Like so many others I took part in Remembrance Day/Veterans Day activities here where I live, as being a veteran myself it is important for me to do that.  This time though it was different as I decided to attend the after ceremony celebrations at the larger Legion Hall, something I hadn't done before.

I was wearing a tasteful new black suite adorned proudly with my Poppy.  The hall was extremely crowded with veterans and those currently serving (we have a large army base in the city).  I wasn't paid much attention and I found a person who I knew but only knew me as Stephanie.  He was standing with a group of soldiers and veterans and he waived me over to join them.  They were telling war stories, lies and tales as we all did and the bravado increased with each beer consumed.  It felt good to be apart of such as colorful group, but it was also sad.

I served in the army for 30 years, and I had a very colorful active career, a career that I was very proud of.  However, to actively join in with the group, I would have to "come out", in order to reveal my past.  This I couldn't do as while a lot of my service could have been done as a woman, much of it could not, as women were restricted from taking part.  For example I served many years in the Airborne, a place where women could not serve, so to recount my days in the Airborne would not have gone over, and such was the case where much of my active service was spent.  I could have lied and tried to cover things up but that would not have been right.  Instead I chose to stand amongst this group of bandits and enjoy their company, a "Band of Brother's" if you will, and relished their tales, and remembered my own.

Suffice it to say that I guess that this would be considered as another casualty of transition, and to be honest one that I had not really considered.  Yes, in my case, I knew that my past would nesseasarily have to be hidden, but this really brought it home.  Defintely a Remembrance day/Veterans Day to remember.

Steph

Quote from: Steph on November 12, 2006, 02:18:35 PM
Like so many others I took part in Remembrance Day/Veterans Day activities here where I live, as being a veteran myself it is important for me to do that.  This time though it was different as I decided to attend the after ceremony celebrations at the larger Legion Hall, something I hadn't done before.

I was wearing a tasteful new black suite adorned proudly with my Poppy.  The hall was extremely crowded with veterans and those currently serving (we have a large army base in the city).  I wasn't paid much attention and I found a person who I knew but only knew me as Stephanie.  He was standing with a group of soldiers and veterans and he waived me over to join them.  They were telling war stories, lies and tales as we all did and the bravado increased with each beer consumed.  It felt good to be apart of such as colorful group, but it was also sad.

I served in the army for 30 years, and I had a very colorful active career, a career that I was very proud of.  However, to actively join in with the group, I would have to "come out", in order to reveal my past.  This I couldn't do as while a lot of my service could have been done as a woman, much of it could not, as women were restricted from taking part.  For example I served many years in the Airborne, a place where women could not serve, so to recount my days in the Airborne would not have gone over, and such was the case where much of my active service was spent.  I could have lied and tried to cover things up but that would not have been right.  Instead I chose to stand amongst this group of bandits and enjoy their company, a "Band of Brother's" if you will, and relished their tales, and remembered my own.

Suffice it to say that I guess that this would be considered as another casualty of transition, and to be honest one that I had not really considered.  Yes, in my case, I knew that my past would nesseasarily have to be hidden, but this really brought it home.  Defintely a Remembrance day/Veterans Day to remember.

Steph

I paused yesterday at 11 AM for two minutes to remeber all who never had the chance to become old, for all who came back and for all who are still 'over there.'  As the song says, its a pitance of time.

You must have been dying inside - wanting to share your stories.  Its important that you do!  Being a vet is a part of you.  Why hide it?  So what if you have to come out?  All vets need to be recognized and thanked.

Maybe its me, but I am going to ask the hard one.  What is more important - living in stealth and denying your past, or living in the open and cherishing your heritage?

Chaunte

Wow Steph, I fill very small now thank you for your sacrifice and years of service, very nice!
Shame isn;t it.  I had a great friend (one who i thought i would have for life it seemed we stayed in touch for years after me getting out of active duty) but when i attempted my own life and i told his wife why she told him and he freaked out..........
How very sad he did not lose anything but a good person in me!  Who wouldn;t want a complicated bitchy woman in their life, hehe LOL
Thanks again!
Nice choice of clothing too!
R

Steph,
   I feel for you. I never got to serve and it wasn't like I was a draft dodger. I had enlisted into the Air Force when I was 18 with two others. They were friends of mine. We were suppose to go to boot camp together and possibly serve together. They did serve and they went to Vietnam. They never came back and I don't know what happen to them. I was place on 1Y status as I had too many allergies to go over seas. I was very shocked about that. I really wanted to be with my friends and I think about them quite a bit. I feel very responcible for their death as I was the one that wanted to die. I felt that I could have done something to save them. I don't know. I do thank and respect all the service men and women who are in the service. It is too bad that you can't relive your life with some others who experience the same experiences that you have, just like here on Susans. We talk about our lives and who we are. This is just part of our lives, for some a big part right now. We have other hats that we all wear with dignity and grace. I for one applaud you for your dignity and grace in serving in the military. Thank you very much Steph.
Love Sheila

So, Steph, you spent time jumping out of perfectly good airplanes?  Is 'snake eater' also in your resume?

Luckily, I spent my time in combat support and combat service support.  I was in a no-females combat unit, but as a clerk or supply sergeant, and can talk about some of what happened.  Later, I was in career fields with lots of women (Military Journalism -- Death from a Desk!)

I'd love to see some sort of registry somewhere where TS/TG's could have their military awards and decorations shown and counted.

Hey, I'll show you mine, if you show me yours!  > > >

Karen Savage, SFC ret.


P.S., the rack is a little off -- at the very least its missing the lifetime MSM, a fourth award of the ARCOM, 2d through 5th awards of the Undetected Crime ribbon, and a bunch of ash&trash Nth awards for the lesser ribbon.  That they got me the shadowbox at all was amazing, and I'm grateful for the one or two soldier buddies that did it on their own time and out of their own pocket.

All i can say is cool
101st Airborne Division, Air Assualt. 1st 101st  Apache attack helicopter
"Expect no Mercy"

I'm so sorry Steph.  It's a trashy deal all the way around.  You've earned your dues and can't spend them. Some day things will change.  I'm sure that it will.  In two or three generations.....

Meanwhile, you have shared something truly personal with us.  And we are deeply thankful for your service (along with the others here who have served).

Chin up.

Cindi