When my father got home from Vietnam, he had a stranger on the train notice his Marine uniform, and spit on him. Times have changed since then, considerably.

That unfortunate incident happened before I was born. Years later, when my father came home from Saudi Arabia and the first Gulf War, he was stunned to find a parade in honor of his unit waiting for their arrival on Main Street.

Today, you hear frequent refrains of 'Support our Troops!' and I think it's a holdover from the days of Vietnam, when a lot of people didn't. They blamed the soldiers for participating in a war they couldn't agree with - and you don't see much of that anymore. Even people opposed to the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan don't blame the troops - they blame the administration who started the wars. And that's great; the soldiers do amazing job, in awful conditions, and what kind of monster wouldn't welcome them home with a pat on the back and a hearty Thank You?

McCormick and Shmick's restaurants are all over the nation - and they're offering to buy dinner for veterans this November 11th, Veteran's Day. They're putting together a special menu of free entrees for the vets, even now!

This is a huge deal. If you want fish, grab some frozen fishsticks or get a fish filet sandwich from McDonald's. If you want seafood, maybe go to Red Lobster. If you want an experience... a seafood event... a taste of what heaven must be like, you go to McCormick and Schmick's.

http://www.mccormickandschmicks.com/locationmap.aspx <-- This link will help you find the nearest location to you. Find it, and call for your reservation on Veteran's Day. (It's a Thursday this year.) Space will be limited, so no parties of seven or more, sorry. Once your reservation is made, gather up a veteran or two, and take them out to thank them for their service.