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Junk on the Bunk
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Topic starter
just a few thoughts about a recent newspaper article in the tallahassee democrat. the question was, "where have the vets gone?" the gist of the story was that it was questionable if there would be a continuation of a veteran's day parade as there were fewer and fewer veterans turning out to march or ride the various floats with vfw on the side. i marched with five yes i said five vets last year. there were several or should i say many on the side with their get out of war signs that i personally hated to give them a place to yell from. add that to the fact that several hundred ww2 and korea folks are checking out, i can see where the problem is. also add the fact that those same ww2 folks treated me with an enormous amount of disrespect when i dared attend a vfw or am leg meeting and you can see another problem. if there had not been for the conflict in the mid east, i don't know what the future of parades here would be. just talking to fellow vets around here, they are just content to sit back and be sure not to light a cagarett in the dark.
Posted : 2007-06-01 21:56
Where'r the vets?
You have a good point there.
Back in the '70's the vets were not welcomed home and sometimes were accosted with chicken blood if they wore a uniform.
Now a days, the press touts the return of soldiers thru airports, and the like, but the vets want to just get home and try to get a life...fully knowing that they wanted nothing more to do with the political war in the mid east.
My son did two tours there, I was there for the first one as a "voluntreer" and due to health reasons, he did the second without me near...I try to offer encouragement as he has entered the civilian market for work, etc, but he is learning ever so fast, that those cheers in the airports do not get you jobs, when you're a civilian.
Posted : 2007-06-03 00:35
I Understand
"...those same ww2 folks treated me with an enormous amount of disrespect when i dared attend a vfw or am leg meeting and you can see another problem..."
I'll never forget that a family member, a WW II Vet, once told me that I had to have seen combat to join the VFW. I guess helicopter pilots and crews don't count in their scheme of things.
/s/ray
Raymond J. Norton
1513 Bordeaux Place
Norfolk, VA 23509-1313
(757) 623-1644
Posted : 2007-06-03 13:42
WW2, Korea, Vietnam or whatever
Ray that was some years back. I expect you ran into the Bar stool Plank owners. You will find them in any Club. Probably if you could view their service record you could ask, "you call that combat?" Having served during WW2, Korea, Vietnam & couple Ops with you youngsters while Senior Sikosrky Rep at MAG-36 Okinawa for 14 years 1973-1987, I have been welcome at any Marine function. I donot adorn my clothing with emblems etc or march in parades just enjoy BS sessions with Vets of any era. The VFW etc probably by now is occupied by Vets from your era and would be completely diffrent. SF PM
Posted : 2007-06-03 15:08
VFW vs AM Leg re:MN
When I was in MN, the management/organizations of both club systems had an "open" door policy. Membership rules were strickly adhered to by VFW, but then again, why be a mwember and go thru all the drivel, just go in as a public person (don't have to go to the meetings) and all was cool. Both systems relied heavily (and usually got the attention requested) by offering numerous gambling schemes, mostly pull tabs.
It is really a good thing tho, once in a while, to get a seat at the bar and just sit and talk to another vet...about the same things, maybe just different time frames, or maybe the same time frames...it's nice to talk to someone else who understands.
Posted : 2007-06-04 00:07
where are vets
the clubs have changed over the 60's and 70's. I'm a life member of vfw, am leg, dav and sometimes you can meet up with legit vets and hash over the good and bad times. But it still amazes me how many "heros" are sitting around bragging about the medals they received by assaulting typewriters and the top secret covert operations against the file cabinets. You still have to weed out the wanna bees--like the Navy Squid Chief at Mike Claussens Memorial Service.
S/F
hml-167/ vmo 2 1968
Posted : 2007-06-04 11:12
Topic starter
vets
good stuff. those vanna bees mess it up for all of us. i am generally pretty good at sniffing our the bad ones. but.... met a guy that i checked out parking in a handicap spot, as part of my part time job with security. he had a decided limp and explained that he flew phantoms in viet nam. that got my attention so i gave him a once over to check on his facts. he said he had been shot down three times and the last time was reassigned to flying birddogs. every question i asked, he was able to give a sat answer to. i remarked that the birddog was sure a letdown from the speed of the phantom even tho it had a hot o-470 engine in it. he replied, not just a 0-470 but an io-470. well that got me. hook , line, and sinker. for the next hour we traded war stories and he told me about his silver stars and navy cross. we left with a firm handshake and the familiar, welcome home. well when i got home i researched all the silver star and navy cross reciepitants and guess what, he was't listed. dang.
Posted : 2007-06-05 18:53
Sam Beamon's Book
Just a note to all that Sam Beamon has written a book about the fun of flying as a crew chief in Vietnam.
You can view it in the PX section of Popasmoke. It's titled, "Vietnam'a Flying Death".
Semper Fidelis
Bill Weaver
Posted : 2007-06-10 16:37
Marine Corps League
😉 Why are you guys worring about the VFW and A.L. ? Are you not Marines ? Get off your butts and get to the next Marine Corps League meeting in your area! We don't care what war you fought in. As long as your an honorably discharged Marine, your in with a band of brothers and nobody has to B.S. anyone! You want to march in parades and do honor guard duty, all you have to do is gear up with the proper uniform and remember to start with your left foot. The other left you maggot!
Simper Fi! Marines
Saltydog
Posted : 2007-06-10 16:48
Marine Corps League El Toro Detachment #017
We meet the 4th Wednesday of each month at 7:30PM at the American Legion in Orange, CA. Orange, CA. is located in North Orange County about 10 minutes from the ole MCAS (H) Tustin Base. Next Meeting is June 27, 2007. I am a Life Member of the Marine Corps League El Toro Detachment #017 and a Devil Dog in MODD #323.
Semper Fi
Jim Pruitt
HMH-462 Crewchief
Posted : 2007-06-12 23:31
Marine Corps League...
Been to all the Legions and VFW's that would allow me in the door. Didn't want to dishonor my USA reserve participation, but now that I'm retired from all services, have applied to and recieved my MAL for the Marine Corps League.
Rumor is that there is a group over @ Ft Sill...we've talked, but so far, my retirement funds and their meetings havent matched up. BUT, this is a good start, as far as I'm concerned.
Hooper
1969-1981
Posted : 2007-06-18 00:31
Topic starter
vets gone
for the record, i am past commandant, senior vice commandant, chaplain, and sgt. at arms of the tallahassee detatchment Marine Corps League.
Posted : 2007-06-25 21:10
Marine Corps League Det. 725 St. Charles County, MO meets first Wed. of each month at the St. Peters American Legion Post at 7:30 PM. We have a color guard that is always in demand, and make extra cash providing security at special events. If you are in the St. Charles, Lincoln, or Warren Counties, or in the St. Louis area come by and check us out. Right now we are supporting the FMF Corpsmen flying with HMM-161 in Iraq as part of the Adopt A Shop Program.
Posted : 2007-06-25 23:20
