Just buried my FIL last week. He served from 69-94. Never went to Vietnam, but not by his choosing. Just worked out that way. He did get in some time during the Gulf War and almost got it when the British lit up their convoy. He never mentioned being a Vietnam era vet as it was too much to explain and usually said he was too young for Vietnam if anyone asked.

He was buried in a National Cemetery with full honors. The one thing he didn't do prior to dying was have his uniform ready to be buried in. He made it clear he wanted to be buried in the uniform so I had to recreate as much as I could from his DD214. I bought half the ribbons and used some of my own. They already had him in the jacket in the casket, so I had to do it all while he was wearing it. Might have poked him a time or two, just for the hell of it.

Don't just be a survivor, be a competitor.