This Vet obviously runs his mouth about his service everywhere he goes. The men I know are called “the quiet professionals” and’ we all take pride in it. Most of the Vets on this site who have seen combat “Do Not Run Mouth That They Did This or That.”
I damn sure do not want a free damn meal or a drink. I would like the remains of the men we lost in Laos, Cambodia, North Vietnam and other wars returned to the USA.
The families of men many of us served with deserve more then a damn drink/free meal. Sorry.
Two brothers, vets both, hook up and have a few cocktails and wine, and get to talking....
I can see it happening. And I don’t think they were doing it for the free booze. Just someone, and American, overheard and wanted to buy them a drink or whatever.
The part I thought was awesome was the Ukrainian wife’s perspective.
It’s interesting to see how other people see the US and what they are impressed with. It’s often either not what we’re impressed with, or what we think they would be impressed with.
Traveling overseas to some third world country is something EVERYONE should do.
I visited Colombia many decades ago and it left a real impact on my as a fairly young adult.
I came away from that trip with a better appreciation for what we have and how good we have it.
The guy in the article does seen to be show off-ish. Aside from his overly loud bragging (that I usually see as attention seeking) he was big on showing his wife the biggest and best of the US to impress her.
Now I love this country but I guess if I was going to show it off, I would avoid the usual tourist traps. I’ve found the greatest treasures are often the unassuming and out of the way people and things.
I’m hoping a long lost cousin returns from Korea. He drew the short straw to fill canteens and was machine-gunned on the spot. The rest of his unit survived.
Still, I reserve the right to buy you a meal, please don’t be offended, you are a living representative of your colleagues who gave more, and honoring them through you is likely as close as I can get to directly honoring them.
Please accept it in their names.