2008 Army Signal Ball Manhattan Kansas

[James MacMillan]

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.

[Mike1]

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.

I didn't suggest you've posted those words on this forum. Please re-read my post. But you are familiar with the concept, are you not?

I'm simply explaining to you that whilst having the utmost respect for a man's service to his country, I also observe military service means nothing on this forum.

We're all entitled to our opinions. We're all entitled to disagree with another's opinions. We're watching the process unfold in this thread.

[davedove]

I understand your opinion James, and for the most part agree with it. People who would wear medals they never earned, AS IF THEY WERE THEIR OWN, are beyond contempt. (Isn't it interesting how these posers were always war heros in their tales, and always seemed to be SEALS, or Special Forces, and never a clerk or cook).

The tradition in Australia, however, is to wear the medals of family members on the right side, to differentiate from the actual vets. I also believe that family members only wear the medals if the actual veteran is deceased (I could be wrong on this). I have no problem with this sort of tradition, as long as this differentiation is made.

[James MacMillan]

I understand your opinion James, and for the most part agree with it. People who would wear medals they never earned, AS IF THEY WERE THEIR OWN, are beyond contempt. (Isn't it interesting how these posers were always war heros in their tales, and always seemed to be SEALS, or Special Forces, and never a clerk or cook).

The tradition in Australia, however, is to wear the medals of family members on the right side, to differentiate from the actual vets. I also believe that family members only wear the medals if the actual veteran is deceased (I could be wrong on this). I have no problem with this sort of tradition, as long as this differentiation is made.

That's my problem also, and yes the posers always seem to be Rambo. However, they are always very easy to expose, and they don't seem to hang out at the VFW or Legion.

The Marine Corps already has regulations for wearing things on both sides of the chest. In full dress uniform, when all ribbons and medals are mandated, the medals are worn on the left and the ribbons on the right. When the medals are not called for, then the ribbon versions of all awards are mounted together in normal order of seniority and worn on the left. When miniture medals are worn, they are worn on the left. Each country has different regulations. For instance, we wear a device on the ribbon to represent a second or more award that is the same. Some counties, wear duplicate awards, side by each.