I Ain't Perfect ... but ...

[JimT]

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[JBowen]

Thanks for your service.

JBowen

[AJMD429]

Thanks for your service.

JBowen

Yep. It truly does 'build character'.

[Ysabel Kid]

Thanks for your service.

JBowen

+1

[earlmck]

I probably have one of those 214's stashed somewhere but I couldn't make myself wear the T-shirt. Is it a "' 'Nam Vet" thing? I still kinda' cringe when somebody says "Thank you for your service". And of my old vet buds -- I only know one of us who'll advertise at all. All the rest of us choose to just slide along under the radar.

I know "Thanks for your service" is vastly better than "Say hey! Whatta' you say! How many babies did you kill today?" that we heard when we returned. But either one grates on my psyche.

[JimT]

I probably have one of those 214's stashed somewhere but I couldn't make myself wear the T-shirt. Is it a "' 'Nam Vet" thing? I still kinda' cringe when somebody says "Thank you for your service". And of my old vet buds -- I only know one of us who'll advertise at all. All the rest of us choose to just slide along under the radar.

I know "Thanks for your service" is vastly better than "Say hey! Whatta' you say! How many babies did you kill today?" that we heard when we returned. But either one grates on my psyche.

I wouldn't wear the shirt either. Someone sent the picture to me. For a guy who likes to advertise about his life, that's fine. Just not me. I enjoyed my time in and left when it was up because I had enough.

[Griff]

I'm with ya Earl. It took over 20 years after I returned from VN for anyone outside my family to wish me "Welcome Home". And that was during a Sunday church service when the pastor asked for Vets from different eras to stand and be recognized. When he called for VN vets, I did my usual 'hunkerin' down bit' to avoid being seen, but my wife wouldn't let me go unnoticed. Her pestering me resulted in more attention than if I'd just stood right away. It ended up being quite an emotional experience. When I separated from active duty, I got interviewed for a "contract" position with an unnamed agency... When I declined, the two interviewers, told me that as I re-entered the job market, that unless I was applying for a .gov job, I should explain the 4 year absence from the job market as "traveling", seeing the US, Canada & Mexico with no real jobs... as many employers were openly hostile to VN vets. Since that church service, I've proudly worn various caps that proclaim my VN service. I try to be gracious when someone thanks me for my service... but do get embarrassed. In fact, just last Friday, I got my quarterly haircut, and as I got up to start to pay, the gal working the chair next to me, told me her last customer paid for my haircut. And said that he'd told her to tell me that some folks hadn't forgot the way we'd often been treated when coming home. Whenever or if ever, but I'll pass that along to another. I usually limit my unrecognized acts of kindness to active servicemen/women in uniform. Makes me feel gooder.

[JimT]

What year did you come home, Griff? I came back in 1969. We were told not to wear our uniforms traveling. I think it got worse the following years.

[Griff]

What year did you come home, Griff? I came back in 1969. We were told not to wear our uniforms traveling. I think it got worse the following years.

I flew home on four separate occasions, in Mar '71, Dec of '71, '72, & '73. The only time I had an incident was in '72...

[JimT]

What year did you come home, Griff? I came back in 1969. We were told not to wear our uniforms traveling. I think it got worse the following years.

I flew home on four separate occasions, in Mar '71, Dec of '71, '72, & '73. The only time I had an incident was in '72...

I came home twice. Once in 1967 and when I was discharged in 1969. '67 was a 45 day leave.

[earlmck]

I wouldn't wear the shirt either. Someone sent the picture to me. For a guy who likes to advertise about his life, that's fine. Just not me. I enjoyed my time in and left when it was up because I had enough.

I'll bet the fellow who designed that fine shirt wasn't even a vet. At least, not one of our generation.

[JimT]

I'll bet the fellow who designed that fine shirt wasn't even a vet. At least, not one of our generation.

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[piller]

I probably have one of those 214's stashed somewhere but I couldn't make myself wear the T-shirt. Is it a "' 'Nam Vet" thing? I still kinda' cringe when somebody says "Thank you for your service". And of my old vet buds -- I only know one of us who'll advertise at all. All the rest of us choose to just slide along under the radar.

I know "Thanks for your service" is vastly better than "Say hey! Whatta' you say! How many babies did you kill today?" that we heard when we returned. But either one grates on my psyche.

Glad you did make it home. Too many did not.

[Ray Newman]

Bit of trivia -- USN hull numbered DD 214-- USS Tracy Clemson class destroyer

Read all 'bout it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Tracy

[COSteve]

I still kinda' cringe when somebody says "Thank you for your service". I know "Thanks for your service" is vastly better than "Say hey! Whatta' you say! How many babies did you kill today?" that we heard when we returned. But either one grates on my psyche.

Exactly! I'm proud of my service as a Tank Commander but I don't advertise it. My son suggested I write up a paper about my experiences in the Army but I'd never write down most of what I saw and did at Cu Chi because I wish I'd never seen or done it.

[jeepnik]

Exactly! I'm proud of my service as a Tank Commander but I don't advertise it. My son suggested I write up a paper about my experiences in the Army but I'd never write down most of what I saw and did at Cu Chi because I wish I'd never seen or done it.

I took a page from my dad's book. I only tell the funny stories. No matter how ugly things can get there is always something that's comical.

[earlmck]

So I'm off travelling and in a motel here in Kingman, AZ. I'm a fair hypocrite and will admit to being a vet if it saves me money, so when I asked what would get me a good rate the fellow at the desk asked if I was AARP or a vet. I don't AARP but allowed as how I was a vet, which got me $20 per night reduction.

Then he said " if you're most vets, 'Thank you for your service' -- but if you're a Nam Vet, then 'welcome home!'

Which I have decided I likw a lot better!