Veteran Caps!

G.T. Smith

G.T. Smith

US Veteran
Joined
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Location
south central missouri
I got me a really nice black ball cap that says, "US Army Veteran" on the front. I wore it to the big inter tribal pow wow in Quapaw OK this year. I knew that most of the people there seem to be quite patriotic but it was amazing. Several folks thanked me for their freedom, or thanked me for my service. One elderly native American lady vendor even knocked $5 off a $15 purchase then stopped me and gave me a pretty little key chain for free. I always look forward to the 4th of July because my Wife a I like to go and enjoy the food and dancing there in Quapaw. Hope I'm spelling that right. :o
peace,
gordon
 
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Chances are if you wear a "veteran" hat (especially WWII, Korea or Viet Nam) and I can get to you, you will get a handshake and a heart felt "thanks" (humbly) from me. My 18 y.o. son has started to do the same.:)

I got my F-I-L 2 WWII ball caps (actually made in USA), one for the European theater and the other for the Pacific theater as he saw action in both.

Thank you for your service Gordon.
 
Went to our local VA Medical Center today to visit my ailing brother. In the men's room off the main lobby I ran into an 88-year-old man wearing a WWII Veteran cap with a pin bearing his division insignia (9th Infantry) and a Purple Heart ribbon. I snapped off a salute. He grinned and returned it.

Then he told me the Purple Heart was received because a green 2nd lieutenant didn't listen to him and another non-com and ordered them to do something foolhardy that got two men killed and fourteen wounded.

Wish we could have talked longer, but his son was impatient to leave.
 
I'm a Viet Nam veteran. I've been wearing my boonie hats for years. I came home with two and my sister, also a veteran, got me one years ago from actual supply. They're all pretty sad looking now and I can't seem to find real ones. Got one at the local surplus store in camo but it's just not the same as the plain OD ones.
Anyway, I get approached once in a while by people asking if I'm a veteran. I get my hand shook and thanked for my service. In the last few years I've taken to approaching obvious veterans and exchanging pleasantries. Feels good.
 
RodGD said:
I'm a Viet Nam veteran. I've been wearing my boonie hats for years. I came home with two and my sister, also a veteran, got me one years ago from actual supply. They're all pretty sad looking now and I can't seem to find real ones. Got one at the local surplus store in camo but it's just not the same as the plain OD ones.
Anyway, I get approached once in a while by people asking if I'm a veteran. I get my hand shook and thanked for my service. In the last few years I've taken to approaching obvious veterans and exchanging pleasantries. Feels good.
Click to expand...
RodGD.
You should have US Veteran installed by your name in this forum. You earned it.
 
I was honored at a pow wow in the Smokey Mountains one Memorial Day weekend. They invited all veterans to join them in a snake dance and then publicly thanked us all. I wasn't much good at the snake dancing part but felt privileged to be a part of it.

I don't wear a veteran ball cap but have thought about getting one. I'm a Vietnam Era vet but didn't serve there so wouldn't be comfortable wearing one. Maybe an AF or simply veteran one would do.
I always thank a vet or active duty person when I see them too. Most you can tell really appreciate it and not like when I was active duty when you didn't even want to wear the uniform in public for the disrespect. After I got spit on in JFK airport and called a baby killer I never wore mine again in public. Sad and glad today's military gets more respect.
 
I have a female friend who is an exc for Bank of America. She is an army brat who's father was a Sgt. who died on active duty from a stroke. Any time she is in a restaurant and military personnel are there in uniform, she always picks up the tab regardless of the number of people. This is not an uncommon thing since FT. Bliss is near by and she eats out frequently.
 
kozmic said:
Chances are if you wear a "veteran" hat (especially WWII, Korea or Viet Nam) and I can get to you, you will get a handshake and a heart felt "thanks" (humbly) from me. My 18 y.o. son has started to do the same.:)

I got my F-I-L 2 WWII ball caps (actually made in USA), one for the European theater and the other for the Pacific theater as he saw action in both.

Thank you for your service Gordon.
Click to expand...

Same here. Depending where im at--also means ill buy themalunch--or a snack or a drink. Afew days ago while using wifi at McDs--Isawa WWII Vet and bought him their last apple pie and a cup of Joe. I shook his hand, thanked him for his service--and the guy actually had a tear coming from his eye.

I do this as much as I can afford to do.
 
I have many caps and I just grab one on the way out of the house. Sometimes it is the US Air Force Retired hat and I'm always surprised when someone comes up and says, "Thank you for your service." I have to look around to see why they are doing that....AH, the hat.

I have been retired since the late 1970's and back then people wouldn't give a GI or VET the time of day. Times change!!:)
 
Used to be if you were a Viet vet people stayed away from you like the plague . Guess times have changed. I was always proud of my service but kept it low key and now I feel a little awkward when people respond with a thanks for your service. Just did my duty as an American.
 
I feel self conscious about wearing a "veteran" hat(even though I qualify), kinda the same way I feel about driving around with the handicapped tag hanging from the mirror (it even says remove before driving on it) so the only time I display mine is when I'm parking.
 
Only the 4th of July I took my family to a fireworks stand to buy some fireworks. I had on a US NAVY Vet shirt. One of the stand guys asked me if I had served. I said yes Sir I did. He replied with Thank You. Can I buy you and your family a box of fireworks? I said Your Welcome Sir. Yes my kids would love that. He made my dad. Kids were happy too.
 
My Dad is a WWII (1st ID) and Korea vet. I took him to an airshow in Topeka last year. He wore a Korea vet cap. He got a free ride in a P-51 and we (my dad, son and self) all got a free ride in a C-47 thanks to some really great folks with Freedom Flyers out of Burnet, Tx. Outstanding folks. That av gas ain't cheap.
 
I feel the same as a few vets here. Especially after all the years that have passed, I would feel uncomfortable having strangers come up to me and acknowledge my past service. I like to keep a low profile and consider it a privilege to have served. With all its faults, I consider myself lucky to have been born and live in the USA.
 
I just hope nobody ever gives me one of those hats, so that I won't have to feel bad about not wearing it. I'm glad some of you enjoy it, but it's not for me.
 
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