From a veteran

[BobFV1]

Rules for the Non-Military



Dear Civilians,
We know that the current state of affairs in our great nation has many civilians up in arms and excited to join the military. For those of you who can't join, you can still lend a hand. Here are a few of the areas where we would like your assistance:


1. The next time you see any adults talking (or wearing a hat) during the playing of the National Anthem - kick their ass.


2. When you witness, firsthand, someone burning the American Flag in protest - kick their ass.


3. Regardless of the rank they held while they served, pay the highest amount of respect to all veterans. If you see anyone doing otherwise, quietly pull them aside and explain how these veterans fought for the very freedom they bask in every second. Enlighten them on the many sacrifices these veterans made to make this Nation great. Then hold them down while a disabled veteran kicks their ass.

4. (GUYS) If you were never in the military, DO NOT pretend that you were. Wearing battle dress uniforms (BDUs) or Jungle Fatigues, telling others that you used to be Special Forces. Collecting GI Joe memorabilia, might have been okay when you were seven years old, now, it will only make you look stupid and get your ass kicked.


5. Next time you come across an *Air Force* member, do not ask them, 'Do you fly a jet? ' Not everyone in the Air Force is a pilot. Such ignorance deserves an ass-kicking (children are exempt).


6.If you witness someone calling the *US Coast Guard* 'non-military', inform them of their mistake - and kick their ass.

7. Next time Old Glory (the US flag) passes by during a parade, get on your damn feet and pay homage to her by placing your hand over your heart. Quietly thank the military member or veteran lucky enough to be carrying her - of course, failure to do either of those could earn you a severe ass-kicking.


8. Don' t try to discuss politics with a military member or veteran. We are Americans, and we all bleed the same, regardless of our party affiliation. Our Chain of Command is to include our Commander-In-Chief (CinC). The President (for those who didn't know) is our CinC regardless of political party. We have no inside track on what happens inside those big important buildings where all those representatives meet. All we know is that when those civilian representatives screw up the situation, they call upon the military to go straighten it out. If you keep asking us the same stupid questions repeatedly, you will get your ass kicked.


9. 'Your mama wears combat boots' never made sense to me - stop saying it! If she did, she would most likely be a vet and therefore would kick your ass!


10. Bin Laden and the Taliban are not Communists, so stop saying 'Let's go kill those Commies! 'And stop asking us where he is! Crystal balls are not standard issue in the military. That reminds me - if you see anyone calling those psychic phone numbers, let me know, so I can go kick their ass!


11. 'Flyboy' (*Air Force*), 'Jarhead' (*Marines),* 'Grunt' (*Army*), 'Squid' (*Navy*), 'Puddle Jumpers' (*Coast Guard*), etc., are terms of endearment we use describing each other. Unless you are a service member or vet, you have not earned the right to use them. Using them could get your ass kicked.


12. Last, but not least, whether or not you become a member of the military, support our troops and their families. Every Thanksgiving and religious holiday that you enjoy with family and friends, please remember that there are literally thousands of soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen far from home wishing they could be with their families. Thank God for our military and the sacrifices they make every day. Without them, our
Country would get it's ass kicked.. '


* 'It's the Veteran, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of the press.'

'It's the Veteran, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech.'

'It's the Veteran, not the community organizer, who gives us the freedom to demonstrate.'

'It's the Military who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag.'


AND ONE MORE::


13. If you ever see anyone either standing for or singing the national anthem in Spanish - KICK THEIR ASS.


ONE LAST THING:


WE LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE,
ONLY BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE!
IN GOD WE TRUST!

[Deans BMW]

Thanks Bob for the reminder...........and damn right.....:eusa_clap:

[Donson]

If anybody disagrees with ANY of that,Donson will Kick Their Ass!

[JCsman]

Well, as a non-Veteran, I've mainly followed #12, but you've given me a few more items for my "to do" list.
:eusa_clap::eusa_clap::eusa_clap:

[Rchop]

Good one Bob :023:

[BobFV1]

Good one Bob :023:Thanks Randy - I thought so too.

The guy that sent it to me was a Texas Aggie - graduated in the late 60's and went into the Special Forces - two combat tours in VietNam - SF(A). He was my supervisor early in my government career and now he and his Thai wife, married almost 40 years, tour the western US in their motorhome.

Going cowboy.

[panthercity]

Bob,

Thank you. A salute and http://www.panthercity.net/pow_logo.jpg

Bob
- USAF 1966~1970

[jamming]

Very cool Bob, and yes if I see anyone not taking off their hats or standing(if able) during the national anthem, you can bet your bippy I'm going to say something.

