Veterans’ Day
From 2014;
This year, like every year, I posted my portrait as a young platoon sergeant to my Facebook avatar, not as a way to attract the inevitable “thanks for your service” comments or even the flirts that I get (obviously from blind women). No, I posted it because I’m proud that I had an opportunity to serve my country. I never did anything heroic, nor do I claim that service in itself makes me a hero. But, those two decades of service has had a huge impact on my life and the lives of my family.
Another reason I do it is because my military antecedents of the Vietnam generation weren’t encouraged to discuss or advertise their service. When they came home from their war, they took off their uniforms and their service remained in the duffel bags in a dark corner of their basements. Even the soldiers who fought in wars before them didn’t respect their service. The Korean War veterans experienced the same treatment from the World War II generation when that war was fought to a draw.
Somehow, that black scar across the landscape on the National Mall etched with 58,000 names changed that. I won’t try to explain the phenomenon, I’ll just recognize that was the turning point for Americans’ appreciation for military service. Now, I can be publicly proud of my service because of the sacrifice that Vietnam veterans made, the sacrifice that came after they returned from war.
The pendulum has swung all the way back to the other extreme, now people who never served want to strap on a uniform and tell wild tales about wars in which they never really served. Our Stolen Valor page is chocked full of them. I guess we should feel better that everyone wants to be like us, but trust me, we don’t.
The appreciation that Americans have for their military has even prompted the people who haven’t served to denigrate our service in an attempt to elevate their own station in life by attempting to drag our reputations down to their level. They even make it attractive for veterans to come out this time of year and write articles about how they don’t think they should be thanked for their service. We have a word for that, now – it’s called being a Blue Falcon.
I’ll admit that I’m a little embarrassed every time someone thanks me for my service, because being in the military was the best times of my life, and I’m embarrassed that someone thinks that I need to be thanked for the privilege of getting paid for being the best asshole I could be.
But, I know the feeling that I got the first time I went to downtown DC on Veterans’ Day and, encountering a lone Vietnam veteran hanging out on the periphery of the activities, I reached out my hand and said “Welcome Home”, he shook my hand and then quickly brushed away a tear, embarrassed by his own emotional reaction to those two simple words.
Maybe that’s what we all want – instead of the thanks, the martial pageantry, the placards, the cheers – maybe we just want to feel welcomed back here in our home.
My special thanks to all of the Vietnam veterans who made sure that we didn’t have to wait two decades to feel welcomed.
I remember when Veterans’ Day was just another day off from work…well for everyone except veterans. My first Veterans’ Day after I left the military, in 1993, (I was actually on terminal leave at the time) was spent working as a security guard on a construction site…I was working full time while I attended college full time. I happened to pick up a newspaper on the way to work and it contained a column by the late Mike Royko on veterans and I always remembered his sage words.
Royko was a Chicago reporter and another famous Chicagoan, Matt Burden (Blackfive) remembers Royko’s column.
I just phoned six friends and asked them what they will be doing on Monday.
They all said the same thing: working.
Me, too.
There is something else we share. We are all military veterans.
And there is a third thing we have in common. We are not employees of the federal government, state government, county government, municipal government, the Postal Service, the courts, banks, or S & Ls, and we don’t teach school.
If we did, we would be among the many millions of people who will spend Monday goofing off.
Which is why it is about time Congress revised the ridiculous terms of Veterans Day as a national holiday.
The purpose of Veterans Day is to honor all veterans.
So how does this country honor them?
By letting the veterans, the majority of whom work in the private sector, spend the day at their jobs so they can pay taxes that permit millions of non-veterans to get paid for doing nothing.
As my friend Harry put it:
“First I went through basic training. Then infantry school. Then I got on a crowded, stinking troop ship that took 23 days to get from San Francisco to Japan. We went through a storm that had 90 percent of the guys on the ship throwing up for a week.
“Then I rode a beat-up transport plane from Japan to Korea, and it almost went down in the drink. I think the pilot was drunk.
