"...recalls being home from a combat tour and being told by his wife, as they were headed out to a family dinner, please don't talk about the Army or the war..."Grrrrr. Now THAT makes me angry. That soldier can come eat with my family and friends anytime, and talk about whatever he damn well pleases, because he has earned it.
Why be angry? I find that family and friends have little or no concept of what the troops are doing or have done. Unless they have family in the military, their only knowledge is what they read or see on the MSM. Many civilians just can't relate, and it embarrasses them.
Sometimes, it's better to leave those discussions alone.