Women Veterans, Sound Off!

[nytemare]

:patriot:

This is for the ladies that had to defeat the preconceptions about us and put on the combat boots. For all the tears and smiles you had to choke back. For the respect you had to work so hard for, that for others was a given. You deserve a toast!

:toast:

Please tell a bit about your experience, if you have time.

Here is a journal posting of mine that I usually post on Memorial Day, and Veterans Day.

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/nytemare

[mailman82]

1. Thank You!

Thank you for serving, you are one of my heroes. I am a Nam Vet. my son an Iraq vet. God Bless you!!!!!

[nytemare]

3. Thank you!

I am glad you and your son made it home safely. I am sure there are parts of us that still remain in Iraq and Vietnam.

:patriot:

[AnneD]

2. My fav story...

245th PSYOP 1979 -end of weekend drill-going to fast food place because I was too tired to cook. I was standing in the line and a little boy, holding mom's skirt, noticed my boots. His gaze continued to follow my boots, all the way to my face. His eyes grew wide in amazement as he tugs at mom's skirt"look Mommy, she's wearing soldier boots." Mom was a bit red faced but I winked and smiled at the little boy. I love kids.

[nytemare]

4. That is a good story.

I loved the reactions from people who didn't quite see what they were expecting.

Bless you for your service.

:hi:

[crikkett]

5. Thanks!

When I was first stationed in Texas I had this brand-new Pat Benatar haircut and thought I was so cute until I was called "son" by one of the townies. It was in the late 1980's.

[nytemare]

7. LOL!

Cute story. Loved Pat Benatar.

:hi:

[tularetom]

6. This is for my mom

and to show howmuch things have changed in Amurka. I was born in September 1941. My dad enlisted in the Marines in early 1942. In March of 43 my mom sent my older sister and myself to live with her parents and enlisted as a nurse. Although she became quite cynical about many things in her later years she never questioned her decision to serve, always telling me "you had to live through those years to understand." She died in 2003 at the age of 86 and I think this is the aspect of her life I admiire most.

[nytemare]

8. I admire that generation.

Most of us have never known what it is like to have to ration food, etc. Sometimes, I wonder if we have been too pampered. I actually think that we should have some sort of compulsory military or public service. It makes for more well rounded individuals.

:toast: to you and your folks!

[DawgHouse]

9. This is for the Veteran I met yesterday.

I went to Walmart. Yes, Walmart but please don't derail this thread!

I engaged the nice lady running the register in idle chit-chat, asking her if the store was busy earlier since it was a national holiday. She said, "What national holiday?" I said, "It's Veteran's Day. Well, not technically, but today is the federal holiday and tomorrow is the real day..."

She said, "Really? You'd think I would have known that. I'm a Veteran. I was in the Gulf War but I got shot in my knee and they didn't want me anymore. But I feel good about what I had to do. I was getting in a lot of trouble and the Army made me straighten out real quick."

I thanked her for her service but left with a heavy heart.

[nytemare]

10. It sickens me that so many vets are homeless.

I am glad that your checker had a good outlook. So many can feel left behind after they are out of the service.

[Jai4WKC08]

11. 20 year Army vet here

Always planned to join the Army after college. I was a freshman at a women's college in Atlanta when ROTC opened up to women in 1973; I swapped schools to join up. Retired in December of 1997. Wouldn't change a thing.

[nytemare]

12. Congrats to a lifer!!

What was your MOS?

If I had stayed in, I would be retiring in 3 years. But, I could be dead from Iraq, too.

:hi: