Need advice and opinions from those who served

[BPTactical]

You know Ray, a subtle and respectful statement would be the Captain America chopper from Easy Rider.


























You KNOW you want to......

[ray1970]

It's your country, too.
Wear that flag with pride, just as Ginsue said. You're not being a poser, and you're not indulging in stolen valor. I've known people that wear unit patches of loved ones that were KIA, or relatives that served during a war. They're eager to tell people about their friend or relative; they don't claim that they served.
My Dad didn't serve- he had high blood pressure and flat feet and they would not let him in. For every military member, there's a network of support in the community. That's you.

I have one of my dad's rank insignia patches from when he was in the Navy in the late 1960's. Your post reminded me I had it somewhere. Went and looked in a box out in the storage building where I thought it was but couldn't find it. Now I'm a little bummed I seem to have misplaced it.

If memory serves me it was three (or maybe two) red chevrons on the bottom with two curved red bars over them with a crossed lightning bolt and hammer between them. I think he was a carpenter and electrician or something like that.

I can't think of where else I might have put it. Haven't seen it in many years.

[ray1970]

You know Ray, a subtle and respectful statement would be the Captain America chopper from Easy Rider.

Lol. I've actually ridden a replica of that bike. Scary as hell. Handled really bad and only having a rear drum brake was spooky.

[Honey Badger282.8]

I have one of my dad's rank insignia patches from when he was in the Navy in the late 1960's. Your post reminded me I had it somewhere. Went and looked in a box out in the storage building where I thought it was but couldn't find it. Now I'm a little bummed I seem to have misplaced it.

If memory serves me it was three (or maybe two) red chevrons on the bottom with two curved red bars over them with a crossed lightning bolt and hammer between them. I think he was a carpenter and electrician or something like that.

I can't think of where else I might have put it. Haven't seen it in many years.

Here's a link to the wiki page on Naval rating insignias.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...s_Navy_ratings

If you can ID it and it's not a discontinued I'd be happy to pick one up from the Navy Exchange for you. I'll be heading back to CO within the next two weeks so it works out well.

[ray1970]

Here's a link to the wiki page on Naval rating insignias.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...s_Navy_ratings

If you can ID it and it's not a discontinued I'd be happy to pick one up from the Navy Exchange for you. I'll be heading back to CO within the next two weeks so it works out well.

Thanks for the link.

This is the symbol that was between the bars and stripes.



I'd have to try to figure out the stripes. I might have a photo somewhere of my dad in his Navy uniform. Maybe I can see it in the picture.

[ray1970]

Although, I don't remember the wings.

I know that patch is around here somewhere. I might have to really dig through some old, boxed up stuff to see if I can find it.

[Aloha_Shooter]

I never have a problem with people flying or showing the flag respectfully. I may give them some pointers if they are in violation of the US Flag Code but I applaud anyone who respects the flag.

(a) The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.
(b) The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise.
(d) The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free. Bunting of blue, white, and red, always arranged with the blue above, the white in the middle, and the red below, should be used for covering a speaker's desk, draping the front of the platform, and for decoration in general
(j) No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.

[brutal]

It is never disrespectful to fly the flag. All Americans earn that one by being American. The issues come when you put on patches from units or areas of the Military that you have never had any involvment in to be "tacticool". We earn those badges when we serve. Even though I did serve, I have no right to wear a Ranger patch, that is not where my contribution to the services was at. By the same token I can wear my Dolphins with pride, and it signals me out to my fellow bubble heads. This happened just yesterday at the Golden Gun Club where a guy was wearing a hat displaying Dolphins. I struck up a conversation with him and within seconds we both knew where we stood. If he had given BS responses it would have pissed me off..... He would not have earned them.

Very much agree. I was a REMF for sure, but I did serve with the 1st ID and it pisses me off to see douchenozzle punks wearing the Big Red One for fashion.

[mcantar18c]

I say go for it.
Just make sure it's facing the correct way... big pet peeve of mine.

[Doc45]

My Fulmer 3/4 helmet actually came with flag decals on each side. I frequently wear hats w/flag patches and my summer riding jacket has a flag on the left arm. I have a hat, t-shirt and sweatshirt with my older son's last unit on it that I wear. I was recently gifted a "punisher" patch from a retired SEAL friend whose son-a current SEAL-sent for me. I'm not trying to pass myself off as a member of either and if asked I tell what my association is. I also have a license plate frame for the bike that says "US ARMY" on top and "PROUD DAD" on the bottom so all can read as I pass them lol.