What MN veterans wish you knew about their experience

A group of senators, including John McCain of Arizona, have proposed legislation that would end the military's practice of paying sports teams to honor service members and veterans.

The legislation comes after revelations that the military paid nearly $7 million to NFL teams for tributes to members of the military. The Minnesota Vikings received more than $600,000 over three years.

Critics of the practice say the tributes are earned and not purchased. But the debate brings up the uncomfortable question of when and why Americans think about the military.

For this week's Friday Roundtable, MPR News' Tom Crann talked to three Minnesota veterans about what they wish their fellow Minnesotans understood about the modern veteran experience.