When I got back from both my tours in Iraq i got allot of "Welcome Home"'s for the first couple of months I was back, at the bar, the VFW, and anywhere that knew I had been over there. I liked them for the most part, and when it was established that I was Home I started telling people that I'd been back a while and welcome home wasn't really appropriate. They seemed to get the message, though I'll still get the occasional person that will read my hat and say it anyway, I just smile and nod. I think you are right about it being to long in the past for Vietnam vets to get "Welcome Home" though it saddens me to know the American People couldn't/wouldn't say it back then. On the other hand someone saying " Thank You For Your service " I feel is about the best thing a person can say, if they feel compelled to say anything at all. I usually respond with " Thanks for your support ", smile and walk away.

These are only my thoughts on it, they only mean as much as you put in to them, just felt compelled to say my piece...