Dear Vietnam Veteran,

When I think of the United States I think of the pride that comes from being an American. We are thankful for the opportunities we have here and for the people who are willing to fight for our country and protect the people who live here. I can’t imagine what it must have been like to go through all the trauma and danger of fighting in a war, and then come home and have to adjust to a normal life again. Especially when you had no welcome home, no job, and maybe even no friends and family that appreciated you when you got back. I would just like to say how much I appreciate what you have done for this country and to welcome you home.

My name is Cami and I am a high school senior in Hartland Wisconsin. Next year I plan to go off to college and become an actuary. I have a lot of plans for my life, and I don’t know what it would be like to be drafted at 18 and have all those plans wash away. Hearing about what you have gone through, being drafted so young and fighting in a war, makes me appreciate everything that I am lucky enough to have. Thank you for being so brave and selfless and for sacrificing so much to fight for our country.

It is unfathomable to think about how hard it must have been for you to leave behind everything you knew and to go to a strange place and fight for your life and your country. But it was extremely important that you did it, because without your sacrifice our country would not be as beautiful and free as it is today.

I know that you weren’t thanked enough when you got back from the war, so I would just like to say thank you. Thank you for your service, your strength, your courage, and your sacrifice. It means so much to me that you fought and served this wonderful country that I get to call home. I appreciate you. Thank you for everything and welcome home.

I hope you have a wonderful visit to DC and God bless you!

Sincerely,

Cami