Open discussion; thoughts encouraged.
Stopped into a
local DAV the other day, being 100% P&T, sat at the bar to order a beer.
"Are you a paid member here?"
No, I'm a Disabled Veteran. Here is my VA card, Mil Retired ID card, and my car sitting outside has a DAV plate.
"Sorry, doesn't matter is you are a veteran of not. Not a member, won't serve you. You can apply for membership , pay $50, and we can have a vote next meeting."
Stopped into the
VFW to see about membership (close to the house, $2 draft).
"You retired?
Yes
"How long were you in? What did you do?"
30 years, Special Operations Medicine
"Really? Hey BOB! We got another fake green beanie poser wanting to apply!"
Yeah, never mind. You guys have a good day.
"You too, no one like getting called out"
Applied to
SOA not long ago, was encouraged to so I figured "why not?". Sent in my stuff DD214 / ORB / CMB stuff / deployment stuff, accompanying photos...
"Thank you for your application, you are welcome to be an associate."
I guess my patrols, enemy contact, direct ODA combat support and combat experience with the 6th Afghan Commandos wasn't "dangerous enough" to be considered "real"
When I was hurt 4 years ago - te only organization that stepped up to help my family and I was the USASOC support office from MacDill. Weeks in the ICU, months relearning to walk, needed EXPENSIVE specialty equipment at home.... USASOC Medical heard about it (somehow) and stepped in / up to help us.
I share these "occurrences" as I wonder what has become of the whole system that used to support Veterans once out of the service. THe organizations that were to continue that air of camaraderie. The GB Parachute club at Bragg has fond memories of this from when I was stationed there...(no clue what it is like now.)
Everyplace seems to be a dick measuring contest, and that's fine. I'll keep my little nub out of the running. Looking at the overall repeat experiences, I can't figure the purpose for the attitudes being displayed across the board anymore.
A discussion topic - nothing more.