Most schools in the state are hosting assemblies for students to mark Veterans Day, and in Greenwich several former military members wanted to focus on younger vets and the issues they face readjusting to life at home.

They focused their program on the Vietnam War and onward, sharing their experiences about returning home.

With Vietnam particularly, veterans say returning was difficult when people blamed them for the unpopular war. They say they hope today's students are more sympathetic toward veterans returning now.

"I was not prepared for the reception I got when I got home," Navy vet Ed Vick told the assembled students. "For a month and a half, nobody spoke to me. They didn't say hello, goodbye. They didn't say screw you. They completely froze me out, because I was a murderer, a baby killer."

They also told students that they hope they too will serve -- and also someday be more likely to hire or even marry a veteran.

"There are veterans that came back and are very successful -- there are veterans who come back and need more help," says Michael Galatioto, a history teacher. "They are black, white, Democrat, Republican. They are as diverse as America itself."