(Untitled)

[rebelcoyote]

While I was in the spanish lab today I noticed that the guy in front of me was wearing a silver bracelet like the one I wear for Wise. I couldn't quite make out the words on it but I could tell it wasn't one of the Wise bracelets and I think I saw the word Nasiriah. Odds are he was a vet like me who'd lost a buddy. I kind of wanted to say

Comments

[anaxandra]

young men and women. brave ones. it almost doesn't seem real, what's going on in iraq.

[rebsreich]

Well you might see him again..strike up a conversation.

[sheldongass]

And you might feel whatever it is for a few momemts before you strike up a conversation with someone, or you might feel it after an hour of conversation when you decide to ask someone out, or you might feel it after a few months of casually knowing someone, or you might feel it after years of developing a platonic relationship.

[roninspoon]

Everytime I see someone on campus in pieces or parts of military gear, I wonder if they're a veteran. Sometimes I want to start up a conversation with them, but I rarely do. I used to wear an Airborne hat a lot, so that I could easily be recognized as a veteran, and maybe save myself the trouble of starting a conversation. Some time ago, I realized that I was actually wearing the hat, so that I could give people the opportunity to recognize me for my own selfish reasons.

Every once in a while someone will ask if I was in the Army. At first I thouhgt it was odd, I was wearing the hat after all. As it turns out, some people wear military stuff, uniforms, insignia, hats, even though they're not in the military. This struck as really foreign for some reason.

Damn posers.

[rebelcoyote]

Yeah, I feel wierd advertising my service. Still, this veterans day, I really felt like I should have something on signifying my status, especially since I was flying that day. I really felt like I should be getting free stuff.

I'd love to get free stuff and special treatment on veteran's day but I don't want to have to carry on a conversation with alot of people who just want to thank me for my service.

[roninspoon]

Good luck with that free stuff. In the 12 years since I got out, I think something like three or four strangers have ever asked about or acknoledged my veteran status in public, and I wear that damned hat all the time. I used to have a Saudi Arabia service ribbon on my jacket and one dude at the airport noticed that and asked. That was pretty cool.

[hanstrale]

A: It's all I've ever known since I've been putting records out. I think there's work to be done there.

[powerlifter260]

I haven't met any other Iraq vets in Tally. On the other hand as soon as a civilian realizes I'm a combat vet...

"So did you kill anybody?"

One of these days I'm going to reply:
Yep, and I still do here in the states, they just haven't caught me yet."

Ah and for all those military personel/ROTC cadets/random idiots with their dog tags hanging out... be prepared for me to rip them off.

[rebelcoyote]

hear hear. I've usually noticed that although I'm almost never asked if I killed anyone, most people want to know.

[aubreykivett]

But if that's what people want to hear, it's what they want to hear. Your tastes at 15 are not so developed, you know.

[roninspoon]

I never know how to answer that question.

Thank you

[anonymous]

I have just read my first military blogs including yours. It really does help to inject some personalities into my understanding of what is going on. I am in So. California and am leading a pretty sterile life. I feel very isolated from those who are put in harms way everyday and as I'm sure alot of Americans are, am feeling a little bit guilty. I am not sure why I am writing except to tell you that what you have done is admirable and honorable. Im sure there is little that I can do beyond trying to be as informed as possible but If you would like guide me and others like me in any direction that would in some way help us contribute to the soldiers in Iraq It would be appreciated.

Take care