What should I say to a retired O-6 in my area who wears his uniform with a beard on Veterans Day?

and this is just an error and it wont let me delete the post

SMSgt (Join to see) - Sorry but you are totally and completely wrong. Pursuant to the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, Service members have the right to observe the tenets of their religion or to observe no religion at all, as provided in this issuance. ... Requests for religious accommodation will be analyzed under the standard in Paragraph 1.2.Sep 1, 2020

DoDI 1300.17, "Religious Liberty in the Military Services

As such they CAN request to wear a beard as part of their religion and it has to be recognized, but then the military can refuse to send them into an area where gas masks may be used as a beard will not allow a gas mask to fit properly and as such unless they are a priest or religious leader of their religion as in the chaplins corp, then their career is over as if you cant be deployed then you are released from active duty.

SGT Dan Gray , i said that up until recently....Sep 1 2020 is pretty recent. Also you acknowledged that they might have to leave service if they want a beard if it interferes with deployability, so i contend that I am still right. You can't boot the door in and demand a beard or you'll sue. I fail to see how i'm "completely and totally" wrong. But we can just differ on this; it's not a big deal.

Amen, SSG.

You want to say something like that... Especially with zero signs of stolen valor. YOU TELL YOURSELF: S.T.F.U. and stay in your lane.

SPC Jeff Stassin - And then compliment the gentleman. or smile and go get a drink.

All I am saying is, I saw it there. That's all I am saying. I'm not saying I'm veering into their lane or anything. Am I saying I'd pull out the rules? Absolutely not. I'm just saying, it exists. That's all I am saying. It's not my lane as you pointed out. I would acknowledge them, because I know the changes and differences in uniforms through the years. Please let's not be "Attacking" anybody here on this, we're all on the same team. Usually where I would see them is at the Legion Hall and at the Legion Hall we would likely be having drinks.

I apologize on the stfu comment, it touched a nerve along with some other B.S. I was dealing with that day. I know we all have them from time to time... My apologies, once again.

I totally agree. I’ve had similar experience with many vets including MOH recipients. Like you when I can’t meet the standard I won’t wear the uniform but I still old all that have served in respect.

TSgt Carl Johnson Great job! Everyone should compliment you! Impressive, and less expensive than buying a new uniform from Marlowe White.

SgtMaj Glenn Woods - Sadly SGTMAJ Woods we still are under the UCMJ.

What would I say? Thank you for your service sir.

I retired from the Coast Guard as a CWO4 in 2001; and married my current wife in 2009, in a private venue north of Bogota, Colombia. It was a small ceremony with less then 50 people; my wife’s brothers and sisters, their children, her ex-husband and his wife, ex-mother-in-law, some of my wife’s co-workers, and miscellaneous family and friends. I wore my dress blues; other then a bow tie that wouldn’t lie on an even keel I wore it proudly and despite having gained some weight I still fit into it. Not on complaint from anyone whatsoever. A lot of compliments and questions about the decorations I earned during a 30 year career though!

Roger that. As a tree-hugging civilian, when I have the opportunity to engage, my ice-breaker is typically something along the lines of “nice greens. It’s good to have you home. Where you wear them in a previous life?” That typically starts a fabulous conversation.