Heard this at Sturgis. I was kinda touched.

[fudgie]

Thought about it everyday since I heard it.
Being out there you here all sorts of talk but this was great.

Was at One Eyed Jacks and was making my rounds to different rooms of the bar to check out the scenery. There was this elderly couple in front of me. I stopped to let them pass. He was a small stature guy with a drink in his right hand and his wife right behind him. They were in there mid 80's. He had on his WWII vet hat. As they passed and guy in his early 30's stopped in front of him. He said 'thank you for your service!' as he patted him on his shoulder. Even offered him to buy him a drink.
Thought it was great. Here was this old couple, oldest in the bar of thousands, and recieves a compliment like that.

I was touched by it. Yeah, I got a soft side.

[The Anvil]

Especially those WWII guys. There are fewer and fewer of them now. It will not be long before they're all gone.

[R J]

Especially those WWII guys. There are fewer and fewer of them now. It will not be long before they're all gone.

Then us from the Korean POLICE ACTION will be next, then Viet Nam and etc., you get the picture...........     

Until I got sick and had to wear O2 24/7, I have not met too many planes anymore with returning vets.    Used to ride with the PGR and escort the busses into town, haven't done that for a couple of years either..............     Tried using the cage, but it always seemed to be in the way, and some of those people get pissed off if they are inconvenienced some way shape or form.    One encounter I had with a young Military lad, I probably have more time in combat then he had in the Military, wanted to knock this guy on his young ass, but walked away instead.    I think his Colonel might have chawed on his ass some, as I saw him right in the guys face nose to nose.

[Doc809]

My Dad is 86, still rides his motorcycle (triked now) and goes to the bike rallies with me.  Always wears his WWII vet cap and ALWAYS gets respect and great comments from the other, younger participants.  Bikers are the best group of folks!

[old2soon]

If they have a hat saying WW-II Vietnam Gulf war any of it i go out of my way to thank them. Every so often i wear my U S Navy/Vietnam vet hat. Lets just say the reception/perception is a LOT better than it was in 1968. To all vets-past present and future(God forgive) my deepest and heart felt THANK YOU. In wal mart earlier this week came upon a WWII vet. He had to take his hand off of his walker to shake my hand-but he did. I thanked him for his service and he thanked me for mine. That was one of those moments that got these old eyes leakin again. RIDE SAFE.

[czuch]

Thanks boys.
I saw a bumper sticker that said "My other car is a B-17".
Turned out the fella was on his way home from church with his son driving.
I told him thanks and asked what he did.  He was a ball turret gunner. CARUMBA!!!!
He did his 25 missions, then stayed for 35 and then made his 50.
He said the view was spectacular when he wasnt workin.
When he was workin he was scared s%^*less.
I went to the other side of the parking lot till I could safely drive.

[Spirited-6]

I was touched by it. Yeah, I got a soft side.

Brian, we need more soft sides.   

[old2soon]

The very fact that he made 50 missions-much less as a ball turret gunner on a B-17 says a LOT. A long life flying B-17s was not a given in WWII. There is a long list of names that did not make 25 missions much less 50. He is on a short list. You ever see this WWII vet again-tell him thanks from a Nam vet. RIDE SAFE.

[solo1]

I'm a Korean War Vet and served in Korea in 1953 but unlike RJ, I didn't see combat but as a medic, I saw the results of it.

I take my hat off to all vets especially WWII and Vietnan.  In general, the WWII vets came home to a big welcome, the Korean vets came home to "Oh, you were gone?"  but the Vietnan vets came home to no welcome at all, in fact, just the opposite.

No matter whether war is popular or not, ALL vets should be treated honorably.

Wayne, solo1

[Skinhead]

I take my hat off to all vets especially WWII and Vietnan.  In general, the WWII vets came home to a big welcome, the Korean vets came home to "Oh, you were gone?"  but the Vietnan vets came home to no welcome at all, in fact, just the opposite.

No matter whether war is popular or not, ALL vets should be treated honorably.

Wayne, solo1

+1, Thanks to all that served.

[Popeye]

Love doing the Honor Flight for the WWII vets.  Have done several already this year.  Had the pleasure of meeting a genetleman who survived Omaha Beach.  We had to double park the bikes at the last one.  We also thank all the Navy volunteers that help with Honor Flight.

Can't thank our vets enough.

[John Schmidt]

+1 on the respect to the vets. Although also a vet, I didn't see the action the WWII men did...or Korea, or Nam, etc.  Often when traveling and passing through an airport, I'll spot an older gent with his cap on and if I can get his attention I toss him a salute as we pass. I don't linger because I probably couldn't keep my composure either. I have an old gent across the street from me, now 93, and a Omaha Beach survivor. Kind of a small man, but does he have some stories to tell. Can't walk or see very good, but has a tricycle he rides all over the 'hood at least twice a day. I keep his trike in good operating shape for him, replaced the tires/tubes, fixed the chain a couple times, all the time we keep up the small talk while I'm working. We actually have a good time together, and it's always amusing when his wife joins in the conversation. Neither can hear very good so they talk over each other, she fusses at him and he looks at me and grins....then says "it's sometimes good to be half deaf."  He served all over the European theater, has some harrowing tales of Africa, then will lean over and quietly tell me something "in confidence" about time spent in Italy. You can tell those were pleasant memories just by the look in his eyes....I don't ask for details beyond what he says to me.

