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When Veterans Retire

Discussion in 'Pull up a chair and sit for a spell' started by AFNurse, Mar 2, 2008.

  1. AFNurse

    AFNurse Moderator Staff Member

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    When Veterans Retire

    When a good Veteran leaves the "job" and retires to a better
    life, many are jealous, some are pleased and yet others, who may have
    already retired, wonder. We wonder if he knows what they are leaving
    behind, because we already know. We know, for example, that after a
    lifetime of camaraderie that few experience, it will remain as a longing
    for those past times. We know in the Military life t here is a fellowship
    which lasts long after the uniforms are hung up in the back of the
    closet. 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 "Blessed
    are the Peacemakers for they shall be called children of God," and you
    are still a member of the grea test fraternity the world has ever known.


    Civilian Friends vs. Veteran Friends

    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.


    CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Have never seen you cry.

    VETERAN FRIENDS: Have cried with you.



    CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Borrow your stuff for a few days then give it
    back.

    VETERAN FRIENDS: Keep your stuff so long they forget it's yours.




    CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Know a few things about you.

    VETERAN FRIENDS: Could write a book with direct quotes from you.



    CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will leave you behind if that's what the crowd
    is doing.

    VETERAN FRIENDS: Will kick the crowds' ass that left you behind.



    CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Are for a while.

    VETERAN FRIENDS: Are for life.



    CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Have shared a few experiences...

    VETERAN FRIENDS: Have shared a lifetime of experiences

    no citizen could ever dream of...



    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...



    CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will talk crap to the person who talks crap
    about you.

    VETERAN FRIENDS: Will knock them the hell out OF THEM..... for
    using your name in vain.
    AFNurse, Mar 2, 2008
    #1
  3. chucktx

    chucktx Moderator Staff Member

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    great post chris..........thanks!!
    chucktx, Mar 2, 2008
    #2
  4. AFNurse

    AFNurse Moderator Staff Member

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    No problem! I also feel that this does not JUST pertain to veterans that are retiring.... I think that MANY vets, regardless of how many years may have SOME of these feelings..... granted, the more years you have, the greater some of this may be true! I have a couple buddies that did not retire, but they still feel it......
    AFNurse, Mar 2, 2008
    #3
  5. cowboy

    cowboy Moderator Staff Member

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    Yes a very good post :cool:
    cowboy, Mar 2, 2008
    #4
  6. Red Rider

    Red Rider Well-Known Member

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    Yeah, I can dig it. Twenty-seven years of service, only left when my body wouldn't let me do it anymore.

    I only must say that I can't totally agree that civilians will always act like that. My best riding friend never served, but he's had my six for as long as I've known him. So maybe it should be Veterans and Bikers.

    :cheers:
    Red Rider, Mar 2, 2008
    #5
  7. ironhorse

    ironhorse Active Member

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    hey red where in churchhill ya at, I have been in battle mountain for about 2 weeks, will probably jump and run on or about the 15th and head back to san jose, if'n yer close I'll buy ya a beer or root beer, or what ever ya drink
    ironhorse, Mar 3, 2008
    #6
  8. Red Rider

    Red Rider Well-Known Member

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    ironhorse - I'm just a tiny bit outside Fallon. Not quite on your way to San Jose, but we could link up in Fernley or Reno or such when you make the run back. Don't s'pose your on your bike right now, so the extra miles wouldn't be extra fun.

    I'm all for a beer or root beer (though usually with rum added). I'd say that Bully's Sports Bar & Grill in Fernley is a good rally point, as they're 24hrs,right on the main drag (Exit 48) and right on your way back. I might have guests the 15th, but its family and an escape for a couple hours may be just fine.
    Red Rider, Mar 3, 2008
    #7
  9. HARLEY GRT R

    HARLEY GRT R New Member

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    Great Post :)
    HARLEY GRT R, Mar 3, 2008
    #8
  10. SK

    SK New Member

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    Cool post. I've seen something similar for bikers instead of veterans, but it sure rings true. I spent 8 years active duty from '78 to '86 and still think fondly of the friends I made there.

    My bro-in-laws youngest brother is retiring from the Army after 26 years this May. I'm sure it's going to be an adjustment. He's had several tours of Iraq, including being there now as Gen. Petraeus's XO (I see him in the news every now and then carrying Petraeus's bags..funny to see a colonel doing that, but it is for a 4 star). He graduated #1 in his class at West Point and went back to teach there after getting his doctorate. Now he's getting a cushy job at Ohio State already tenured. He's not going to know what to do when he doesn't have to move every 2-3 years.
    SK, Mar 3, 2008
    #9
  11. lewiszeigler

    lewiszeigler New Member

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    Hi, guys;

    Does anyone know how to contact AFNurse via email? I am trying to find out who the person is that wrote the article entitiled "When Veterans Retire". Another former Marine Aviator friend of mine has a friend who is a retired Army Col. who deals with a lot of veterans groups and school kids and who want to use this article in his talks to them. He wants to be able to give proper credit to whoever the author is. Can anyone help me?? I'm a new member to this group and a retired Marine Major and Naval Aviator (1952-1972). I flew C-117's and H-34's in Vietnam. My email address is: lewiszeigler@yahoo.com Thanks.

    Lew
    lewiszeigler, Apr 23, 2008
    #10
  12. AFNurse

    AFNurse Moderator Staff Member

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    Lew,
    I received that as one of those "touchy feely" feel good chain mail emails....It did not come with any credits noted (as is normal with MOST chain mail. I can understand the desire to give proper credit for formal presentations, however, in this case, I do not know what it is. I would say that using "Annonimous" is not the best, but would cover.....or Author Unknown.....if a true source is found, it can always be given credit at that time!
    Thank you for your service, and that of your buddy!
    Nurse
    AFNurse, Apr 23, 2008
    #11
  13. 2fastnaz

    2fastnaz Moderator

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    That sure rings true to me. I was going crazy during desert storm. I'd only been out a year or so and all my buddies were there. I felt like... I don't know how I felt, I just wanted to be with my buddies.

    Now all these years later I've begun hearing from guys I served with, thanks to the internet. With everyone of them it's just like we talked only last week not 17 years ago. I have a civvy friend or 2 I know would have my back if push came to shove. I know a whole B-division of military friends that way. My only regret is that I didn't stay to retirement. 10 years wasn't enough. I've got a bad hankering to go back to sea.
    2fastnaz, Apr 24, 2008
    #12

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