“When I got to Korea, I was lucky. The war ended seven months after I got there, and I didn’t kill anybody and nobody killed me.
“But it was still a miserable experience. Then when my tour was over, I got on another troop ship and it took 21 stinking days to cross the Pacific.
“When I got home on leave, one of the older guys at the neighborhood bar — he was a World War II vet — told me I was a —-head because we didn’t win, we only got a tie.
“So now on Veterans Day I get up in the morning and go down to the office and work.
“You know what my nephew does? He sleeps in. That’s because he works for the state.
“And do you know what he did during the Vietnam War? He ducked the draft by getting a job teaching at an inner-city school.
“Now, is that a raw deal or what?”
Of course that’s a raw deal. So I propose that the members of Congress revise Veterans Day to provide the following:
– All veterans — and only veterans — should have the day off from work. It doesn’t matter if they were combat heroes or stateside clerk-typists.
Anybody who went through basic training and was awakened before dawn by a red-neck drill sergeant who bellowed: “Drop your whatsis and grab your socks and fall out on the road,” is entitled.
– Those veterans who wish to march in parades, make speeches or listen to speeches can do so. But for those who don’t, all local gambling laws should be suspended for the day to permit vets to gather in taverns, pull a couple of tables together and spend the day playing poker, blackjack, craps, drinking and telling lewd lies about lewd experiences with lewd women. All bar prices should be rolled back to enlisted men’s club prices, Officers can pay the going rate, the stiffs.
– All anti-smoking laws will be suspended for Veterans Day. The same hold for all misdemeanor laws pertaining to disorderly conduct, non-felonious brawling, leering, gawking and any other gross and disgusting public behavior that does not harm another individual.
– It will be a treasonable offense for any spouse or live-in girlfriend (or boyfriend, if it applies) to utter the dreaded words: “What time will you be home tonight?”
– Anyone caught posing as a veteran will be required to eat a triple portion of chipped beef on toast, with Spam on the side, and spend the day watching a chaplain present a color-slide presentation on the horrors of VD.
– Regardless of how high his office, no politician who had the opportunity to serve in the military, but didn’t, will be allowed to make a patriotic speech, appear on TV, or poke his nose out of his office for the entire day.
Any politician who defies this ban will be required to spend 12 hours wearing headphones and listening to tapes of President Clinton explaining his deferments.
Now, deal the cards and pass the tequila.
– Mike Royko
I’d add that no one should be able to say “Happy Veterans’ Day” like it’s Christmas or Easter. I hope you have a Thoughtful Veterans’ Day…and by the way, that free Grand Slam at Denny’s makes up for all of those C-Rat Spaghetti and Meatball breakfasts I choked down. I hope you go get yours…you deserve it.
Category: Veterans Issues
To my brothers and sisters in arms, past and present; It has been an honor to serve with you.
Have a great veterans day.
God bless and keep each and every one of my brothers and sisters on this veterans day. Thank you for standing beside me in the good times and the bad. …
Funny thing is…..when I have been thanked for my service …I tell them.”thank you, it was my privilege”!!
Well said, Jonn.
Some of it was a blast; some of it sucked the Grand Wazoo. But I’d do it again in a heartbeat, even knowing ahead of time about the bad parts.
It was my pleasure – and my honor – to serve in uniform and do what I could. It really was one helluva wild, wonderful ride.
http://valorguardians.com/blog/?p=54576
John ,
Welcome Home Brother !!
And to every vet out there – even the clucking idiots in the DRG – enjoy the day.
You served the greatest nation on earth. That is something you can be proud of, and which most among us today cannot say.
This year, our day is overshadowed by the election and its fallout. I can see that by a scan of online newspapers. The mattress sellers are not happy about that. I, howver, think it’s just dandy. Enjoy your day, fellow Veterans. Thanks for answering the call, whether you pushed a pencil or a round into a tube.
Looks like a nice day ahead. I think I’ll put a couple gallons of gas into the car and take a brief hike on a favorite trail.
