Accepting his party's nomination, John McCain spoke to thousands at the Republican National Convention last night.

In his campaign so far, John McCain has often discussed his experience as a Vietnam War veteran. How do area Vietnam veterans feel about John McCain's speech and his pride of his years in service?

"There were a lot of negative feelings, among the American people, about the war," says veteran Dan Cherry.

Speaking from the airport, Cherry remembers the harsh criticism of the Vietnam War. It's something Mike Graf at the local VFW Post recalls as well.

"I was in a hospital bus when I came home. There was a mob of people from Berkeley University," says Graf. "They were throwing stuff at the bus and, of course, we all live through stuff like that."

"The public seemed to take it out on the military people as opposed to the politicians that created the war in the first place," adds Cherry.

Speaking on a national stage, presidential hopeful John McCain is open about his Vietnam experience. According to both Cherry and Graf, McCain is encouraging pride in the Vietnam War.

"The fact that he was an accomplished fighter pilot, and ended up being a prisoner of war for a number of years, demonstrates an extreme amount of sacrifice," says Cherry.

"We left 58,000 brothers and sisters dead," adds Graf. "They came home in body bags and if you survive something like that, you're proud."

"I think all American men and women, no matter what the war is, should be proud of their service," Cherry concludes. "I think Senator McCain's example could help us in that way."