I'll never forget the day I was over there, just sitting and chatting in his garage when his wife came out and asked if he took his meds. When he assured her he had, she asked which bottle he used....turned out he had taken one of her pills by mistake.  She then fussed at him, saying he didn't know what it was going to do to him.  He fussed back, saying as long as it didn't make him want to wear "that stupid yellow shower cap of yours" he didn't really care. Then turned to me and said "that fool cap makes her look like Big Bird with his legs cut off."  I lost it about then.

He'll be missed when he goes, the last of a great generation.

[fiddle mike]

.
It is touching.  This guy, like my dad and thousands of others, was duped by Roosevelt into fighting a war that  over 85% of Americans opposed involvement in.  Now, the old guy has nothing, his life ended with VE Day and he's reduced to dressing up in in his old uniform and caging drinks.

My father-in-law, on the other hand, never owned a bumper sticker, ball cap or T-shirt advertizing that he was a "Pearl Harbor Survivor". He became a civilian when he retired.

[KW]

My bride and I ALWAYS take the time to thank Veterans or active duty when we see them. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen them get all misty eyed, particularly the Vietnam Vets (which my wife is one of BTW)

So, my brothers, please take a minute and make sure you do. It’s a small thing that means a great deal to most Vets. And, make sure you say “Welcome Home” to the Vietnam Vets! Some of them have never heard those words. . .

God Bless and THANK YOU to all who have served!!

[PharmBoy]

Being a Tet-Vet with no regrets and living here right next to Ft. Sill, I get numerous chances to thank the men & women who are now in uniform.  Nothing big, just, "Thank you for wearing that uniform" or something along those lines.  They all seem to appreciate the gesture.  Every one of them signed up on their own, none were drafted, and I really appreciate their volunteering their service to our nation...Jim

[sugerbear]

i REALLY miss talking to the vet at the V.A. here in St. Louis
spent 5 years there in x-ray.

[3fan4life]

+1 on the respect to the vets. Although also a vet, I didn't see the action the WWII men did...or Korea, or Nam, etc.  Often when traveling and passing through an airport, I'll spot an older gent with his cap on and if I can get his attention I toss him a salute as we pass. I don't linger because I probably couldn't keep my composure either. I have an old gent across the street from me, now 93, and a Omaha Beach survivor. Kind of a small man, but does he have some stories to tell. Can't walk or see very good, but has a tricycle he rides all over the 'hood at least twice a day. I keep his trike in good operating shape for him, replaced the tires/tubes, fixed the chain a couple times, all the time we keep up the small talk while I'm working. We actually have a good time together, and it's always amusing when his wife joins in the conversation. Neither can hear very good so they talk over each other, she fusses at him and he looks at me and grins....then says "it's sometimes good to be half deaf."  He served all over the European theater, has some harrowing tales of Africa, then will lean over and quietly tell me something "in confidence" about time spent in Italy. You can tell those were pleasant memories just by the look in his eyes....I don't ask for details beyond what he says to me.

I'll never forget the day I was over there, just sitting and chatting in his garage when his wife came out and asked if he took his meds. When he assured her he had, she asked which bottle he used....turned out he had taken one of her pills by mistake.  She then fussed at him, saying he didn't know what it was going to do to him.  He fussed back, saying as long as it didn't make him want to wear "that stupid yellow shower cap of yours" he didn't really care. Then turned to me and said "that fool cap makes her look like Big Bird with his legs cut off."  I lost it about then.

He'll be missed when he goes, the last of a great generation.

The old guy sounds like He's a "Hoot" 

[Dogg]

i gotta tell ya, this old man, lives in an apartment across the street with his son and daughter in law. they moved here from vermont, with nothing. 1 bedroom place, too small to even call comfortable. guy is an old drunk, screams at me when I start ol fatass all the time, threatens to call the cops. Had issues with him before. here is what gets me...


  Im sitting on my porch, enjoying a peaceful memorial day. Here comes this old guy all dooded up in his dress blues.....that old guy had ribbons and pins hanging from everywhere.(just means alot of them, not literally.) come to find out, he had a bronze star. he was in korea and vietnam early on. went to vietnam 4 times before he got shot in the head....imagine. and lived.

  well this old guy that gives me such a hard time, drinks too much and is a constant pain in my ass, is that guy in his dress blues. I saved his dog from getting hit and shook his hand one day after that. He has been nice ever since. I felt bad for calling him an old drunk on welfare now. I even did apologize for being rude(even tho iwasnt.)


  You just never know, do you??

[MacDragon]

In my business, I get to talk to a lot of people... I make a point of thanking every Vet or active duty I encounter.  Makes a difference to them... and to me.  Respect. Freedom is certainly not free.

[Hef]

Don't want to Hi-Jack this thread because I certainly do respect and honor all those who have served, but John's message reminded me of something said by a dear old couple who are very close to me. They would argue and fuss all the time but you could tell they truly cared about each other. Art and Laura were celebrating their 60th anniversary and Art was asked to say something about their long life together. He said, "This morning, Laura cooked breakfast like always, and when she poured my coffe she said, Art, if I thought I had to put up with you another 60 years, I would put poison in this." He said, I looked at her and said, "and if I thought I had to put up with you another 60 years, I'd just drink it!"

[PharmBoy]

Old Tiger, even though a military conflict may be unjust or unnecessary, that in its self does not deminish any of the service of the men and women who serve with distinction in such a conflict.  There are many who say that every conflict since WWII was unjust or unnecessary.  I disagree, but then, I am a little prejudice when it comes to the military...Jim