Another View on Displaying Your Vet Status
Yesterday, Jonn posted an article about yet another wannabee that apparently had an entire phony Marine career depicted in decals on the back window of his pickup. Numerous commenters noted that they display little to absolutely nothing on their vehicles or persons with some going so far as to express some degree of contempt for those who do. I’d like to offer a bit of a different perspective on the topic.
My tour in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne was in ’65-’66. Back stateside, I spent six months with the 82d Airborne and then left the Army to go back to West Texas, get married and return to college on the newly-extended G.I. Bill. Anti-military bias on campus in those days was ran very high and while I didn’t advertise my service with decals or bumper stickers, I didn’t try to hide it either, frequently getting into heated arguments and almost coming to blows with know-nothing little squirts who vociferously opposed the war and despised our military.
Upon obtaining my degree, I went to work selling pharmaceuticals and because of my military background I soon was promoted into government sales. At that point, I learned quickly that it was good for business to make my clients aware that I had been one of them, could speak their language and understood their limitations in making procurement decisions. To that end, I usually wore a miniature set of jump wings or a miniature division patch as a tie tack or lapel pin. Did I take advantage? Of course I did, but then, when you think about it, not nearly to the extent of using my service to obtain a government job, a perfectly legitimate resume enhancer.
It was sometime in the early ‘80’s that I began wearing military ball caps when at leisure and putting service connected décor on my vehicles and I did it for a specific reason. I was sick and damned tired of hearing the liberal media depict all Vietnam veterans as drug addicted losers and dropouts who couldn’t cut it in mainstream America. Damn it all, I was a Vietnam veteran and while I might have taken a toke now and then I wasn’t a damned drug addicted loser. I’d worked hard to get a degree and a good job which enabled me to buy a nice home, nice cars and even an ill-advised sailboat; I was a Vietnam veteran who was an American success story and tired of being constantly and wrongly maligned. And there were millions of others out there just like me. So by damned, it was time to wear the colors proudly, and I have done so ever since with 101st, and 82d patches and jump wings caps on my head and veterans’ license plates and frames on my vehicles. Do I flaunt it? Bet your ass, troop, but for what I see as damned good reason.
And if you think those attitudes towards Vietnam vets don’t continue to exist, you’re dead wrong. Just a five years ago, forty years on, while sitting at a table at the country club, a woman across from me asked the folks at the table, “Oh, did any of you see that poor Vietnam veteran outside the supermarket this afternoon; the one with the sign, who was begging for money?” A couple of others nodded or murmured that they had and she then said, “They’re all like that, you know, just a bunch of pathetic drug addicts who never got over losing.” I’d seen the guy as well and he wasn’t nearly old enough to have served in Vietnam but because he was scruffy, long-haired and wearing a filthy old field jacket, he fit the media-created image that this woman and tens of millions like her believed accurate. Looking across the table, I fixed her with a hard stare and said, “I’m a Vietnam veteran sitting here in your damned country club; you think I’m a pathetic loser?” That shut her smug mouth and presumably taught her a lesson.
Another thought: All you veterans of our recent wars should give thought to letting your fellow citizens know that you are among them, a part of the fabric of their daily lives. It is all too easy for the American people to forget that there are those of you out there risking it all on their behalf with your families making the accompanying sacrifices. Sure, the TV commercials for wounded veterans appeals to your fellow citizens’ patriotism and generosity, but they also need to know that those who defend them also walk among them and work and play beside them. Screw being invisible and anonymous, allow your presence and contribution to be recognized. Most Americans truly respect your service and are pleased to know that you are just like them, so make them happy to know you are there in their communities, warriors now neighbors, solid anchors to the safety and viability of the environment where their children are being nurtured.
Look, if you’ve been there, you know that real heroes don’t brag. Those who have fought and had the honor to fight with those warriors who achieved that true hero status, in our eyes, not those of clueless civilians in the media, but honestly judged heroes by their fellow warriors, know that post-battle, the brave don’t boast of their accomplishments. My MoH roommate at Ft. Bragg threatened to kick my ass if I didn’t knock off the questions about how he’d earned the award. I believed him fully capable and shut it down. So, the point is, don’t look at it as bragging but rather as a show of solidarity with your former comrades in arms and a demonstration of pride in your honorable service.
