How Many Of You Veterans

[vzerone]

How many of you veterans when wearing a ball cap of your military branch out in the public get approach by people and other veterans thanking you for your service? I've talked to quite a few nice veterans because of that.

[Hickory]

All the time.
It's not like it was in 69-70!

[richhodg66]

All the time.
It's not like it was in 69-70!

Thankfully. I get that a good bit, nice to hear now and then, but it also makes a guy feel a little uncomfortable sometimes. I don't really feel special for just doing what I felt I should.

[BUCKEYE BANDIT]

Amen !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
all the time.
It's not like it was in 69-70!

[largom]

I get their "Military discount of 10% at Home Depot and ever time I check out I get thanked for my service, even from the youngest attendant.

[Hickory]

The ones who spit on you and called you baby killer are now in power, still spitting on you, but they are the baby killers.

[ARKLITE881South]

I don't wear a hat like that, i kind of manintain a low profile, that's just me. It's fine for those who want to , but, i don't like to have any attention drawn to myself. I'm glad for those who do, and are appreciated for thier service. Maybe i remember 67/68 just a little too much.

Semper Fi

[GOPHER SLAYER]

My wife and I were in a restaurant sitting on the patio having breakfast last week when a young man came in leading a small dog. I asked him about the dog and he said he bought it when he was stationed at Norfolk, Va. in the Navy. When I told him I had served in the Navy in the early 1950s he thanked me profusely and bought our breakfast. A lady stopped me on the street and asked if I had served and when I said yes, she couldn't thank me enough and I don't wear a hat that says Navy on it.

[nagantguy]

Always been treated with respect,except by the VA.

[Kraschenbirn]

Yeah, this time of year I'm a 'mall walker' to get in my prescribed post-op therapy minimum 'mile a day' and often get a "Thanks for your service". This morning, the mall Santa...on his way to 'Kiddieland'...stopped me for a handshake.

Bill

[xs11jack]

I have a very outgoing wife who everytime she sees a vet goes out of her way to talk to them. I am a bit introverted and I shake their hand and thank them. Even though I am a vet too, I feel a bit awkward when someone thanks me. I went in in 64 when the liberals were just starting to get the demonstrators wound up so I didn't run into them much. To be honest, I got as much flac from people when I was a deputy sheriff.
Ole Jack

[vzerone]

I get their "Military discount of 10% at Home Depot and ever time I check out I get thanked for my service, even from the youngest attendant.

Do you have to have a DOD ID card to get that discount? It use to be show them your 214 form, but Lowes and Home Depot in East Tn require the ID Card. I feel that's just another hurdle to jump.

[472x1B/A]

I don't wear a hat like that, i kind of manintain a low profile, that's just me. It's fine for those who want to , but, i don't like to have any attention drawn to myself. I'm glad for those who do, and are appreciated for thier service. Maybe i remember 67/68 just a little too much.

Semper Fi

I am the same way, except my time was '73/'74. Thank you all for your service.

[jonp]

I don't wear a hat to advertise my service to anyone. I'm pretty low key like that. I do wear a PGR hat now and then and have been approached for that.

[Rcmaveric]

I don't wear a ball cap and I am still active. They spot me in a crowd and thank me. It's like a sixth sense to some people. I always feel awkward.

[shaper]

If you are in Georgia you can have ( veteran ) put on your drivers license. And the state will give you one special vehicle license plate that will say veteran , for free.

USAF 1961 - 1969 SEA 1965-66 Yes i wear my cap proudly.

[Scorpion8]

Mainly when I use my Retired ID as my proof-of-ID instead of the State driver's license. I get a lot of "thanks for your service".

[Treetop]

Do you have to have a DOD ID card to get that discount? It use to be show them your 214 form, but Lowes and Home Depot in East Tn require the ID Card. I feel that's just another hurdle to jump.

vzerone, in Texas you can send a copy of your DD-214 to the state one time and then, after that, "veteran" will appear on the front of your DL in bold black letters.

