I shop in a local grocery store four to five days a week, and I always wear my "FLY NAVY" ball cap when I go. I check out every ball cap I see as I prowl the aisles for that day's groceries and I usually see at least one other, often more, with one military logo or another. If we pass face to face, or are in line together, I usually strike up a conversation with a sharp quip like "where'd you serve" or "hello Shipmate" and we usually part with the now familiar "thanks for your service." This term is wide-spread these days and it is always nice to hear it aimed your way. But, today was special. As I was perusing the pastries in the Bakery section, I was approaching a man about my age wearing a Vietnam Veteran ball cap with all the campaign ribbons embroidered across the front. We stopped as we approached each other, and I said "when did you serve?" and he replied "two tours from '65 to '69."  I said, "well you were there on the front end, and I was there at the end, in "72-73." As we split off to continue shopping he stuck out his hand for a good shake, and said "WELCOME HOME." It took approximately 20 years from the end of the Vietnam War for those Veterans to hear the phrase "Thank you for your service" and today was the first time since then that anyone other than family and shipmates said "Welcome Home" to me.  To all Veterans, especially those of the Vietnam era, I say now, and will continue to use the phrase, "Welcome Home."