I’m the successful person that I am today because I served with and learned from Veterans like are on this site.
Thanks to all of you and have a safe Veteran’s Day….
I’ll have a couple toasts today to all who served – it’s been my privilege and honor to do so.
I’m visiting my mother down in Phoenix (I live in SLC), and will be doing fix-its for her. So, no parades, no thank-yous from strangers (from my wife and mother is a different thing), no free meals. But that’s alright, I am where I choose and want to be, with my family. I wouldn’t want or have it any other way.
Thanks Jonn. You have a way with words.
Thanks to all that served and continue to serve. We happy few.
Meanwhile posers are getting their uniforms and medals shined up for the annual pilgrimage to Golden Corral.
Great post Jonn.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I received a phone call last night from another Marine I haven’t seen or spoken to in almost twenty years. What a f#%$ing blast! I haven’t spoken on the phone for that long in my life. We never saw combat but, we went to foreign countries, had lot of fun, and got into a lot of trouble.
Semper Fi and happy Veterans Day!
The things we have seen!
Jeff
The great Mike Royko is an example of what was once called a “newspaperman”. His book “Boss” on the late mayor Daley and his Chicago political machine is an example of the kind of work that his kind once turned out. Sadly, “newspapermen” are in short supply today.
BTW-I also have to work today.
I joined the USMC in 1977 and I am still serving in the Army Guard. I can’t get over all the places The Man has sent me and then decided to pay me as well. When people thank me, I thank them back and smile the secret smile.
BTW, I am also at work as a contractor in a Gov facility while they have the day off.
I don’t say it too loudly, but the first ten years I was in, I should have been paying the Navy, not the other way around.
They taught me Russian and I then spent the next ten years chasing Rooskies all over the Pacific and Indian Oceans on planes, subs, and skimmers
while all my HS buddies slogged into NYC to their boring 9 to 5 jobs.
They made more money , but that’s about all they had on me.
When I saw Blade Runner, I immediately identified with Roy Batty’s final speech before he died. “I’ve seen things…”
The next 15 years weren’t half as good, but they were pretty damn good.
That’s why whenever someone thanks me for my service, I always reply, “No, thank YOU!”
I would have worked for free if not addicted to eating.
As I have told several co-workers, this morning, who came up to me and shook my hand and thanked me for my service; don’t thank me, thank my recruiter.
>veterans, the majority of whom work in the private sector, spend the day at their jobs so they can pay taxes that permit millions of non-veterans to get paid for doing nothing.
Perfectly put.
Isn’t it?
Reading this…at work. And amazingly enough, I “work” for the federal government!
Happy Veteran’s Day, brothers and sisters!
Nicely said Jonn…thanks for posting this.
Be careful. On another popular site a thing was on the side that said Jane Fonda had croaked. Looked real. Wasn’t. Took over my computer but I and my virus program killed it. I’m usually good at spotting these but the allure of Fonda croaking clouded my judgement, and of course they did this on Vet’s Day..
Moving and profound, Jonn. Just outstanding.
And a shoutout to all my fellow veteran family and friends.
First, to my wife, The Russian (SP4) 1970-1972
Two Brothers and one Sister … IKYN, we were ALL in the Navy at the SAME time. Must have been a detailer’s nightmare, but all had different ratings. Actually, two were in too little time to get a designated rating, unless ‘undesignated striker’ is a rating. (Two retired and two served less than one year. All honorably discharged, though.)
All my veteran friends on this and other sites, who tolerate my occasional long-winded BS. Sometimes it’s short-winded BS.
