We should ensure our military personnel know that as a nation, we are appreciative of the excellent work they did on our behalf, at our national request, giving their blood, their health, and the best years of their lives if not their lives.
We divorce that from the questions about the mission, was it the right one, was it too long, should we have been there at all, etc. Those a are meaningless questions when it comes to our gratitude and respect for them.
We, as a nation asked them to go, and they, as our military went where we asked them and did the best job they could.
I am thankful that our people understand that now. Many did not when I served during (not in) Vietnam. I had friends who were spit on when they returned. I’m glad my son and others did not have to suffer that from their countrymen.