Posted on 02/21/2015 2:52:47 PM PST by jonascord
HUNTER GARTH was in a gunfight for his life — and about to lose.
He and seven other Marines were huddled in a mud hut, their only refuge after they walked into an ambush in Trek Nawa, a Taliban stronghold in Afghanistan. Down to his last 15 bullets, one buddy already terribly wounded, Mr. Garth pulled off his helmet, smoked a cheap Afghan cigarette, and “came to terms with what was happening.”
“I’m going to die here with my best friends,” he recalled thinking.
I didn’t know any of this — nor the remarkable story of his survival that day — when I met him two months ago in Colorado while reporting for an article about the marijuana industry, for which Mr. Garth and his company provide security. But I did know he was a vet and so I did what seemed natural: I thanked him for his service.
“No problem,” he said.
It wasn’t true. There was a problem.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Okay, fine. I won’t thank you for your service but I will continue to anonymously pay for your lunch.
“when I met him two months ago in Colorado while reporting for an article about the marijuana industry, for which Mr. Garth and his company provide security.”
hmmm
The link took me to a NYTs subscription request.
People really don’t know what “service” is.
So now saying ‘thank you for your service’ is considered bad form, or is that the opinion of just a few, like this one person? We had a whole generation from Vietnam who did not get treated very well upon their return, and some remain bitter about it to this day. I don’t overdo the ‘thanks’ if the vet in question is busy doing something else. We Americans tend to veer on being friendly anyway. Is that really such a bad thing? I don’t think so.
I didn't earn it.
I joined the Marines to go to Da'Nam. I spent four years dusting radios as an MOS 2800. The closest I ever got was a 96 liberty R&R in Taiwan. Half of my boot camp platoon are on the Wall.
When I got out and returned to college, if anyone asked, I said I had spent 4 years in California. It was easier than explaining the Corps.
(For those who don't know, The Corps didn't give you a choice of MOS, except whether you wanted the Wing...)
“Long past time for US Citizens to start keeping video and film track of these jihadi gyrations. As armed citizenry, we must be prepared ...”
Amen brother. Our Vietnam vets were poorly treated compared to those of other conflicts. Therefore, I make it a point to indeed thank them for their service and also mention our nation still has an unpaid debt to them. I could care less whether anyone either on this forum, or the public at large thinks in bad form.
I wore at uniform many years ago as well, but my service pales in comparison to those who fought communists back in the 50s - early 70s. These are the vets who may have saved me from having to fight communists in the 80s and early 90s. I’m forever grateful to them.
It's worth a thought that it wasn't until after I was out that it occurred to me that we were smuggled back into the country, in '73.
I was told at Travis to change into civilian clothing before going to SFO.
I served 20 years, 1 month and 18 days in the Corps and I am also a veteran of The Persian Gulf War (OPS: Desert Shield/Desert Storm). I sometimes wear one of my many “USMC” ball caps out in public, not so much to garner thanks, but in hopes of meeting ANY other veteran and chew the fat.
I have in the past felt uncomfortable when I got a “Thank you for your service,” particularly from non-veterans, but recently discovered that I can return the thanks by saying: “And I thank YOU for your support!” It kind of levels things and the grateful folks seem to feel good about that return of thanks.
I’m stealing that. :-)
Go for it Bill... You’re welcome!
Both my son and I, veterans of multiple Infantry deployments to Iraq, felt (him more than me) embarrassed (or maybe humbled) to be the recipient of “Thank you for your service”. It took a good bit of adjustment, and finally started responding “and thank you very much for your support”. We didn’t feel like we had done anything special.
Late one night, well into a bottle of Jamesons, we talked through what our elder brothers from Vietnam experienced, and while we were a bit uncomfortable, it was far better than they got.
To this day, we make it a point to thank every Vietnam Vet we meet for guiding and assisting us through this generation’s war and after-effects.
If you are a Vietnam Vet and read this, THANK YOU!
Me too. Perfect and honest.
Bill - I noted on your information page that you are a “Constitutional conservative.” Check out: (1) Article V of your “pocket Constitution” about the Convention of States which is being put together, and (2) the web site “conventionofstates.org for further info.
We had a speaker at our regular monthly meeting this past Thursday night. The Convention of States is getting a lot of attention and gaining a lot of steam. Please pass along to our like-minded!
And thank you for service, “Shipmate!”
Amen Sarge! My late father (USN) and two older brothers (USA & USN) are all Vietnam Veterans and I feel much of what they did and experienced paved the way for me.
We have had trouble filling the ranks for many years even since 9/11, and I agree that the farther from the military that American men get, the more patriotic they sound in praising those who serve.
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