And you’ll never believe how many conversations your military ball cap will lead to that go something like this, ”Uh, yeah, I wanted to join up, but…”
Category: Veterans Issues
I have a US Army retired sticker and a license plate from one of our sponsors on my truck.
Spot on. I wear a USAF retired ball cap constantly. It hides the bald spot. I also have a small sticker on the rear window of my Jeep. They’re just a subtle reminder that we walk among them to the general populous.
Done in moderation – a license plate holder or solitary sticker – displaying your service or unit is okay. The ones that get my goat are the vehicles that have the owner’s ERB/ORB/201 File pasted to the back window and bumper.
I don’t display any memorabilia on my cars, but I have military trinkets on display in my office.
I can relate. I am a Viet Nam Vet.
I wear my Marine Corps baseball cap with the EGA.
Just 4 months ago, for the first time in 43 years a shopper at the grocery store (30 something young man) approached me and asked if I served in the Armed Forces. I stated I had.
He shook my hand and stated he appreciated my service and walked away with no other conversation. After 43 years it was unexpected, yet appreciated. There are some that get it even though they chose or couldn’t serve.
Totally support whatever anyone else wants to do as far as displaying their service on cars etc. I don’t want them on my vehicle for reasons that make sense to me, but if your reasons for doing so make sense to you, no problem here.
Personal choice dictates I don’t put a bunch of bling of any kind on my truck. I’ve got a couple of command ballcaps I sometimes wear and a couple of mugs I drink from. Not against someone legitimately covering their car with shit, but not gonna get all excited over it one way or another.
Great points, and I don’t have a sticker on my truck since it’s such a beater and would reinforce stereotypes (hey, it’s paid for). I do have one on the bike.
I also see quite a few round white decals with AFG, IRQ OEF and other identifiers in this area. Haven’t seen any ERB/ORBs (yet).
well said. I wear my ball cap that states. ‘Not as Mean and not as Lean, But in my heart always a Marine’ along with mini metal Vietnam Service Ribbon with 66-67 on it. Took me over 40 years to display anything associating me as a nam vet after the way we were treated upon returning home. After i joined the VFW and VVA i realized we didn’t have to hide anymore.
I have a Legion Ball cap. People always seem surprised when they ask me if I am a ladies auxiliary member and I answer, “Hell no. I am a veteran.” Guess I should ante up and get a better cap…
PT, nicely done and I agree with you about all of that. I put people in their places all the time.
I wear a CMB on all my hats. Sadly very few people actually know what a CMB actually is. I don’t deny my service, but I find the attention I get from the ballcap which says Iraqi freedom veteran and has two division patches on it rather tiresome.
There are only 22 million veterans in America. 22 out of 308 million. Of that 6.8 million are peacetime only. Of actual Wartime service, how many actually saw combat? I’m part of one of the smallest minorities in this country: the combat veteran. I find both praise and scorn (which I receive in unwanted regularity) annoying. I guess I just feel alone sometimes.
Well written. Thanks.
Have to say I take about the same tack as OWB and some of the others above. I don’t feel the need to “put up signs” – I know where I served and what I did, and that’s enough for me.
However, I also don’t begrudge those who do. Not my style, but whatever.
So long as they’re truthful, of course.
I don’t have stickers on my SUV, but I do have a ribbon bow magnet that says “Adopt your best friend” and has pawprints all over it.
However, I have my dogtags on my keychain, mostly because they have my blood type and religion on them. I though it was just common sense to keep them for that reason. I find now that when I go to the grocery store or any other place that has the special little discount cards, all on my keychain, the clerks frequently look at my dogtags and give me a big smile.
I did get a ‘thank you’ from a couple of sailors at McD’s when I asked them if they were being deployed (yes) and where they were going and they saw my dogtags.
That’s enough for me.
