The kid called him a hero. The young serviceman did not refer to himself as one, nor to the older man. But the kid thought of them both that way.
To be hated and called a baby killer is more hollow than “Thank you for service,” in my opinion.
Here is my favorite comment to this video:
John Suliot
9 years ago
When I came home in 68, I still had my uniform on. My whole family was there. My brother-in-law said, ‘So John, did you kill anyone?” I said ‘no, not yet’.