Quote Originally Posted by Phantom Warrior View Post
My father was a Lieutenant in the Navy in World War 2 in Okinawa, which was the site of incredibly fierce battles. Not once did my dad ever talk about the War. It was almost a forbidden subject in our home. I was never allowed to even ask him a question about the War.

I am sure there are vets from the Viet Nam War and the wars in Iraq that feel the same way my dad did, while others are open, perhaps even eager, to share their experience and their thoughts/views.

Personally, I can understand and appreciate both reactions.
They did not talk about PTSD back then. I understand the reaction as well, but I do like the idea of recognizing those who serve. Many medal recipients feel that they are undeserving because they do not believe they did anything extraordinary or that others who are not recognized are more deserving, but they accept medals as a symbol for those who did not receive them. I think about events like this in that light.