As an Army Reserve member, I walk in the civilian world most of the time and you are 100% right. Most people don’t even know anyone in the military. I work in the Fire/EMS world and closely with the Police so I run into a number of prior service more than most. My wife knows me and one other former military.
And we live in a big city.
Add in that when I got notified that I was going to be Mobilized again, several people at my job looked confused and asked “where are you going?” When told they were amazed that there is still a war going on in Afghanistan.
I think you are right, I have always been happy to show I am in the military, but now i’m going to make sure my cars show I have served. (but not the full DD214 I see from time to time)
201 file in the back window. ERB in the front. hooah
At the armory I see a whole lot of license plated that either indicate veteran status or reserve membership (plus lots of stickers). Frankly, if it helps someone get out of a ticket I really don’t blame them.
Good points made by PT; I may invest in an OIF Vet’s ball cap to wear on special occasions…
I have my “Where I’ve Been” stickers on the back of my car. And, it has helped out. My wife was parked at a store when an idiot ran into the back of the Ford. They saw the Iraq and Afghanistan veteran stickers and bought her and my son lunch. Then they quickly had their insurance pay for everything fast.
During the Iraq War people were leaving packages on the road behind the car for her to send out to Iraq.
I love being from a small town.
I wear lapel pins on my jackets when I travel or work.
CIB ands Ranger.
No “Death before Dishonor” shirts, no hats and no tattoos.
Thank all of you for all you’ve done for us 🙂
I leave my PC on my 4wd shift and my DoD registration sticker is on my truck, that’s all. I’m not a big bumper sticker guy, but then my truck is almost pristine and I like it that way.
This is a great discussive article on the reasons for why you would, makes great sense and is worthwhile. I live in a small community outside of Syracuse that has a lot of retirees, so we all have some war stories to tell I suppose.
perhaps when I retire I’ll be a bit more outward about it, but for now it is enough that I’m just happy to be here.
I think my personal biggest pet peeve is women who are “so appreciative” of the military, but then when it comes to dating, rely on every bad military-man stereotype in existence to provide reasons why they won’t date a military man. As if we are all cheaters, drunks, and gone 364 days each year or some bullshit like that.
As we come from the population, there will be various personalities, viewpoints, and ideologies in the military, which is the best part of all. We come together even if we disagree about something as small as a bumper sticker, to complete the mission.
I have a tenth mountain sticker and a 7th ID on my truck. That’s it. Put it on there in the 90s. I’m proud of my service. I never did it for consideration or benefit. It reminds me of a different time. I like the 7th sticker, because it generates interesting discussions with veterans.
I saw a hero with a huge Nation Defense Ribbon taking up a quarter of the back window of his car. SOmetimes you can take it too far.
I’m with the majority on this. Wear the cap, display the plates–not an issue. Have a sticker for this, that, and the other things and it’s like the guy who is looking for a fresh ear to tell his BS stories to. The more stickers, the more BS.
I’ve always taken the more subtle approach, just a single question mark sticker on the back window of my truck. That way, the only people who might know what it stands for and recognize it are the only people whose opinion I care about in the first place.
I’m not alone in that sentiment, my brother has a faded 2nd Recon sticker on the back of his car and nothing else. Every so often, I’ll spot a truck or a jeep with only a small “de oppresso liber” sticker on the back window, I always wonder how many of the people strolling by those vehicles know just how much living (and almost dying) is signified by that one small bit of Latin with the crossed arrows behind it…
Sometimes I’ll spot an ERB/ORB/DD214 vehicle, but they’re really not that common in this area (western NC), I think you would see more that near Fayetteville, Jacksonville or Cherry Point.
My combat tour was with MNSTC CPATT, so no stickers for me, LOL. 🙂
I have a Bronze Star License Plate on my truck, but other than that, no other stickers on the truck. I have a nice I love me room at my domicile. I feel like I earned it.
Well written. As far as I can tell you only made two mistakes in life, going to a college in Texas :>) (Go Hogs!) and being a rag hauler rather than a stink potter.