You know about the new law that took effect in October 2008? It allows Veterans and military personal not in uniform to render a hand salute during the playing of the national anthem. I got teary eyed the first time I did it. A lot of years have passed since the last time I rendered a hand salute.

We need to get the word out, so pass it around. How cool would it be at a baseball game to see EVERY Vet in the place rendering a hand salute? Dang, I'll probably get all teary eyed again.

New law about Vets and a hand salute. (http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1609)

[DarthRider]

Thanks Bob, good stuff and very timely.

When did they stop teaching flag etiquette and simple patriotic respect in public grade schools? We learned it there.
Then we learned it again in Cub & Boy Scouts.
And we REALLY learned it at home from our "Greatest Generation" Dads!

I burned an American flag once. An old, tattered one and I did it right. I had the strangest mix of emotions doing that. Somewhere between embarrassment for what I was doing, and pride...for what I was doing. My young son was there and was very impressed, and I was sure I felt my Dad there too.

[Donson]

In 1972,My Dad was in Chicago,and as He was leaving to come home,He encountered ,in His words a "queer Bastard".Dad spent 36 days on Iwo Jima as a barely 18 year old Marine.Needless to say,He was a little opinionated about patriotism.So,this unfortunate fellow,with hair down to His ass,happened to have an American Flag sewn to the seat of His jeans...This was at O Hare International Airport.Dad relieved this fellow of His pants and administerd a proper Texas Ass-Kickin.Airport Security arrived,and Dad was hauled off to the pokey.After cooling off in a cell for a couple hours,Dad was taken before the Judge.This Judge was about My Dads age,and come to find out,was also a United States Marine(there is no such thing as an Ex-Marine)Barely suppressing a grin,the Judge fined Dad one dollar,and time served,and a short speech ./"Mr Collins,here in Chicago,We dont allow publick ass kickings in our airport,and should You feel the need to do this again,no matter how badly deserved,please dont do it in My jurisdiction,as I dont like to see My fellow marines before My bench-good day Sir.Dad came home,poorer by a dollar,but the Hippie was missing His pants.

[DarthRider]

HOOT...what a great story!
Those pants would have looked good on anyone's trophy room wall.

[mnnden]

Bob, Very nice, about as good as I have read, Patriotism is alive and well, as it should be, sadly it hasn't always been that way and the 60's and 70's have left me with a very foul taste, It is messages like yours that renew my faith in mankind. Most at the Café know my family has a large military presence and I am very proud of that. some I can share and some I cannot. I can (however) say without reservation that should anyone attend one of our family gatherings although we are a pretty tolerant bunch, there wouldn't be any Flag burning!!!!!!!!!!!
Me and the Boys, Us Army, Marines, Coast Guard, Air Force
http://msnden.smugmug.com/photos/17691466_tsXif-M.jpg
Brother Dave
http://msnden.smugmug.com/photos/248887898_6F9Y6-M.jpg
http://msnden.smugmug.com/photos/17158033_DxiNe-M.jpg
Our eldest, on the right (Marine retirement party)
http://msnden.smugmug.com/photos/248887151_jAN9s-M.jpg
Tell this guy the Coast Guard is not Military!
He is an E-8 and will be getting E-9 this year
http://msnden.smugmug.com/photos/248865862_LeamW-M.jpg
Karl in the middle
http://msnden.smugmug.com/photos/72816700_2AXw5-M.jpg
Never Forgotten!!!
http://msnden.smugmug.com/photos/93955052_4bZiN-M.jpg
Den

[Rchop]

Nice pics Den, you have alot to be proud of.

[DarthRider]

Den, I love seeing your "family portraits"!
What a fine looking crew.
Say, I hope you know when I was talking about "burning an American flag", I was properly retiring an old one. I sure wouldn't want to mislead anyone on that!
Thank you for a great post.

[mnnden]

Say, I hope you know when I was talking about "burning an American flag", I was properly retiring an old one. I sure wouldn't want to mislead anyone on that!
.

