That Old Dusty Vest

Oh Red, I do understand. Patches and Commander's coins. Got my own and treasure them also. You also point out the hypocrisy of medals and awards that I have witnessed myself. ARCOMs for hospital bake sales ... can you believe it? No Bronze Star because we weren't there long enough. That's one part of the Army that I won't miss. Thanks for all you did. You know how I admire women in uniform, my band of sisters.

We kinda got the short end of the stick, but we were adrenaline junkies we knew what we signed up for and what it meant; now imagine me in charge of that unit,all ranks and branches under my command... There were some fireworks there brother, A woman!!bull!! hahaha but the "Cast Iron Bitch" brought them all home, not one loss in all those years, many wounds but no loss.They were my family all we had was eachother, I earned their admiration and most of all their respect.Thanks for the sweet comment, Mark We, you and your wife, all did our duty and should be proud.

I have no problem imaging you in charge. Your strength flows thru your poetry. It reminds me of this quote by Teddy Roosevelt ...

"Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure... than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat."

Thanks for being one of those few. I am proud of you!

Hey no fare making me cry! Those few words moved my heart, and that's a heavy boulder!

For a civvy this is a mine of hither to unknown information and yet I would say thanks for the write for it's a really interesting and informative one. All the rest has already been said above. Bravo

A big hug for you my friend for being just that, thank you.

Red

I like this poem Red...I have 2 AAM's ( 3 OLC's), 2 ARCOM's (2 OLC's), 1 GC, and an MSM.....earned them without eating cheese to boot!  Not bragging...I worked my tail off soldiering!!!  I wore NCO stripes, Go Army!
 
Strider :)

hahaha are you sure??? how much butt did you kiss pretty boy??? hahahaha lolol Good for you I am proud of all of us for staying safe and being smart enough to make it home in one piece!Thanks Hooraaah!!!
 
Red

A wonderful write Gypsy and insight into you as a person, that is what matters. Excellent piece.

Thank you sweetness, it is a peek into the not so dark but more the melancholy side of me lol.

Red

You are so poignant and thoughtful in this writing
Red, you have such a rich tapestry of experiences and memories...thank you so much for letting us inside just a little to see who and what makes you who...you are!

Fire.

Thanks sugar, it just came out, I was thinking of my dusty old vest, what it meant when I wore it and the story behind every one of those patches.

Thanks for the sweet comment.

Red