How do you remember (honor) your time in the Military? Do you belong to a service related organization, wear military clothing/ jewlry?

Sgt Sherry Taylor-Bruce — Sat, 02 Jan 2016 14:29:57 -0500

Response by SP5 Mark Kuzinski made Jan 2 at 2016 2:34 PM

SP5 Mark Kuzinski — Sat, 02 Jan 2016 14:34:16 -0500

I'm always proud to wear my Army Cap on Veterans Day!

Response by SSgt Rilene Ann made Jan 2 at 2016 2:42 PM

SSgt Rilene Ann — Sat, 02 Jan 2016 14:42:46 -0500

I live in Fairbanks Alaska where 49% are veterans and often the regular community volunteers for events with military and civilian theme. I see lots of hats, vest, coats but more aware by actions of the individual that tells must be a veteran giving back.

Response by Sgt Sherry Taylor-Bruce made Jan 2 at 2016 2:49 PM

Sgt Sherry Taylor-Bruce — Sat, 02 Jan 2016 14:49:47 -0500

Here's my little story about how I used my military experience to help ease the pain of transition from married woman to widow. After the loss of my husband in 2013. About six months ago I felt it was time to stop wearing my wedding rings. Since I had begun participating in Veterans activities I thought it natural to replace one memory for another. My male Veteran friends wear service rings, why not me?

Now I find it an icebreaker in conversations with Active Duty service-members and elderly Veterans I come in contact with. I actually interact with local airmen younger than my children and veterans having served in WWII. It's quite interesting hearing about the old days and keeping up with the new topics. Ask an elderly Veteran if he ever wore brown boots or a middle age veteran about folding his clothes in a six inch square or if he remembers having a 341

Response by PFC Pamala (Hall) Foster made Jan 2 at 2016 2:52 PM

PFC Pamala (Hall) Foster — Sat, 02 Jan 2016 14:52:14 -0500

I am DAV and yes I wear the jacket I earned in BCT proudly cause it has a special 9/11 Memorial patch from Fort Jackson on it. I was at a childrens pageant and a litle girl was cold so I took it off and wrapped her in it and she told mommy "look I'm a soldier like Miss Pam-GO JOE!" when i was on stage singing, she blew a kiss at me and that made my day perfect.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jan 2 at 2016 2:52 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Sat, 02 Jan 2016 14:52:57 -0500

I drive a lot, so I like to have a ball cap with an EGA on it. I usually also have a pullover with one as well.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2016 3:32 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 02 Jan 2016 15:32:55 -0500

I usually wear a Marine Corps ball cap or T Shirt. I am a member at large of the VFW, but have not yet been to a VFW Post.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2016 4:03 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 02 Jan 2016 16:03:28 -0500

See my picture.

Response by SP5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2016 4:21 PM

SP5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 02 Jan 2016 16:21:02 -0500

All my gear has long gone the way of old clothing -the hat is probably the only piece that would still fit, anyhow. I am a member of the American Legion in Brevard, NC and that keeps me in touch with folks of my age group and the younger generations as well. Thanks for posting the question.

Response by PO1 Brian Austin made Jan 2 at 2016 4:28 PM

PO1 Brian Austin — Sat, 02 Jan 2016 16:28:46 -0500

I have a couple ships ball caps and a ships jacket that i wear sometimes. Was an at large VFW member but membership lapsed.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2016 4:35 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 02 Jan 2016 16:35:50 -0500

Got a few hats, some rings. Still have some old BDU's and still have the coat from my Dress Greens. I even have a tat that I got while at my 1st AIT. And I'm a Lifetime member of the VFW.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2016 4:41 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 02 Jan 2016 16:41:46 -0500

Yes, I wear caps and jackets with military logos. Sometimes I wear combat boots instead of my cowboy boots. I am also a member of AMVETS and American Legion. I wear these items for me not anyone else. And personally don't care what they think or idea they take from me wearing them.

