Why and how have things changed?

[iPhonefreak]

Why are soldiers now getting their well deserved respect by today's society, when back in the day soldiers were almost villains. I now my grandpa who served in Vietnam said when they got back they were spit on and looked down upon, and my great grandpa who served in WWII had the same experience. So, why did things suddenly change?

 

[Fergal]

my great grandpa who served in WWII had the same experience

I'm a little surprised by that to be honest, I thought the soldiers from WWII were respected as heroes. Perhaps the situation was different in the US than in Europe?

 

[InRomoWeTrust]

my great grandpa who served in WWII had the same experience

I'm a little surprised by that to be honest, I thought the soldiers from WWII were respected as heroes. Perhaps the situation was different in the US than in Europe?

No, definitely not the case with WWII in USA. OP makes a huge misstatement there.

The only case were with African Americans, because the civil rights movement in the US came (after WWII) in the 1950s.

In regards to Vietnam, there was a huge hippie movement that caused the stir with soldiers both during the war and when they returned home. That was a mildly unique situation. A large chunk of the population protested the war using tactics like burning American flags in public demonstrations.

Things didn't suddenly change.