The "Cadillac Tax"

[SunsetBengal]

(11-10-2015, 03:23 AM)oncemoreuntothejimbreech Wrote: Look, I know I give Lucie a hard time about the military thing, but it isn't to draw attention to myself.  My daughter asked me why I never stand when places ask the veterans to stand to recognize them for their service.  I explained that selfless service means believing in something important enough you will do for others who can't or won't do for themselves without recognition even at great personal risk.  The recognition makes me feel awkward and it kinda diminishes the selfless part of selfless service.  I appreciate the sentiment, but you don't ever need to thank me for anything.  I didn't join the Army for recognition.  I joined to get the f out of Ohio. (That's only partly a joke.)

I enlisted another lifetime ago in 1991.  I was an enlisted infantryman, private though SFC @ 3rd Ranger Battalion, 4th Ranger Training Battalion, and 101st (2/327).  Spent two years as an OSC candidate during PA school.  2LT, 1LT as a Battalion PA with 3rd Infantry.  Two months short of CPT when they medically seperated me.  Now I serve my local community as a PA treating the sick and injured.  Thanks in large part to the Army because I don't know how poor white trash from southern OhiA like me could have done it without the assistance.  (Like I joke with my wife: you might be poor white trash if your dad went to prison because he thought the best place to park the semi of stolen John Deere tractors was in the drive way in front of your trailer.  Shit, I thought we were middle class.)

Naw man, much respect to you.  The only reason I asked, was you made it seem as if you had just enlisted when 911 happened, when we had an interaction in a previous thread.  Clearly, you were already a serviceman for 10 years prior, at the time of 911.  Anyway, I still thank you for your service, and fully understand why you choose to remain anonymous when they call for veterans to stand.