Veterans Day

IMO some of this attitude is absolute BS. Did it ever cross somebody's jaded mind that there are civilians who truly appreciate those who are or have served? Truly? Is one so flipping jaded that they think people like us are trying to rub their own rhubarb to make themselves feel better? What such bullshit.

Neither one of my direct family members copped this attitude at all, nor did they intimate that stench in the slightest.

It's also paramount arrogance, for some to think they KNOW what others are thinking or why they are doing things. Really- they KNOW what's going-on in my heart and mind for example? OR that we somehow feel GUILTY?

BULLSHIT.

Then the arrogance is taken one step farther when the recipient is told just WHAT is acceptable means of expressing gratitude. OMG that's the height of arrogance. That's the equivalent of telling somebody just what they will get you for Christmas, how much they will spend and what color it will be.

I guess this forum is for military elites only. Cancel my membership here. I've had enough of this. Later.
 
Bobster said:
How did they know he and the other guy were active duty?
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Because most airlines offer early / preferred boarding to active duty military personnel. When they call it over the PA, you just stand up and go board. You show your military ID along with your boarding pass.
 
One Ping Only said:
Did it ever cross somebody's jaded mind that there are civilians who truly appreciate those who are or have served? Truly? Is one so flipping jaded that they think people like us are trying to rub their own rhubarb to make themselves feel better? What such bullshit.
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If you read my previous comments you'd see that I do believe that there are many who are truly appreciative.

But it has become obviously perfunctory when total strangers just blurt it out.... one after the next. It's just weird to me... no offense intended. I'm always caught off-guard and stumble for an appropriate reply.

Did you watch that Curb Your Enthusiasm clip I posted earlier in the thread? It was funny because there was a lot of truth there. Each one of them in a social situation HAD to say it. And when Larry David didn't say it, they all freaked out. The only part that didn't ring true was that the veteran was also insulted. Larry David's character was actually right.

One Ping Only said:
It's also paramount arrogance, for some to think they KNOW what others are thinking or why they are doing things. Really- they KNOW what's going-on in my heart and mind for example? OR that we somehow feel GUILTY?
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I didn't say I KNOW what others are thinking. I was trying to help my son with his awkwardness. He does NOT like to be the center of attention. He never has liked being in the spotlight. So, I tried to frame it in a way that might work for him. I have had to work out that same awkward feeling for myself, and I know how my son's mind works.... sort of! ;)

ETA.... I had a similar epiphany about my own birthday. I honestly don't feel that I deserve any special treatment or gifts on my birthday.... even from my own family. I don't feel I measure up to it. Honestly. I find it awkward. And in the past, I have tried to refuse such attention. Then it dawned on me... the celebration of my birthday (by my family / friends) isn't actually about me. It's really about them. And I mean that in a good way. It is really wrong of me to deny them that celebration. It makes THEM happy to do it. So I try to see it from that perspective.

My son won't even tell people what his actual specialty is. He just tells them he's an "admin" person. It usually ends the conversation, whereas if he tells them the truth, it ends up with a protracted awkwardness and tons of questions he can't answer. Or even worse... if he tells them he's in Intel, they'll resort to the stupid and insulting jokes about "military intelligence."

Shit, he can't even tell me what he does exactly! And if someone asks me and I say "Intel," again... the stupid-ass ignorant jokes about military intelligence.

One Ping Only said:
I guess this forum is for military elites only. Cancel my membership here. I've had enough of this. Later.
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Elites? Hardly. It's definitely not my intent or feeling. We don't feel elite at all, hence the awkwardness when we are bombarded with "thank yous." We don't need to be thanked. We didn't serve to be thanked or be called "heroes." We are NOT "heroes" just for serving. Some of us got to know real heroes, and being called "heroes" diminishes the selfless actions and sacrifices of real heroes. Medal of Honor recipients are real heroes... and they are quite rare.

