[Fierce Allegiance]

Yeah, guys will tell war stories over a few beers, but not make up bullshit like this dimbo, because they don't have to.

My experience, though, with my Grandfathers (both WWII) My uncles & dad (one a huey pilot like you, LP) and my cousins (one in GWI, one Iraqi freedom) is that they really don't discuss their experiences. They also don't brag, because they don't need to.

I have tried to get their stories on tape for a library of confgress project, but no one would really discuss things. It must be a family trait.

My huey pilot uncle did related his "worst day of my life story" that will top anything I could ever run into, so i am grateful every day that no matter how bad thing seem to me, it won't be as bad as the worst day he's experienced.

[Stashiu]

You are right on target.

The real heros don't talk about it because those situations are exceptionally painful to remember. A few beers will loosen them up a bit, but you don't see them strutting about with their medals.

I have met real heros, and got to know them well. They did incredible things is horrendous situations. The medal is but a slight compensation for a memory that will only stop tormenting them once in the grave.

On the other hand, I got one of my medals, a Bronze Star, for no good reason that I can think of. I am embarrassed to talk about it. I was trying to refuse it back then, but was threatened with 'non-judicial punishment' if I did not show up to get it from General whatshisname. It never made sense to me, but then a lot of things in Vietnam did not make sense to me.

The more loudly someone talks about his/her wartime exploits, the more likely they are to be a wannabe. At least that has been my experience.

[leadpenny]

I gotta rush out the door to work. I'll be back with y'all later.