In Arkansas we FINALLY prevailed on the Motor Vehicle pukes to provide license plates for all of the conflicts, major awards and retirees. Each is basically the same but has a decal of the award or service branch and the campaign or status on the bottom. When you drive around the state the number of these unique license plates is overwhelming. You also see more kindness on the highway towards a fellow vet with one of these plates.
While living in Burke, Virginia, my car was totaled. Fairfax County PD said it was my pro-Army bumper sticker (no other cars in the parking lot, most with Dem stickers, were damaged). Since then – no stickers.
I have My DOD base Sticker with my rank beside ( PMO applied it, not me). I never have liked bumper stickers of any kind, so no stickers at all.
I generally never wear a hat, but strangely enough the last ones I wore were Navy Ball-caps from when I worked on refitting ships in the yard, and they were purchased to help the crew raise funds for their birthday ball.
I think that most of the people who wear or display decals clothing are (1) The VFW types or retirees, or those just wearing it as a reminder to folks that there still are people serving (2) Boots right out of training, justly proud of their acomplishments (3) wannabes waiting to get in or paintballers, air softers, etc and (4) Posers.
One of the wackiest displays I saw was on the sides of a retired SNCO’s car at MCRD. I think he worked stocking at the PX. He had like an old orange 2 door car with HUGE replicas of his Ribbon rack on each door.
@23, Yes, indeed.
I have a small “U.S Army – Retired” Sticker on my back window. That’s it. A 40 something woman walked up to me one day and thanked me for my service.
Since I go to the local military bases a lot for work, it’s helpful, since not all of the security guards no the rules on retired base access.
a USMC sticker on the back window is great for getting out of speeding tickets with just a “verbal warning”
Civilian here. I live in San Diego, and I see a lot of mommy vans with those little, round, Marine stickers. I say a little prayer, from time to time, for those who are in harm’s way.
Nothing fancy here just an Army ballcap and cross pistols. I’ve had active duty/young vets approach and thank me for serving. Had civilian have done the same and had a couple of those jackasses with dim views of Vietnam vets and putting them in their place.
A small 1/9 “Walking Dead” decal, and a PH tag. Get’s the point across.
I just have Wounded Warrior Project plate brackets. I have been looking for a good fire guard veteran sticker to put on my car 😛
But in all seriousness I am tired of the shaming that goes on when a veteran shoes their pride. It is bad enough when some civilian does it, but when we turn on ourselves. I know there is a line between pride and gaudiness who are we to judge. I gave that up when I too the uniform off.
@28 Club Manager-I’m retired in the Hot Springs area and Arkansas will only give me one set of Vietnam veteran tags while I have three vehicles. So the Vet tags go on my Jeep Wrangler. BTW, in Texas I could get Airborne plates.
And I haven’t decided yet whether to root for the Razorbacks or stick with the ‘Horns.
@30 Old Dog-there will always be some who overdo it…
I had small 101st and Rakkasan stickers on my car years ago. Some fellow Soldiers saw fit to put ginormous Toriis in their back window, and one even had his truck’s tailgate airbrushed with a Rakkasan theme when we got back from Iraq.
Now I simply have the Old Guard license plates paid for by the TOG Association. They’re low-key, yet relatively rare. My PC stays on the dash, and of course there’s the DoD decal on the windshield.
Generally, I refrain from identifying myself as a member of the military when near post (though the haircut and bearing give hint, and if working I’ll wear a generic Army Strong t-shirt). Nothing against displaying one’s service personally–though I agree with the sentiment that vehicle-borne ERBs (VBERBs) are a bit excessive.
I do know a 70-something-year-old guy from the VFW who displays a bunch of “unearned” stickers. He served during peacetime in the ’50s (and isn’t a VFW member himself, but rather a Canteen regular), but I doubt many would accuse him of stolen valor. His youngest son is currently a Captain, and my friend is exceptionally proud of his service so far, so he displays his son’s Ranger tab and 101st patch on his vehicle.