Veterans generally don't thank each other for their service, with some exceptions. I have personally made an effort to thank a WW2 veteran. They saved the world from evil. I paid for his (and his wife's) lunch, and he invited me to sit with them. And he told me his story. It was an amazing experience. I was late back to work!

I saw a doctor's office (during covid) that had a BIG sign out in front of the entrance that read, "Heroes work here." BARF! 🤮
 
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Michele said:
I don’t believe the comment is meant to be negative and people generally think it’s the “right” thing to say, it’s just not well received in all cases. People know when it’s said from the heart. I’ve not felt that from anyone as of yet.
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Best one I ever got was a year or so ago from a kid working the register at a fast food joint. He was talking about the sacrifices we make so people like him can have freedom and stuff like that for like 5 minutes. Just blew me away.

The grocery store I go to is mostly older cashiers, and several thank me fo rmy service, and I can tell they mean it. Once when the gal said Thanks for your service the previous customet turned around and thaned me too. She may have assumed I was a few years older than I am as she was talking about how horible we had been treated and then said that "What that Jane Fonda did was horrible!" Of course, I agree with that.
 
NavyVette said:
Best one I ever got was a year or so ago from a kid working the register at a fast food joint. He was talking about the sacrifices we make so people like him can have freedom and stuff like that for like 5 minutes. Just blew me away.

The grocery store I go to is mostly older cashiers, and several thank me fo rmy service, and I can tell they mean it. Once when the gal said Thanks for your service the previous customet turned around and thaned me too. She may have assumed I was a few years older than I am as she was talking about how horible we had been treated and then said that "What that Jane Fonda did was horrible!" Of course, I agree with that.
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I was at an AutoZone. The cash register dude asked me about my Navy service (wearing my hat). He then said he was an Army veteran.

"Cool! Where were you stationed?"

"I don't remember."

Uh-huh... you don't remember???
 
bkbrno said:
A Navy guy would have said, " I could tell you but then I would have to kill you" Fuckface.
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"I could tell you but then I would have to kill you.... and then eat your brain."

That's what our Chief used to say.
 
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no4mk1t said:
He might have been in this unit..."Did you find that marijuana patch yet?, Yeah, we found it man." :ROFLMAO:
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When the "Up In Smoke" movie first came to theaters, me and a few other 15-16yos made the trek to a movie house about an hour walk from us since no "adults" would take us. :) Rated "R", they wouldn't let us in without a parent/guardian. :( 😠 We protested, gave fingers and mooned with the response being the manager was calling the cops so we got out of there in a hurry! :eek:
 
Back when I was in HS, the whole Vietnam thing was winding down (as far as the aftermath) but the stench lingered.. Ten years prior, Our neighbor across the street had a son in USMC, and he came home after he did his tour- bought a brand new Maroon 1968 Pontiac GTO, and a Matching Triumph Bonneville (maroon and white). Both of those shook our walls when he left his house. Just glorious!

But anyways, it was very center stage how badly the press and pukes like Fonda ginned-up such a hatred and despicable treatment of our military when they came home. Y’all know the story. I saw it firsthand, and maybe because I was a kid, it really left an impression in my mind. I, and I know many others, want you all to be treated as honored, loved and valued after that wretched period in our history. What a terrible, inexcusable blight.

Anyways- my wife had asserted that her Uncle Nick (a retired USMC Gunnery Sgt and Armorer if I recall correctly) also is favorable towards being thanked just as my other direct other family members referred to earlier, did. But I guess people are different, and I want to be free to express genuine thanks, and not be psycho-analyzed wrongly as it being a guilt mechanism.

While I feel ZERO guilt for not having signed-up by choice, you all CHOSE to do so, and we are all the better for it. And it’s exciting to see the direction the Sec of War Hegseth is taking our military today. It’s about time, and I hope there is more to come.
 
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LOL! I just saw this on X

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My FIL's resting place at Eagle Point National Cemetery. My MIL, who passed 10/2/24 is now buried with him.
 

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