Blessings to all … Chief
This Veteran’s Day will be a tough one for my family. Later today we will lay to rest my aunt, who succumbed to cancer. Perhaps the choice of day is appropriate, as Aunt Christine served four years in the Navy WAVES back when WAVES were still a thing. I spent my spare time last week scanning her pictures onto the computer for the rest of our (very large) family. These included one of my aunt, age 18, and several other young women swearing the Oath before a WAVES Chief, her official photo in her dress blues, and multiple color and black&whites of her serving at North Island as an Aviation Storekeeper. It’s a rather sharp contrast with her brother, who went to Vietnam as a Marine rifleman about a year after she enlisted, as she was stationed within a normal commute from the house they grew up in, and still lived there at the time. But Uncle Greg and Aunt Christine were very close throughout their lives, regardless of their different experiences. Hell, I don’t think my uncle had it in him to hold a grudge, even at the hippies who insulted him after he came home–whom I know pissed him off. And I know of one WWII vet who didn’t look down on the men who fought in Korea or Vietnam: their father, my Grandpa, a Navy antiaircraft gunner who, like many at the time, had no ambitions for a career in the military and signed up “for the duration, plus six months,” and got out after the japs gave up. They were all proud of their service, though none of them made it a career. Grandpa passed in 1992, Uncle Greg when I was in high school. Both exceptional men. My aunt was a wonderful gal. A great mother and grandma, and practically a second mom to me and her many other nephews and nieces. She and the rest of my aunts pretty much adopted my wife (girlfriend at the time) when I first introduced her, and she was one of the first to come to the hospital… Read more »
My condolences, TOW.
A few years back, we buried an auntie who was a WAC Nurse in Korea. Cancer killed her, too.
We’re rather proud of an aunt who was a nurse with the AEF in WWI and is buried at Arlington. Not too close to my Dad who was WWII, but a nice stroll away. His sister was named for her.
Blessings, TOW
Accidentally hit repot. Damn iPhone.
Happy Veteran’s Day to the veteran’s on this board.
Back up and read the very last paragraph that Jonn wrote.
I spend most of the year reflecting on the price of our democracy.
Particularly memorial day.
On veterans day I choose to connect with old friends and laugh about the funny and stupid that happened along the way.
Back at you. Don’t agree much but you served when most never did. We’d probably could have a pleasant beer(s) together. I have Lib friends and we find common ground.
I work for the local government, and have to work while the rest of the city gets the day off, typical but it is what it is. Thank you Veterans for your service.
To all my brothers and sisters who served, thank you. Welcome home to each of you and have a blessed Veteran’s Day.
The years I served in the Army and then Air Force were, far and away, the best years of my life. Nothing in life since has come close to the friendships I made, the intensities I felt, the tears of sadness and the tears of joy.
I thank this great nation of ours for allowing me to serve and I will close with this.
God Bless and Keep the United States of America!
Wherever you spend your day today, I hope all of you have a good one. If this is a painful day, then know that you are surrounded by prayers and love on every side.
Working here as well.
And I wasn’t looking for a freebie, but stopping off at the local donut shop for my morning fat pill, I was told no charge for it today.
I said thanks and promptly put the money I would have spent in their tip jar. All good.
Welcome home and Thank you for being you. Us “younger” guys wouldn’t be who we are without all you old-timers who did what you did over the years.
My jobs takes me on many military bases in the D.C. area. I often visit Ft. Myer (I know, it isn’t Memorial Day(.I see the Caissons at the ready out side the Chapel there. Either for those that never came home, or after many long and hopefully happy years are going to their final resting place.
I don’t need a sale, a free meal or even a thank you. Just enjoy the freedoms that service members have stood watch over for centuries.
Have a thoughtful Veterans Day
I still am amazed that I got out with an Honorable Discharge.
truly my Guardian Angel, Moe, worked his ass off for me while I was there.
I served in the company of true heroes. Many if not most of our NCO’s back then had served in Vietnam and their chests were filled with the awards that went with impossible actions performed in impossible situations that needed to be done as they fought for their Brothers in Arms.
I, like almost every last one of us would do it all over again in a minute.
I would be remiss if I neglected to thank the people that saved my life three times at the VA, they also saved my soul once… So thank you to all of you and you know who you are.
Thanks to all you fellow Veterans, we came, we saw, we kicked it’s ass !!!
