Keith,
I remember coming home on leave for 30 days after my return. After a couple of days to reorient myself, I went over to one of my high school buddies house to say high and perhaps hang out with him. I remember his dad coming to the door with an awful look on his face only to tell me that Ronny didn't come home. I stopped trying to look up old friends until after my 4 years were up. I can still see that ghostly look on his face.
My heart goes out to anyone with such experiences.
Karl