Dave, The thought NEVER entered my mind! I can appreciate the emotions one must feel, Den

[Griffon]

In 1972,My Dad was in Chicago,and as He was leaving to come home,He encountered ,in His words a "queer Bastard".Dad spent 36 days on Iwo Jima as a barely 18 year old Marine.Needless to say,He was a little opinionated about patriotism.So,this unfortunate fellow,with hair down to His ass,happened to have an American Flag sewn to the seat of His jeans...This was at O Hare International Airport.Dad relieved this fellow of His pants and administerd a proper Texas Ass-Kickin.Airport Security arrived,and Dad was hauled off to the pokey.After cooling off in a cell for a couple hours,Dad was taken before the Judge.This Judge was about My Dads age,and come to find out,was also a United States Marine(there is no such thing as an Ex-Marine)Barely suppressing a grin,the Judge fined Dad one dollar,and time served,and a short speech ./"Mr Collins,here in Chicago,We dont allow publick ass kickings in our airport,and should You feel the need to do this again,no matter how badly deserved,please dont do it in My jurisdiction,as I dont like to see My fellow marines before My bench-good day Sir.Dad came home,poorer by a dollar,but the Hippie was missing His pants.

Don, My grandfather served on Iwo as well. He was in JASCO assigned to the Third division. Do you know if your father knew "Stretch" Graeff?

[Blackdog]

Thanks Bob. My wife and I are both retired Master Sergeants and enjoyed your post.

[BobFV1]

Thanks Bob. My wife and I are both retired Master Sergeants and enjoyed your post.:webers:

Thanks for your service, and all the other vets here in the Cafe!

[Donson]

Jeremy,when You are here,remind Me to show You the items Dad left to Me.He was 3rd Division,sniper.I have a lot of war stuff,Dave has seen it.Dad was injured on IWO at DAY 37,I think,was sent to Frisco for rehab,then returned to Chici Jima,was gaurd for War Crimes Tribunal.Dad knew and was present at the hanging of General Yohshio Tachibana,Japanese Imperial Army,for war crimes including,but not limited to,cannibalism.I have the Generals Nambu Pistol,and some other personal effects.I also have,framed a cool Intelligence map on rice paper that Dad drew of Chichi Jima.I highly recommend reading FLYBOYS,if You havent already.Dad passed in 93,and the Marines rendered a very nice tribute at His Funeral,with 2 of His Gransons,My Nephews ,in uniform at His casket.I thank all You Vererans here at the Cafe for Your service to our Country!

[Donson]

Den,You have plenty to be proud of there. Thanks to Your whole crew for their service!

[Donson]

Renind Me to tell Yall about the two war-protesters in 72,New Orleans,that laid down to make a human roadblock-Dad was in a hurry-back to jail.....those two hippies learned to swim that day.....

[Deans BMW]

Renind Me to tell Yall about the two war-protesters in 72,New Orleans,that laid down to make a human roadblock-Dad was in a hurry-back to jail.....those two hippies learned to swim that day.....

I would have loved to have ment your dad, with each story you tell about him, I know that I would liked him more each day. :eusa_clap:

[Donson]

Thanks Dean,I miss Him...

[Dirty Doug]

Bob,

I read these post with a great satisfaction knowing we have members in the Cafe that understand what it meant to be part of our military. Did I have to sign up, no but I was of the age that it was what you did after you finished school. Was it for everyone, again no but it was for me.

I served with guys that were better than me, smarter than me, and more fit than me and they didn't make it back. Anyone you fought with or bled with you don't want to disgrace their memory. So I don't want to be a bad friend or husband or be financially irresponsible and look to the government to take care of me. I try to do this for those that won't ever see their family's or friends again. I try to honor their memories as I would think they would have honored mine.

Thank you,

Doug

[BobFV1]

Doug -

My father served, like his father before him. My Grandfather Frank, an immigrant from Italy, died in 1927 after having had his lungs damaged by poison gas on the battlefields of Europe in WWI. This past summer, when I located a relative in Sorrento Italy, I discovered that two Italian Uncles from my Grandfather's generation died on the same battlefields, in Italian uniforms.

My father served in Patton's Third Army in WWII and spent the last part of the war in a Nazi POW camp. He carried the scars of war in his leg in the form of shrapnel, in his mind in the form of what was then called "Shellshock" but we now call "PTSD", and on his face. A piece of shrapnel blew a hole in his right cheek, and the field hospital grafted a piece of his butt cheek on to his face and he always joked that when you looked in his face, you were actually looking at his ass :002:

When I graduated from college, it was time to serve - there was never any question in my mind, either. Dad had always told me to join the Navy because you didn't have to sleep in a field and eat out of a can. Well, I found that the Navy had it's advantages and it's disadvantages. Like the rest of the services.

I will never look back on my time in the military as anything but a basic and essential part of my youth. And as I have said before, anyone who ever wore the uniform is my brother unless or until he proves otherwise.