I still have trouble with the constant “thank you for your service” stuff. I joined at the end of Vietnam and a lot of the people thanking me today would be the same kind of people that would spit at me and swear at me and threaten me when I was in uniform back in the day.
It’s all a bit surreal and I know just how quickly the mob can turn on you. By the time we got to Desert Storm I could wear my uniform in public and not have trash thrown my way, but I’m still leery of the change and expect a swing back any day now.
I grew up when many WWI veterans were alive. My Dad and Uncles were WWII veterans.My Grandad’s brother was in France November 11. The guns fell silent at 11 A.M. He said the silence was almost unbearable. He said soldiers tentatively came out of the trenches and just stood around, not speaking, just standing.I just remarked to a lady that today was Armistice Day.She said, “We missed what day?” She did know it was Veteran’s Day.My Grandad and family lived in South Texas. Since there was no way Der Kaiser could lose the war, the community started teaching school in German. Students were punished for bringing white bread to school. White flour was shipped to Germany. My Grandad sold his farm and moved the family to North Texas.The Salvation Army kettle volunteers handed out small paper red poppies for a donation at this time. Symbolizing the poppies of Flander’s fields.I have seen my Uncle stop at every kettle he came to. He said that many times when they were under fire, the only food they had was sandwiches or soup the Salvation Army brought into the trenches. His adoration of the Doughnut Ladies was of the kind usually reserved for goddesses or Mother’s of gods.Can you imagine walking into Hell carrying a basket of sandwiches?I can rave on this subject for hours, but my meds are kicking in.To all veterans, past and present, may there never again be a need for your life’s blood to water the poppies of Flander’s fields.
Ammo is on a break Premium Member over 2 years ago
Happy Veterans Pops, United States Navy, Tin Can Sailor 1953-1957.
pamela welch Premium Member over 2 years ago
Thank you Veterans — and thank you Steve for the great artwork.
hoot1 over 2 years ago
Steve Breen, thank you sir…only cartoon I’ve seen today honoring those who have and do serve. Class act.
NeoconMan over 2 years ago
Thanks for your service. Now go back to your street corner and stop sponging off my tax money.
wellis1947 Premium Member over 2 years ago
America has a strange relationship with its military veterans – it “honors” them but it really would like to ignore them, as well.
sml7291 Premium Member over 2 years ago
I still have trouble with the constant “thank you for your service” stuff. I joined at the end of Vietnam and a lot of the people thanking me today would be the same kind of people that would spit at me and swear at me and threaten me when I was in uniform back in the day.
It’s all a bit surreal and I know just how quickly the mob can turn on you. By the time we got to Desert Storm I could wear my uniform in public and not have trash thrown my way, but I’m still leery of the change and expect a swing back any day now.
Jean Meslier over 2 years ago
I grew up when many WWI veterans were alive. My Dad and Uncles were WWII veterans.My Grandad’s brother was in France November 11. The guns fell silent at 11 A.M. He said the silence was almost unbearable. He said soldiers tentatively came out of the trenches and just stood around, not speaking, just standing.I just remarked to a lady that today was Armistice Day.She said, “We missed what day?” She did know it was Veteran’s Day.My Grandad and family lived in South Texas. Since there was no way Der Kaiser could lose the war, the community started teaching school in German. Students were punished for bringing white bread to school. White flour was shipped to Germany. My Grandad sold his farm and moved the family to North Texas.The Salvation Army kettle volunteers handed out small paper red poppies for a donation at this time. Symbolizing the poppies of Flander’s fields.I have seen my Uncle stop at every kettle he came to. He said that many times when they were under fire, the only food they had was sandwiches or soup the Salvation Army brought into the trenches. His adoration of the Doughnut Ladies was of the kind usually reserved for goddesses or Mother’s of gods.Can you imagine walking into Hell carrying a basket of sandwiches?I can rave on this subject for hours, but my meds are kicking in.To all veterans, past and present, may there never again be a need for your life’s blood to water the poppies of Flander’s fields.