Veterans Day ...
a day of honor for those who offered their lives for their country.
Just prove to us you did and we'll give you a handout.
Would you like for me to recite the articles of the Uniform Code of Military Justice or just pull out a bayonet and demonstrate kill tactics on your employees?
Tomorrow is Veterans Day. Big deal!
I don't say that to show any disrespect to any veteran. God knows we did our time, served our country, and put our lives on the line ... so that we could be looked down upon when we returned to civilian life. This is especially true of those that served during the Vietnam Conflict.
I say it because it's only an excuse for banks and federal offices to close. Everyone else will go on about their day as if it was just a standard day. In fact, the majority of veterans will be working at their jobs while many of their bosses, who never served, will be celebrating the day with bankers at the local country club.
And, right along side the listings were the words, Proof of service or active I.D. required.
It is understandable that businesses don't want to be taken to the cleaners while attempting to demonstrate kindness and respect. However, unless most veterans can dig out their old DD214 discharge papers, that proof is nonexistent.
When I left the military, I was given a pink I.D. card that was only good for the remainder of my active duty six year obligation. That is long gone. Besides the DD214, there is no proof I can provide to get a freebie.
It is sad is that businesses have to put this stipulation upon their offers.
The scum that would claim military service just to get a freebie they didn't earn are present in today's society in droves. Instead of honoring those who did the time, they dishonor us by proclaiming themselves to be part of the brotherhood that served. These dregs of society should be taken to Africa for four years and be forced to assist in the fight to end the Ebola virus. At least then they'd know what it was like to serve in a battle zone. Hopefully, most of them would never come back.As I approach the age of becoming a "senior citizen", I hear more and more people saying, "You earned the freebies. Take advantage of what is being offered."
Somewhat tempting at times, but this is not me. I am not one to jump at freebies, regardless of the intent. The military proved to me that you have to work to achieve. Nothing is free as someone has had to pay the price along the way. Sometimes, they had to pay it with their life!
Folks, you aren't owed one damn thing unless you earned it. Having a baby at fourteen, sitting on your ass trying to figure out ways to work the system, and falsely proclaiming you're disabled does not give you one damn right ... except to learn from your mistakes and get your ass busy doing something that will better your life!
Instead of a nation of the intelligent, we've become a nation of no common sense. Political correctness came about because few were teaching their children right from wrong, how to be responsible and accept personal accountability, or even the standards of being polite and proper manners. And, in the last 20 years, our government has decided to screw up the educational system and deny the intelligent a reason to excel as they're held back so others can continue to fail. Of course, that's generally what government does, fail.
The fear of our forefathers was that government would get too big. George Orwell, in his novel "1984" and Ray Bradbury in "Fahrenheit 451" both attempted to provide a warning to the dangers of government control. Instead of listening, we've ignored. Welcome to the land of "A Clockwork Orange". I only hope personal choice wins out in the real world as it did in Anthony Burgess's novel.Call me old, senile, eccentric, etc. I really don't care as I've witnessed a country out of control. A country, not proud and brave, but one in which fear rules the populace, tolerance has departed, the minority rules whenever offended, and belief that a politician is working for the people is like belief in the Easter Bunny ... a complete waste of time.
To all the businesses that are providing freebies to veterans ...
"No Thanks"
from this veteran.
See, I earn my keep, work to support my family, and did my time in the military to protect the rights we supposedly once had. Four years of my life weren't given away to get a free entree after proving I'd earned it. No, I had more important things in mind. Things that most, unless they've served, will never understand. Things that still make me tear up when I hear the original version of the Star Spangled Banner being played. Things that make me sad when I see the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington D.C. and its list of names, several of them past friends, who are no longer with us as they fought and gave their lives for a country that no longer exists.
There is pride in those who served. Pride that doesn't need a handout. Pride that says, "Public, treat us as you will, we've survived worse."
It's not a macho thing. Men and women that serve understand that only happens in the movies. It's an understanding that we have, a shared experience, a sacrifice.
Veterans Day 2014.
A day like any other for most veterans.
