What makes someone a veteran?

[tevake]

I can't remember the #s, but it takes a large number of support people for each actual combat troop to function in the field. And I'm sure that number of support folks has grown thru the years. As technology has grown in its application to warfare.

But I can assure you that there was great appreciation for the Navy guys offshore that could drop in big rounds right on target in close quarters when needed, or air jockeys that would show up to to help out in sticky times. Sure they got to have comfortable quarters and hot meals from the cafeterias etc. and some cases less risk. But they and the guys that made their contributions possible are all part of the team that makes up the military, and all are vets.

Vietnam was in ways a reflection of the times. I can remember coming in from the field
To find the Brothers (REMFs). Holding up the chow line with doing their black power salutes with each other. Not appreciated by those that had been eating c rations for a couple of weeks and wanted a good hot meal. Or coming in from a field Ops. Only to be put on guard duty the first night in, cause the REMFs had been burdened every other night with guard duty. Most of the command staff were REMFs in mind set also.

Also by the time that Flyenby and I were there it was pretty well recognized to be a general cluster f. K of a "conflict". And most lifers tended to stay out of the thick of things. Sending ROTC Lts and lower ranking enlisted (mostly draftees) out on field Ops So lots of issues playing out.

Those issues and the warm welcome in coming home still stick in the craw for some.
Sorry , I'll get of my soap box now. Guess I needed to vent a bit.

People that are willing to answer the needs of our country, and put aside their own interests to serve are vets. And deserve our appreciation and support, more than just on Veterans Day.

Cheers Richard

[BK911]

Some are more equal than others.
Anybody that wore a uniform is considered my frat brother or sister.
Anybody in combat is also considered my hero.

[BeyGon]

I have a lot of friends that were/are military, some never left the states, some went to Europe, some went to islands in the middle of nowhere, one was ski patrol in Germany with the Army while I was in Vietnam, they are all veterans, they are all my friends, and they all served. but, I would have traded the guy on ski patrol.

[widgeon13]

Originally Posted by BeyGon

I have a lot of friends that were/are military, some never left the states, some went to Europe, some went to islands in the middle of nowhere, one was ski patrol in Germany with the Army while I was in Vietnam, they are all veterans, they are all my friends, and they all served. but, I would have traded the guy on ski patrol.

Do I know you from a previous life, I skied an awful lot when I was over there. Garmisch was my second home.

[HHI944]

Ski patrol? WTF MOS is that? My recruiter screwed me...

[tevake]

Boy I hear you on the ski patrol assignment.
When I ended up going to training for tanks, I thought I would be heading to Germany for sure. Didn't turn out that way, drat.

[BeyGon]

Originally Posted by widgeon13

Do I know you from a previous life, I skied an awful lot when I was over there. Garmisch was my second home.

not me, my friend, he lives in Beaverton OR. now, I have never been to Germany.
No snow for me in the Marines.

[Don Ro]

Originally Posted by tevake

Those issues and the warm welcome in coming home still stick in the craw for some.
Sorry , I'll get of my soap box now. Guess I needed to vent a bit.

Cheers Richard

When I got out (Sept. '67) and went back to No. Dakota State Univ., I was rushed by a fraternity...Theta Chi.
I can't remember being acknowledged for my participation in V. Nam.
Those frat. kids wanted to know if I was cool with the war and with what I and the US was doing over there.
The evening that I decided that I was not frat. material was when I was grilled and grilled in a hostile encounter atmosphere with all the frat. "brothers" present.
Question after question - hard accusations - fired at me with no chance to respond/answer.
.
"You think that you are better than everyone else, don't you!"
"So, how many humans did you kill, Ross?"
.
Their attitude told me that they would have preferred that I had come back in a box.
.
The hairs on my forearms are standing as I type this!
.
BTW, Theta Chi motto: "True Friendship; we extend an “Assisting Hand” to one another; we seek to exact harmony and prevent strife among our members."

[Rikao4]

the Ski patrol gig was available while I played in Germany...
the place I was leaving had this available..

Life-guard on Waikiki beach..
Army has a Hotel there ..

Rika

[markivtruck]

if you served in ww2 as a merchant marine and served for 2 years going around the world and could have been killed by nazi wolfpack submarines are you considered a veteran?

[fintstone]

Yes, you are.

[widgeon13]

A most unfortunate experience. I wonder if those *******s have any recollections of that behavior. You are a good man my friend.

Originally Posted by Don Ro

When I got out (Sept. '67) and went back to No. Dakota State Univ., I was rushed by a fraternity...Theta Chi.
I can't remember being acknowledged for my participation in V. Nam.
Those frat. kids wanted to know if I was cool with the war and with what I and the US was doing over there.
The evening that I decided that I was not frat. material was when I was grilled and grilled in a hostile encounter atmosphere with all the frat. "brothers" present.
Question after question - hard accusations - fired at me with no chance to respond/answer.
.
"You think that you are better than everyone else, don't you!"
"So, how many humans did you kill, Ross?"
.
Their attitude told me that they would have preferred that I had come back in a box.
.
The hairs on my forearms are standing as I type this!
.
BTW, Theta Chi motto: "True Friendship; we extend an “Assisting Hand” to one another; we seek to exact harmony and prevent strife among our members."

[ForBell]

i had a similar experience at Sacramento State. not the harsh encounter group atmosphere that you faced but once it was known that i was a v.n. combat vet, i was a marked man on campus. "kill any babies while over there?" and other questions/accusations.
i left Sac State after 3 months and went to the University of the Pacific in Stockton and kept my mouth shut!.

Originally Posted by Don Ro

When I got out (Sept. '67) and went back to No. Dakota State Univ., I was rushed by a fraternity...Theta Chi.
I can't remember being acknowledged for my participation in V. Nam.
Those frat. kids wanted to know if I was cool with the war and with what I and the US was doing over there.
The evening that I decided that I was not frat. material was when I was grilled and grilled in a hostile encounter atmosphere with all the frat. "brothers" present.
Question after question - hard accusations - fired at me with no chance to respond/answer.
.
"You think that you are better than everyone else, don't you!"
"So, how many humans did you kill, Ross?"
.
Their attitude told me that they would have preferred that I had come back in a box.
.
The hairs on my forearms are standing as I type this!
.
BTW, Theta Chi motto: "True Friendship; we extend an “Assisting Hand” to one another; we seek to exact harmony and prevent strife among our members."