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Veteran to Veteran and a bit more

January 5th, 2011 . by TexasFred
Veteran to Veteran and a bit more

When a Veteran leaves the ‘job’ and retires to a better life, many are jealous, some are pleased, and others, who may have already retired, wonder if he knows what he is leaving behind, because we already know.

1. We know, for example, that after a lifetime of camaraderie that few experience, it will remain as a longing for those past times.

2. We know in the Military life there is a fellowship which lasts long after the uniforms are hung up in the back of the closet.

3. We know even if he throws them away, they will be on him with every step and breath that remains in his life. We also know how the very bearing of the man speaks of what he was and in his heart still is.

These are the burdens of the job. You will still look at people suspiciously, still see what others do not see or choose to ignore and always will look at the rest of the Military world with a respect for what they do; only grown in a lifetime of knowing.

Never think for one moment you are escaping from that life. You are only escaping the ‘job’ and merely being allowed to leave ‘active’ duty.

So what I wish for you is that whenever you ease into retirement, in your heart you never forget for one moment that you are still a member of the greatest fraternity the world has ever known.

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’.

From one Veteran to another, it’s an honor to be in your company.

Thank you for your service to our country and for defending the freedoms we enjoy.

I received this via email from Mr. GM Roper of GM’s Place and I immediately knew that I had to post it.

I am fed up to the point of choking those that denigrate our troops and police officers, those anarchists that cheer the death of our troops and police officers, those haters that encourage and hope for the deaths of our troops and police officers.

I have declared my own personal WAR against the anarchists and Libertarians that advocate the legalization of narcotics, the abolition of all laws, the overthrow of our government and the death of police officers and troops.

If you take the beginning of this post and replace the word veteran with word police officer, you will find the parallels, and similarities of dedication to one another, to be uncanny.

God bless and protect our troops and police officers, and keep them safe in your sight!

Those that have never served, those that have never worn a badge and gun, those have have never known or loved persons that have, will NOT understand this post and the camaraderie and loyalty it espouses.

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10 Responses to “Veteran to Veteran and a bit more”

  1. comment number 1 by: Bob Mack

    Great post, Fred, and as true as it gets.

  2. comment number 2 by: NativeSon

    TexasFred, THANKS for your continued support!!! :)

  3. comment number 3 by: capitalisa

    Posted to FaceBook. Thanks, Fred ;)

  4. comment number 4 by: Katie

    So true Fred. Every word is so true.

  5. comment number 5 by: Always On Watch


    CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Are for a while.

    VETERAN FRIENDS: Are for life.


    Mr. AOW and I can vouch for that!

    After Mr. AOW’s stroke, when he was ready to come home from the nursing facility, several of our veteran friends — carpenters — showed up on a Saturday morning to build a wheelchair ramp here at our house. These wonderful men volunteered their time and their skills to help us.

    Mr. AOW is a veteran and was a paid bartender at our local VFW up until nearly the moment of his stroke. Under that VFW post’s comrade-in-distress provisions, we didn’t even have to pay for the materials for the ramp. Those materials cost nearly $2000!

    At this point in our lives, almost all of our remaining friends are veterans. The other so-called friends have peeled off.

  6. comment number 6 by: Capt Ron

    This is exactly right. Thank you, Fred.

  7. comment number 7 by: A Pair Of Aces | Be Sure You're RIGHT, Then Go Ahead

    [...] A Pair Of Aces Posted on January 7, 2011 by Bob Mack Re-Posted From The TexasFred Blog [...]

  8. comment number 8 by: minuteman26

    Goes double if you served in combat with that individual.

  9. comment number 9 by: Joanna

    Thank you Texas Fred!!!
    Great Post!!!
    and so true…
    My Father-in-law was a WWII and Korean War Veteran and my late Husband was a Vietnam War vet…
    we all are so greatfull for the service any of the uniformed persons provide staking their life and family to make sure we can work, sleep…exist in peace….
    THANK YOU!!!

  10. comment number 10 by: Always On Watch

    Tonight, Mr. AOW will go to one of our local VFW posts to attend a pool tournament.

    The veterans there will make him feel at home. Our civilian friends do try to do the same, but they’re just not as good at making Mr. AOW feel welcome.

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