Well I worked my ass off for my dolphins so I have a dolphin sticker on my truck and a couple ball hats from the two boats I was on. I don’t give two shits who likes or dislikes it, I earned it. Given that, very few people know what the sticker signifies, and that’s fine with me.
Different strokes for different folks.
@70-I have a small decal of the 11th A/B Div. in honor of my father.
As for my shit-who cares or gives a fuck…I really don’t.
Yeah, it is difficult to question anyone who displays a little something for a parent or a child. That’s a whole different thing from claiming as one’s own what is not earned.
I wear a hat with a tiny little pin that says “Army Counterintelligence Retired” on it. Needs a good set of eyes to read it.
Got a slightly bigger tag on my keychain.
No car stickers, just my thing. Got U.S. Army bling on a couple discrete spots on my motorcycle.
Sometimes, I wear an “Old Army” tee shirt, which is highly appropriate considering my age. That gets more response than anything else. You can get your own over at cafepress.com.
Just a Florida paratrooper plate on the back of the van.
I don’t have a problem with people displaying their vet status. I myself have a Desert Storm Vet, 1st Armored Division license plate frame around my Florida tag as well as ball cap with 1st AD vet patch on it I wear from time to time. On occasion of wearing the ball cap i’ve had to experience a little one-up manship, whereas I hear “you were with th 1st AD in the gulf huh?” Then they tell me they were some high speed low drag b.s.. I have also witnessed seeing the blown military career on the back of peoples windows and license plates. Sometimes I think its really overdone. I don’t know whats worse that or those Damn stick people or Salt Life stickers. Sigh!
Great artcle above!
Three or four times a year I enjoy taking in a ball game, nothing like a Yankee’s baseball game to excite the hometown spirit.
Long before we veterans were authorized to salute with or without uniform, inside or out, covered or uncovered when appropriate, I have been that guy in the crowd.
This past summer my son and I attended a 1300 game, because that is what we do.
Just prior to the National Anthem we sprung to our feet, I ordered, “Hand Salute” and we both maintained a perfect salute throughout. We the National Anthem was complete by way of last tone I ordered “Ready To.”
I leaned over and said “good job, I am proud of you.”
A moment later, a young man who was sitting behind us leaned over and asked if I was in the military. He responded in the affirmative and also indicated that I had retired from the Navy.
The young man said thank you for your service, he said his life is easy because of people like us (I know what he meant), and that hot dogs, beer, soda and ice cream were on him and his friends.
We kindly declined and he and now all of his friends insisted and we humbly took the offer.
Dylan scarfed down one dog with ketsup and ordered one of those large inverted mini-batting helmets full of ice cream and goo after a soda that Nanny Bloomberg would not have approved.
Dad had three beer dogs (one beer dog equals one beer and one dog).
@23, @31- I’ve seen a picture of a vehicle with the huge NDSM on the rear window and thought it was hilarious. I assumed the guy was spoofing all the phonies out there.
My son proudly displays his AF license plates and sticker, I assume my daughter will as well, when she gets home (in 11 days!). We are very proud of them so also display COANG stickers and ‘Proud Parent of an Airman’ magnets. My son wore his dress uniform to his cousin’s wedding and it was well received with lots of comments and conversation, even from her far left gay friends from NYC (literally, I’m not calling them names).
I agree that people need to see that military members are just regular people in the community. In some places, like Colorado Springs with multiple bases, it’s not such an unusual sight, but in our neighborhood it is. We really only have Guard and Reserv around here so anyone in uniform is very noticeable.
Yo what is up with NYC gay comments?
Don’t knock it till’ you tried it!
NYC that is!
BTW … Left or Right … NYC loves and respects the military.
What is wrong with our Nam Vets. No Hanio Jane sticker?Mine is the grinning Boy pissing on grave. On the Tacoma rear bumper,I have one that “Don’t let the gray fool you.We can still kick ass. Letf rear windows a 4 inch gold Marine decal.R/rear my enlisted combat aircrew wings. This helps new Brothers I haven’t met yet. Different strokes for different fokls.WE are still a band of Brothers , especally here at TAH. Joe