Anyone else deal with a civilian who does not care for Service Members?

The family and I returned from Turkey in 2005 and while on Vacation visited Mount Rushmore during the week of the 4th July (Strongly recommend going for those who have not). At the end of the day, right after the last presentation at the out door amphitheater the speaker asks for all Active Duty, Veterans, and Retirees to come down and line up on the stage. At which time they pass the microphone down to each person, you introduce yourself, your Branch, and time in service.

After it was over and we were moving back to our seats, I was talking with and assisting an Active Duty Sergeant who was on crutches recovering from surgery. We talked about mutual units at Ft. Bragg and of course jumping out of perfectly good airplanes. As we moved along, I overheard this man say to his wife as we passed, "This is our tax dollars are going, freeloader on crutches!' The comment hit me like a brick and instantly hit the 150% line on my "Pissed Off Meter".

I stopped and turned and leaned in to him and said, "Excuse me, have you ever been in the Military, any branch of service, He said no. I said have you ever had anyone shoot at you because of the uniform you wear or just in anger or accident, he said no. Have you ever spent 30, 60, ninety 90 days or longer away from your family being out in the heat, mud, freezing cold, snow, training to do a job and build a team out of group of individuals so if the calls comes to go fight, you hope to bring them all back alive...he said no! I said, you see that Sergeant right there, he's on crutches because he re-injured himself doing just that, and oh by the way, he got his 1st Injury jumping into Panama 5 yrs ago. I said, what have you given up in your life as payback for the freedoms we all have in this country, just what have you done other than pay your taxes....well we pay the same taxes you do...so now who is the freeloader! I said, "next time you see a active duty Soldier, Sailor, Airmen or Marine, you might to just look at him/her and say thank you and move on out....YOU FREELOADING SON OF A BITCH!"

As I turned to walk away, his wife said, "I'm sorry!" I just looked at her and said, "Ma'm, so am I, I'm sorry for you!" I had not paid attention to those who were sitting around this clown as I was dead focused on him...but after saying what I did, about 10-15 people who were sitting near him had also heard what he said and apparently what I said. They stood up and clapped, and a few came up to me after it was over as we were walking around and shook my hand and said they appreciated what I said as he had been making comments the entire time everyone was on the stage introducing themselves.

I have met others who have no appreciation for members of the military and I try to keep my cool, professionalism when having to deal with them. However, I will only let it go so far. We are NOT second class citizens to anyone in this country. My feeling is this....you served, you did your time be it 2yr, 4yrs, 10-20-30 yrs....you paid your dues to this country and even more so to those who choose not to serve. But, when that "pissed off moment comes" I address it, but I try to do it professionally, looking them striaght in their eyes and letting them know I mean every word I say to them. I do not threaten or become hostile...but I do make sure they understand, I will do my best to kick their GD Ass if he has to come to that, so please...don't challenge me.

You can have your opinion.....and you can express it....but guess what...I served 22+ yrs in the Army and earned the right (that they take for granted) to express mine right back to you....whether you like it or not.

YES, people like this get under my skin quick and unfortunately...it's one of those things that..."you just can't ....let it go!" I can't!

Sorry about that...I'm thru ranting now!

I have particularly in Govt Service. Civilians resent Veterans because of the Vets preference and they feel because we may get the job over the Civilian that we are only getting the job due our preference not our qualifications. I have to be polite and professional but I merely remind them that they enjoy the freedoms they do as a result of many others' selfless sacrifices.

Yes, I have.

In a work setting this is my response. How many hours will you work this week? The average response will be somewhere between 35 - 45. I then explain that during peacetime, I worked an average of 48 to 52 when I was in. Guys who are in a combat setting never get a day off. Guys on submarines won't see the sun for three months at a time. If it's just glorified welfare, if it's so easy a caveman can do it, why aren't you and everyone else on welfare lining up at the recruiter's office? Yeah, that was rhetorical because we both know the real answer.

In a public setting, I try to remember Gen Mattis' axiom. Be polite, be professional...

Sometimes I actually manage to maintain that.