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Jan 2 at 2016 6:11 PM

SGT Jerrold Pesz — Sat, 02 Jan 2016 18:11:30 -0500

I frequently wear caps and sweatshirts with Army insignia on them. I also have a decal on the rear window of my truck and veteran license plates on my vehicles. I also am a member of the American Legion but never attend meetings. I have had an Army ring for many years but I can't get it on anymore. It fits my finger fine but is hard to get over my knuckle which has swollen with old age. Last time that I wore it I had a really hard time getting it off so I don't do that anymore. Other than that I donate to several veterans groups besides the Legion including the VFW, DAV, AMVETS etc.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jan 2 at 2016 7:13 PM

PO1 John Miller — Sat, 02 Jan 2016 19:13:53 -0500

First off sorry for the loss of your husband.

I have a few hats I wear: one says "US Navy Retired" and the other says "Dysfunctional Veteran Leave Me Alone." I am also a member of various service organizations: VFW, American Legion, DAV, and Fleet Reserve Association though I am not active in any of them. I am also a full-patch member and active in the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, CVMA chapter 32-2 Tucson, AZ. Our motto is Veterans Helping Veterans. We're a non-profit and our mission is to assist veterans with anything they need either directly or through other veteran charities (I hate the word charity but I can't think of a better one).
For example we donate food, money, clothing, school supplies and toys (the latter two being for their children) to a charity that provides transitional housing for veterans and their families who are at risk for becoming homeless (or are homeless). We also recently paid the electrical bill for a veteran who was about to have his electricity shut off.

Response by TSgt Anthony White made Jan 2 at 2016 7:22 PM

TSgt Anthony White — Sat, 02 Jan 2016 19:22:56 -0500

I wear hats, t-shirts, I have an Air Force tattoo. Plus I donate time at the local VA center Fisher House for family members whos loved one is staying in the VA, ie...help cook meals for the families, talk, etc....

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Jan 2 at 2016 9:52 PM

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Sat, 02 Jan 2016 21:52:48 -0500

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jan 2 at 2016 11:20 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Sat, 02 Jan 2016 23:20:41 -0500

The jungle fatigues and combat boots are long worn out and gone after 44 years. The field jacket doesn't fit anymore, but I still have it. It has been a long time, but the memories are still fresh.

Response by SSgt Jim Gilmore made Jan 3 at 2016 12:58 AM

SSgt Jim Gilmore — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 00:58:40 -0500

I am a life member of the VFW, American Legion and DAV. Living in Asia, I help the retired and disabled veterans in getting needed health care for their illnesses, injuries and service-connected conditions.

Reunions have been in my past and present and am currently assisting in organizing a reunion for later this fall. In the past I have organized five reunions, four here in Thailand and one in California. The current reunion is being set up for Tucson. Challenge coins and Ball Caps are two of the best ways to show your military history.

Response by PO2 Ron Burling made Jan 3 at 2016 3:52 AM

PO2 Ron Burling — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 03:52:18 -0500

I have a small collection of Seabee baseball caps I wear one almost daily.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2016 2:23 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 14:23:20 -0500

I've always wondered what I would do. I still have more than a year until my retirement. I've thought about the things that I have collected & what I would do with them. Most of the time when I leave something I put everything away & don't think about it. I'm not sure if that will be something that will happen when I retire. A friend of mine (met in high school & he joined 6 months after me) retired a couple of years ago & he wears a Retired AF hat, I think he has a sticker on his truck too.

Response by PO2 Jeffery Marcussen Sr made Jan 3 at 2016 4:18 PM

PO2 Jeffery Marcussen Sr — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 16:18:34 -0500

i still have all my uniforms although they do not fit any more. i have a lot of hats, t shirts sweat shirts and other types of memorabilia. and i have all kinds of coast guard and support our troops stickers on my truck. along with a coast guard ensign and american flag flying on my truck as well. and a couple of flag poles with coast guard american flag and several other military style flags and banners. my ex took my coast guard ring and later lost it. i really miss my ring.and also recently joined the patriot guard riders.

