Our hero finally returned home, but to much less than a hero's welcome.

    "I didn't receive a warm reception," he said. "Some of my own kind made negative comments and inflamatory remarks."

    But Ronald perservered. He married, earned his college degree, and instilled a sense of pride into his children.

    "I got my degree because it was a requisite," he said. "I didn't have whole lot of experience prior to the service and Vietnam was a moniker many did not want to be bothered with. I got it as a tool; I was tired of using my back. A degree means you can learn, and I did."