Same thing with your LTC (license to carry) although it takes a separate letter to a separate branch, containing your DD-214, for some reason.

Anyhow. once it's done, it's permanent, so you can just show your DL or LTC at the different stores that offer a Veteran's discount. Maybe your state offers a similar program?
Semper Fi, Treetop

[merlin101]

I have the hat and a few shirts but rarely wear them, I'm proud of my service but I didn't do anything special so most folks don't know.
I will thank anyone that does wear it.

[Omega]

Do you have to have a DOD ID card to get that discount? It use to be show them your 214 form, but Lowes and Home Depot in East Tn require the ID Card. I feel that's just another hurdle to jump.I went to my account, My Lowes, and added my military info, now it just comes up at the register.

I don't wear hat's, unless I'm at the range or maybe fishing to keep the sun out of my eyes. I too kinda feel awkward when they make a big deal about my service, specially from the guys at the gate going on post, I mean, we're all vets, but I respectively accept it and move on.

[vzerone]

vzerone, in Texas you can send a copy of your DD-214 to the state one time and then, after that, "veteran" will appear on the front of your DL in bold black letters.

Same thing with your LTC (license to carry) although it takes a separate letter to a separate branch, containing your DD-214, for some reason.

Anyhow. once it's done, it's permanent, so you can just show your DL or LTC at the different stores that offer a Veteran's discount. Maybe your state offers a similar program?
Semper Fi, Treetop

Thank you sir and thank you for your service. Thank all you guys for your service. Happy Thanksgiving to you all.

[bbs70]

My Mo drivers license has VETERAN on it.
Had to show DD214 to prove it to them

[MUSTANG]

I do not wear the hats or shirts; but have a closet full from friends and family who have given various military Organization hats/shirts to me over the years. Figure I'll have the grandsons wearing them for years to come - I give them a new one every time the come to visit.

As for the "Thanks for Your Service"; I find it embarrassing.

I know we are to the point where less than 1% of the population in US has served; but to me it was just a calling I had - until I retired and had to get a real job. Strangely; every time I see a Young Marine/Soldier/Sailor/Airman/CoastGuardsman I do go up and have brief conversation with them, query how long they have been in and if they are going to make it a career, give them a word of encouragement and hand them my card telling them If they ever need anything do not hesitate to call. I guess deep down it's part of my effort to ensure they never experience the derision, verbal abuse, spitting on a service member, etc... that was common when I joined the Service (as many others have stated here). And yes; its strange that as a Nation we allowed those same low life to now be in power.

[SSGOldfart]

Do you have to have a DOD ID card to get that discount? It use to be show them your 214 form, but Lowes and Home Depot in East Tn require the ID Card. I feel that's just another hurdle to jump.

Lo

Just use your VA card, for 10% it's worth showing your ID or VA card. I forget to ask for the discount most of the time,most cashiers will ask me if I'm a vet. The wheelchair is a dead giveaway.
I don't do crowded places anymore,haven't been in a Wal-Mart for over 10years now.:killingpc

[AZ Pete]

I rarely wear a hat, but I take great pride in a couple of t shirts that say “ I am a proud grandpa of a US Army Soldier”. I have a granddaughter and grandson currently on active duty, one is deployed in Afghanistan at the moment. I am far more proud of them than my service.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[aspangler]

Do you have to have a DOD ID card to get that discount? It use to be show them your 214 form, but Lowes and Home Depot in East Tn require the ID Card. I feel that's just another hurdle to jump.
I just show them my VA card. Works every time.
OP- I get that all the time especially at church. I do were my 82 Airborne cap to church and to the VA. You would be surprised to here the times my breakfast was paid for on the way to the VA or some other place when I was wearing that cap. I don't wear it for the thanks or the discounts or the free meals. I wear it because I am proud to have served in the Airborne. " How far? ALL THE WAY!!!".

