One thing is certain...most Veterans (even Viet Nam and WWII veterans) will talk sensibly about their experiences... if you ask respectfully.
I learned that lesson when I spoke to my dad. He didn’t offer it, but I asked and he answered. I was glad I asked and in the end I think he was glad I did.
However, I will say-I have never met a Korean war vet who will speak about it. My cousin served in Korea and if you even mention that fight, he gets up and walks out of the room.
I really was going to try hard not to pile on the guy after I saw the dove and the peace sign on his jacket, but after I watched the meeting he had with the Los Angeles Veterans for Peace chapter...
I just couldn’t stand it. I probably shouldn’t have watched.
I have had the opportunity in my work to speak with many veterans over the years, often at length, and most of the time it is the way most people discuss those things (including veterans) when you went in, where you served, etc.
But every so often the person would open up...I guess as you imply, you come across respectfully and let him decide.
I had a funny one about forty years ago where I was treating a guy who had something odd looking in his legs, so when I asked him, he said “Injuries from a Kraut mortar in the Battle of The Bulge!”
So I had a Radiologist look at his images, and the radiologist was a native of Bavaria with very heavily accented English, and as he looked at them, he said in that German accented English “Yah yah yah...perhaps so I should go talk to him...” to which I held up both hands and said no, I think you got the whole story!