What is this crap that I get from veterans and non veterans, telling me "Welcome Home" forty+ years after the war?

I asked a guy for directions the other day and in conversation he discovered that I was RVN vet. He showed me on the map what I needed to know. He was a really nice guy. And as I was ready to go, he says, "And say, Welcome Home!" ... wtf ... so i have to put on this smile and reply with "you too" and drive away thinking "This is stupid."

Oh, I know what it means, but come on ! ... welcome home means something to someone coming home, not someone who came home.

Congress is even getting in on the act, declaring Mar 30 as "Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home" day ... I thought we already had a "Veterans Day" honoring all veterans ... I swear, the do gooders just keep on trying.

Look, if you feel guilty about some role you had in disrespecting troops, take a look inward, don't try to project it on me with your "welcome home" thing. And you politicians approving this thing ... do you think you'll get my vote with this (I don't think this is the kind of thing that will influence me).

What do we say to vets from our current 10 year war? Is it confusing to say Welcome Home to them? Welcome Home which time, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, even 10-15 tours?

Could you just save that welcome home thing for someone arriving in the US or even at your doorstep?