[owejia]

Don't wear baseball caps, wide brim cowboy hats only. Have Veteran on my drivers license and have DOD Va id card. Low profile don't want attention.

[EMC45]

The ones who spit on you and called you baby killer are now in power, still spitting on you, but they are the baby killers.

Well put

[RGrosz]

All the time.
It's not like it was in 69-70!

In late '70 I was flying home from Basic for Christmas. Had to change planes in Chicago and was confronted by a group of people who called me a 'baby killer' and a few other terms and spit on me. All because I was wearing an Army class A uniform that we were required to travel in. When we got back from Christmas leave they changed the regs and we could travel in civilian clothes.
Rob

[snuffy]

Don't wear baseball caps, wide brim cowboy hats only. Have Veteran on my drivers license and have DOD Va id card. Low profile don't want attention.

I got into the habit of wearing a baseball type hat in the USAF. I wore various hats before that, my favorite was a Jones hat-cap, camo of just dull green for duck hunting.

My son bought me a nice USAF cap that I wore until it got pretty ratty. Lots of thanks for your service from mostly older folks. I get so tongue tied when answering, now I try to say you are welcome. My current cap has "THE WALL" on it, got it when I visited the mobile Vietnam memorial wall when it was at the local fair grounds pavilion. They have a list on a 'puter, will enter a buddy's name to see if he's on the wall. Those that I could remember at that time were NOT listed! Good news for sure.

The type of vision correction in my glasses, if the sun is on them, I get ghost images and flare. So having the lenses shaded by the bill is almost mandatory. I get disgusted by idiots wearing their ball cap backwards, then shading their eyes so they can see better. The caps should have "FRONT" on the bill, but they're too stupid to follow directions anyway!

[fatnhappy]

I never wear anything to indicate I'm a vet. I had a kid on my son's travel baseball team call me on veterans day and say thank you. It actually meant a lot to me, not because he venerated the service but rather he thought well enough of me to call and was raised to respect the same values.

As some here know, I spent 6 years in the airborne infantry. My brother served in the Marine Corp, my Uncle Jack and my father were West Pointers, my paternal grandfather served on the battleship New Hampshire in WWI and my maternal grandfather was the Rock on the Marne, 3rd ID in WWI. I lost a cousin in Vietnam, my son is named for my Uncle who was lost in the Bulge, my brother's nephew Alex (SIL's family) was lost in Afghanistan 4 years ago last Friday. Alex's escort was his cousin in the Air Force.

We serve, that's what we do. Then we get on with our lives. I suspect we cross hundreds of vets in the course of our daily business with little or no fanfare. I will say this though, when I have resumes cross my desk 2 things will automatically get someone an interview, military service and being an Eagle Scout.

[CastingFool]

We were vacationing in Canada a few years back. When we registered at the hotel we had selected, I asked if they offered a military discount, not thinking we were in Canada. The young clerk asked if I worked for the government. I replied I did not, but that I was a member of the Michigan Air National Guard. I put emphasis on Michigan. I showed her my id card, and surprisingly, she said, sure, we can give you a discount. The best part was that a few days later, on the way home, we stopped at the same hotel. Not due to the discount, but mostly due that we liked the hotel. When we registered, our names were still in the system, so we were given the discount again, without having to ask.

[trapper9260]

I do not wear anything to show that I am a Vet. I keep it mainly to myself. if some one ask is one thing but otherwise i do show anything that i am a Vet.It just me.

[rockrat]

I am not a vet, but wear a hat sometimes that has "What can Blue do for you" and has an A-10 on it. I wear it to honor my Father who was killed in service when I was little, when his bomber (B-47, the "widowmaker") went down. I have had to explain that to people that want to thank me for my service, so I tell them its for my Father, not me.

Would love to get a "Fallen Airman" plate for my truck, but Colorado insists its only for those killed in a war zone. Don't they realize how many have died in training. They deserve the same consideration, they died in service to our country. Sore spot for me.

