A few weeks ago

[solo1]

Mark and Chris and I were in the Trion Tap in New Haven, Indiana. I was having a Sprite and Chris and Mark were eating . I was wearing my Korean Vet cap.  A young man came up to me and said "Thank you for your Service" Then his little girl, about 5, shook my hand and said the same.   

At the next table a Marine vet was also wearing his cap. I believe that the young man and his little lady did the same to him.

However, no one else did (except me).  Any one who serves deserves to be recognized, IMO.

We still seem to be having responsible parents raising their kids but it's spotty.

I probably have jumped to a wrong conclusion.  Still it was nice.

[old2soon]

When I elect to wear my Nam Vet ball cap I'm getting more positive feed back now then I did when I served and wore my Uniform and my Ribbons. I do Know what your saying though Wayne. I see a Veterans Ball Cap or a T-shirt or the are in Uniform with out intruding too much I try to make a point of Thanking Them for their Service and Sacrifice. Thanks Wayne. RIDE SAFE.

[BF]

I served during vietnam....I'm an Era veteran.  I never went to Vietnam, but I was in during.  I have 2 ball caps that say I'm a Vietnam era veteran. 

I never wear them....I feel like I didn't do anything or enough of anything to deserve to wear them out in public.

[old2soon]

I served during vietnam....I'm an Era veteran.  I never went to Vietnam, but I was in during.  I have 2 ball caps that say I'm a Vietnam era veteran. 

I never wear them....I feel like I didn't do anything or enough of anything to deserve to wear them out in public.

            My Brother is Vietnam Era. He Proudly wears an Army ball cap that sates ARMY. My newest ball cap sates-U.S.Navy then my ribbons and then Vietnam. Also has a fouled anchor on it. And B T W-you served you ARE entitled to wear those ball caps. No explanation required. I "had" a friend that took off for Canada. I've never forgiven him. RIDE SAFE.

[solo1]

BF, Wear it!  I, too was in a support group. Although I served in Korea in 1953, I always had the REMF idea stuck in my head.............until I was on the Honor Flight a year ago. Something happened there to change my mind.  It impressed me so much that I wrote the story about it.  Here is that little story.
Again, wear the cap. ANYONE who served, deserves it!




                                                The Forgotten War, Remembered

It was just after noon on 27 April 2016.  I have been up since 0430 to be a chosen Korean War veteran to go on the Northeast Indiana Honor Flight to Washington DC.

Now,  six and one half hours and 500 miles later I have been to see the very impressive and majestic WWII Memorial.  I have seen but not talked to the former Senator Dole from Kansas. He was at the WWII Memorial to greet and talk to the veterans. He was in a wheelchair and I'm sure that it took much effort for him to be there since he was badly wounded in WWII.  Veterans, mostly in wheelchairs, were talking to him. I did not interfere. However, I did talk to Indiana Senator Donnely who has a record of helping Hoosier veterans.

After viewing the WWII Memorial and having a group picture taken, we have just visited the Korean War Memorial.  This Memorial does not have the imposing grandeur and history telling of the WWII memorial but, in a sense, it tells its story in a different way.

The Memorial is composed of nineteen stainless steel , seven foot tall figures, each one representing a different branch of the Armed Forces. However, in this case, they are all on patrol.  The patrol is cautiously advancing up a slight hill representing the Hills of Korea. They all wear ponchos indicating the typical weather in Korea. The rearmost figure is looking slightly to the rear and has his left hand palm outward and back indicating proceed cautiously. These nineteen figures are reflected in a polished granite wall next to them for a total of thirty eight figures;  thirty eight months being the war's duration and also the 38th parallel.,the fought over dividing line between North and South Korea. The Reflecting Wall has 'ghost'  sample images of the more than 300,000 personnel involved in support groups, backing the combat soldiers, sailors, airmen, Coast Guardsmen, and Marines.

I was much taken in by the raw telling of the Memorial. No history, no names, just the bottom line, a patrol doing its job. The Memorial ends in the inscribed Words on the apex of the wall “Freedom Is Not Free”  The American Flag is at the point of prominence.  

