ATTLEBORO - When Marion Johnson's son, Keith, went to war in Iraq, she had the normal concerns about a son in the military entering a dangerous area.

But what she was most unprepared for was the outpouring of community support from friends, neighbors, veterans organizations and school children.

"It's been phenomenal how many people took it upon themselves to send over things like coffee and other things the soldiers needed," said Johnson, whose son recently returned to Iraq following a brief leave.

A campaign to obtain additional phone cards for troops to use to call home was an outstanding success, Johnson said, and local school children volunteered to write letters and cards to Keith's unit.

Grateful for response

Johnson is grateful, and says the warm response by Americans to those serving abroad is a marked contrast to the way veterans were treated during the Vietnam War - a highly controversial conflict that bitterly divided folks on the home front. "I think a lot of people remember what happened to the Vietnam vets and didn't want that to happen again," said Johnson, who was supported in the phone card drive by her employer, Holman Insurance.

Johnson's son remains stationed overseas with the 181st Infantry.

Throughout the Attleboro area - and across the nation - large numbers of citizens have put aside divisions over the war's politics to show support for U.S. servicemen and women. Numerous area businesses, non-profit agencies and school groups have sent hundreds of boxes of treats and personal items to soldiers serving in the War on Terror.

And children at several area schools have bombarded local soldiers and their pals with holiday cards, drawings and messages of appreciation.

Paul Spera, a Vietnam veteran and former national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, said the level of support for troops and returning veterans is at a much higher level than it was in his day - both in the community and in Washington.

Increase in funding

A dramatic increase in funding for the Veterans Administration and a proposal to increase veterans educational benefits to a level much closer to that of the G.I. Bill following World War II also promise a sea change in the way vets are treated.

"The attitude has completely changed," said Spera, who has long advocated for greater support for those who have served.

Despite some mistakes in prosecuting the war, Spera says he feels the surge in troops is working and that U.S. involvement is beginning to pay off in an atmosphere of national reconciliation in Iraq, where Iraqi citizens will be able to look to a future free from oppression. Rick foster can be reached at 508-236-0360 or rfoster@thesunchronicle.com.