[retread]

If you are in Georgia you can have ( veteran ) put on your drivers license. And the state will give you one special vehicle license plate that will say veteran , for free.

USAF 1961 - 1969 SEA 1965-66 Yes i wear my cap proudly.

Oregon puts it on your Driver's license if you bring a copy of your DD 214 with you when you renew. Never asked about the vehicle license, maybe they offer that too, I did not ask or care. No toll roads here for a discount! :razz:

[GhostHawk]

I'm not a vet, but if I am out in public and see one wearing a hat I have often taken the time to walk over and thank them for their service.

I was 4f when my classmates were getting drafted for Nam. I did not serve, but not because I did not want to. I just figure it is a debt I owe to those who have stood on the wall to keep me and mine safe. I don't see much of that anymore.

If you served, by choice or by draft, from me to you, from the bottom of my heart. Thank You!
God Bless you.

[Love Life]

I don’t wear anything to show I am in the military.

I get uncomfortable when people thank me for my service.

However, I do my best to thank the older veterans when I see them. They paved the way for my generation to have the opportunity to serve.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[popper]

I don’t wear anything to show I am in the military. I get uncomfortable when people thank me for my service. Same here, I do give a knowing nod to the older guys that do wear the caps. I don't like wearing hats anyway. Wife always gives me the elbow on Vets day when they want you to stand up. Do remember asking a gal out (long time ago), she wanted to go to a fancy place but as I had no fancy civvies and told her I'd have to go in dress blues (summer in Ks -not fun), she decided a cheap date would be OK. In Tx if you want vet on DL, mail it in, otherwise you get to take the eye test again. That does get expensive if you now need glasses.

[RGrosz]

I don’t wear anything to show I am in the military. I get uncomfortable when people thank me for my service. Same here, I do give a knowing nod to the older guys that do wear the caps. I don't like wearing hats anyway. Wife always gives me the elbow on Vets day when they want you to stand up. Do remember asking a gal out (long time ago), she wanted to go to a fancy place but as I had no fancy civvies and told her I'd have to go in dress blues (summer in Ks -not fun), she decided a cheap date would be OK. In Tx if you want vet on DL, mail it in, otherwise you get to take the eye test again. That does get expensive if you now need glasses.

Usually I don't comment twice for much, but never wore a hat or much else to ID me as a vet. The government didn't consider me as a vet till I turned 60. I guess I do wear my BDU shirt as a jacket, w/o the US Army on it, and if someone comments on it or thanks me for my service now I just say 'Your welcome'. For the most part I'm embarrassed and like to not draw attention to myself. Like a lot of the commenter here, that's the way I feel.
South Dakota now puts VET on DL's all you have to do is prove it when you get get renewed. Just showed my DD2 and they put it there. They also have Vets plates, but I haven't had the desire to check them out.
Thank You for all that served in any branch of the military.
Rob

[CASTER OF LEAD]

I do have one and wear it usually without forethought. When someone comes up and thanks me for my service I simply reply "It was my honor to serve this great country. Furthermore when I am out and about , and see a vet with a hat on I go out of my way to Thank them for their service and usually we talk about if I have served and where.
I always let them know if it was not for their service I would have never had the opportunity to follow in their footsteps. Short story.... I was in line at a local restaurant waiting to be seated. An older couple noticed my hat. Thanked me for my service. End of story? Not by a long shot. We got seated and the waitress said out meal was on the house.
When I asked why she said that another couple was picking it up to Thank me for my service. As I ate my meal , knowing who and where the payment was coming from. I told my wife I felt like it wasn't quite right. Anyhow we finished the meal and got up to leave. Left a tip ,and heading for the door I noticed 2 Marines in uniform waiting to be seated.
Went back inside and told the hostess that I was putting $50 in for the 2 Marines to eat on a fellow veteran. No need to tell them who it was. On the way back out I shook both their hands and thanked them for serving. That's just how I roll. Subsequently I continue to serve veterans in non military ways. 2 years as American Legion post 318 adjutant, then 2 years as commander of the same post. Now I work various functions for the V.F.W. and the American Legion. Just my way of giving back. - CASTER

[bandsmoyer]

I was in the Navy 66-70, Just started getting the Thank You's in the last few years. It does feel kind of awkward though. I never know what to say.

