My oldest son has a Celtic weave band tatt around his upper right arm. He knew his dad and I would be upset, (he was out of college when he got it) so he compared his “art” to the two small tattoos my (late) dad had on his forearm. HUGE difference. Pap got his as an 18 year old, May HS grad, drafted into the Army, given basic training, and dropped in Italy to fight Moussolini before Halloween. Huge difference for scared kids, half a world away from home fighting in a world war to display their military insignia/unit on their arm, compared to today’s “trendy” types looking thru a book for their “statement.”
I never thought of tattoos as odd, as I knew my dads was from his time in “the service.” He kept in touch with many of his friends from his unit...their bond was that tight...til he passed away.
Huge difference as to why “greatest generation” got theirs.
“Huge difference as to why “greatest generation” got theirs.”
I visited an old couple from church at the nursing home and just getting aquainted.
The man had the big Navy anchor on his biceps. “Oh - you must have been in the Navy?”
His wife piped up “Harry drove a landing craft at D-Day.”
Yeah - I guess he earned it!