I understand perfectly, being a member of several Veteran's organizations (including the VFW). In general, they exist to lobby for more hand-outs from the Federal Government for vets- and the vast majority of members, their hair-raising war stories notwithstanding, were cooks, truck drivers, dental technicians, etc. (I except the Special Forces Association and the Ranger Association from this comment).
In any case, you won't be at a VFW Post or an American Legion bar long before someone starts whining about their lack of medical benefits, the malfeasance of the VA in not granting them 100% disability benefits for life for an ankle they sprained in 1962. A lot of these folks spent their ENTIRE CAREERS going on sick call and building up HUGE medical records- to take to the VA when they retired.
I have real and permanent injuries from a career of jumping out of airplanes and fast-roping out of helicopters- but I will NEVER go begging to the VA as long as I can still work and support myself.
Bottom line- Clinton promised them more than Bush did- so he got the rousing reception.