Tired; sorry. Veterans are a singular group; we hold a bond that non vets would not be able to understand. We've done something that others either don't have the courage to do, or the intelligence to do, or in some cases, don't have the physical ability to do. ALL of us wrote a blank check to the United States ( and it's citizens, like you ) for up to and including our very lives if necessary; so that the rest would enjoy the freedom that they have. LIke the old biker saying goes - If I have to explain, you wouldn't understand. Sorry to have gotten off topic here and distracting you, really.

jeez are ya'll done with the mutual lovefest...what was this story about anyway...ya'll distracted me

sandman139; small world. I spent a week in Watertown. Don't know where Plattsburg is. I had some time to waste beteen AIT at Huachuca and reporting to Belvoir; so the wife and I spent a week on a dairy farm in Watertown, where two of her brothers were living and working. Had a wonderful time. Pretty country up there. We took a short cut through Canada; you should have seen customs on both sides; we had just married before I graduated AIT, and had everything we owned in the world in the trunk, back seat, and on top the Nova; the war was going on in Nam, and we were just taking a short cut through Canada to upstate NY; I think they thought I was moving there. No way, if my country had wanted me to go, I would have gladly gone; but I sure would have missed that new bride of mine. Her father was a SGM also at Huachuca. So you are a "damn" Yankee too! Some down here don't like us for some reason; the Civil War has been over for what, 147 years now? Don't understand holding a grudge that long; after all, we are ALL Americans, with the exception of those that cross the borders in an illegal manner. Anyway, it's always a pleasure to meet a fellow vet, and a fellow military brat! Blessings on you and yours my fellow veteran!

Thank YOU for YOUR service! Nice work. Glad we are this side of the line :) Later Yankee. Ps - I was born in Plattsburg NY ( military brat ) lol

Thank YOU for YOUR service! Nice work. Glad we are this side of the line :) Later Yankee. Ps - I was born in Plattsburg NY ( military brat ) lol

Tongue in cheek verbal playfullness accepted, no apology needed. I've lived in concrete jungles also; DC, Atlanta, San Antonio, El Paso, Tucson, and others; and been to too many to count; don't care for them myself. And as I tell all who have served Honorably, thank you for serving our country! I'm a member of the PGR, over 260,000 of us now; we do love our veterans! Amen to the Constitution my friend. It gives us the opportunity to be free, and disagree. And be civil about it, without using guns. LOL But really, I was raised by a career soldier, he's a retired SGM, US Army, 30 years, Korea ( Purple Heart ) and Vietnam. I was raised with guns. Dad bought me my first when I was 8, against Mom's wishes, but I got it just the same. I do not, however, "live" by them. I'm just a firm believer in them. My great Aunt Gladys, my paternal grandfather's sister, never married. She was a high school English teacher, and spent her summers roaming the country researching our family history. She published 2 books on our family history. I have in my ancestry 18 family's that were living in New England prior to 1700, with one of those families in Plymouth Colony in 1623. She was a member of the DAR. I'm sure you know who they are. Anyway, if not for those that had weapons in their homes at that time, we might still be a British Colony. And as a veteran, you are familiar with the oath we took; to defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and DOMESTIC. Maybe not in my lifetime; but I think someday, Americans will have to rise up again against tyranny; and therefore I choose to have weapons just in case. There are 20 million of us still alive today that took that oath; we may someday need to honor that oath. And yes, I have a Minuteman Pin on my vest!

Actually yankee, no dis intended, more tongue in cheek verbal playfullness. I do see your points, I have lived in rural area, and cities, so I understand the need for personal security. Im just different. If I offended you, I do apologize, I never really mean to offend.

Actually yankee, no dis intended, more tongue in cheek verbal playfullness. I do see your points, I have lived in rural area, and cities, so I understand the need for personal security. Im just different. If I offended you, I do apologize, I never really mean to offend.

Well yankee, I was also an Eagle Scout and a veteran of Desert Storm, so we can pat ourselves on the back there. I dont own a single gun, never have, never will, and I don't worry about the world outside my door waiting to kill me or my family, or my cats. We are both Americans with different views protected by the constitution. Your not wrong for being so marvelously prepared, I just have a different view than you I guess.

blackandproud; No, don't think it's a serial killer. I believe the sandman's first two sentences are correct. His "shot" at me though wasn't very nice, was it? Then his take on the world having never been a safe place is also correct. I've lived from border to border, and coast to coast, and points in between; wherever one goes, there is always danger lurking. Just gotta be ready for it, that's all. Oh, sandman, I once had a neighbor ( may he rest in peace ) that carried all the time. He served as sheriff for one term in Lonoke County. He carried out in the woods when he was cutting firewood, carried in the house too; I reckon he may have made a few enemies while sheriff; scumbags don't like being locked up. And my concealed carry permit instructor; he had 4 pistols on him! One in an ankle holster, one in a pocket, one on a belt under his vest, and one under the armpit under his vest. He lives out in the country as I do, and we don't have a whole lot of police patrols out here, so we pretty much have to take care of ourselves if needed. sandman, you appear to write like an intelligent person, why the dis?