Thoughtful post, Jonn…
To those here that have served and are still serving – Thanks
Today on Veteran’s Day, I send my best wishes, boundless respect, and God’s blessings to all of you who have worn the cloth of this Nation, both in peacetime and in war.
Throughout my Marine Corps career, I served with many Sailors, and from time to time I also served with Soldiers, Airmen, Coast Guardsmen, Army National Guardsmen, and Air National Guardsmen. It was always an honor and a privilege to stand shoulder to shoulder with each and every one of you. You are the best that this country has to offer, and now that I am retired from the Marine Corps, I truly miss those days of service that we shared together.
Today, I will also remember the following family members who proudly served in uniform. Some have passed away; some are still with us. All are heroes to me.
– My father. U.S. Navy Aviation Machinist’s Mate/Naval Air Crewman. (Deceased)
– My brother. U.S. Marine Corps Aviator.
– Cousin. U.S. Army Nurse. Vietnam.
– Cousin. U.S. Navy. Vietnam.
– Great Uncle. U.S. Army. 2nd Tank Battalion, 9th Armored Division. POW. WWII. (Deceased)
– Great Uncle. U.S. Army. 814th Tank Destroyer Battalion, 7th Armored Division. WWII. (Deceased)
– Great Uncle. U.S. Army. 7th Infantry Division. WWII. Silver Star; Purple Heart. (Deceased)
– Father-in-Law. British Army. The Black Watch. WWII. (Deceased)
– Brother-in-Law. Royal Marines. 42 Commando. Northern Ireland. (Deceased)
– Brother-in-Law. Royal Marines. 45 Commando. Northern Ireland.
– Grandfather-in-Law. Royal Navy. WWII. (Deceased)
– Grandfather-in-Law. British Army. The Highland Light Infantry. WWI. Wounded in action: small arms fire and mustard gas. Died of wounds.
Semper Fidelis.
Happy Took-My-Turn-On-The-Walls Day y’all!
p)
From me to all, thank you for your service!! What branch does not matter to me. You all are great Americans! I wish I could meet all and give a handshake and a salute, and a thank you from myself and my Family God Bless.
Although I spent 12 years as an Army medic (most of it with Dustoff), since I served in peacetime, Iam and will always be in awe of those who actually dodged bullets. One person I want to thank today is my Dad, a WW2 veteran that served with the US Merchant Marine, making 22 convoy runs across the North Atlantic, dodging torpedoes fired by Hitlers “Wolfpacks”. These guys did not get Veteran recognition until the late 1980s. Unfortunately Dad didn’t live to see it. Damn the torpedoes Dad, “deliver the goods”.
My Grandpa sailed with the Naval Armed Guard detachment on a couple of Merchant Marine-crewed Liberty ships. He dodged plenty of U-boats in the Atlantic, traded bullets with the Luftwaffe in the Med, and faced kamikazes off Okinawa. He had his ship sunk out from under him off Naples in ’43, though he and the others got picked up by a Brit destroyer within minutes.
He had plenty of respect for Merchant Mariners who went into harm’s way, and wasn’t shy about expressing it. Your Dad’s service may not have been recognized, but it wasn’t forgotten!
Thanks TOW. Happy Veterans Day.
I met a merchant marine 3 months ago at my local VSO office. TONS of respect for your Dad. The best our nation has put forth. Happy Veterans Day.
Gawking and lewd women.
Where do I sign up?
My favorite Veteran and best friend from my time in service passed away at the age of 45 with a wife and two kiddos a few weeks ago from pancreatic cancer. If you feel inclined watch the video.
Respect to all Veterans! Enjoy your day and Love only what matters.
