a local lad at 17YO volunteered for the US Navy on 12/09/41 "to fight the Japs" & "see the world". after WWII, he chose to "hang around" for another hitch & finished his 30 years as a Gold Stripe Naval Aviator.
upon his retirement, he returned to Athens, TX in his "sailor suit", covered with decorations. - while everyone smiled & nodded at him, NOBODY said "welcome home Bob" or anything like that, so he said to himself, "They just cannot see past my uniform".
so he went into a men's furnishing store, bought a new suit, tie & shoes AND purchased a new suitcase to carry his uniform in.
returning to the sidewalk, he noted that not only did NOBODY recognize him BUT they also didn't even nod & smile anymore.
finally, he saw Bill McDonald, whom he had know in high school days/daze. (saying to himself, "surely 'Ole Bill will remember me"), he called out "HEY, Bill. how's it going".
Bill said, "about the same as ever, Bob = hot & dry. where are you going on vacation???"
free dixie,sw
Or maybe I still don't understand.