What would you do? Veterans only

I would have told him he could get a veterans ID by applying for one at the nearest recruiters office. Worked for me.

The VA should give you an ID. Here like many other states you can have it on your driver license with a DD214, here you can have it on you license plates for $20 and a DD214. I have no problem taking the discounts, parking inn a veterans only parking spot.

IMHO the only good thing to come out of the Mid-east wars was the reversal of this nations opinion on Vets. Sure beats the late 60s and 70s when many viewed and treated us in a far different manner.
 
...Commanding General of Fort Benning, Georgia issued orders prohibiting off-duty personnel from wearing the uniform outside the post to avoid protests and ugly demonstrations.

During WWII, the Defense Department wanted all soldiers and sailors to wear their uniforms when on leave and off duty.

My uncle complied - here is a pic of him and me when he was on leave during the war.

John

 
The local gun range finally had an opening and my name finally made it through the waiting list, so they contacted me and said I could join.

They waive the $120 initiation fee for active duty. I sent him a copy of my DD-214 proving my 20 years of service and campaign medals. He wrote back that they only waive the fee for active duty.

I replied that if my 20+ years wasn't viewed as valuable as someone's potentially 2 weeks of active duty, I'll decline.

As an aside- I've kept this picture for years. The guy in the pic was walking around somewhere in this "uniform" and a veteran had him arrested.
 

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I wouldn't have given the guy a moment of my time.

My county Clerk will give you a miniature card that says you're a vet when you register your DD-214 with them. They also give you 3 free certified copies of your DD-214.
I got the enhanced driver's license from NY. DD-214 was one of the documents I used and they put Veteran on my license.
I never ask about the discounts. It's not worth people knowing my business.
 
Being a disabled vet at 60% (anything 10% and above here in Illinois) I have a free hunting and fishing license which expires when I do. My retired ID card is all I need for just about everything I might want to discount.

My plates are marked RM and most everybody in Illinois knows it means Retired Military. The Navy, Army, and Marine Corps have special emblems on their plates if they ask for it.


I'm also a 60% disabled vet, not retired. My VA card gets me hunting and fishing benefits, state parks, base access and discounts anywhere a military I.D. is required. I think in the decade or so since I've been carrying that card I had one person question whether or not I was in the military and all I said was "How in the world would I have a service connected disability if I weren't in military service at some time or other?"
 
Here's one for you that happened to me back in 2021.

I was approached by a dirty white male in his TWENTIES (keep this in mind). It was obvious he was one of the area's homeless population. On that day, I was wearing a tiger stripe BDU top. He headed toward me across the parking lot and I already knew what was coming.
He asked if I had been in the military. I answered in the affirmative and he proceded to tell me he was a veteran down on his luck. I asked what branch of service he was in....now get ready for this.

He told me he was a green beret in the Marines and had served in Korea and World War II.

I played along. He told me he had retired at the rank of Sergeant...yet he couldn't tell me where he was stationed and so on. He said he couldn't talk about it because all of his missions were classified.

After tiring of the game, I told the guy if he knew that the Green Berets were an Army unit not a Marine one plus he was nowhere close to the age to have served in the wars he claimed to have. I told him try again on another sucker and get the out of my face.

He walked away using the usual colorful metaphors I have come to expect in these situations.

There are lots of guys out there doing this and they are pretty easy to spot. The best course is to just walk away and say nothing...they aren't worth the response.

I'm still waiting to meet the Sergeant-General of the Marine Corps...I'm sure there is one out there somewhere.
 
I am not a vet. My Dad was career Navy 1941-1961. Always said he could see Vietnam coming and didn't want to push his luck. Brother was drafted in 1967 6 months after he was married. Luckily, he was sent to Germany where he did something with xm129s. He doesn't talk about what he did, just glad he missed Vietnam and got to take his wife to Germany.

For my Dad and guys like him who did 20 years or were injured badly the government should have done or do more than they currently do. For others who served shorter periods of time, medical if they need it, trade school or college funds, and low interest loans. I know some of this is done but not enough. I like other officers, BUT I have a soft spot in my heart for Armed Services folks.

Some years ago I was flying somewhere and I was stuck in the center chair between two young soldiers. Either because he wanted to sit next to his friend or to take pity on me he offered me his aisle seat. I took it and thanked him. When we got off the plane he was with 4 or 5 others. I stopped to thank him again. He said they had a several hour layover. I handed him some money and told them, I don't know how much "airport beer" this will buy but stay safe. They all thanked me and headed to the bar, arm in arm. Reminded me of EOW when I was a young cop.

As for LE, we generally get paid pretty well and taken care of . If not you really should move or promote to get there and make sure you have a good pension or save something to cover you upon retirement. Just a bit of advise for young guys.

I see several places that have 5% off for Vets and LE , the local gun store is one of the places I do take advantage of it. Recently I was stocking up on beverages at the nice liquor store I stop by on my way home from town. I didn't have enough cash so had to dig in my wallet for reserves(gun money) to pay my bill. Just cant use a card to buy booze. my wallet opened enough to show my retired ID. The clerk, who I have done a bit of business with, asked me if I was a Policeman. I told him I was retired and he recalculated my bill taking 5% off. I couldn't believe it. I told him in LA I would probably get shot at. He said "Well Welcome to Texas"..., I thanked him. My buds in LA couldn't believe it.
 
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Heck, my Dad was an Army combat vet. in Korea. My wife bought me a Army T shirt in honor of my Dad.
I don't want to wear it because I have not served in the Army and feel it would be inappropriate. Sort of "stolen valor".
 
the late Duke Tully, past publisher of the Arizona Republic claimed to be an Air Force Pilot, shot down in Korea, flew 100 missions in Viet Nam, was an Israeli secret agent etc,wore many medals that he was not awarded...imagine that pack of lies from a news man that published the biggest news paper in Arizona. He had no shame....maybe he should have run for political office.
 
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Did not post all the details, clown was standing maybe 2' from me looking at the discount sign when he asked about discount. He looked at me and clerk when he was asking, kind of hard to ignore. Had he been farther away I would have ignored him. Once Most people pay they move to the other side of the register where the clerk put their bag of purchase(s) on the counter.
 
As a Veteran, I'd ask the guy if he'd like a ride to the nearest recruiting office. I put on the uniform for 32 years and won't pull any punches when it comes to the Freeloaders in our country. I also question those who stand on a corner with the word "Veteran" on their cardboard sign.

I ask them to show me their DD214 or a Vertran ID card before I reach for my wallet.
 

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