. I sometimes run into people working jobs that really don't fulfill them. We'll be having a conversation and they'll say something like "I've often thought about college or tech school". So I'll ask them what are they interested in, and try to encourage them to explore their options. I try to make a point of telling them "I think you can do it". Seems like a lot of people aren't used to hearing that.