jowilson275
91' Si B16A
As a veteran of OIF/OEF '08-'09, I happen to run into fellow veterans quite often. (probably has something to do with the area in which I currently live) Not just from OIF/OEF, but from previous wars (or conflicts) like Desert Storm and occasionally Vietnam. And on a side note, my Command Sergeant Major (CSM) was actually in Somalia for the conflict which "Blackhawk Down" is based upon.
I am out of the active Army now after serving three and a half years obtaining Corporal with an option to advance to Sergeant if I had reinlisted and one of the three years consisted of a 12 month tour in Iraq living in a scud bunker that had previously been captured from Sadaam's forces that used to serve as the Iraqi Army (IA) military inteligence headquarters.
Now on to my reason for writing this thread, what is your take on Patriotism? Is it a subject that goes unspoken? Or displayed only by fellow Vets whom proudly fly the Stars and Stripes in their front yards and Rednecks with flags on the back end of their Chevys? Is it taboo for civilians to portray patriotism? Should it be reserved only for those who "understand" like the unspoken bond between bikers who wave at one another in traffic?
I joined the Army because I felt it was my time to repay my country for the things that she has given me, whether it be tangible or not. It wasn't like I was on a dead end path or in need of a way out of any negative life situations i may have been faced with. Now what instills that kind of feeling like that in a guy like me? Or you? What is your take on this? And why the fuck are we even fighting these wars in Iraq and Afghanistan? If hundreds of thousands of men and women can enlist and serve our country and potentially die, what makes me better than them to where I think I don't have to serve?
I recieved a card from a Vietnam Veteran the other day who thumbed through several receipts and other things in his wallet that looked like they had been there for some time. On the front it says " Thank You for Your Service and Dedication to Our Country" and has a color image of a Soldier with a ruck sack on his back and an assault pack in his left hand as he bends over to speak to two children. On the reverse, it says, "Dear American Hero, I am not certain as to how to express my Gratitude for all you have done to secure my Freedom. Please accept this simple card as a Small token of my appreciation. -An Old Retired Soldier!" I plan to keep this token moving and hand this card off to the next Veteran whom I happen to bump into.
( I am in no way trying to persuade anyone to join the Military. Nor am I really condoning it. It's not a course for everyone. I am just thinking aloud.)
I am out of the active Army now after serving three and a half years obtaining Corporal with an option to advance to Sergeant if I had reinlisted and one of the three years consisted of a 12 month tour in Iraq living in a scud bunker that had previously been captured from Sadaam's forces that used to serve as the Iraqi Army (IA) military inteligence headquarters.
Now on to my reason for writing this thread, what is your take on Patriotism? Is it a subject that goes unspoken? Or displayed only by fellow Vets whom proudly fly the Stars and Stripes in their front yards and Rednecks with flags on the back end of their Chevys? Is it taboo for civilians to portray patriotism? Should it be reserved only for those who "understand" like the unspoken bond between bikers who wave at one another in traffic?
I joined the Army because I felt it was my time to repay my country for the things that she has given me, whether it be tangible or not. It wasn't like I was on a dead end path or in need of a way out of any negative life situations i may have been faced with. Now what instills that kind of feeling like that in a guy like me? Or you? What is your take on this? And why the fuck are we even fighting these wars in Iraq and Afghanistan? If hundreds of thousands of men and women can enlist and serve our country and potentially die, what makes me better than them to where I think I don't have to serve?
I recieved a card from a Vietnam Veteran the other day who thumbed through several receipts and other things in his wallet that looked like they had been there for some time. On the front it says " Thank You for Your Service and Dedication to Our Country" and has a color image of a Soldier with a ruck sack on his back and an assault pack in his left hand as he bends over to speak to two children. On the reverse, it says, "Dear American Hero, I am not certain as to how to express my Gratitude for all you have done to secure my Freedom. Please accept this simple card as a Small token of my appreciation. -An Old Retired Soldier!" I plan to keep this token moving and hand this card off to the next Veteran whom I happen to bump into.
( I am in no way trying to persuade anyone to join the Military. Nor am I really condoning it. It's not a course for everyone. I am just thinking aloud.)
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