Turbobalaclava
10-10-2006, 07:11
I originally posted this to Team Sergeant as a PM, however, he expressed that I should have posted this in the forums, so here goes.
" I work at a golf course in Florida and have been a long time lurker on this site. A couple of days ago I was coming out of my office and a customer asked me a question. As I walked closer to him he had on a collared shirt with the SF Insignia on the breast. Having never met a current or former SF member in person I couldnt pass up this opportunity to at least ask a couple of questions.
The gentleman explained to me that he was in 5th group and later 1st group during the late 60s through the mid to late 70s. He was more than willing to answer some of my basic questions but once he got rolling he told me many things that made me realize on a deeper level what it meant to be SF.
Instead of the sterotypiclal machoism made prevelant by hollywood and the media that is associated with the "Green Berets" he was everything I would imagine a QP would be. Instead of telling me he did this and that, he went in to great detail about learning and respecting other cultures. Be able to look around you and know you are with the best, not just averages joes. He was very passionate about honor and a code of conduct in the field.
The gentleman also went into the stress and rigors of a career in SF, the deployments, the injuries, the death and killing, the whole picture.
He was one of the few people that when I looked him in the eye, even though he was probably 65 years old, you could tell there was a certain knowing wise look. Basically, in a hour conversation where I mostly listened, my outlook on life somewhat changed. As I write this I find a lack of words to describe how I feel and what I mean but I have a feeling that you(QPs) know what I am trying to say. Its hard to believe that what at first glance appeared to be just another old retiree in Florida was at one time one of the people that I admire in this world and could with just a way of carrying himself could make me think a little differently. It was just truly a great experience.
Im closing I guess deep down, my already deep respect for QPs has grown in a different way but more importantly the conversation I had with him makes me want to say to all SF current, past, and future......
Thank you. "
I guess the reason I am posting this now to the forums is to show all those who have no experience with SF (like me), how when meeting someone who has served in that capacity, you can just tell there is something special about them. A quiet respectful confidence and a knowing gleam in their eyes grown from serving with men of equal character and quality.
" I work at a golf course in Florida and have been a long time lurker on this site. A couple of days ago I was coming out of my office and a customer asked me a question. As I walked closer to him he had on a collared shirt with the SF Insignia on the breast. Having never met a current or former SF member in person I couldnt pass up this opportunity to at least ask a couple of questions.
The gentleman explained to me that he was in 5th group and later 1st group during the late 60s through the mid to late 70s. He was more than willing to answer some of my basic questions but once he got rolling he told me many things that made me realize on a deeper level what it meant to be SF.
Instead of the sterotypiclal machoism made prevelant by hollywood and the media that is associated with the "Green Berets" he was everything I would imagine a QP would be. Instead of telling me he did this and that, he went in to great detail about learning and respecting other cultures. Be able to look around you and know you are with the best, not just averages joes. He was very passionate about honor and a code of conduct in the field.
The gentleman also went into the stress and rigors of a career in SF, the deployments, the injuries, the death and killing, the whole picture.
He was one of the few people that when I looked him in the eye, even though he was probably 65 years old, you could tell there was a certain knowing wise look. Basically, in a hour conversation where I mostly listened, my outlook on life somewhat changed. As I write this I find a lack of words to describe how I feel and what I mean but I have a feeling that you(QPs) know what I am trying to say. Its hard to believe that what at first glance appeared to be just another old retiree in Florida was at one time one of the people that I admire in this world and could with just a way of carrying himself could make me think a little differently. It was just truly a great experience.
Im closing I guess deep down, my already deep respect for QPs has grown in a different way but more importantly the conversation I had with him makes me want to say to all SF current, past, and future......
Thank you. "
I guess the reason I am posting this now to the forums is to show all those who have no experience with SF (like me), how when meeting someone who has served in that capacity, you can just tell there is something special about them. A quiet respectful confidence and a knowing gleam in their eyes grown from serving with men of equal character and quality.