Memorial Day Are You Wearing Your Medals?

[Tbird]

well i'll be doggoned first time i've agreed with anything nicholson said, i do think it is a good idea for veterans to wear their medals on memorial day and all veterans holidays. civilians need to know us, need to know we are their brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, friends and customers. i'm wearing mine, meager that they are.

[Dean]

Everyone should have served during desert shield / storm. There heve been more medals givin out during that time than any other war. Someone had to almost be dead during vietnam to get a medal. That is a shame. I do not even have my medals / ribbons. I lost mine a long time ago and never have tried to get them again. I will get them one day and put them in a safe place. I never did any combat but our unit did get some medals. I have several papers from my command in case I run out of toilet paper though.

[stillhere]

You can get a one time free replacement set of your medals from the branch of service that you were in. Just send a letter requesting them and a copy of your dd214 that shows what you are intileded to NPRC. I lost mine too but wanted them now to pass on to my son. They said they will be sending them this week. I won't have them by Memorial Day though.

stillhere

Everyone should have served during desert shield / storm. There heve been more medals givin out during that time than any other war. Someone had to almost be dead during vietnam to get a medal. That is a shame. I do not even have my medals / ribbons. I lost mine a long time ago and never have tried to get them again. I will get them one day and put them in a safe place. I never did any combat but our unit did get some medals. I have several papers from my command in case I run out of toilet paper though.

[huskerfanfl]

I will be wearing mine

[Former Member]

T Bird -I said the same thing to myself about 20 minutes ago.

The Secretary was on Fox news again asking vets to wear their medals. I think it is a wonderful idea.

He gave a brief rendition of "Decoration Day" -now Memorial Day-and what it really means.

He said something else that I found very poignant-

He said -more than anything- more than VA benefits, and more than getting their disabilities cared for-these new returning veterans want to know that our country thanks them for their service.

He goes to Reed and Bethesda a lot to visit the troops and I felt he was accurately reflecting how many new veterans feel.

I got chills hearing this because when I worked at the vet center in the 1980s the Vietnam vets were wanting the same thing-

appreciation and respect for their service.

It is sad to think that the VA has to remind Americans about having gratitude for military service.

I think most Americans do appreciate the service of all of you-

but many will never have a clue nor be able to comprehend how devastating that service can become in terms of disabilities.

Secretary Nicholson will be in Europe on Memorial Day to honor fallen Americans .

Another contingency led by Senator Craig just visited the graves of many American soldiers in Europe.

There are almost 125,000 American soldiers in 24 cemeteries overseas.

In a few brief minutes the Secretary defined the true spirit of Memorial Day.

I was proud of the way he put it all and astonished to learn that 3 of his sons are overseas serving now and he comes from a long line of veterans.

Of course by next week I will be griping about him again- but I must say- I was glad he was on Fox news this AM asking veterans to wear their medals.

And reminding us that we owe a debt of gratitude to ALL veterans.

[Testvet]

I ain't taking them off the wall it was to hard to get them framed I have the mintarues on my hat thats good enough I might check out at the clothing sales store tomorrow maybe and buy duplicates most of them are pretty cheap on post but buying them from those on line stores are expensive get the free replacements or buy them on post if you can't get a friend to

[Ricky]

In response to Berta - Berta you made a good point about having to remind Americans. Yes they can never comprehend what serving means but most of all American have short memories - they tend to forget about history fairly quick. This is done with all issues such as VN war, Gulf War, 911 etc... they get all pumped up for a couple of months then slowy forget the events and simply move on to the next step in life.

It is sad but that is American Society for you - just a bunch of happy go lucky people. This also pertains to those who push anti-vet stuff. That is why you see the anti-vet group developing some heavy hitters who constantly push the press to publish and air things such as vets getting free taxpayer money for things such as hemmroids or because they were dui when they got hurt on active duty.

We vets have the same heavy hitters, the NSO's, who should be doing the same thin for veterans but we all know how they conduct business don't we.

Just my opinion

[betrayed]

NO

[SLEDGE]

Medals have never impressed anyone that I've ever met except for the CMH.

Since it was not politically correct to be where I was, when I was there and as far as I know I still can't discuss that period of my service, I think I'll just stay home and take a nap.

Politicians will say anything to anybody if their words to make them look more patriotic or more understanding.

If the secretary really wants me to feel honored, he should direct his underlings to stop delaying my earned benefits and allow the system to treat our medical conditions.

Deeds, not Words.

sledge

[Cavman]

I won`t wear mine. Don`t want to get them spit on....plus I`d get locked up if that happened....again.

Cavman

[Guest Dataman]

No. Medals? I personally did not care about them while I was in. Last 4 years I would rather have a cup of coffee than a medal. Got screwed out of Medal from service 1984-1989 (4 years as Instructor Lowry AFB) by guy who found it too hard to write it (I went remote after that). Got medal for year doing nothing in Korea on remote, read a lot of books that year!

After that I did not care about them (they did help with promotions).

They were difficult to write. Pain the Butt, but I always wrote them for my people (who qualified).

I Hope the Gunney Sgt got his medal (HE could not Teach). (DOD School, USAF, Army, USMC, USN).