Retired Airman Buddy Styers and former Navy Seabee Bill DeVaugn both served in Vietnam at different times and in different capacities.
But they are bonded by a singular experience.
"Everybody who serves in a war you shake most of of the demons but you don't shake them all you don't want to 'cause you want to remember something about it," said DeVaughn, who served from 1970 - 1971.
"I still remember very well and have some real vivid memories about things that happened there," added Styers, who served from 1969 - 1970.
Exactly 38 years ago today, the Vietnam War ended and now those servicemen are being honored with a day of their own.
For the second year in a row the U.S. Senate passed a resolution setting aside today as "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day."
North Carolina Senator Richard Burr led the effort.
In all, 58,000 servicemen died during the war.
Including three of Styers friends, "it hurts a lot to lose friends like that you never forget it."
When those who survived returned home many were not greeted with open arms.
DeVaughn said he encountered some of that hostility, "not as bad as some but negative enough but there was no welcome home for us very few people were and sometimes your family didn't even welcome you home. But the who attitude of the nation was different then we weren't considered warriors, we were considered a lot of negative things."
Today the attitude toward those who served in the war has changed.
Styers said he's still surprised when he's recognized for his service, "It's amazing to me how many are willing to thank you and say I appreciate you serving your country and what you did."
DeVaughn said despite personal feelings about the war it's important to support those who are just doing what they are told, "it's shame somebody didn't stand up for us but you learn through adversities and we move on from there."
"They should recognize it, it was a tough time, tough time for the country and a tough time for the people that took the oath and went and did it," added Styers.
Both men say they''ll reflect on their past experiences today and remember their friends who are no longer here.
