Posted on Oct 4, 2015
I went to the Chow Hall this morning, left pretty pissed off. Would you do the same thing I did?
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My spouse and I went to the gym this morning and had a great workout. After my shower, I went to the DFAC for Sunday morning brunch. spending time with the Soldiers as well as chow was great.
We noticed a couple (probably in early-mid forties) sitting at the next table with three young children (ages estimated at 6, 8, 9)....the children were running all over the place - not being watched or corrected by the either parent....looked like they had been there for quite some time as well because there was food, wrappers, plates all over the place.
I noticed the children playing around the area fallen hero table so I approached the father, I thought I was very restrained - here's what happened:
Me: Sir, do you know what this table is here for?
His reply: "roger, I know the meaning".
Me: Are these your children?
Reply: Yes.
(the children were still running around.....now the youngest was pulling at the fallen hero table cloth)
Me: Are these your children?
Reply: Yes.
Me: Sir, do you truly understand the importance of this display, and understand what it exactly means to all of us within this community?
Reply: Yes
Me: Sir, please get your children under control!
At that point, he grabbed his son and put the child over his shoulder and walked with him back to the table and then turned him lose & let him go back to "roaming" all around the DFAC....next to the stoves and all the other appliances (in the back) which are not so kid friendly!
How would you have handled the situation? Directly? Indirectly (thru the DFAC manager? Ignored the situation completely, (it aint my business).
We noticed a couple (probably in early-mid forties) sitting at the next table with three young children (ages estimated at 6, 8, 9)....the children were running all over the place - not being watched or corrected by the either parent....looked like they had been there for quite some time as well because there was food, wrappers, plates all over the place.
I noticed the children playing around the area fallen hero table so I approached the father, I thought I was very restrained - here's what happened:
Me: Sir, do you know what this table is here for?
His reply: "roger, I know the meaning".
Me: Are these your children?
Reply: Yes.
(the children were still running around.....now the youngest was pulling at the fallen hero table cloth)
Me: Are these your children?
Reply: Yes.
Me: Sir, do you truly understand the importance of this display, and understand what it exactly means to all of us within this community?
Reply: Yes
Me: Sir, please get your children under control!
At that point, he grabbed his son and put the child over his shoulder and walked with him back to the table and then turned him lose & let him go back to "roaming" all around the DFAC....next to the stoves and all the other appliances (in the back) which are not so kid friendly!
How would you have handled the situation? Directly? Indirectly (thru the DFAC manager? Ignored the situation completely, (it aint my business).
Fallen Soldiers
Respect
Disrespect
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 100
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Even as a member of the E-4 Mafia, i would address the issue. Of course my tact would be different if he addressed he were a higher rank. No one of any rank has the authority to disrespect such a monument. It's obvious this person (hesitate to call him a soldier simply due to his obvious uncaring) has no integrity or sense of duty.
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I think I would have handled it very differently. I would have asked the couple to get their children under control as well as get their names, gotten management involved and asked them to leave and not return until they teach their kids have to manners and respect for a place that is not their home.
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You did the right thing, Sergeant Major. I say other, rather than yes or no, because in my mind, it is very much a matter of timing. In my best, most diplomatic bearing, I come across as something of a bull-moose. When I don't give a damn about a person's feelings... well, I've never been a Marine or a drill instructor, but I've been called Gunny Hartman by more than one person.
From my own experience, I took the family to a VFW cookout a while back. My 9-year old daughter was amusing herself by playing quietly on the stage and walking around looking at the various documents and pictures on the walls. She wasn't being a nuisance at all. However, when she approached the Table, and went to start finger poking the setting, I called her over and explained the fact that that table was not allowed to be touched. When she asked why, I told her to go read the presentation, but not to touch it. She did. I had to explain some of the concepts to her, but she's a smart kid. She never touched it again.
I can not abide parents who refuse to be parents. I'm teaching my wife's mother as much as I'm teaching my daughter. I constantly have to remind her that it is not for adults to be friends with children first. It is their primary responsibility to teach and, when needed, correct their understanding of the universe. In my opinion, her mush-minded, "I can't discipline a child" crap is exactly why our society is spiraling down the toilet bowl of history.
From my own experience, I took the family to a VFW cookout a while back. My 9-year old daughter was amusing herself by playing quietly on the stage and walking around looking at the various documents and pictures on the walls. She wasn't being a nuisance at all. However, when she approached the Table, and went to start finger poking the setting, I called her over and explained the fact that that table was not allowed to be touched. When she asked why, I told her to go read the presentation, but not to touch it. She did. I had to explain some of the concepts to her, but she's a smart kid. She never touched it again.
I can not abide parents who refuse to be parents. I'm teaching my wife's mother as much as I'm teaching my daughter. I constantly have to remind her that it is not for adults to be friends with children first. It is their primary responsibility to teach and, when needed, correct their understanding of the universe. In my opinion, her mush-minded, "I can't discipline a child" crap is exactly why our society is spiraling down the toilet bowl of history.
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I would've reacted in a similar way. I might've lost my cool though after he let it happen again.
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CSM Michael J. Uhlig, I agree with your actions. Parents should have respect for our fallen and it seems the parents might not be military. If they are, they should be ashamed of their parenting skills.
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I think (as a Soldier, and father of 6) that in the absence of parents' leadership that it would be acceptable to call the kids over to the Fallen Soldiers' table and explain the meaning of it and the reverence appropriate. When kindly and firmly guided kids pick up stuff pretty quickly. As long as you don't touch 'em you're golden. My CSMs always knew my children and my kids respected them from the time they were toddlers. As CSM Cox once told me, my kids could be hell on wheels too!
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after what the CSM did I would have inter acted with the children talked to them entertained them draw, play and teach lead by example some people may need to see and be shamed into what a parent should do it takes more than being a sperm donor to be a parent leadership and respect starts at home we are a brotherhood and sometimes it takes a village to raise a child I have two grown sons that by not choosing to enter the military have broken a chain of military service that dates back to the revolutionary war, but I routinely get feed back about how polite and respectful they are, their actions as young men have open many doors for them, we sometimes have to teach others that parenting starts from the moment they are born, never ends, and your children and their behavior is a direct reflection of you and of your character I would have explained this to the parents involved
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If I had your stripes, I'd do the same thing. I take my kids to restaurants and use it as a teaching opportunity to teach them how to behave in society. I've only had compliments from others in the restaurant. The "board of education" is never far away.
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