Response by SFC Everett Oliver made Jan 3 at 2016 9:33 PM

SFC Everett Oliver — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 21:33:30 -0500

I am a Member of the American Legion and regularly attend a County Veterans Service Commission meeting. I have held the Position of Commander of my local American Legion Post for the past 5 years. When I leave the house I always am wearing something that marks me as a Veteran. Either a US Army Retired ball cap or my Legion uniform If going to a function. On my car is an 11 inch Flag magnet with an 11 inch American Legion magnet right behind it...Both sides... I have been nominated as veteran of the year by the Veterans service Commission this year. They represent 42 Veteran organizations throughout the County.

Response by SFC Rollie Hubbard made Jan 4 at 2016 6:38 AM

SFC Rollie Hubbard — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 06:38:39 -0500

I have a Viet Nam/Germany vet association

Response by SSG James Richardson made Jan 4 at 2016 7:53 AM

SSG James Richardson — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 07:53:32 -0500

I remember it as both frustrating and fun. I wear the military clothes still because I just get out and I have a lot of company t-shirts, and volunteer stuff..I do wear the under garments for cold weather, but I don't run around in my uniform modified with cut off pants etc...though I do wear the boonie cap for long hikes

Response by Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin made Jan 4 at 2016 9:11 AM

Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 09:11:21 -0500

Wear it all the time to work...

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2016 11:12 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 11:12:05 -0500

I honor it, not everyone does/can enter the military, I belong to the VFW and American Legion. I talk to others about it, especially the children at church who see me in my ball cap with some army pins on it. It meant an awful lot to me to have had the honor to have served.

Response by PO3 Sherry Thornburg made Jan 6 at 2016 2:04 AM

PO3 Sherry Thornburg — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 02:04:49 -0500

My dad wears a retiree hat with pins. I've seen others that keep a flag pole with their service flag. Some take apart in honor guard ceremonies. I and my husband tend to keep our past service to ourselves unless there is a reason to step up. We don't feel a need to make a show and our home community isn't near any military base so there isn't much of an active duty presence to interact with. It was a part of our lives and still effects the way we think
and feel about things; we are grateful for the experience, but its personal.

Response by SGT Janet Sonntag made Jan 6 at 2016 10:14 AM

SGT Janet Sonntag — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 10:14:14 -0500

I still wear a piece of clothing or my boots.

Response by Sgt Ramon Nacanaynay made Jan 9 at 2016 9:47 AM

Sgt Ramon Nacanaynay — Sat, 09 Jan 2016 09:47:53 -0500

Volunteer for Veterans For Peace, a registered, non-profit, 501 c-3, international organization with representation in the U.N. as a Non-Governmental Organization. Educating the public on the costs of war and advocating for veterans, women, children and other victims of war.

Response by 1SG Nick Baker made Jan 10 at 2016 10:51 AM

1SG Nick Baker — Sun, 10 Jan 2016 10:51:59 -0500

I tried to attend reunions. The 26th Infantry will meet in Fort Campbell this year.

Response by SGT KellyAnn Piergiorgi made Jan 10 at 2016 3:20 PM

SGT KellyAnn Piergiorgi — Sun, 10 Jan 2016 15:20:42 -0500

I find that I react to service members better than I do with civilians. There's a certain connection we hold that no other group has. I am retired Army and I will die a U.S. soldier.

Response by Sgt Harold Flowers made Jan 15 at 2016 12:26 PM

Sgt Harold Flowers — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 12:26:31 -0500

I occasionally wear a hat, sadly a lot of these memories are being buried more and more, we wore a different uniform and so many changes since the 80's, closed bases, closed squadrons, would be nice to have something more.

Response by TSgt Thomas Monaghan made Jan 17 at 2016 6:55 PM

TSgt Thomas Monaghan — Sun, 17 Jan 2016 18:55:39 -0500

I joined my local American Legion