When I'm talking to people and it comes up that I was in the Air Force, generally the first question usually is, "Were you in combat?" I always say, no, not in combat. Yes, I was in a combat zone, two of them actually, but I never saw hostile fire.
"Operation Just Cause" The invasion of Panama, to oust Noriega.
"Operation Desert Shield/Storm" (I always tend to say it that way, the "Shield" part was the waiting, from Aug to Jan, and you're damn right that I'm going to mention waiting all those months in Saudi Arabia, for the war to kick off)
It does feel good to be acknowledged and maybe that's why some of these guys who lie about it, do it.
My wife did buy me a nice looking Desert Storm Vet cap, and I tend to wear it often. I sometimes don't know what to say when someone "thanks me for my service" I tend to smile and nod, (acknowledging them)
https://national-desert-storm-war-memorial.myshopify.com/products/desert-storm-veteran-hat-with-medal
I did not know until she found this cap, that they were even in the process of trying to get a memorial built. I've donated and I intend to go to DC when it's completed.