Alright like it or not I gotta vent. I truly don't have alot of friends close by most my true friends are the brothers I served with. Yeah I got me some demons but who don't. Have not felt comfortable anywhere in awhile till here at Eroids. Was welcomed with open arms by a bunch of veteran eroiders on here, no prison love from Irish yet but still feelin alot of love and so I feel I can vent here. If not what the fuck ever doing it anyways.
Just so we are clear where I am coming from. I served and bled along side some true heroes. Veterans day is a tough one for me second to memorial day. I have seen my boy get taken down by a sniper while literally watching my back.

now the free meal is not patronizing at all its a fucking free meal for any who served wether they are slick sleeves or not. What is patronizing is the fact that it's done as publicity and a tax write off or promotion to get people in the door instead of a true thank you.
However I got a story to tell. a few years back after my first tour I was asked to be a part of the veterans day parade, since I was on a segment on CNN called hometown heroes. Well its not my thing but my the local vfw where I am a member asked me to do it in my dress blues an all. So I walked the route next alot of my brothers in arms from WW2 to present. We ended at the veteran memorial and taps were played and a speaker spoke. after I spent my time in silence I looked over and seen the cliche Vietnam vet. Long hair and beard..his old green uniform top on and patches galore. He was doing a stare that I know all to well. I walked over placed my hand on his shoulder and simply said thanks for coming out and walking with us today brother and thanks for all you did for this country. he remained silent and I started to walk away. he then immediatly came out of his fog and reached out to me and hugged me with tears in his eyes and preceded to tell me how my gesture just made his whole year. This man would have loved a free coffee when his tour was done let alone a free meal and he wouldnt have thought anything patronizing about it. What he found upsetting was how he returned home a villain.
So what I do for veterans day instead of walking around looking for my heroes welcome I go out and find one of my brothers of combat who are homeless and let them have a shower clean up and get some new clothes. Then I take him out to one of these free meals...its free cause my ass pays for it and dont write it off on taxes or expect anything in return. There isnt much talk usually just a silent understanding. I dont patronize or make it feel like a handout. Its the best I can do for someone who needs it cause regardless of which restaraunt is giving out free food. they sure as hell wouldnt let him in to eat as he is. I have done these for a couple years now and not one man has felt like I was patronizing him.

You got some people out there who use their service to capitolize on their political career or spend more time patting themselves on the back or looking for recognition. That to me is patronizing. Never met a true hero who liked to brag about himself.

Not saying this to get any recognition on my part, what I am trying to do is give recognition for heroes out there who deserve some graitutude an attention. I got no room for those who treat any vet like shit. Im not saying they are better than any other man out there. they were normal men put in unordinary situations. But all vets deserve an amount of respect for what they did! I have been called a hero before and I don't like it. Cause my heroes didnt come back home with me.

I agree, and I'm sorry. I have no disrespect for our corps. I do have disrespect for the government, even though it's expected. For our country, I would die. For the people who are quite useless, I would die. For all the meth-addicts, convicts, mexicans, I would die. I would NOT die for our president, nor our government, though.

That is my disgust and hate.

This is a bit disgraceful, although at the least it's something. As Irish posted, I think I'd have more on my mind than free food... Especially if I was experiencing PTSD..

hell ya.. imma loose the ebc now.. fuck

If anyone is in the St. Louis area Ameristar is offering a free buffet on Monday aswell! I know I will be eating every damn thing there that day!