Boy, where was all that when I was in the military? I was flying back to Houston the other day when I noticed a flight attendant serving drinks asked a passanger if he was in the military. When he acknowledged, she said "Thank you". I have also noticed that when boarding, they have been offering military priority in boarding the aircraft along with elite members. Where was all that when I was in? Who carried the torch in the military so that these guys today can continue our national security? I joined in between Vietnam and Beruit/Grenada. The outcome in Beruit when I was in the service was another failure as in Vietnam, so still quite unpopular to be in. Only the swift victory in Grenada, kind of made some attempt to regain patriotism back to this country. After all, we had been the laughing stock of the world with terrorist hijacking our pilots and passengers, and the hostage deal in Iran that ran for years. It was almost a liability to mention that you were in the military. Only thing that distinguished us was our short hair, and travel uniform sometimes. There was no "Thank you for your service" or any of that. I remember one guy coming to the back of the plane, sitting down next to me, only because he was a former servicemember himself and sharing a beer with me. They only viewed us as a dollar sign in downtown LA whenever we would take some Rest and Recuperation there from 29 palms. How attitudes change whenever the homefront gets attacked by an enemy or terrorist. I can somewhat understand how the Vietnam veterans felt when they came home. So next time I hear...."Are you in the service"? I should put my hand up and say...."Once upon a time, long long ago." Just to steal away some recognition. I've been out of the service longer than the age of these kids in now.
