Should we remove combat patches to be sensitive to those who don't have them?

Sgt Frank Staples - I didn't even get that..... I'm glad you did. I think I went PCS before I could get it..........

I think I had six ribbons when I got out. I was in my blues coming home from overseas and ran into some boot Marines down near Camp Lejeune...you'd have thought I was a combat vet the way they ooohed and aaahed over the good conduct, national service, outstanding unit award, etc. It's funny how things have changed in these years. I picked up a hitchhiker headed to Camp Lejeune one day and took him down to the base as I had some time to kill. We drove right through the gate even though I had Air Force stickers on my car and he actually had me drive right up in the hangar where his crew was arming an F-4 Phantom for a trip to the Dare County Bombing Range. This was somewhere around 1967-68 and can you imagine doing that today?? My big mistake was thinking I could make more money as a civilian and so I got out and regretted it ever since. The service is family just like the fire department is today.

As a Vietnam Era Marine woman I wasn't in battle and don't need to have a patch for my contribution to be recognized. Like Cyrano De Bergerac said, "I wear my adornrments on my soul."

being in Korea as a VN Era Vet, we lost men by the enemy but the World never knew it, but I was NOT a VN vet and would NEVER NOT RESPECT THE MEN THAT WORE THE BADGE.

The only person who would tell a trooper that is some REMF, if you were in for awhile you know what 'm saying.

SSG Alford Pouse - Soldiers that deploy and those who do not are no different and are still Veterans. Thats like saying those who stayed on the FOB are not really Soldiers just because they werent kicking in the doors. It takes a team to get the mission done.
Even King David saw this: 'Who will listen when you talk like this? We share and share alike—those who go to battle and those who guard the equipment.” 1 Samuel 30:24. The patch just says you had a different experience then others.

Remove the patches? NO WAY! The guys who wear them should be looked up to by these new bees! AND LEARN from them so maybe they'll learn how to stay alive if the situation arises.
For the ones who were never in combat/war zone let me tell you a story. A LONG time ago we were at a party. Guys in the garage drinking beer and telling lies and the woman in the kitchen talking about what ever they talk about.
My wife comes out and says "dear , what do you call a person who goes into the service"? I say a veteran. She says no, no what do you call a person who goes into the service and never goes to war?
I said "LUCKY"!!
all the guys laughed and agreed.
My younger brother went to Germany for 2 years and I end up in Southeast Asia.
A good friend of mine ended up in Japan.
We're all veterans. Who is this idiot who came up with this anyway?
sad

SSG Bill Kenny - I wear a ball cap with a CIB on it still after being out for over 50 years and if it offends anyone they can kiss my ass. Does this same moronic attitute apply to the high school jocks who wear every award on their jackets? Grow up you liberal sissies and get a life!

OUTSTANDING!SFC Robert Olaires

Love it. I have a few people to mail this to, LOL.

I like this better than the ID10T form

See that Colonel? Yeah, he likes it when people call him Cool Breeze!