I received this in an e mail from another vet and felt it was worth sharing here.



NOW... Civilian Friends vs. Veteran Friends Comparisons:

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Get upset if you're too busy to talk to them for a week.
VETERAN FRIENDS: Are glad to see you after years, and will happily carry
on the same conversation you were having the last time you met.
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CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Have never seen you cry.
VETERAN FRIENDS: Have cried with you.
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CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Keep your stuff so long they forget it's yours.
VETERAN FRIENDS: Borrow your stuff for a few days then give it back.
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CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Know a few things about you.
VETERAN FRIENDS: Could write a book with direct quotes from you.
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CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will leave you behind if that's what the crowd is doing.
VETERAN FRIENDS: Will stand by you no matter what the crowd does.
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CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Are for a while.
VETERAN FRIENDS: Are for life.
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CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Have shared a few experiences...
VETERAN FRIENDS: Have shared a lifetime of experiences no citizen could
ever dream of...
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CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will take your drink away when they think you've had
enough.
VETERAN FRIENDS: Will look at you stumbling all over the place and say,
'You better drink the rest of that before you spill it!' Then carry you home
safely and put you to bed...
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CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will ignore this.
VETERAN FRIENDS: Will forward this.
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A veteran - whether active duty, retired, served one hitch, or reserve is
someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable
to 'The Government of the United States of America ' for an amount of
'up to and including my life'.

 

Thanks Bat, I'll pass it on!

 

BG!

 

From a one-hitcher, thanks, Lee.

 

From another one hitcher, thanks.

 

So true!

 

I think serving your country does give one the feeling of belonging, that's for sure and allows one to share stories with others who served.

However, I for one, never have talked to anyone I ever served with during my four after I got out, unlike college where a few of us still connect.

 

NY National Guard (42nd Rainbow Div @ Kingsbridge Armory in the Bronx)
USAR 85th Tng Bdge.

Survived the garbage strike in NYC (collected trash in the Bronx)
Wild cat Postal Workers strike - delivered mail in the N. Bronx wearing full fatigues.

 

Same here, Dave. On the advice of council I have avoided all past associates since the parole came through.