After spending some time viewing this Memorial, My knees persuaded me to take a rest. My son and I walked some distance away and found a isolated park bench .

I'm sitting, along with my son,  within sight of the Korean Memorial,   stretching my legs and thinking about my duty in Korea as part of a medical clearing company. The words on the inscription were clear and to the point and I understood the meaning of the words. Although I hadn't seen combat, I saw the results.  “Freedom Is Not Free” . The 618th Medical Clearing Company, where I saw duty, brought that home.  In the midst of this thinking, I wondered if my War was still “The Forgotten War”

As I was thinking this in the quiet of sitting on the park bench, a young couple came up to me.  The young man introduced himself.  He also was in the Armed Forces as an MP in Iraq and Afghanistan and was presently a police officer in Virginia. He then introduced his girl friend. She was a South Korean, a quiet young lady of beauty . The young man thanked me for my service in Korea, his eyes looked moist.  His girl friend ,up to then, had been silent but then she spoke up and also said “Thank you”  As she said it, tears were running  freely down her cheeks.

  I said “Why are you crying?'  Immediately, I knew.



                      The Forgotten War has never been forgotten by some.


It was with the deepest humility that, though I served in a support group,  I knew that this young lady considered me a part of the United Nations Action that resulted in a  continued free South Korea.  She knew the costs incurred by veterans of the Korean War.

“Freedom Is Not Free”   How true!

[3fan4life]

Excellent Story!

You can bet that the people of South Korea have not forgotten the sacrifice made by American men and women in uniform to keep them free.

Your generation secured their freedom and every generation since has helped them to keep it.

If it were not for the continued presence of the American military in South Korea they would've been invaded by North Korea (again) a long time ago.     

[Willow]

I served during vietnam....I'm an Era veteran.  I never went to Vietnam, but I was in during.  I have 2 ball caps that say I'm a Vietnam era veteran. 

I never wear them....I feel like I didn't do anything or enough of anything to deserve to wear them out in public.

I too served for eleven years several of which were during the Vietnam era.  I was never place in a position that would result in anyone shooting at me.

For me, personally, I agree with BF.  Those who were placed directly in harm's way deserve a level of thanks and respect that I did not earn.  That is not even to mention the level deserved by those who gave the ultimate sacrifice or who came home with a part of them missing.

Those are my values.  I do not project them on others or demand that others act accordingly.  I served because I believed it to be the right thing to do and not because I wanted or needed the gratitude of those who did not.   

[The emperor has no clothes]

I served because I believed it to be the right thing to do and not because I wanted or needed the gratitude of those who did not.  

I only did 4 years, and none of it close to danger. I mostly did it because it was an opportunity to see the world on Uncle Sam's dime. I am proud that I served my country, but it makes me uncomfortable when people that have no idea of what the military is like tell me "Thanks for your service". I enjoy talking to vets that I meet about their time, but I don't thank them. The only ones I have thanked are those that I meet who are in now. I realize I look at it differently than some. If it makes a person feel good that someone thanks them, that's fine. It's just not for me.

[cookiedough]

on the flip side of that though,  you never know how that other person will take your appreciative thankful gesture knowing the condition of some people nowadays?  I try to not socialize with people I do not know since you never know about some people nowadays.   

Not often, but you could come up to a person on the street and not even saying a word,  they flip out over you for no reason.  It has happened to me so try to avoid conversations with strangers. 

one young lad years ago with his white girlfriend at a waterpark not even saying a word to him mouthed off to me for no reason me just walking by him guessing he was trying to impress his girlfriend acting tough (foolish if you ask me).  He called me a FAT white F and me being me,  got all over his butt and said some LOUD nasty comments right back 3 inches from hsi face, not taking any lip from an 18 year old.

