As I see it, the main problem is that combat vets are simply thrown into civilian life / society when the contract time is up. If there was some sort of reintegration process for the last 3 or so months of service, I think it would help. It would not only give a soldier time to be evaluated and whatever recommended therapy to begin whilst also giving a soldier some wind down time and start the process of becoming part of society. As for myself, when I came back from Nam, they couldn’t figure out what to do with me so after looking in my file and finding out that I was in a Drum and Bugle Corps when I was a kid and could play soprano bugle, they gave me the option of being in an honor guard….burying combat soldiers. I guess it wasn’t too bad. $62.50 a day TDY pay when we traveled and when I was off duty I’d spend it at the NCO club or in a bar.
Wife and I went to local Applebee's Restaurant last night for their free dinner for Veterans. Wound up sitting at the bar. It was extremely crowded and we didn't want to stand and wait for a table. A 30 year old guy sat down beside me who had been a Seabee aka Navy Construction. He was telling wife and I that he loved working with steel and working on his Camero car. Loved racing other vehicles on city streets whenever he could and loved to drink. After he said that, I was starting to wonder about him. But, then, the real problem started. He started using the "F" word while talking to me and my wife. I told him that we don't like the word, but he kept forgetting that. He told us how he didn't like being single and I mentioned to him about his language. Each time I told him about his language, he said "I'm sorry" and then said it again. The place was too crowded to move and I was almost done with my dinner, so we decided to stay put where we were. Finally, after reminding him about using the "F" word, we left. I could imagine him talking to another old Veteran, that was with his wife, and what that Veteran might say. A number of old Vietnam Era Vets don't use the "F" word and sure don't like hearing their wife hear it in a restaurant!
So, are you going to Applebee's this year for your freebie? It would be a shame if you had to actually pay for your food....
Actually, I wonder how ANY Veteran would feel after what you posted me here (in red). But, nope. Will go to iHop this AM and later to South Point Casino/Hotel for their Veterans Day FREE Garden Buffet dinner. For the first time, we both get a free meal, as in Veteran and Spouse.
May Veteran's Day be a day of healing for all the veteran's that experienced the horrors of war. For all the other Vets, may you enjoy your day and never forget those that paid a price for all of us. I am a supporter of Tunnels to Towers and encourage you all to consider helping out. Say happy veteran's day year around and make your words and small monthly donation change a life of a veteran hurting and feeling forgotten. 93% of all money go directly to helping veteran's that need help. They have an A+ rating from the charity watchers. Tunnel to Towers Foundation (t2t.org)
Well, I can tell you I have 2 brothers that are Viet Nam era vets, although neither served Nam, and my son graduated from West Point and served at Fort Hood for 5 years, and none of them ever expected or wanted a free meal because of their service. But if you're willing to cheapen the value of your own service by cashing it in for a free buffet, go for it.
Then, Hoot, why have these "free" meals been offered for so many years? Heck, when I was employed, I never took Veterans Day off, like some Vets do. I didn't start getting a free meal until I met my wife in 2000. Before meeting her, Veterans Day was just another day. I liked Memorial Day, because I got the day off from work. Never gave a thought to what the day was about. After I met my wife and we married, these "military holidays" started being celebrated and my wife loves it.
Last night, we stood in line for 2 1/2 hours to have the buffet dinner at South Point Hotel/Casino. Talking about numerous Veterans. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines all in line. However, no Coast Guard or Merchant Marine. They did ask for a military ID at the register, so I showed them my VA Medical ID. That was all that was needed. Other places, like iHop and Golden Corral don't ask for any military ID. Then again, most Vets are wearing a baseball cap that describes the Service they were in. But, a baseball cap like that can be bought online by anyone, military or not. And, yes, there has been people who have faked being in a military service. I read about a guy wearing a full Army Colonel dress uniform to events, until he was caught and went to jail. Or the guy that went to his high school class reunion in a Navy Dress uniform and had never been in the Navy. A classmate of his turned him in and he wound up in jail also. Anyway, the buffet dinner of Prime Rib was great and, was well worth the wait (we think LOL).
@Cody Fousnaugh -- I think it's a nice gesture for any restaurant to provide a free meal to honor veterans. It's nice that you all get some kind of recognition, so I'm glad you had a nice FREE dinner. It may not be for everyone, but those who do participate obviously appreciate it.
I completely agree that it is a nice gesture for the restaurant, and i believe that it is perfectly fine for any veteran to have dinner when it is offered. This is completely different than when they are offering a charity dinner for homeless vets, or other homeless people, and is the same kind of thing as thanking a veteran for their service. I believe that it is great for a company to care about its veterans, and offer benefits to them. I would happily go along with Bobby if he wanted to go to a free veterans meal at a restaurant, but he is completely against doing that, so we don’t ever go. He enjoys the vets discounts at other stores (like Lowes or Home Depot), just not at restaurants.