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The Vietnam Jacket



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Did not know where to post this, or what to title it. So often I read stories about people fitting into wedding or prom dresses, I thought I would share my story.

I did 2 tours of Vietnam straight out of High School before going to College on the GI Bill.

The one thing I had from all of that was a olive drab combat jacket issued to me by Uncle Sam. I loved that jacket. But it stopped fitting me a long time ago, and it is long gone.

Don't have a clue what happened to it. Whenever you see news clips of Vets they are always wearing some clothing from their service. The jacket may not have any meaning to

the everyday person, but has many memories to me and has the immediate recognition with other vets.

The other day I was sorting out old photo's on the computer, and there I was. A 21 y/o skinny kid with hair down on my shoulders wearing a olive drab canvas jacket. (a real hippie), taken

with my wife when we were still dating. Man I miss that jacket. Would it fit today? Could it fit today? Guess I'll never know.

But then I realized you could buy anything on the internet if you know where and what to look for. I finally found one.Granted it is not the actual one that was issued to me, but it is a genuine article just the same. Issued the same era.

The seller used words like "Vintage", "Rare" and "Highly Collectable" (makes me feel old) and for that he was asking a premium price. But I bought it just the same.

It's the weekend so I don't have a ship date yet. But if this jacket fits....I can't begin to tell you the wave of emotions and memories it will bring.

And if it is too small.....then I have another goal to reach.

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Cool! Hope it fits. Thanks fir your service.

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Well congrats on your progress and HIGH SALUTE for you and all the veterans in this forum!:D:rolleyes::)

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YAY!! Thats awesome....I will be rooting for the jacket to fit right when you get it!

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A BIG SINCERE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE! and i hope it fits but if it does not - i KNOW you will be in it before you know it. Then, you can take your wife on a date while wearing it!!!!cool.gif

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      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
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