Respect and appreciate veterans

[Borrego]

The seeds of this story were planted a few days ago as I was in the middle of my route on a rather busy day. Approaching the front of a house, a car pulls in the driveway and an older gentleman motions me over. I noted he had a 70th Infnatry WW II hat on. He took what I had to deliver and I kicked myself in the *** the rest of the day for not taking a moment to chat with him about his probable military service.
Fast forward to today and I am at a small estate sale because the swap meet was rained out. Didn't pick up much, but as I was walking around I noted an older gentleman sitting down who had a USS Ronald Reagan hat on. I asked one of the ladies working if Grandpa was a veteran and she said yes.
After I had paid for my stuff, which included a SK 1/2 breaker bar, I walked over and talked with him for a few minutes, thanking him for his service to our country. He made it a point to let me know he was 90 years old, visits and supports the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. I mentioned he may also enjoy visiting the Richard Nixon Presidential Library about an hour away. He said he might next time he visits his daughter who lives not too far away from it.
The moral is simple here. Respect and appreciate veterans. I do not need a national holiday to celebrate veterans one day out of the year. No reason not to do it every opportunity you get.
I can put a price on the tools I bought today, but I'll never be able to put a price on the experience I had.
For all the vets on this site, I salute you. Thank you for your service to this country.

 

[diesel research]

Wait? He was 90 and served on a ship commissioned in 2003? Or are you talking about 2 different older gentlemen?

What about the vets of wars after WW2? I usually see the least recognition there.

We have definitely forgot about the most recent ones. Don't usually know who they are, because often never mention being there.

 

[Lump]

Personally, I respect ALL veterans...especially vets who served during times of conflict...whether that conflict was a declared "war", or a "police action" or whatever. My hat is off to every man or woman who served...and when I get the chance, I make it a point to tell them so in person.

 

[Grogan14]

I do not need a national holiday to celebrate veterans one day out of the year. No reason not to do it every opportunity you get.

Very well said!

 

[Buxfan]

Personally, I respect ALL veterans...especially vets who served during times of conflict...whether that conflict was a declared "war", or a "police action" or whatever. My hat is off to every man or woman who served...and when I get the chance, I make it a point to tell them so in person.

+1



A lot of people forget that we have Vets from ages 18 to 100+.

 

[diesel research]

Personally, I respect ALL veterans...especially vets who served during times of conflict...whether that conflict was a declared "war", or a "police action" or whatever. My hat is off to every man or woman who served...and when I get the chance, I make it a point to tell them so in person.

I think sometimes it might be hard to imagine the "kid" that talks to himself and works at home depot as a vet. I don't mean that as a disparaging remark, I meant sometimes I think we forget some of the younger ones. Lotta times don't have as much pride as some of the older ones because society keeps telling them what they did was wrong.

I know I am taken aback every time someone under 25 mentions it, and I meet quite a few who fit in that category, yet seem surprised every time.

Happened a lot with vietnam veterans as well.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

worked with a lot of gulf war and war on terror vets , they get all of my respect

 

[Lump]

There's a kid I play against in pool tournaments, who signed up and went to Afghanistan about a year ago. Nice kid, good shot, big muscles, but not mouthy or anything. Always nice to an old man.

He came home on leave a few months ago, and we had time to shoot some pool. I told him that, all kidding aside, I deeply admired and respected what he is doing for our country. He got serious for a minute, and told me that no one had said that to his face before. He gave me a firm handshake and a wink as a thank-you. A few days later he went back to war. Man, I am SO glad I did that. I pray for him and every young man or woman like him. I mean it.

 

[ZRX61]

Wait? He was 90 and served on a ship commissioned in 2003? Or are you talking about 2 different older gentlemen?

They sell US Ronnie Reagan caps at the library, he probably picked it up there.

 

[Borrego]

ZRX61 nailed it. Probably bought the hat at the Library.

 

[Toolhorder]

I worked at this car dealership where a vet worked part time driving the shuttle van. I found out he was in Korea and so was my grandfather so we got to talking once. I never forgot that fact and on V-day I saw him walking through the shop and I stopped him, thanked him for my freedom and his service and he broke down a little a cried. He told me nobody tells him that anymore and I surprised him. I felt bad because I didn't want him to cry or anything but I gave him a hug and told him to get back to work already, lol

 

[spencejm]

I work in IT at the Veterans hospital in Columbia, MO. I'm a Desert Shield/Storm vet myself but it really humbles me to talk to these guys. I was on the elevator the other day with one of the patients and found out that he had been one of the first medics on Omaha Beach. I don't even want to think of the things that man had seen. Even though our job is to work on computers we all go out of our way to help the vets and their families. I push guys around in wheel chairs, ****** people to hard to find offices and buy them breakfast or lunch once it a while. It's the most rewarding job I've ever had.

Joe

 

[Daniel Kinder]

I too thank each and every veteran I see and come into contact with, I know that it means so much to them when we stop and take the time to talk with them or at least shake there hand and thank them and tell them how much we appreciate their service.

I was on a field trip with my kids to the state capital last year and we walked by four older men in wheelchairs with veterans hats on and I stoped turned around and went up to each one and shaked thier hands and thanked them for there service. One younger lady with them said what about the lady (she to was in a wheelchair) I walked over to her and gave her a big hug and thanked her. I could tell that that meant alot to her because she gave me a nice long hug!

That meant alot to me, I sorta got teary eyed and the younger lady seen it too. She smiled and thanked me, that few seconds will stay with me forever!!

