Happy Veterans Day

[WLSResources/ClothingExch 3,443]

@@B-52 -- Thanks for the explanation. I was puzzled at first, thinking you were too young to have been in Vietnam. Your profile corrected that...as did recalling your talking about the bothersome flirting you have to put up with.

I'm a few years older (ssshh) than you and, years later, was amazed that the first time I was aware of knowing someone who'd been there was 1980. I had to have known people much earlier, but the subject hadn't come up.

Edited November 12, 2015 by WLSResources/ClothingExch

[B-52 7,113]

@@B-52 -- Thanks for the explanation. I was puzzled at first, thinking you were too young to have been in Vietnam. Your profile corrected that...as did recalling your talking about the bothersome flirting you have to put up with.

I'm a few years older (ssshh) than you and, years later, was amazed that the first time I was aware of knowing someone who'd been there was 1980. I had to have known people much earlier, but the subject hadn't come up.

The flirting was a tongue in cheek joke, sort of...

It was definitely a different time then, than it is now...

We were told by our superiors NOT to wear our uniforms while on leave or when going home, even though you could fly any of the 50 states for free (on standby) if you were wearing your uniform.

I did wear mine home once, and paid dearly for it....

[WLSResources/ClothingExch 3,443]

@@B-52 -- It was such a painful time in many ways. I know exactly of what you speak and feel so sorry that you and so many were subjected to any of it.

Kinda sorta tongue-cheek-joke, it was clear. I think I wrote a note there in the same vein. At least I hope the vein was pulsing visibly.

[OKCPirate 5,323]

No matter how politically justified someone may feel about about US foreign policy, blaming the veteran is ignoring the wisdom of those who have come before:

"The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by our nation." -- George Washington

Thanks B-52

Edited November 12, 2015 by OKCPirate

[OKCPirate 5,323]

@@B-52 - Just to tell you how much times have changed...Two years ago I was in New Orleans, ran into a Marine in his dress blues in the hotel on my way to Bourbon St. I asked him why he wasn't heading out...Well he was told by his superious that it might be dangerous. My response was, "Well hell, get behind me, to get to you they got to get through me." Well that got the Marine mojo going. If you ever want to get free beer on Bourbon St. go down there with a Marine in uniform. Glad America changed.

[B-52 7,113]

My Wife and I once went to the Baltimore-Washington airport to pick up our Daughter returning from England with a college group.

This airport also happens to be a MAC facility, and was filled with men and women in dessert fatigues shipping out to the 2nd gulf war.

We went into a resturant while waiting, and every table it seemed was taken with groups of soldiers.

I told my wife I was not going to let these young men and women go thriough what I did in airports....I spotted a table of 8-10 soldiers, and told our waitress to bring me their check.

She said sorry, someone already did...I picked another table and said how about that one...Nope..that ones been claimed also.

Seemed every table, someone was paying for their meals and drinks...our waitress had to get another waitress to give us a table to pay for clear on the other side of the resturant!!!

So yes, times had cjhanged.....

BTW, when they finished eating, they came over to us and one by one shook my hand and thanked me for dinner and for MY service as well....PERFECT Ladies and gentlemen, heading off to war.

A truley memorable event.

[OKCPirate 5,323]

@@B-52 that is a great story i am so glad its changee

[4MRB4PHOTO 3,899]

It's a sad day when there are more reply posts about people eating a certain food then there is for this or any other Veteran's Day posts (maybe this was the only one?).

I would like to think it is because people are patriotic and thankful, but they don't express it openly.

[OKCPirate 5,323]

@@4MRB4PHOTO - Not really. We on a WLS site. If this was FB, it would be different. But it dawned on me 81% of people who have WLS are women, men are 90% of the Veterans. So the number of possible Vets on this site actually might be very low. Oh well, gave it a shot.

[4MRB4PHOTO 3,899]

@@4MRB4PHOTO - Not really. We on a WLS site. If this was FB, it would be different. But it dawned on me 81% of people who have WLS are women, men are 90% of the Veterans. So the number of possible Vets on this site actually might be very low. Oh well, gave it a shot.

That's probably true. But everyone (women and men) has or knows of a loved one, relative, friend or neighbor who served our Nation. For nothing else, everyone should be thankful for their freedoms by whoever served, whether they know them or not.

Just a soapbox minute on my part.

[Mom26 313]

Thank you all for your service. At this very moment, our middle son (3 boys/3 girls) is leaving the base that has been his home for the past 2 years -- 8th and I in Washington, DC. He was a proud member of the Color Guard unit straight from SOI training. My husband just loaded the truck in DC and they're heading home. He heads to Camp Pendleton (San Diego) mid-December, so he'll be home for a whole month! His base was first in line of defense for the President of the US/DC. And with this new ISIS threat on DC, I thank God today was his last day there.

May all current troops be safe and our forever gratitude for all who have served and are currently serving our nation. xo