Ricochet is the best place on the internet to discuss the issues of the day, either through commenting on posts or writing your own for our active and dynamic community in a fully moderated environment. In addition, the Ricochet Audio Network offers over 50 original podcasts with new episodes released every day.
My Veterans Day Tee Shirt
I have this tee shirt I wear every Veterans Day. It says “Navy Veteran” on the front, and it has the Seal of the Department of the Navy on the back. Normally, I only wear it at home, because I don’t think I deserve free meals for my service (if I went out for lunch), given so many before me never knew they were eating their last meal. Yeah, there’s Memorial Day for them, but it still doesn’t feel right for me on Veterans Day.
Still, we were driving back from our latest cruise today (maybe a future post), so I wore the tee in public. When we stopped for food or gas (or just to stretch), I got a few “Thank you for your service” and handshakes from people. I also gave out a few myself, as other veterans were traveling too. The strangest part of driving home today was when we were on the bypass around Statesboro, Georgia this afternoon. There I was—a Navy Veteran, wearing a Navy Veteran tee shirt, on Veterans Day, driving on Veterans Memorial Parkway. How cool—or surprising—is that?
Happy Veterans Day to my fellow Ricochetti, and it’s great to be back!
Published in Military
And thanks to all of our veterans at Ricochet. Thank you for your service never quite seemed adequate to me but I do mean it from the bottom of my heart.
We also have some retired law enforcement folks. Their service should be rewarded too . . .
I have a DD 214 tee shirt. Most people don’t know what it means.
Yes, that is true. Especially now.
Heh, didn’t think you were old enough to have served on the Tracy, so I reckon it’s a reference to the form.
This is just beautiful.
Yeah, I was too young. But I do remember the day Roosevelt died. I was home from school and heard it on the radio. I called down to my mother to tell her the news and she burst into tears.
Way cool.
You should wear the shirt more often in public. It is good to remind folks that many people are vets. At church we have the vets stand up for a big thank you. I am always surprised at how many vets there are. Sure, every older male I knew growing up was a vet, but it is nice to be reminded how common it used to be. Kids these days don’t know many vets, so wear the shirt to remind them that freedom isn’t free. If they ask, you can tell them the Berlin wall was built by Commies to keep people *in* and that it didn’t fall over, it was pushed over.
I love going out in public and seeing old guys (and I’m an “old gal”) wearing their hats that indicate they served in the military. When I was a newly married Navy wife (GO NAVY, Stad) it was the time in American history when the military was being protested, disrespected, and abused. So, I say: wear that shirt, wear that hat! I love that vets can proudly proclaim their status now, and get some love for their willingness to put it on the line. Not everyone sees combat or other life-threatening conditions, but when you sign up, you don’t know that. You signed up anyway. Be proud…
You made my day!