Sudden Patriots.

[The Walker]

We had a sort of an incident yesterday. For those who don't know, I am a retired military man. I was recalled to duty in Afghanistan early on when we were trying to get the Taliban out of power. The beginning as it were. Big fighting.

Vicky has ALWAYS had an American flag on her car. I do not. Both of our choices. She wants to show support for America and my service. I feel that my medals and scars are enough and I don't need to wave a flag to prove I am a patriot.

Anyhow.

We were in town the other day at the same time. The town is about 12,000 people so naturally few people really know me well there. I was in my truck picking up some things for the ranch and Vicky was in town doing some shopping. She called me on the cell and suggested we get together for lunch. Good idea. It is always pleasant to sit with Vicky, and moreso where other men can see my good fortune and be envious. We went to our favorite eatery and lunched together. Nice. We left together, and I got a kiss in the parking lot. She was getting into her car and I was messing in the back of the truck, re-arranging things when we were accosted by some born-again, 9/11 patriot. Wanted to know where my flag was, and why Vicky, a "feriner" had one. I tried to explain, quite patiently for me, that I was a decorated veteran and didn't feel I needed to fly a flag, but my wife wanted to and was doing so long before that terrible day. This buffoon went on and on about the current lack of open patriotism and that was what was wrong with America, etc., etc., and said he doubted I had even seen active service or I would be prouder and fly a flag on my truck aerial.

So I asked him in what branch he had served, and lo and behold, he claimed he was a Green Beret and had served in Delta Force.  I laughed in his face and got in my truck and left him standing there. I knew better.

Moral: Folks, everyone who waves a flag is not a true patriot, and not everyone who doesn't is anti-American. Don't claim you are some sort of Special Ops person, because you may run into someone who really is/was and they may not be in as good a mood as I was.

Little did he know that lunch and a kiss from a beautiful Filipina had saved him some trouble that day.

-Don

[Bubba]

... in response to Sudden Patriots., posted by The Walker on Jun 19, 2002

Don,

Nice post, I am a Vietnam vet Marine Corp and I don't have flag flying either but everyone who knows me also knows how much I love my country.  The only bumper sticker I have on my car says "Ted Kennedy's car has killed more people than my gun".  It's bad when I have to explain it to teenagers who don't know what it means.

[SteveB]

... in response to Sudden Patriots., posted by The Walker on Jun 19, 2002

I'm just glad we live in a country where we have the right to speak up and state our beliefs,,,right or wrong....

[stefang]

... in response to Sudden Patriots., posted by The Walker on Jun 19, 2002

You better watch out those sony psII green berets can be lethal if they attack.

[BrianN]

... in response to Sudden Patriots., posted by The Walker on Jun 19, 2002

n/t

[Howard]

... in response to Sudden Patriots., posted by The Walker on Jun 19, 2002

Don,

Sorry to hear about your brush with a real live member of the Green Beret, Delta Force no less!  What a Marooon!

If ignorance is bliss, how come so many of the ignorant are so upset???

Keep the Faith

H

[Zebson]

... in response to Sudden Patriots., posted by The Walker on Jun 19, 2002

Don, I know what you mean. Your not alone in your encounter with over the top patriots. Yes, even out here in crazy California too. At my work I have run into a few people that had this same sudden wake up call, most of them couldn't have cared less, before 9/11. As for me I am not a big flag waver..just a quiet believer in liberty and in covert/proactive D-fense for America.

Zeb