Thank every Veteran

Echo opinion letter: Thinking of veterans who returned — and those who didn’t.

Chicago Tribune

Nov 10, 2022 

By chance, I recently selected a jigsaw puzzle suitable for Veterans Day that reproduces Thomas Kinkade’s “Homecoming Hero.”

In fact, the late artist painted many such peaceful panoramas; this one contains standard rural touches including a farmhouse, a tractor and livestock. A young returning soldier just off the bus is dropped into the scene, and family members outdoors wave a warm welcome. Along with the village shown in the distance, this embodies much of what the veteran had fought for.

Also speaking to the overseas aftermath were the tall memorials I saw in my youth, along major thoroughfares in Chicago's Sauganash and Jefferson Park neighborhoods, with plaques listing names of fallen veterans. These were modified later to simply honor those giving their lives in World Wars I and II and Korea. The diplomatic tribute came at the cost of the more moving approach, with names putting a personal face on sacrifice.

Currently, I can think of another kind of casualty: a noncommunicative and solitary Vietnam vet in his 70s who was raised in a house across the street. Known to most only as John, he routinely wheels an old grocery cart overloaded with trash bags. A neighbor who knew him before his tour confirmed that mentally, this isn’t the same man as before.

Thinking about the fortunes of war, I recall not only luckier actual heroes, as depicted in Kinkade’s painting, but also those who didn’t make it home intact such as John, or at all, such as those whose names once graced local memorials.

I thank every one for running the gantlet and assuming the risk.

— Tom Gregg, in Niles, Illinois