my comming home

Rifleman · 12-12-2006, 04:13 AM

Of all the odd things that happened on my way home from Iraq, two things stand out the most.

In every airport we deplaned in there where vets from wars past lined up on both sides of the corredors waiting to shake our hands and thank us for our service.....that was so odd, seeing these men that served in wars like Viet Nam, Korea, and the second World War, and they where thanking me?!?! Every time I would shake one of these proud men's hand I wanted to say "what the ****, I should be thanking you, I know what you had to deal with was far worse than what we had, and its becouse of men like you that served BEFORE me, you made the changes to the military to make deployments just alittle bit more bearable for the soldier" but I felt in a way that if I did, I may unvalidate what he had to say to us, that he was grateful for what we where doing, continuing the legacy of the American fighting man.

The second, and more humorous thing that happened took place during such a welcoming.
Some young, long haired, platnum died blonde kid was giving us the evil eye as we where shaking the hands of the vets and USO workers, and blocking "his" path.
Out of the corner of my eye I noticed my buddy starting to tense up.I leaned over to him and said "listen brother, it aint worth it, just smile at his girl and wave......its like a holiday for her, this is the first time in her life she has ever seen a real man"

Dale · 12-12-2006, 09:48 AM

Rifleman, I make it a point to personally thank each new veteran I learn about for their service. Whether it's from him or her coming into our VFW Post or when I see one out and about in public.

You see.....every veteran knows that patriotism is free....freedom isn't.

It's the veterans of past that have ensured MY freedoms; it's the veterans of my time tha ensured those of today, those today that are ensuring future generations their liberties; and it is the veterans of the future that will determine which freedoms they enjoy.

So, thanking veterans such as yourself is what us older veterans WANT to do because we know it's the RIGHT thing to do.

Please don't feel uncomfortable when an older veteran thanks you because you deserve the thanks. Just accept it in the spirit and honor for which it is intended.

Please understand that any soldier from the Viet Nam era, such as myself, 7mmag, and others learned, all too painfully, we were not, at that time, as well appreciated by the American public as we deserved to be.

I hear from soldiers of your age group the thanks they feel and it makes me feel warm and appreciated. I hear genuine thanks from other time framed veterans and we, as a group, know the sacrafices, the lonliness of being away from family and friends (especially during important dates and holidays), the uncertainties of the next day's outcome, etc.

Rifleman, to you and your brethern THANK YOU! OORAH!

Rifleman, as a side note, many in here know I am the Commander of my VFW Post, and for nearly three years now, and we (the VFW Post members) have a side-bar pleasure at our post and that is a very, very patriotic, thankful, and active Ladies Auxiliary.

I mention that because it is moving to watch women who are married to, or familiy members of, current service personnel and veterans of all branches who so viamantly stand by their vets to the point they would, and do, go the extra miles for them in the name of service, dedication, and appreciation.

I mention that only so that you might understand that all the heart felt emotions family and friends feel and express is universal, to the greatest extent, and I would like you to know, if you don't already, the support that you and all of your fellow veterans have. Cherish that knowledge because, like I said, there was a time when "we" couldn't, and didn't, feel that appreciation and admiration.

My only fear is that the Iraqi veterans of today (and perhaps those in Afghanistan) may someday become public mockery targets as weariness grows over the war and as the once popular beliefs for the Iraqi War turn another direction like it once was for Viet Nam era vets.

I pray this never happens.

Oxford · 12-12-2006, 09:57 AM

Rifleman...I feel a strong appreciation for you and for your fellow servicemen and women. And, of course, what Dale said is absolutely true for the reasons behind this. He couldn't have said it more eloquently. Thank you Dale, too.

Calvin · 12-27-2006, 10:38 AM

I have to agree with Ox and Dale here. The vets of Vietnam weren't thanked at all and had a rough time coming home. My uncle said he was kinda longing for the jungle again because there you were with (mostly) like-minded people. I think that's truly sad because no man who serves his country should feel alienated in his own homeland.
As a side note, Jerry does an awful lot of updates and info on what's happening in our military today. I have to say Jerry is one great individual and I am honored he's helping in this fight.
To all of the others here who served, THANK YOU! I will gladly salute you anytime, anywhere and also buy dinner for you.

Dallas · 12-27-2006, 11:48 AM

I'll join the line too. Thank you and all the other memebers of Gun and Game who have served since 9/11.

burd1959 · 12-27-2006, 12:07 PM

same here thank you and welcome home

maarten221 · 12-27-2006, 01:10 PM

The worst thing that can happen to a veteran is for the very same people he fought for, to despise him.
I shudder at the thought of hippies treating our Vietnam vets the way they did.
I remember, as a child seeing veterans from Angola coming back and some folks would treat them badly, but I never saw it to the extent that it is happening now and after Vietnam!
To all the veterans, a very heartfelt thank you. I don't think many people realize how much America has to offer and in a very large part, due to the efforts of our servicemen and women!
Without our soldiers, we'd all be speaking German or Japanese now. Without our soldiers, we'd be paying $50 a gallon for gas (first Gulf war). Without our soldiers, whole cultures would have been wiped from the face of the earth (Balkans). The list goes on and on.
Due to the efforts of our boys in uniform, America has become the land of milk and honey - just bring your own cow and bees.

Thank you for keeping this country Great and Safe!

