Funny, yet.......Sad
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 13,023
Likes: 989
From: Just Outside Chicago
And i dont say "Welcome home" Because not all Vets have ever stepped a foot off our nations soil or served overseas.Guys doesnt matter what you say...Just say something.As my sig says..
To most..Being acknowledged means more than you think...But as i said "To Most"...
As a nation we are loosing our respect to our Vets...Very Sad...
But as a nation our children dont seem to have any respect for anyone so it doesn't surprise me...
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 79
Likes: 2
From: south of the zoo
I was discharged in 1967. Several of my buddies from high school have their names on the the wall.
Around 1997 I was at a swap meet and got talking to a guy. When it came up I was in the service he reached out his hand and said thank you for serving. I, involuntarily, got so choked up I couldn't speak for a few minutes.
Then I realized that was the first time anyone said thank you to me. the emotions were still raw 30 years later. I now say it occasionally.
Around 1997 I was at a swap meet and got talking to a guy. When it came up I was in the service he reached out his hand and said thank you for serving. I, involuntarily, got so choked up I couldn't speak for a few minutes.
Then I realized that was the first time anyone said thank you to me. the emotions were still raw 30 years later. I now say it occasionally.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,807
Likes: 1,488
From: SW Washington State
while on one of our runs this spring, we were at a fast food joint and there was a WWII vet a few tables down. I went over to his table and thanked him, he asked if I was a Vet too and I said Yes, He thanked me for my service as well and we shook hands. Not too many of those guys left, I am glad to have meet him for that brief moment, brings a tear to my eye.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 322,622
Likes: 3,077
From: .....
That reminds me of when I went to see my mom in the nursing home. A WW2 Marine Vet...he had a cap on saying that...was outside, sitting in a chair. I shook his hand and Thanked him and talked to him awhile. He was in the 1st Marine Air Wing, the same as me in Nam and said he was in Korea too. I just thought WOW. Those guys are awesome and I feel humbled in their presence.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,364
Likes: 33
From: So Cal The Golden State
Rode the bike to work and stopped for a cup of coffee on the way at a 24 pump station. While there I heard the sweet rumbling of Harleys pulling in. There were 6 bikers rolling in to various pumps in full club colours and patches everywhere. All of them were 65 plus years old and looked kind of rough. The funny thing is that there several people who suddenly rolled up there Windows, stopped and locked there doors, and some even walked out of their way to go around them. To me it was just funny.
Now here is the sad part. Their colours........"Vietnam Vets". They probably all served and survived the war and were out trying to have fun. These guys like all veterans, fought for the freedoms we enjoy. To be treated, by peoplestheir actions, was just disrespectful
Now here is the sad part. Their colours........"Vietnam Vets". They probably all served and survived the war and were out trying to have fun. These guys like all veterans, fought for the freedoms we enjoy. To be treated, by peoplestheir actions, was just disrespectful
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 10,784
Likes: 57
From: In The Corn, Illinois
I'd want to bail out of the car to look at their bikes. My boyfriend will ask me, why were you staring at that guy and I'm always like "there was a guy? All I saw was a bike".
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7,776
Likes: 2,252
From: wet coast BC
The public that you say were so wrong and disrespectful surely didn't know Vets vs thugs. I don't blame them for not getting a closer look, is it really on them to see who is wearing which black vests, no. I would have avoided them also. In passing, most can't tell vets from the Christian biker club, to Hells Angels. All the clubs wear the same ****, not the public's job to see whos who... after the stupidity in Texas, you can't blame anyone.
out on a ride 2 bikes, 2 couples riding staggered on a two lane with solid traffic both ways I see in the mirror two bikes passing cars and now on our tail. so I pull over right third, maintain speed and they pass left third. as they did they each matched speed and gave a nod and off they went those two HA guys.
The only difference is what we perceive.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 941
Likes: 9
From: Denver, CO
I am. I'm not saying that's what I would do...just that I'm not surprised that other people reacted that way, especially in light of the Waco shootout. And I certainly wouldn't be offended by people reacting that way.
I'm sure the Vets in OPs story didn't even notice that everyone were rolling up windows and giving them space. And if they did, they most likely didn't give a flying f about it. Anyone who would care about getting that reaction would likely choose to present themselves in a different manner in the current social environment.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,302
Likes: 275
From: Milton, Delaware
There are many, many of us out there that just don't know how to respond. I don't think that we don't like it, it just makes us a little self conscious.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,036
Likes: 65
From: Earth
Same thing happened to me at Laconia about 10 years ago. I was in a vendors tent looking at patches/stickers. They had hundreds of military ones but I couldn't find the years that I wanted. (65-68). A women asked if she could help me find something. When I told her what I was looking for she put her arms around me and kissed me on the cheek, said 'Thank You'. I immediately turned into a deaf mute. Got all blurry eyed and could only manage to say 'Thank you'. She put her hand on my shoulder and walked away. I've had a few people thank me since then but that one will always stick in my mind. I guess because it was totally spontaneous.
There are many, many of us out there that just don't know how to respond. I don't think that we don't like it, it just makes us a little self conscious.
There are many, many of us out there that just don't know how to respond. I don't think that we don't like it, it just makes us a little self conscious.
Duecedog and the many many others on this forum. Thank you for your service and WELCOME HOME!!!!
Last edited by SpiderPig; Jun 14, 2015 at 04:14 PM.