Wear the Uniform With Pride!!
First of all, this is Thank a Soldier Week and I wish to thank each and everyone of you in uniform!!
I have heard that PC Commanders discourage their troops from wearing their uniforms off post. I remember the first time I was home on leave I did everything but sleep in my uniform. No stripes and no ribbons just rifle "bolo badge". I was damned proud to be a soldier and show it off.
Remember the full length mirror outside the orderly room where you could get yourself squared away to see the CQ and have him determine if you were presentable to sign out on pass?
I wish the Commanders would again encourage the wearing of the uniform with pride. I go out of my way to shake the hand and thank any soldier I see in uniform but see so few. The only two I have seen recently were two Marines collecting for Toys For Tots.
I believe there are more citizens that respect and support our troops than there are assholes! The problem is that they can't find any soldiers on the street. When I came home from Vietnam my father insisted I wear my uniform when I went out on the town on the Strip in Las Vegas. I couldn't buy a drink and was admitted to the Tropicana "Follies Berg ere" free of charge and sat so close to the stage I could rest my elbow on it. At times, while sitting at a bar (mostly C&W) an asshole would show up to start some shit. There were always more than enough civilians to put his ass in place -- OUT!!
How can our troops know that the public is really behind them if they don't show themselves?
A heartfelt thanks from a "Granny" meant more to me than slurs from hippies.
Terry Dahling
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