Local Vets group
called me soon after I moved here and asked me to join them marching in the parade on July 4 and Memorial Day, and making the rounds of the war monuments on Veterans' Day. I must admit I felt awkward, as if I were boasting of my (very nonheroic) Navy service. But the crew is getting older and every year there are fewer faces, though I know there are plenty of Vets around- some younger than I.
I finally decided that just as you salute the rank, not the man, so we honor the Services on those special days. I took it as a duty to show the uniform, however odd it might feel, if only to drive home to the onlookers that servicemen are not an alien species, but ordinary citizens like them. Folks around here almost never see a uniform except on TV.
So I had to dig out my ribbons and pin 'em on. Not because they are much to be proud of, but because I'm out of uniform without them.
Otherwise, I can't see any occasion to wear them, because it would be acting like I'm important instead of the uniform being important.