[Echo]

Thankfully. I get that a good bit, nice to hear now and then, but it also makes a guy feel a little uncomfortable sometimes. I don't really feel special for just doing what I felt I should.
Ditto that - just doing what a citizen should do...

[Echo]

I do have one and wear it usually without forethought. When someone comes up and thanks me for my service I simply reply "It was my honor to serve this great country. Furthermore when I am out and about , and see a vet with a hat on I go out of my way to Thank them for their service and usually we talk about if I have served and where.
I always let them know if it was not for their service I would have never had the opportunity to follow in their footsteps. Short story.... I was in line at a local restaurant waiting to be seated. An older couple noticed my hat. Thanked me for my service. End of story? Not by a long shot. We got seated and the waitress said out meal was on the house.
When I asked why she said that another couple was picking it up to Thank me for my service. As I ate my meal , knowing who and where the payment was coming from. I told my wife I felt like it wasn't quite right. Anyhow we finished the meal and got up to leave. Left a tip ,and heading for the door I noticed 2 Marines in uniform waiting to be seated.
Went back inside and told the hostess that I was putting $50 in for the 2 Marines to eat on a fellow veteran. No need to tell them who it was. On the way back out I shook both their hands and thanked them for serving. That's just how I roll. Subsequently I continue to serve veterans in non military ways. 2 years as American Legion post 318 adjutant, then 2 years as commander of the same post. Now I work various functions for the V.F.W. and the American Legion. Just my way of giving back. - CASTER

Good on you, Mate - I hear you.

[StolzerandSons]

I try not to wear anything that makes me stand out. I don't like strangers approaching me for no reason.

[10-x]

Friends talked me into a Vietnam Veteran ball cap, the VFW has several nice " low key" ones. Always go out of my way to thank anyone wearing a Veteran cap, especially the WWII and Korea Veterans. Try and get the check for young Veterans and their families when we' re eating out. Grandson just joined the Navy, kidded him about being a "squid". Least he's going to school close to us, be getting him a cap too. Most public opinion has changed since the late 60s and70s, not a bad thing.

[KenT7021]

One the most irritating things I dealt with in the 80's was when it became very popular to welcome home VietNam vets.I thought they were a bit late.I simply quit wearing my old bush hat to stop most of it.I did miss the hat though.

[Randy Bohannon]

I still have my fatigue and dress uniform, one of ea. and my M65 field jacket.They still fit perfectly and I put them on Memorial Day and escort a 87 yr. old WWII vet and his restored 1944 Jeep to a cemetery where a local church has a fabulous Memorial Day celebration for all veterans and their families.Only time I wear anything indicating I am a veteran.

[Randy99CL]

Hi people! New here, first post.

Haven't read the whole thread but wanted everyone to know that you can get the new Vet photo ID card at any VA clinic or med facility. Call first for info. Better than carrying a DD-214 with you.
And I think every state will put "Veteran" on your driver's license now. Show proof of service.

And I don't know if there is another thread for it but Bear Creek Arsenal gives we Vets 10% off everyday. Once your account is marked you're good to go. I just bought an upper from them and saved a bunch.

[Idaho45guy]

I'm usually wearing this hat, and most folks don't know it has anything to do with the military...

208692

[eric123]

I don't wear any military hats or shirts, not that I am opposed to them...Still proud of my service as an 11B though...I would say, my biggest source of pride militarily was my dad's service. He was with the 101st on Firebase Ripcord.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Fire_Support_Base_Ripcord

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yNDXjIiqQ0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUlAp6phXGs