To give you some context on this, after the Vietnam war many protestors attacked the troops coming home. Many in the US, later regretted this, considering that many of these troops were drafted into the war, and came from some of the most vulnerable communities.
After the first Gulf War, there was a deliberate effort to thank the troops when they got home, which has persisted after 9/11.
After the first Gulf War, there was a deliberate effort to thank the troops when they got home, which has persisted after 9/11.