Quote Originally Posted by Mike1 View Post
James, I have tremendous respect for those that have made the sacrifice of serving in this country's armed forces.

But one thing that absolutely sickens me to death is to watch those that have served walking around beating their own breasts about it.

My father served in Korea. One of his best friends survived a suicide-bomber attack on his destroyer in the Pacific, during WWII. All my life, I've watched these men live very common and ordinary lives. They are both Past-Commanders in a couple of service organizations. I've earned wages, conducting funerals in miserable freezing weather, standing under a tent while my father was getting soaked to the skin as he waited to fire another salute to honor a fallen veteran, free of charge. My father's uniform? It hangs at the back of his closet, where it has always hung.

You served this country and I have no doubt you served to the very best of your ability. Thank you for what you have done. And I am willing to say this to all of our nation's veterans.

But let's remember the stripes you may have worn on your sleeve, or the bits of metal you may have worn on your collar give you absolutely no position of authority in our society. Perhaps there was a time you could bark an order and have large groups of men obey your every word, I don't know. Bark at me and you're likely to have me barking back, right before I laugh in your face. Show me respect and I'll be more than willing to reciprocate.

Once a Marine, always a Marine? Sorry, but from where I'm sitting, that was then and this is now. It is what you are doing today that is defining who you are, not what you once did. Welcome back to the world.

This may surprize you, but I agree with everything, and I mean everything that you just said. But I'm not sure I see how it relates to my opinion of wearing things that were not earned.

By the way, I have my awards mounted and hanging on the wall. I don't think you ever read a statement by me that said "once a Marine, always a Marine" I am a retired Marine.