Kind of a jerk, and a cheapskate last night

[rburg]

OK, we went out to my son's jeep club meeting. They call it a suds and grub. When we got there we had 2 Marines in full dress collecting toys for tots. Really they were more receiving them in 2 huge boxes. I tend to like miltary guys in public. So later when we went inside for the beer and food, they came inside also. I caught the waitress we use and said I wanted to buy them their first beer. Turns out someone right after me just said he'd pick up their entire tab. Its OK, I don't mind being outdone.

And my poor grandson. He's 15 and a pretty good kid. I caught him right after I parked and told him to get in the back of my Jeep and get the Router table out and put it in his dad's jeep. I guess he heard the word "table" and was afraid it was heavy or big or something. So he very hesitantly asked if he could do that himself. So being a grandpa, I knew the key words to use. I told him if he couldn't handle it, I'd get his little sister to help. Yeah, it weighs all of maybe 10#. And he did it without breaking a sweat.

It seems more and more often, our military folks get some appreciation from the folks out and about.

 

[Calaveras Slim]

I put 22 years in the Army and retired April 30th, 1984. When I go into a business I like to ask for a military discount and quite often get it.

However, when someone offers to pay for me or to offer thanks for serving my country, I get a little embarrassed. Why? For making a career doing something I loved.

However, I sure do enjoy eating a free meal at Texas Roadhouse, Olive Garden or Golden Corral. Yum Yum

 

[steelslaver]

I haven't seen one of those in years
and years
and years
and years
well ever

 

[JJEH]

There are good people out there.

One day we went out for lunch, my wife was in ACU's of course and someone walked over and said he's paying for our food/drinks and thanked her for her service. We were speechless, especially since we did not ask for Military discount (unless there's a sign).

Another time we went to an iHop in Amarillo, TX with all of our kids. My wife was in civilian clothes and we just ordered a late breakfast (I can always go for iHop Anyway, an older couple came over - after they checked out - just to tell us that they have picked up our tab. Reason? Because our kids were so well behaved (doesn't happen often). We were speechless... and thankful... but mostly speechless. Since they have already paid there's there was no way to return the favor. They just left... We are still thankful... and speechless.

 

[italiansport]

I was in a re-sale/junk shop in Mesa,AZ awhile back and there was a disabled vet being pushed around in a wheelchair. He spotted a dress uniforn and wanted it so he had it put behind the counter while he continued to look around.
I went over to the counter and asked the clerk the price and then paid for it.
I didn't stick around to see the result.
Jim

 

[turnerriver]

I did not expect the title to refer to the writer.
Regards,
turnerriver

 

[rwsmith]

Well, you know....

OK, we went out to my son's jeep club meeting. They call it a suds and grub. When we got there we had 2 Marines in full dress collecting toys for tots. Really they were more receiving them in 2 huge boxes. I tend to like miltary guys in public. So later when we went inside for the beer and food, they came inside also. I caught the waitress we use and said I wanted to buy them their first beer. Turns out someone right after me just said he'd pick up their entire tab. Its OK, I don't mind being outdone.

And my poor grandson. He's 15 and a pretty good kid. I caught him right after I parked and told him to get in the back of my Jeep and get the Router table out and put it in his dad's jeep. I guess he heard the word "table" and was afraid it was heavy or big or something. So he very hesitantly asked if he could do that himself. So being a grandpa, I knew the key words to use. I told him if he couldn't handle it, I'd get his little sister to help. Yeah, it weighs all of maybe 10#. And he did it without breaking a sweat.

It seems more and more often, our military folks get some appreciation from the folks out and about.

You know, when it's peace time, our military trains and a lot of it is something like a plain job, they get some bennies and we appreciate them being there in case TSHTF. But daggone, we have been at continuous war for over a decade, and these people have to go 'live' in Iraq and Afghanistan and very likely get kill, their limbs blown or shot off or seriously lose their minds. And they are doing this voluntarily. And a lot of them keep going back. They are fighting the people that are attacking us, so you're darn right I appreciate it. And that includes, barracks bombed, Somalia, Grenada, Vietnam all the way back to the Revolutionary War.

 

[J. R. WEEMS]

Have a USMC sticker on my back cap window of the truck. Last month when heading for the Eastern shore on a camping trip, I pulled up to the toll gate on the bridge and was told the car in front of me had paid my toll. Never even saw which vehicle it was.

 

[the ringo kid]

I put 22 years in the Army and retired April 30th, 1984. When I go into a business I like to ask for a military discount and quite often get it.

However, when someone offers to pay for me or to offer thanks for serving my country, I get a little embarrassed. Why? For making a career doing something I loved.

However, I sure do enjoy eating a free meal at Texas Roadhouse, Olive Garden or Golden Corral. Yum Yum

Come by here for a visit--and you will get one from me at: Longhorn Steak and Ale. I love that place.

