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Sunday, 06 August 2006
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A Slave to Fashion
Contributed by The Gray Dog
I have this old red, white and blue T-shirt with the caption “I’m Proud to be an American” blazoned across the front. It’s typical of a thousand other similar shirts with similar sentiments that can be seen by all across this great country. Every time I pull it out of the dresser, I actually hold it up in front of my eyes and take a long look at it before I put it on. Unlike almost anything else in my closet, I am always aware of this particular piece of clothing when I am wearing it. It almost takes me back more than thirty years when I last wore a military uniform. Whenever I was wearing it off base, people always looked at me. Sometimes it was just a furtive glance while at other times it was a broad smile. Sadly, it was often a smirk that communicated contempt. If that person spoke they would be saying, “What’s wrong with that military freak?” The reason for the looks was indeed varied, but they always were there. This shirt, like my uniform identifies me in a way that is instantly recognizable to anyone that looks my way. It became post 9/11 chic for many to wear a shirt like mine and I was happy for that. I felt less alone and happy to be among new found friends. The pride was stronger because there were many more among us to share it with. And military uniforms, WOW! Instead of a glance or smile, our men and women in uniform were getting standing ovations, rounds of drinks at the local pubs, and reception lines at airports. A few smirks were still there, but usually went unnoticed. And those of us with only our T-shirts looked at each other, nodded and smiled. It was a two way street and we were glad to share the journey. As the fifth anniversary of 9/11 approaches in just over a month, there are fewer American flags waving from cars, and my new found fashion friends don’t come out as much anymore. More and more Americans are growing tired and impatient of our military involvement in Iraq. Our troops come home to loving family and friends, but the organized receptions and the spontaneous applause at our airports has waned and a few more smirks have resurfaced. Barbara Mandrell once had a hit song titled,”I Was Country, When Country Wasn’t Cool.” I think that is a great analogy for many of us that served in the Viet Nam era. We were proud to be Americans while many of our generation were burning our flag on college campuses. For us pride in our service and country doesn’t come in waves of tragedy and triumph, but is an everyday way of life. And while it may be a foolish dream to think that all Americans could feel this way, I am realistic enough to recognize that they won’t. Yes, I am proud to be an American, even though there are great numbers of my countrymen that qualify as somebody’s drunken Uncle. You know the type. Their opinions are always formulated during visual inspections of their large intestines. These are the people with the new T-Shirts that smiled at me for a few days five years ago, but have since returned to their 9/10 world. Then there are days when I wonder about the fate of this country and the feeling of despair I feel when I watch and listen to Jack Murtha, who once wore his uniform proudly but sold it for fifteen minutes of fame. Or Cindy Sheehan, whose son fought and died protecting this country, while she subsequently denigrates his memory. Yes, I am proud to be an American, even though I haven’t heard Lee Greenwood singing for quite some time. I think its time to go to my dresser and pull out my shirt and take a walk. All I need is a smile. |
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Contributed by The Gray Dog on August 6, 2006 at 01:30 PM in , , , | Comments Posted by: Steve Pennington There are some of us who, like you, are proud to be Americans. Despite having not had the honor to have served in the military, I hold those who have and do in the hightest regard. My flag flew before 9/11 and continues to fly 24/7 (correctly lit, I might add). We need to remember that our country is great not because of our might, but because the might has provided the rights that we hold so dear. Keep wearing the shirt! Posted by: Steve Pennington | Aug 4, 2006 9:29:50 AM Posted by: Gray dog. Great post! Speaks from the heart to the heart about what we were and what we are. I think it will resonate with almost any vet, including quite a few who got in the bad habit of denying themselves years ago. Posted by: | Aug 4, 2006 1:29:46 PM Posted by: "Best of ..." it is. Posted by: | Aug 4, 2006 1:50:57 PM |