[old2soon]

BF-Carl-with respect you ARE missing the point. WE-Anyone that Served-took an Oath Which we May have traded our Life to uphold. REMF Front Line Aircraft mechanic-me-belting the ammo loading the weapons making out the payroll washing the laundry NO Matter WHAT you were doing while you had The Uniform on you Were/Are SERVNG. When things go boom the boom do NOT give a rats ass Who you are-it STILL goes boom. If the cooks don't do their job we no eat. Difficult to do harm to the enemy if the storekeeper has no weapons or ammo. If I didn't do My job repairing the Aircraft we could NOT take it to the enemy nor protect the Good guys. Guys Not even in combat are Still severely injured or killed. I think/believe our Aircraft readiness rate was between 80% and 90%. That would NOT have happened had we had ANY shirkers aboard. I was already drawing combat pay and they gave me half flight pay. I'd have flown for free! I have NO bad feelings if Someone in a U S Military Uniform NEVER got to a Combat Zone. You may Not believe it BUT you Were doing something Important to the overall picture. When I got my draft notice I ELECTED to join the Navy. Have NEVER regretted that decision-NEVER. RIDE SAFE.

[Willow]

Dennis, with respect, I do get the point.  We simply see it differently.

As for my experience, I got much more than I gave.  My time in helped me truly grow up and played a large part in contributing to who I am.  I honor you all who gave including those of us who did not see combat.  I just don't think it's right to put myself in the same class as those who truly put their lives on the line and watched their friends die next to them.

I try not to push my view on anyone else.

[BF]

Sometimes...I just dunno how I feel about it.  I did carry a weapon...a 38 on my hip...and an M16 a few times.  Mostly delt with speeding drivers and a few drunks, a lot of boredom riding around in a pick-up truck...but nothing that would be firing back at me...well, probably not anyway. 

I did read this as the definition of a veteran one time.....

"VETERAN

A Veteran - whether active duty, separated, retired, national guard, inactive or reserve - is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to “The United States of America,” for an amount of “up to and including THEIR LIFE." 

I dunno....maybe I'll change my mind.  I do find myself as the older I get, the more of a patriot and patriotic I see myself. 

[Chrisj CMA]

Unique timing this post should come up.  This evening Judy and I were out eating an Panera Bread.  One of the VERY few restaurants worth eating at in our town.  Anyways a dude walked in with a service dog.  Obviously the man wasn't blind so I suspected PTSD from the war. (turns out that's what it was)

So I went back for more iced tea and they were sitting close to that area.  I happened  to be wearing a Deals Gap shirt and that guy asked me what I rode through the Gap.  That started a conversation about bikes and service.  He had to stop riding because he's not allowed to drive (no details on that given)

So we thanked each other for each others service and talked a bit more about bikes shook hands and that was that.  Id rather be recognized because of a conversation, or as has happened people just know you served because of certain character traits....politeness, discipline, self control etc.

I was in 23 years, 15 in an elite career field in Special Operations.  I deployed several times and was very near and ready to go into harms way but only actually did once for ten days.  Ten days seemed like eternity, I cannot imagine those that spend months and months or years getting shot at.

All that being said, I rarely wear any military stuff.  I do have a couple small patches on my biker vest that gets a comment a couple times a year (they are not obvious)  I guess Id rather  broadcast more of what I am and do today that what I used to do or used to be.

[solo1]

Carl, we have a member of our chapter who served in Special Forces in Germany during the Korean War. He feels as you and BF does. However,  he was part of the team.  Your contribution as a gunny in the Marine Corps was the same. I would think that you, with your MOS, trained Marines to do the job required of them.   

I felt the same as you and BF until I went on the Honor flight. I talked to combat vets and to a man they said we were all part of a team.  In the eyes of all of the volunteers on that Flight, we were all equal. I came home with the determination to make people aware of how many vets served and, more importantly, how many active duty personnel are serving this Republic today.  The LEO's wear uniforms, so do the Fire and EMS, so do all who serve us here at home. I think that a simple baseball cap that shows our veteran status is suitable and serves as a reminder.

Just my .02

wayne, solo1

[old2soon]

Carl, we have a member of our chapter who served in Special Forces in Germany during the Korean War. He feels as you and BF does. However,  he was part of the team.  Your contribution as a gunny in the Marine Corps was the same. I would think that you, with your MOS, trained Marines to do the job required of them.   