 

[the ringo kid]

A local Korean War vet I know--was in Houston visiting his Grandkids--about a year ago--and somelocal jerks brke into his home-stole his VHS player and other stuff. I had a Magnavox player--I might have used all of 10 hours since I bought it--I gave it to him and he's good to go--enjoying his VHS tapes with his Grandson. Stuff like that--makes me feel good. Its embarassing thaat he keeps thanking me for it--its not worth the $180 or so I paid for it--compared to what he faced in korea.

 

[Triathloncoach]

Showing appreciation is always a good idea.

 

[TheHobbyist]

Whenever possible, I try to pick up the tab for our men and women in service. It's never been a question in my mind, nor taken for granted, that we are free because of their sacrifice. Thank you.

 

[Onomea]

And here I thought Burg had quaffed a few beers, tied himself to his son's car with a longish rope, strapped on some of his grandson's roller skates, and gone for a neighborhood spin in the moonlight...

And I was hoping for pix, too.

 

[JJEH]

It's never been a question in my mind, nor taken for granted, that we are free because of their sacrifice. Thank you.

I know right. Here's a good (if not the best) illustration that brings it straight to the point!

 

[Double-O-Dave]

There are good people out there.
One day we went out for lunch, my wife was in ACU's of course and someone walked over and said he's paying for our food/drinks and thanked her for her service. We were speechless, especially since we did not ask for Military discount (unless there's a sign).

Jorge:

I served a bit over 5 yrs. in the Army (ETSd in 1980), and right after President Bush (41) enacted Desert Shield, I was getting a haircut in a local hair cutting place. When I went to pay for it, the young hairdresser refused my money for the haircut. When I asked her why, she responded: "You're going off to fight for our country, so the least I can do is buy you a haircut." I explained to her that I was a veteran, but that I was too old, too fat, and not being called up by the Army to serve again, and that I would be happy to pay for my haircut. She responded that as I was a veteran, she would still be happy to pay for my haircut.

I gave her the payment and told her to keep it as a tip - that way, both of us were happy. When I asked her why she thought I was still in the military, she asked me: "How many non-military guys go into a haircutting place and ask for a 'High-and-tight'? She had a point...

Regards,

Dave

 

[JJEH]

Jorge:

I served a bit over 5 yrs. in the Army (ETSd in 1980), and right after President Bush (41) enacted Desert Shield, I was getting a haircut in a local hair cutting place. When I went to pay for it, the young hairdresser refused my money for the haircut. When I asked her why, she responded: "You're going off to fight for our country, so the least I can do is buy you a haircut." I explained to her that I was a veteran, but that I was too old, too fat, and not being called up by the Army to serve again, and that I would be happy to pay for my haircut. She responded that as I was a veteran, she would still be happy to pay for my haircut.

I gave her the payment and told her to keep it as a tip - that way, both of us were happy. When I asked her why she thought I was still in the military, she asked me: "How many non-military guys go into a haircutting place and ask for a 'High-and-tight'? She had a point...

Regards,

Dave

Our oldest son (10) likes high & tight

I served 4 years as a soldier, but not in the US Military. People back there didn't appreciate the Military, you only work there b/c you can't make it in the civilian world. In other words, you are a loser. I see that different and had big plans until my motorcycle accident ended it painfully. It still bothers me to that day

Now I'm too old and too fat to join the service... if I could be 19 again I would.

 

[rcnixon]

I have a friend who works for the VA. He asked me to come with him one evening to work on the computer belonging to one of his patients. This man's computer was his lifeline to the outside world since his stroke. I cleaned out a bunch of viruses and installed some freeware virus protection, a freeware firewall and cleaned up the hard drive. I noticed a Silver Star citation on the wall as I worked. Now, mind you, I would not have dreamed of charging this guy under any circumstances but his wife asked me what my charges were. I pointed to the citation and told her that Mr. X's bill was paid in full, in advance. The poor woman burst into tears and pretty soon I was weeping along with her.

Thanks for reminding me to tell that story, it makes me feel good all over again.

Russ

 

[BigBoy99]

My wife's ex was one of those low-life's who claimed all kinds of service time and awards but was noting but BS. He died a year after they were divorced and she was showing me all the paperwork she had on his military records. (She kept them as they were part of the divorce records.)

I asked if I could look at them. They were very interesting because they showed he entered the US Army at age 19 and was a private. By the time he was in his mid 30's, he was a Lt. Col., had been captured in Viet Nam but was released by the VC only after 6 months in captivity! His record (which he generated by himself) said that he had received two recommendation for the CMH, the Silver Star and several other distinguished service citations. He was also a "Green Beret" by his record. Using the information in the paperwork, I was able to find his grave. He is listed by the VA as a Private in the US Army and is buried in a military cemetery. My wife initially believed all of his military exploits but she started to question them and by the time of the divorce, she wasn't really sure about them.

I was able to access some of his records and showed her that all of his exploits were pure BS! She says is just another reason why she glad she divorced him!