12-12-2006, 04:13 AM	#1
Rifleman Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 33	my comming home Of all the odd things that happened on my way home from Iraq, two things stand out the most. In every airport we deplaned in there where vets from wars past lined up on both sides of the corredors waiting to shake our hands and thank us for our service.....that was so odd, seeing these men that served in wars like Viet Nam, Korea, and the second World War, and they where thanking me?!?! Every time I would shake one of these proud men's hand I wanted to say "what the ****, I should be thanking you, I know what you had to deal with was far worse than what we had, and its becouse of men like you that served BEFORE me, you made the changes to the military to make deployments just alittle bit more bearable for the soldier" but I felt in a way that if I did, I may unvalidate what he had to say to us, that he was grateful for what we where doing, continuing the legacy of the American fighting man. The second, and more humorous thing that happened took place during such a welcoming. Some young, long haired, platnum died blonde kid was giving us the evil eye as we where shaking the hands of the vets and USO workers, and blocking "his" path. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed my buddy starting to tense up.I leaned over to him and said "listen brother, it aint worth it, just smile at his girl and wave......its like a holiday for her, this is the first time in her life she has ever seen a real man"

12-12-2006, 09:48 AM	#2
Dale Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Too Dang Hot, Arizona Posts: 4,284	Rifleman, I make it a point to personally thank each new veteran I learn about for their service. Whether it's from him or her coming into our VFW Post or when I see one out and about in public. You see.....every veteran knows that patriotism is free....freedom isn't. It's the veterans of past that have ensured MY freedoms; it's the veterans of my time tha ensured those of today, those today that are ensuring future generations their liberties; and it is the veterans of the future that will determine which freedoms they enjoy. So, thanking veterans such as yourself is what us older veterans WANT to do because we know it's the RIGHT thing to do. Please don't feel uncomfortable when an older veteran thanks you because you deserve the thanks. Just accept it in the spirit and honor for which it is intended. Please understand that any soldier from the Viet Nam era, such as myself, 7mmag, and others learned, all too painfully, we were not, at that time, as well appreciated by the American public as we deserved to be. I hear from soldiers of your age group the thanks they feel and it makes me feel warm and appreciated. I hear genuine thanks from other time framed veterans and we, as a group, know the sacrafices, the lonliness of being away from family and friends (especially during important dates and holidays), the uncertainties of the next day's outcome, etc. Rifleman, to you and your brethern THANK YOU! OORAH! Rifleman, as a side note, many in here know I am the Commander of my VFW Post, and for nearly three years now, and we (the VFW Post members) have a side-bar pleasure at our post and that is a very, very patriotic, thankful, and active Ladies Auxiliary. I mention that because it is moving to watch women who are married to, or familiy members of, current service personnel and veterans of all branches who so viamantly stand by their vets to the point they would, and do, go the extra miles for them in the name of service, dedication, and appreciation. I mention that only so that you might understand that all the heart felt emotions family and friends feel and express is universal, to the greatest extent, and I would like you to know, if you don't already, the support that you and all of your fellow veterans have. Cherish that knowledge because, like I said, there was a time when "we" couldn't, and didn't, feel that appreciation and admiration. My only fear is that the Iraqi veterans of today (and perhaps those in Afghanistan) may someday become public mockery targets as weariness grows over the war and as the once popular beliefs for the Iraqi War turn another direction like it once was for Viet Nam era vets. I pray this never happens. __________________ "It confuses me how some people can vigorously go against the 2nd. Amendment and still call themselves patriotic"-me

12-12-2006, 09:57 AM	#3
Oxford Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Gladstone, Missouri Posts: 12,669 Blog Entries: 4	Rifleman...I feel a strong appreciation for you and for your fellow servicemen and women. And, of course, what Dale said is absolutely true for the reasons behind this. He couldn't have said it more eloquently. Thank you Dale, too. __________________ "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right".

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12-27-2006, 10:38 AM	#4
Calvin Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 1,964	I have to agree with Ox and Dale here. The vets of Vietnam weren't thanked at all and had a rough time coming home. My uncle said he was kinda longing for the jungle again because there you were with (mostly) like-minded people. I think that's truly sad because no man who serves his country should feel alienated in his own homeland. As a side note, Jerry does an awful lot of updates and info on what's happening in our military today. I have to say Jerry is one great individual and I am honored he's helping in this fight. To all of the others here who served, THANK YOU! I will gladly salute you anytime, anywhere and also buy dinner for you.

12-27-2006, 11:48 AM	#5
Dallas PUKHA DAWG Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Virginia, just outside of Washington D.C. Posts: 3,581	I'll join the line too. Thank you and all the other memebers of Gun and Game who have served since 9/11.

12-27-2006, 12:07 PM	#6
burd1959 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: burton michigan Posts: 588	same here thank you and welcome home

12-27-2006, 01:10 PM	#7
maarten221 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 218	The worst thing that can happen to a veteran is for the very same people he fought for, to despise him. I shudder at the thought of hippies treating our Vietnam vets the way they did. I remember, as a child seeing veterans from Angola coming back and some folks would treat them badly, but I never saw it to the extent that it is happening now and after Vietnam! To all the veterans, a very heartfelt thank you. I don't think many people realize how much America has to offer and in a very large part, due to the efforts of our servicemen and women! Without our soldiers, we'd all be speaking German or Japanese now. Without our soldiers, we'd be paying $50 a gallon for gas (first Gulf war). Without our soldiers, whole cultures would have been wiped from the face of the earth (Balkans). The list goes on and on. Due to the efforts of our boys in uniform, America has become the land of milk and honey - just bring your own cow and bees. Thank you for keeping this country Great and Safe!