RIP Joe Baker
Friend
Manchu Warrior
Panama Invasion Veteran
https://youtu.be/h67DUNk91Oc
Thank you all for your selfless service to the USA….. semper fi
Just when I thought it was safe for Florida…not much embarrassing stolen valor lately, didn’t have a melt-down during this election, and my Alma Mater University of South Florida got ranked #1 for Vets…I read this story. Apparently, some protesters stumbled into ‘the wrong bar’ and crossed paths with a USMC Pub Crawl celebrating the Corps birthday. Thank God the Tampa PD acted quickly to save lives…those jar heads would beat the hell out those hippies then “pissed in their dead skulls!” or some other metaphor for a historic beat down. Outnumbered Marines in drinking mode vs. hippie/millennial douche-bags…I’d bet the mortgage on Uncle Sam’s Misguided Children and take the under.
http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/local-news/anti-trump-protesters-accidentally-march-into-marine-corps-pub-crawl-and-things-escalated-quickly
Best wishes to all my fellow veterans.
I didn’t make a career of the military, but the 2 years of active duty was one hell of a ride and the best thing for me. Thanks Navy/Marines (both who just had birthdays of 241 years)! Proud to serve, proud to have fought for the freedom of the South Vietnamese. I leave you with words to live by:
The United States Navy has two mottos, one official and one unofficial, with the former being “Semper Fortis,” and the latter “Non Sibi Sed Patriae.” The first means “ever strong,” the second “not for self but for country.” I add the Marines motto: Semper Fi, ever faithful.
In the spirit of inter-service rivalry, for it would be blasphemy for me to utter the words, I urge fellow Army, Air Force and Coast Guard veterans to add their mottos to this post.
“Last in…First out!”
You did mean personal mottos, right? BTW, that motto does not extend to sex or to bed.
Volens et Potens
7th Infantry motto.
I was a Cottonbaler many, many laps around the sun ago.
Navy vet w/ no known relatives buried w/ honors.
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2016/11/11/funeral-held-for-navy-vet-38-with-no-known-living-relatives.html
I know what you are all thinking.
How many Posers did MCPO bust at America’s Parade today in NYC?
The answer is short, just two.
However, one fellow was rocking a story that was epic.
Now this is a no sh!tter, but today I met the CSM of the Phoenix Program from the war on the Nam. And I have the pics and name to prove it. He looked legit in his made up Woodland BDU’s from the 90’s.
The next fellow was rockin’ a BS (with cert in hand) and told us all about how it took 45 years to finally get it. His 3 PH stories had me in tears (of laughter). He was sighted later, yelling at people, so we got his hobo name for the record. I immediately knew he was legit from the mismatched tiger stripe blouse and after market Booney hat … if you know what I mean …
There were so many more, but we were marching and celebrating and remembering afterwards, so I will have to get to them next year.
So there you go, for those wondering, finding a Poser in NYC at the Parade is a easy as looking.
Have a Proud Vet’s Day.
MCPO
Forgot to mention:
The intel on these two mugs has been submitted to the DSH, GYF Intel Div for processing.
I used scrambled codes above because the Wikileaks has hacked my servers.
BAD YGF
11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month and so many other conflicts where people gave ALL makes it hard for me to say ” Happy Veterans Day” I do appreciate the fact that our nation takes time to
Arrrg wrong button “Our nation takes time to say thank you” omit the say from Teh Squid please 🙂
I just got off work, broke 33 years of service 3 branches, 6 components, 2 basic trainings, 4 NCO academies, several overseas tours and someday I just might get it right. I honor those who served before me, miss those who served with me and encourage those who will serve after my time has passed.
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A day late, but I am back with time needed to recover.
Bro. Jonn, you said it all in a way I would have taken weeks to compile. The absolute best years of my life were while in uniform. Friendships developed were not shallow as today’s which depend on the weather. Always I could count on help when needed. Yes, I do miss those who gave all. Could not and will not forget them to the day I leave for good. Even the many I have become acquainted with on this web site have found themselves on the list…’Call upon me any day or time and your request will be honored”. Never a finer group of the same interest have shared as these do. For that I am proud to know each of you as personal as the pen brings us. Happy late Veteran’s Day to many deserving folks.
To Bro. Jonn, there are not enough words to express my admiration and honor. God bless you.