Thank God we were able to ensure it
would be that way for everyone.
with active and reserve time I retired with 29 years, and according to the department of defense they have no record of a DD214 for me. They do send me a check every month and they gave me a retired ID card, so I am in the system somewhere. I have never taken any of the "free stuff", but if I did this could be my tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteA grand slam breakfast at Denny's, and a mid-morning snack from Krispy Kreme. Lunch could be at Chili's or Applebee's, I have not decided on lunch. A free Starbucks for my mid-afternoon pick me up, and dinner at Golden Corral. I would end my day with a frozen yogurt from Orange leaf and then waddle home. But, I probably will eat my home made yogurt with blueberries for breakfast and not go though all the hassle. enjoy you rants and raves. Gary Jones
Hey, Gary! Good to see you again! I wasn't aware you'd served 29 years. I admire your tenacity, for sure. I did a similar schedule as you've provided, but then I started thinking about it. No one asked me to serve (as I just beat my draft notice), but I did so for several personal reasons. Once in, I found greater reasons to do what I had to do, whether I agreed with them or not. The military took away the "I" need that rules our society today, and showed that the end result of the whole was the most important thing. It would be interesting to be a witness to boot camp in today's world, as the "I" recruits have to deal with that. lol Thanks so much for reading and commenting. It means a lot.
DeleteOne Veteran's Day, hubby came to visit me at the school I worked at at that time; my colleagues bought him lunch to thank him for his service. This, being an immigrant, was my first exposure to something like that, honoring veterans. In Germany, no-one gives a damn about soldiers, present and past. If anything, they are being ridiculed or attacked as hooligans in uniform. Being back in Germany, seeing our men and women in uniform being treated like that actually hurts me; In a few weeks, I'm probably going to meet our new neighbor's son, who's serving in the Bundeswehr, and I'm definitely planning on thanking him for his service. What do you want to bet I will be the first civilian doing that for him??
ReplyDeleteStephanie, so good of you to comment today. The gesture shown by your colleagues was generous, to say the least. People just don't understand the life of a military person, but some try to show gratitude at times. When I got out, the military was a nasty no-no to most. I found myself not talking about it simply to keep negative comments and slanderous remarks from being stated. I get so upset over the ones that feel as though the world owes them a livelihood, instead of recognizing that they could make one for themselves. Life isn't easy, but the life of a military soldier involves life and death struggles. Struggles that most never have to deal with. For a person to claim they've served in order to con businesses out of "freebies" is an offense I find no excuse for. And, I'll bet that you're not only one of the first to thank him, but one of the few to do it. I thank you for it. Hopefully, he'll understand what you're doing and appreciate your efforts. Many Thanks!
DeleteI know we have Veteran's cards here but I don't know if a person has to apply for one or if they are just issued. Remembrance Day is not a public holiday and no one has the day off it is just another day and on the the 11th hour we stop for a minutes silence to remember those who fought.
ReplyDeleteJo-Anne, thanks so much for commenting! I'm not knowledgeable as to how Australia operates with its veterans, but I do know they're treated in a similar fashion to most by the government... "Thank you very much now leave us alone." It's sad that no one gets the day off, but good that the government employees and bankers aren't the only ones enjoying the day. The states seem to cater to the "higher ups", while the workers, or "doers" are the ones that pay. Our holiday season ahead will demonstrate this even more when retail stores are required to open on Thanksgiving and Christmas, but all the corporate employees and management will have the day off. Many Thanks!
DeleteIt has long been a thorn in our side that Veteran's day has become so insignificant other than for posturing how much they are appreciated. I would much rather my nephew receive a thank you, a sincere thank you.
ReplyDeleteHello, old friend! I've missed your visits. I can completely understand. Most of the offers were such that they were only doing their best to get you into the restaurant so that you'd buy other things as well. We've become so commercialized that sincerity doesn't exist anymore. Coming from the Vietnam Era vets, I have long given up on being thanked for anything having to do with my service time. It's good to see that some attitudes have changed, but I often wonder if it isn't more for show than really meant. And, if you would, please pass along a sincere, "Thank You" to your nephew for me. Many Thanks!
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