I think those of us vets who put identifiers of service on things such as signatures, clothing, car decals, or whatever else we deem fit are saying hello to each other in a language you could never understand unless you have served. That greeting is not meant for you, the one who questions our service or denigrates what we have done. The identifier in whatever form it takes is not there to garnish your nods of approval, discontent or discounts. Most of us are embarrassed when offered something to us for free, weather it is a percentage off for dinner or a thank you from a total stranger.
I also want to help those of you with a case of jelly belly to better understand our reasons for voluntarily enlisting, but I can only speak for myself. Our I.Q.s are as divergent as the reasons that we joined. Painting us as violent mercenaries, brainwashed low income non educated Neanderthals with a lack of moral compass shows the world just how narrow minded you are in your thinking.
And for the folks who like to take the passive aggressive stances with your ***-sumtions on our character or motives, you have to ask yourselves a couple of questions. What have you done for anyone in this world other than yourself besides belittling others peoples sacrifices? When was the last time you put your life on the line for the your personal beliefs or those of the ones you care about? In my own experiences I have found those are the folks who are ashamed of there own cowardice in life and place there guilt on the shoulders of the brave in places such as this, a forum where they can hide behind the screen and conduct there trolling operations. Sorry self appointed brainiacs and armchair historians, nobility, bravery and sacrifice are not measured by intelligence, self righteousness or income. If you want to be able to put something in your sig other than overweight with pimples and lives with mom, then get up off your condescending a-hole and do something that matters. Saying I go to school and am not brainwashed by the news does not count. :-)
Oh yea, almost forgot... U.S. Army retired. MOS 19E, 19K (a REAL tank) with 11B secondary. Yes, in real wars tanks do lead the way!