We are not the only ones to have fought in a war. We aren't the only heroes. What do you think of this commercial?

2014-05-06T21:48:05-04:00

A lot of attention is given to us for this current war. Society has forgotten about those who came before us. I think this commercial is a much needed reminder. What do you think?
http://americanmilitarynews.com/2014/05/touching-troop-commercial-surprises-you-with-an-unexpected-twist/

Touching Troop Commercial Surprises You With An Unexpected Twist

This is one of the most heartwarming soldier commercials we've seen yet. Troops today are welcomed home like the heroes they are and have many resources at thei

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2014 9:57 PM

2014-05-06T21:57:36-04:00

I think I got some dust in my eye...

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made May 6 at 2014 10:15 PM

2014-05-06T22:15:12-04:00

Defiantly gives many of us something to think about; and on that note, Memorial Day is right around the corner. Let's all make it a point to thank those who came before us.

Response by SGT Craig Northacker made May 6 at 2014 10:28 PM

2014-05-06T22:28:24-04:00

Thank you all, and welcome home. It took me many, many years to hear that, and was very moved when I did. I have talked with vets who felt that they suffered more PTSD when walking through the airports 72 hours out of country when being spit at called baby rapers and worse, had coffee and other crap (literally) thrown at us. I only wore my uniform once when I was traveling even though I was supposed to-never again!

Thank you for sharing that. I will share that with my fellow vets - it helps the hurt.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2014 11:05 PM

2014-05-06T23:05:34-04:00

SSGT. Honestly that brought tears to my eyes. Never forget those who came before us, they set the standard.I always make it a point to thank any Vet or Service member for their service , especially The Vietnam Vets ,
They came home to people spitting on them calling the baby killers , that would suck think of their feelings they were under orders and did what they had to do to survive , many of them came home feeling shamed I love our vets and service members what kind of country are we if we forget those who came before us ? I think we take time to ponder our thoughts I know how I feel. I want to take this time to personally thank each and everyone of you who have served our country. Thanks For Your Service Everyone!!

Response by SPC Charles Brown made May 7 at 2014 12:00 AM

2014-05-07T00:00:28-04:00

Words cannot express how I feel about this commercial. I had seen it before, it is a very poignant reminder of how poorly treated our brothers and sisters who served in Vietnam were. Korea was the forgotten war, if that is the case then our Vietnam Vets are the forgotten soldiers. 40 years later and still there are those who ignore and outright disrespect them for doing something they actually didn't want to do in a place they definitely didn't want to go to. To any of you Vietnam vets who may come across this entry I offer you my heartfelt thanks and job well done. It wasn't you that lost the war, it was the cowards in office who had their hands on the "chicken switch" yanking hard. It was sad that you all had to take the same ground on more than one occasion only to turn around and surrender it shortly there after. God bless you all.

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 7 at 2014 2:14 AM

2014-05-07T02:14:37-04:00

good stuff

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 7 at 2014 3:13 AM

2014-05-07T03:13:19-04:00

Tasteful and very well made! Kudos in the intent AND execution!

There's a lot of resentment out there, still, by friends and family of those who served and didn't come home, as well as those who did return only to be treated poorly. I enlisted at 36 because there was too much family animosity at age 18 over an uncle who was killed in Vietnam (WO1 Larus Roland, 62B). It's still there, and my dad and I hardly ever talk. I guess some hurt goes too deep!

THANK YOU to all those who served!

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 7 at 2014 3:21 AM

2014-05-07T03:21:43-04:00

SSG Burns,

It brought serious tears to my eyes. Such very kind and tender moments.

I watched it twice. For some reason, kindness really registers with me.

Warmest Regards, Sandy

Response by SFC James Rigdon made May 7 at 2014 4:26 AM

2014-05-07T04:26:39-04:00

This was also on my facebook. I think of all the positives that I have endured and it is tragic about how the American Soldiers were treated for thier participation in the Wars Prior to us. It was very heartwarming to see I hope this is really how the world has evolved.

I have actually done this myself while in uniform. There are other times where I have worn my 1-27th Infantry APFT Shirt and I have ran into some Wolfhounds from the past and they have alot to say lol, If you see these VET's do the same thing it will surely make thier day.

Response by SSG William Sutter made May 7 at 2014 9:22 AM

2014-05-07T09:22:52-04:00

Absolutly outstanding. Wish I could make out people like that (tattoo or something so I could thank them.

Response by MAJ Dallas D. made May 7 at 2014 10:33 AM

2014-05-07T10:33:57-04:00

SSG Burns - Thanks for sharing that. It brought tears to my eyes. I always say Thank you when I see anyone wearing something that let's me know they served. If it wasn't for those that came before us we would not have had the opportunity to serve. We are all part of something special.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made May 7 at 2014 12:26 PM

2014-05-07T12:26:53-04:00

I watched this again today and thought seriously about how that one little moment may have turned that man's life around. There were probably years of resentment and pain he was dealing with that he could finally move passed with one gesture. And what did it take?
Although he was an actor, that tattoo was real, and his reactions seemed real.
Something to seriously think about, and something to remind ourselves about humility and service.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 7 at 2014 1:52 PM

2014-05-07T13:52:10-04:00

Great commerical and very much on point!

Response by SSgt Lonnie Montgomery made May 7 at 2014 5:59 PM

2014-05-07T17:59:01-04:00

Kind of like one of those Clydesdale’s tribute “none” commercials. An honorable WOW!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 8 at 2014 12:41 AM

2014-05-08T00:41:48-04:00

I love it. When I see a veteran wearing a WWII, Korea, Vietnam, or Gulf War hat I try to go up to them and thank them for their service. Once in awhile I try to buy them lunch as well. I have had the pleasure of being surprised that someone already covered my meal before a few times and it is something that many of them may not have had. We should always respect those that came before us. My grandfather told me before I deployed that the war that he fought and the war I was going to was completely different. He was right. I am proud of his service and I know he was proud of mine. I will always cherish him and I am glad that he helped build this country stronger during WWII with my other relatives and millions of others. I think we too often lose sight of that. Especially for Vietnam veterans who came back and were mistreated or worse. If you see anyone that you know is a veteran or is wearing veteran gear I encourage you to recognize them.

Response by CPT Brandon Christensen made May 9 at 2014 7:27 AM

2014-05-09T07:27:09-04:00

This commercial reminds me of when I worked at the Microsoft retail store in the Mall of America and it was a normal evening shift for me. A gentleman came up to me, (from behind) and put his hand on my shoulder and out of the blue, said Thank you for your service soldier. I was stunned. First instance is how would anyone know that I serve (as I don't gloat or broadcast I serve). Come to find out that he noticed how I was standing talking to a customer (at ease; didn't realize I did) and he caught a glimpse of my dog tag chain.

After talking to him for a bit, found out he was a Vietnam Vet and we ended up talking for about 2 hours (with little of me explaining/showing the products Microsoft had to offer) and after my shift, I bought him a coffee at Caribou in the mall and continue our conversation.

Got his contact information and still keep in touch with him often and have our reminisce talks about his career in the Army and my 11 years in the service.

Response by SFC Christopher Perry made May 9 at 2014 7:28 AM

2014-05-09T07:28:02-04:00

SSG Burns,

Thank you very much for sharing this. Sometimes we all need a little reminder. I for one get very tied up in accomplishing the task at hand at all the off post graduations I attend. I need to take the extra time to thank the folks gathered throughout the crowd sporting the caps that tell of their service.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jul 6 at 2014 8:03 PM

2014-07-06T20:03:24-04:00

Thanks for pointing this out. Its about time EVERYONE, was properly acknowledged and thanked.