Comments

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  Richard Samuel Najjar July 27, 2010 at 1:56pm

  Thanks Ms. Cody. I'll have to pass that one on to my wife. She is used to the double takes from our trips to the VA Medical Center in nearby Charleston, SC, so I think she will fit in well at AMVETS here in Beaufort. Since the return of OEF-OIF vets, we have been seeing a lot more women veterans at the VA and around the community. Unfortunately the American Legion in our area has reduced itself to a neighborhood storefront location and the nearest VFW is a little cinderblock bar by the river. My World War II combat veteran father was a member VFW in Virginia immediately after the War, but he never got into the drinking scene and the “club attitude” of some of his fellow veterans. During the last 15 years of his life, he was a member of American Legion Post 147 at James Island, SC; a more nationally interactive and issues oriented organization than many posts these days. Thanks for the AMVETS recommendation. That is likely where we will visit at the first opportunity. Thanks too for your service both in the armed forces and in AMVETS.
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  Judith Cody July 27, 2010 at 1:24pm

  Mr. Najjar, I just wanted to say that I believe you will completely enjoy the AMVETS! I was a member (Charter member & Officer) of an AMVETS post in Dickinson, ND.. I was the only woman, yet every member there accepted me with open arms, made me feel welcome, even though at that time I got quite a bit of razzing about being "Monica Lewinski" lmao! I told those old geezers that they needed to get thy selves to a VA Hospital for eye exam's quickly and that I did not like cigars! lmao They were quite the characters.
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  John (Blue Eagle) Maddalena July 27, 2010 at 12:48pm

  You go Brother David, I'm with you 100% as you well know we have shared a few conversations on this fine web site. We even set a few fires under some of those Obamanation kool-aid drinkers. I just want to say I appreciate all my Brotherhood Brothers, and all who have signed that blank check to day. I salute all of you….John (Blue) Maddalena
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  Richard Samuel Najjar July 27, 2010 at 10:20am

  I need to make a correction. I meant to say MCRD-Parris Island and MCAS-Beaufort on my last post. Sorry for any confusion. Thanks.
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  Richard Samuel Najjar July 27, 2010 at 10:15am

  [Quote by Todd West] The VFW requires a campaign medal to be awarded for them. They also accept the SSBN nuclear deterrent patrol pin as qualification. [/Quote]
  
  Thanks Todd. I joined the Navy at 17 years of age just weeks after high school graduation and at the end of the National Defense period in '75. I served aboard the USS Ulysses S. Grant (SSBN-631) and I was awarded the SSBN nuclear deterrent patrol pin. I didn’t even know that I had VA Health Care privileges until I had to have a cancer tumor removed when I was in college a few years later. My wife served in an Air Force medical squadron on standby during the 91 Persian Gulf War. She has the National Defense Medal and the SW Asia (DS/DS) War medal, but not the Saudi or Kuwaiti (in country) medals. She too is uncertain of how her service is recognized by AL and VFW. Even if we qualify, we don't want to have to "explain" our qualifications once in, so we will probably join AMVETS which is big in our area and popular with Navy and Marine vets and AD personnel out of Parris Island and MCRD-Beaufort. I think the days of, "required period/unit/ship/campaign/etc" are over starting with this new generation of OEF/OIF veterans. That is the impression we have while being a part of this military community.
  
  Thanks again for the information. Thanks to all Navy vets on this site, and all other vets, active duty, Air and Army National Guard and reserves and ready reserves elsewhere.
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  Craig Lami July 3, 2010 at 8:18am

  When I go out shopping or around town, I still wear my old Navy ball cap with my 1st class insignia on it. For all the crap people have been giving vets over the last many years since Viet Nam, I have to say that over the last year I have had more and more people actually stop me and thank me for my service. This is a real boost for my ego. I think vets should wear something to show their service on a daily basis. If we all did, those people we gave the right to be stupid to may start realizing just how many of us there are.
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  Michael McWatt July 2, 2010 at 11:22pm

  Dave, I agree 100%. I am 59 years old and the VA Health Care System takes excellent care of me.
  
  
  American Legion
  Post 110
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  John Kellett July 2, 2010 at 9:05pm

  Dave, I really think that you would appreciate (and be appreciated) joining a Veterans organization. As for not using VA benefits, I retired at age 60 with no health insurance and no medicaire. However, the VA system took excellent care of me. I can't thank them enough.
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  Randall Keith Hunter July 2, 2010 at 12:09am

  @David; Welcome Home Brother!
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  Todd West July 1, 2010 at 10:14pm

  David,
  It's bad enough Vietnam Vets got it from the ignorant public, but should never got it from another Vet. No excuse for that under any circumstance. I would hope that in this day and time you would find nothing but open arms within any Veteran's group (and the general public for that matter). If you ever get to South Florida look me up, I'd be proud to buy you a beer.