You can see it in their eyes when they say hello or

meet for the first time. Even in a casual meeting on

the street or in a restaurant. Combat cannot be

understood by anyone without having experienced it.

For years in California I had a license plate which had

a Purple Heart on it. People would wait for me to get

out of my car and then ask me about it. You cannot

imagine how nice that was for me, that so many years

later people would be interested in what I did. I really

appreciated it, that they expressed their appreciation

for me.

Today my license plate hangs on my living room wall.