TOO ALL THE VETERANS PAST AND PRESENT THANK YOU!! THE KINDER FAMILY

 

[Adam McLaughlin]

Do you guys ever wonder while standing next to these wrinkled silver haired people, how many of them spent their youth hunched over a Norden bombsight or in a ditch in the Ardennes forest with nothing but a rifle and a prayer to keep them company?

Adam

 

[Crank1]

You know, after having just gotten out of the Marines and just returned from Afghanistan this January, I'll tell you, there aren't many people who will tell you to your face they appreciate what you are doing, they may have a yellow ribbon magnet on their car, but won't say anything to your face, and I had an "active duty" sticker on my military license plate, so it was out there... I miss my guys and I wish them the best of luck! It really hurt when I got my walking papers, but my wife had done without me for 5 years and that was enough for her!
My wife's grandfather, who just passed, was a Korean vet in the Army and he had a brother go MIA there, and is still MIA status today!
So thank you vets, for all you do! I may go back if it doesn't work out as a civilian.
Brandon

 

[bonneyman]

I make it a point to stop and thank anybody I see wearing a veterns cap.
I talked to a guy who was 93 who had served in WWII. He told me about things he did 70 years ago like they were yesterday. He asked me if I served, and I said, yes, I served in the Air Force. But it was during peace time - I never saw actual combat. Imagine my surprise when he thanked me for my service!!!
Thanks to all the veterans out there!

 

[lowbucktruck]

Just in case you haven't read this thread...
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=64422&highlight=military+service

 

[tkcaudill]

You should respect all vets what ever age becasue in the long run ....... they . wrote a blank check made payable to, up to and including my life . to serve and protect evey last person in the USA

 

[Gregg33]

I respect all veterans regardless of age or when they served. I worked for a gentleman that served in WW2. One of my mom's friends has a son that served 2 tours in Afganistan. I also have grandparents that were in Europe during the war, so it hits close to home because of that too. Other than maybe on Rememberance Day (Canada) or Veteran's Day (U.S.) I don't think our veterans ever get the respect they deserve.

 

[Bruce Lancaster]

Asking about or commenting on the badges and ship names is a GREAT introduction, whether you recognize something or have to ask. You will get great stories and often a great experience.
My last "hit" was when I saw an old guy at the Carlisle car show with a CBI badge on his hat (that is a QUIZ question, guys...hint...WWII...) and I asked where he was. He spent his WWII in the "C" part of that, as an officer supervising some Americans and thousands of locals building the fields that got the B-29's closer to their targets.
And...a TOOL hit! he whipped out a couple of little kits of tiny wrenches, feelers, and benders that had once adjusted voltage regulators and widgets on the bombers, and sold them to me for peanuts!
You are guaranteed to meet quietly amazing and inspiring people who witnessed amazing things we will never see*.

* Can you imagine a thousand Chinese in ranks with ropes, pulling a roller the size of a semi-trailer to flatten the soil for an airfield??!?...and occasionally some poor devil near the rear of the pack would slip and fall. There weren't any brakes on that roller!

 

[K5blazer83]

We also need to remember the one's who never returned. The ones who made the ultimate sacrifice. Remember they gave away all of their tomorrow's for your today.

 

[Lump]

We also need to remember the one's who never returned. The ones who made the ultimate sacrifice. Remember they gave away all of their tomorrow's for your today.

Well said, Blazer!

 

[newchris]

couple of my friends from training just left for deployments. i cant wait to hear from them when they get back.

 

[DetroitDIESEL444]

So how many of you on here can name the SEVEN uniformed services of the United States without looking it up?

 

[newchris]

only know the five...

 

[jtrace]

CBI would be the China,Burma India theater,the 7 branches are in no particular oder.....
USMC
Army
Navy
Air Force
Coast Guard
and the last two not sure of the exact names but if I recall correctly something about Humanitarian services and also one on Oceans


John

 

[wafrederick]

I am a son of an USMC veteran,my father.Served 1973 to 1977.Wanted to go to Vietnam,quit sending in 1973 after he signed up.He served as a guard in California,Camp David and Washington,DC.

 

[newchris]

k well theres a difference between armed force branches and uniformed services... humanitarian doesnt sound like something that would fit.

 

[jtrace]

Look it up I just double checked its US public health service commision and the National Oceanic and Atmosphere adminstration corps

John

 

[Mikie]

The local VFW hall near where I live, puts on a breakfast the first saturday of every month. It's a great opportunity to get to know the folks there, still a few left from WWII. They speak, I listen. Respect, honor, and congratulate these men (and women) for their service. Thank you vets!

 

[DetroitDIESEL444]

The Armed forces are all uniformed services, not all uniformed services are armed forces, only five are.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Uniformed_Services


Not to steal the thread, but some people never learn these things. Most people only know 4 of the armed forces.

 

[Alchymist]

Actually there were more "service" branches ...I served in this one at age 16, before enlisting in the regular Air Force.

 

[Ray-CA]

I try to thank every one I see in a hat, jacket etc. that indicates that they served. Met a lot of vet's that way and they all appreciate the thanks. If I'm in a restaurant, coffee shop etc. and there is a member of our military in uniform, they don't get to pay for their meal. I quietly inquire from the waitress, pay for it and then leave.

I worked with too many Vietnam vets and saw the way they were treated to not show respect to any of our veterans.

Ray

 

[wafrederick]

I know a couple Vietnam vets and one is getting money from the government,from agent orange.Was exposed to it and doctor said it was one cause of prostate cancer he survived.