I have a pair of genuine Army Surplus camouflage pants. Actually, I think they are women's pants, my lovely wife got them for church camp two years ago when she was the girl's counselor. Since I'm all bloaty from my medications, they fit quite nicely and I wear them often.
When we go to Wal-Mart or somewhere I usually get one of those electric buggies. If I don't, I still walk with a cane. I have noticed a real difference in the way people look at me when I am wearing the camouflage pants and when I'm not.
No one has come up to me yet and asked me if I were a vet, and I would be very embarrassed to have that happen because the men and women who are vets deserve the respect and attention, I don't. We do have quite a large military population in the area - Kirkland AFB is only about 30 minutes away, and you often see ladies and gentlemen in full uniform in the stores and on the street. I don't know how people react to them, but when I am crawling through the aisles at the store, there is a very real difference in the respect I get from other shoppers on days when I wear the pants then on days when I just wear sweats or shorts.
The good news is, it's a good difference.
Dealing with a handicap is hard. Everything that used to be easy is a struggle, especially when it changes the way you get around. I don't mind so much, but people can be really rude. Almost every handicap parking spot in this town is, at this moment, probably taken by someone who is not (we don't have a handicap sticker, and I don't intend to get one until I have to). When I get in one of those electric buggies, people always look at me weird, it kind of bugs me, but I don't have the leg strength to stand more than 45 minutes or so. So, if we're going to be longer than that (and it's ALWAYS longer than that) I need a buggy.
As I toodle through the aisles, I have to watch for people, because most times they aren't watching for me. They will look out into the aisle and let three people with carts go by, but they will cut right in front of me. I'll be following closely behind my wife only to have someone squeeze in between us, then stop in the aisle without so much as an apology - they won't even look at me. I'll have to wait until they move or backup and find another way around. There have been many times that Anna and I have gotten separated and I haven't been able to catch up to her until she was at the checkout.
But it's different when I wear the Army pants. People are apologetic, they make way for me, they'll even look me in the eye and give me a polite smile and nod. Now these folks don't know me from Adam. And everyone has a different opinion on the war, but everyone, and I do mean everyone, seems to give me a little more respect when I wear those pants.
My apologies to any Vets who may be reading this. I'm not saying that I am taking advantage of people seeing me as one of you. I am not and I would not intentionally disrespect you like that. My point is that because I happen to be wearing an article of military clothing, people in this area treat me different. And that is a good thing for those of you who are Vets, people see you different and in spite of their views on the war they seem to be giving you the respect you deserve, at least in this area.
I wish that were true all over. I know there are many people who would just as soon spit on you. They don't agree with the war, so they abuse the people who are doing the dirty work. I hate that. If they stop and think about it they would realize that men have fought and died to give them to right to be disrespectful. Take a look at what's going on in Pakistan right now. People who are disrespecting the military there are being arrested. Be thankful that good men fought so you could have the right to spit on them.
Anyway, I've rambled long enough. If you haven't already, take a minute to say a prayer for our men in uniform, past present and future. They need it.