I felt the same as you and BF until I went on the Honor flight. I talked to combat vets and to a man they said we were all part of a team.  In the eyes of all of the volunteers on that Flight, we were all equal. I came home with the determination to make people aware of how many vets served and, more importantly, how many active duty personnel are serving this Republic today.  The LEO's wear uniforms, so do the Fire and EMS, so do all who serve us here at home. I think that a simple baseball cap that shows our veteran status is suitable and serves as a reminder.

Just my .02

wayne, solo1

                 All former Military and First Responders-L E Os Fire Folks E M S are represented by the P G R when we are Invited. The invited part is important. P G R usually requires a DD214 on former military. I stated in here somewhere that folks on my arrival back in CONUS tried to make me ashamed of my Military Service. They failed. It was the 60s. When I have on my NanyNam ball cap or my vest with all the patches in the last 12-15 I'm getting Nothing But positive inspiring remarks. A far cry from what I put up with while Serving And even up into the early 80s. Every so often the repulsive memory of that smelly female? bovine screaming in my face that she wished I had died comes back unbidden. There are times I wished the Navy hadn't taught restraint. RIDE SAFE.

[threevalks]

           I agree with BF & Carl. I served two years (Volunteered for draft) during the Viet Nam era, but did not leave the states. IMO I am not a Viet Nam Vet, and would never wear a Viet Nam Vet hat. Also,  I have friends asking why I don't go to the VA instead of paying for insurance. (Again just my personal opinion) I do not feel that I should receive lifetime health care from the VA for two years of service. They did not hurt me, I left the service a better man than I went in as and in the same, or better general health. Had I been injured, or retired from the Army, it would be a different story. I worked construction for 40 years, for several different companies after the Army and don't think the Army owes me any more than any of them.

[The emperor has no clothes]

           I agree with BF & Carl. I served two years (Volunteered for draft) during the Viet Nam era, but did not leave the states. IMO I am not a Viet Nam Vet, and would never wear a Viet Nam Vet hat. Also,  I have friends asking why I don't go to the VA instead of paying for insurance. (Again just my personal opinion) I do not feel that I should receive lifetime health care from the VA for two years of service. They did not hurt me, I left the service a better man than I went in as and in the same, or better general health. Had I been injured, or retired from the Army, it would be a different story. I worked construction for 40 years, for several different companies after the Army and don't think the Army owes me any more than any of them.

Couldn't have said it better. 

[BF]

          I agree with BF & Carl. I served two years (Volunteered for draft) during the Viet Nam era, but did not leave the states. IMO I am not a Viet Nam Vet, and would never wear a Viet Nam Vet hat. Also,  I have friends asking why I don't go to the VA instead of paying for insurance. (Again just my personal opinion) I do not feel that I should receive lifetime health care from the VA for two years of service. They did not hurt me, I left the service a better man than I went in as and in the same, or better general health. Had I been injured, or retired from the Army, it would be a different story. I worked construction for 40 years, for several different companies after the Army and don't think the Army owes me any more than any of them.

Me neither....I'd NEVER wear a Vietnam hat.  I do have the two Vietnam ERA hats and ponder from time to time whether I should wear those or not.  

I suppose I worry that those two hats would be mistaken for something that they're not.  THAT I'd never want or to even imply.  

I've never, ever tried to get any Veterans service(s) from the VA....don't think that I'd qualify even if I did....but that's another story.  I do know some people (and I use that term lightly) that seem to want to qualify for anything and everything under the sun.  

Just lately I've had a 20 year retired vet that told me that the VA is giving him a % (don't remember what %) for his.....or you ready for this?......HIS FREAKIN' SLEEP APNEA.  

According to him, his daddy had told him to go in the military, get his 20 year retirement check...and then get everything that he can from the VA so he can get as much of a retirement check that he can.  

Just a few weeks ago he told me that he had yet another appt. with the VA and said that he's trying to max out his benefits with them.  

He's got about 10 years until he can get his minimum SS....so tax payers, you've been warned.  

That's just one vet that I know of...I work with a few more like him.  

There are benefits EARNED.....there are even benefits voted upon.....and then.....

Then again, maybe I should just go ahead and jump off out into the deep end of the pool and make an appointment with the VA and tell them that the Air Force gave me kidney cancer back when I was in.....but then again, I'm not ready to die just yet.