So when someone tells me "Thank you for your service" I really don't care to hear it. It's like they "have" to tell you, like "whew, got that out of the way" it's almost like getting spit on sometimes. Those are just hollow words to me unless you really know, unless you BTDT.................
This part here BWRR has always driven me nuts since it started. When I came home in 1971 from Nam we treated like some kind of diseased animal. All I wanted was to come home and have a normal life. The looks ;stares and questions from people made you feel unwanted because they believed what ever the media said about us. I never wanted thanked or patted on the back ; just a job and a good woman to be with.
Then about 20 ; 25 years later the same people decided that ; In my opinion it was politically correct to give us a big welcome home party and we'd forget the spiteful past . Well wars may end but memories of home coming never fade.
I'm not a bitter man because of it ; But it taught me just how easily people ( sheep ) are lead. Over the years I've been able to discern mostly those who truly mean it when they says thanks. Many times when myself or with my wife is in one of the big box stores and an employee says it I just kinda look at them with a blank stare. They probably think I stupid or senile. The other thing that really pisses me off and I've told people in no uncertain terms at times ; Do not call me a hero. For I am not a hero!! ; I'm just an average guy like many others who understood what being and growing up in America means and it's sacrifice of being one.
To me the heroes are those who gave their all and are marked by tombstones. So over the years I've learn it's about being a patriot not patriotism.
I guess what I'm trying to say is a lot of people spout phrases that ring hollow because I believe it makes them feel warm and fuzzy inside. They don't know me or even take time to speak about my time. How can you thank us for something you probably know nothing about. Never been there or done that but know more than those of us who were. Brains are a funny organ.
As a side note a little story.
Worked in steel mill ; 40 yrs. old or so and and had a couple girls and guys at lunch table asking me stupid shit about Nam. One guy said he was told we were baby killers and why did we kill babies? I said because they were easy pickings. ; Do you have some that need killed? He thought I was a smart ass. Told him he was a fucking idiot for believing everything he was told or read. Needless to say we never became friends and he always kept his distance from me if possible.
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