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In reply to the discussion: This should go viral: [View all]

Backseat Driver

(4,555 posts)
33. That's true about family members' reasons to remain in any capacity of military service...
Thu Aug 8, 2024, 02:00 PM
Aug 8

My FIL was one of five brothers of a divorced/remarried mother. The brothers all served in the Navy in WWII, one a survivor of the Lexington. FIL married, went to work, enlisted and served in Pearl Harbor after the attack until the war ended. My maternal grandfather enlisted in the Army infantry, but never came home from WWII; my dad served in the Army, and after specialty training served in the jungles of Papua New Guinea and the Phillipines until the war was over, and then he and mom got married. Neither of our dads had more than one employer thereafter nor took any benefit of the GI bill for further education -- one blue collar; one white collar from a "rust belt" state who often spoke of being a notch baby for the purposes of SSA benefits. Both our moms were SAHM who never graduated HS, never worked outside the home for pay, or even became a long-term driver of an automobile.

DH went to a tech school prior to being drafted into Army service and was not responsible for his assignment stateside in Washington, DC, at the Pentagon under the Joint Chief's staff during the Viet Nam conflict. He just lucked out w/a needed skill--IT. He did his time without overseas combat and returned to work as a public servant. Used some GI bill educational benefits but never got a 4 year degree. We definitely married too young, but I got as much education as I could afford debt-free (associates degree) as an alternative student while working after our two daughters were in elementary school in the 80s and returned to work and took early retirement - SMH

My female sibling finally got herself a dream job after college with an Air Force associated company and climbed the civilian GS ladder with her Master's during all those Republican admins. She's retired now. Oh, she's registered as a Dem all right, but judging from her behavior within the family, I suspect she was infected by the GOP and forced to fight, under years of Republican admins, for HERSELF along with her spouse for their child's welfare. She's a "fierce warrior mama."

My brother who never left home or had military service, beloved of my mother, died before he could retire from work and after dad passed. Mom and he found themselves together in the same hospice. She passed age 92 - Result - I was scapegoated early on, estranged, and finally entirely disinherited -- and sister dearest got it all supposedly for her disabled kid's benefit. - SMH

This should go viral: [View all] PCIntern Aug 8 OP
Kick RAB910 Aug 8 #1
Family members vary regarding the military........................... Lovie777 Aug 8 #2
Republicans love bashing service members MagickMuffin Aug 8 #23
And the Kerry team didn't fight back. Sky Jewels Aug 8 #25
That's true about family members' reasons to remain in any capacity of military service... Backseat Driver Aug 8 #33
And if he thinks there's one particular plane that gets designated as Ait Force 2 throughout an administration, soldierant Aug 8 #45
What you say is true. Service people (past and present) would definitely take a second look... chouchou Aug 8 #3
Kicking. MontanaMama Aug 8 #4
Idiot also attacked Gen. McCaffrey dalton99a Aug 8 #5
Copied and pasted this to a FB group I belong to. ProudMNDemocrat Aug 8 #6
K&R! Thanks for posting this! highplainsdem Aug 8 #7
KnR Hekate Aug 8 #8
Maybe there's a way to add a blank space for Trump. enough Aug 8 #9
Brilliant FDR4President Aug 8 #10
I wish it said "highest enlisted rank available in the US Army" rather than "highest rank available in the US Army" 33taw Aug 8 #11
Agree, it's easily confusedand that provides fertile ground for propaganda. jaxexpat Aug 8 #13
This meme is starting to go viral. I hope it gets modified, because MAGA are looking for anything to pick on. 33taw Aug 8 #14
These days even spelling and punctuation are potential bombs. jaxexpat Aug 8 #40
😂 Dark n Stormy Knight Aug 9 #49
Perfect sarchasm Aug 8 #12
I served as an E4 in the Air Force and anciano Aug 8 #15
In my generation PCIntern Aug 8 #16
Particularly after 20 years of service, when the country was attacked in 2001, Jarqui Aug 8 #19
I think you mean "ex-President Bone Spurs" GopherGal Aug 8 #35
Point well taken ...nt Jarqui Aug 8 #38
It's worth noting that both 21st century Republican presidents...... jaxexpat Aug 8 #41
Electoral College as DEI for rural states GopherGal Aug 9 #54
Thats the elementary school explanation. jaxexpat Aug 10 #56
You are kind of missing the point. couchhumper is LYING about Walz' record. niyad Aug 8 #20
Last night on MSNBC they said Walz retired from the military csziggy Aug 8 #29
Thank you for that excellent clip. niyad Aug 8 #39
No lie is too low for RWers to tell, Dark n Stormy Knight Aug 9 #50
ditto Skittles Aug 8 #44
K&R x 1000000000!!!!! Evolve Dammit Aug 8 #17
K&R!! gademocrat7 Aug 8 #18
As far as anyone knows... av8rdave Aug 8 #21
And as a combat photographer peppertree Aug 8 #24
K & R !!! Rubyshoo Aug 8 #22
I was drafted into the U S Army in 1970, served 2 years and was honorably discharged as E-5. surfered Aug 8 #26
It's like it's no contest. czarjak Aug 8 #27
Kick and Rec'd IllinoisBirdWatcher Aug 8 #28
Stop the G.O.P. attack on our US Armed Forces BoRaGard Aug 8 #30
As a short-termer veteran Zoomie1986 Aug 8 #31
Yes!! Definitely should go viral. Military family here. wordstroken Aug 8 #32
Zing! oasis Aug 8 #34
Shared to Fb with message GPV Aug 8 #36
This already is! jfz9580m Aug 8 #37
What's the source(s)? sl8 Aug 8 #42
and one of them isn't pimping for a draft dodger Skittles Aug 8 #43
Kick BlueWavePsych Aug 8 #46
I can't see anything. Buttoneer Aug 8 #47
Yes, it appears to be gone now. area51 Aug 8 #48
This is very misleading - some awards that both men received are only listed for Walz and not Vance. sl8 Aug 9 #51
Kick and Rec! Think. Again. Aug 9 #52
I'm retired Army Reserve COL Mustard Aug 9 #53
Just wanted to say THANK YOU to all the veterans on this thread - and, frankly, everywhere. calimary Aug 9 #55
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