That was my point about small minorities giving us our impressions. Nobody spit on me; I was mostly seen with indifference. It did happen to people I know, but certainly not all returning veterans.

Marines are very tribal. It's not just what we did, but who we are. I'm certain that you've noticed. It does not define us politically. I am a member of several Marine and Vietnam Veteran groups. Some are, "What's this political shit doing here?" and others are as toxically politically divided as the rest of America. We have an image and people have assumptions about us, often not helpful. By the end of my time in Vietnam we were actively asking each other, "Why are we here?" I am as anti-war as you ever were.

The animosity toward veterans was not aimed at you so it was less likely to get your attention. That goes to the heart of my thoughts on the extremists. The negative impressions that they create are largely upon their targets.