A question for you military veterans

**dalewick** · 08-17-2012, 10:01 PM

Originally Posted by brushhippie

People make alot about nothing, honoring someone in their own personal way is their business. If you are that offended by something such as this....thats sad. Its like wearing your lettermans jacket when youre 50.

brushhippie,
Don't really mind how anyone honors or remembers someone they cared about but it's a slap in the face for someone to claim this honor if it isn't earned. If you haven't walked in the same mud and spilt the same blood, don't lie about it. It's not as much about the one's of us that are still here as it is the friends that we buried. They earned that respect through the ultimate sacrafice.

Dale

**jezcruzen** · 08-18-2012, 07:58 AM

Originally Posted by brushhippie

People make alot about nothing, honoring someone in their own personal way is their business. If you are that offended by something such as this....thats sad. Its like wearing your lettermans jacket when youre 50.

I assume the "lettermans jacket" you refer to was earned.

BTW, what branch of the military did you serve in?

**Big Guy** · 08-18-2012, 12:11 PM

I served with both the 82nd and the 101st, I have no problem with someone getting either patch tattoo on their body as long as they are doing it for honorable reasons.

I know of a few children of men who died in the Gander crash of 1985 who have 101st tattoos but have never served, they wear them to honor their fallen fathers, I support that.

If someone was wearing one claiming to have served but never did, that is dishonorable and I do not support that.

**brushhippie** · 08-18-2012, 05:23 PM

I served last in the 2nd Armored Division 92 Field Artillery and Im not talking about somebody claiming to be a member I thought we were talkin about a tattoo someone got in memory of his lost whatever, if he's walking around claiming to be a vet....well that is a different story but my point is Im proud of my military service and I use it daily in my life with most things but that is not all I am, nor would I fly into a rage if someone insults the US Army.....unless theyre a stinkin jarhead! kidding

**Apocalyptic_Sojourner** · 08-21-2012, 10:37 PM

Probably woulda been best to put an epitaph under it, like "RIP Soandso," but it's more of a civilian mistake and lack of understanding of the military. It's certainly nothing as atrocious as some of the pictures I've seen on FB of guys wearin decorations & badges from 3 different services (all placed in the wrong position on the uniform). ie: Sure you're an 18-yr old E-8 with a Silver Star, CIB, CAB, submarine badge (or whatever you call it), etc. I've even seen a dude, who took a picture of a Soldier KIA, created a profile with it, and uses it to post on his real page (where he pretends to be an army Captain), and he'll say stuff like, "Captain, what happened to you last night?! We all thought you were dead!" Apparently he does it to pickup up girls. But um, for future reference, we refer to all officers as "Sir," you JA. Lotta posers out there.

**ColoradoMike** · 08-21-2012, 11:10 PM

It's sad that there are imposters out there... Way the world is these days.....USAF 1983-2010......

**sevensix** · 09-01-2012, 11:50 PM

Some tattoos have a life all their own and may require an explanation if asked about its heritage and importance to the one adorned with the tattoo. Without a qualifier it may present an awkward encounter to those less willing to hear the full account and be able to give credit where credit is due without unjust criticism. As a corollary, I served at the very tailend of VN but not In Country and thus not entitled to say Viet Vet, but denote my service as VN Era, just missed VN by a few months.
To say In Memory of... or In Honor of... is a high and respectful tribute to the person and what the tattoo represents.
I had to think long and hard about this as I prepared my comments from both points of view. It gave me something to think about.
Unless a person is a phoney I'd inquire in a polite manner for the rest of the story so I may learn more and be the wiser for it. Thanks.

Semper fi,
-sevensix

**Vfwsisk** · 09-02-2012, 03:42 AM

If we are talking posers and not tattoos, you would probably not believe the 214's faked to join the VFW. One lady wanted to join the auxiliary under documentation of their grandfather fighting for the Confederate army in the civil war. When she was denied she couldn't comprehend the term foreign wars or that the confederates were fighting against the union.
Sometimes you have to overlook disrespectful ignorance also. As a teenager I use to wear a field jacket with all kinds of patches on it that I got from the Army Navy store and I'm sure some Vietnam Vet got mad at my long hair, dope smoking self. I just didn't know it was wrong and disrespectful.

**Vfwsisk** · 09-02-2012, 03:55 AM

Hooah! I like the comment by sevensix.

**jezcruzen** · 09-02-2012, 08:01 AM

Thanks, brothers, for contributing your thoughts on this issue. Oh, and thanks for the service to our country, as well!

My opinion (as you may already have discovered) is that as this young man grows into adulthood he may get tired of having to explain that he wasn't ever airborne. Or, he may succumb to the temptation, if only once in awhile, and make claims he is not entitled to and get caught in the lie.

I can also envision the harassment he may bring upon himself if he ever does join the military - especially the Army or the Corp. I think the term was "in a world of sh*t" when I was in. But that may have been another military. With all the social experimentation since, I may not recognize it any longer.

"Fair winds and following seas" Thanks, again.