"Thank you for your service" - a Navy veteran's rant.

What isn't really commonly realized, or remembered, for that matter, is that even the WWII guys mostly didn't return home to roaring crowds and parades; except for those who happened to be in major cities on V-J Day, the rest of the active duty forces were discharged over a course of several months or more, so mostly they came home one at a time.

And remember, the nation was still emerging from the Depression. There was no guarantee all these soldiers were going to get jobs.

That was really one of the main motivations of the GI Bill, to make it possible and attractive for a lot of veterans to go to college, which would stagger their entry into the civilian work force over several years rather than dumping millions back into the work force all at once.

 

While most of the parades were going on, my dad was in Tokyo with many others, helping with the occupation.

He turns 92 one month from today and is getting married(!) two months from today.

 

Will you be able to cope with a new half-sibling?

 

I was at a meeting this morning and as we went around the table introducing ourselves, one woman said she was retired military. Another woman, almost on cue, blurted "thank you for your service." I believe she was being sincere, but it came out like someone saying "bless you" when another person sneezes.

 

My daddy was in Tokyo as well, from 1945 to early 1947.

 

My grandfather was on Saipan during that period. Mom said Japanese stragglers were found on a regular basis.

 

Two observations:

1. I say it to active military. They volunteered to protect us. The least I can do is thank them for doing what I didn't have to experience when I was their age. I had -- and still have -- absolutely no interest in armed warfare.

2. My father is getting increasingly cranky as he ages. At 84, it bugs him that he doesn't get to stand up when veterans are recognized at public events, even though as a NASA subcontractor he spent more time on Air Force bases than many of those who enlisted. However, my mother always points out, "They could have been sent somewhere to fight and die. You got to go home every night."

 

What in the holy fuck??

 

My uncle was a ballistics engr in Europe campaign in WWII; fancy title, he planted explosives in tunnels and trenches; not pretty.

Gracious guy came home and had so many demons; worked hard every day and drank hard every night. My cousins and I knew to stay away from kitchen after 11.

War ruined so many men (and still does).

 

Hey, I drank TANG in the Sixties. Does that qualify as military service?

 

Why I never pretend know what it’s like to be an officer or soldier; no part of my life ever included “might get shot at”.