What do you think about this?

[CybrSlydr]

Was on FB on the Private News Network and saw a funny pic about an NCO trying to keep a PFC from following through on bad ideas (such as marrying a stripper, smoking a joint on block leave, etc) and someone in the comments mentioned bragging about having the National Defense Service Medal (NDSM).

Which reminded me that in Ohio at least, you can get an NDSM license plate.

When I did the search for the NDSM License plate, I also saw this - and this is what I'm bringing to you folks and asking for your opinion.

Thoughts? Tacky? A bit too much? Acceptable?

 

[CybrSlydr]

Personally, makes me cringe a bit.

 

[Viking Jeeper]

Not a chance.

 

[Viking Jeeper]

Not a chance.

And only two sea service deployment ribbons.

 

[MallCrawlOnTons]

I love the in your face service menebers.
Especially the ones who yell, “I served your country” when they get in trouble. We had one guy flash us his dawg tags to get a discount hahah.

No doubt I am full supporter of the military and tried to join, but my vision and knee Injury kept me from joining.

 

[CybrSlydr]

I love the in your face service menebers.
Especially the ones who yell, “I served your country” when they get in trouble. We had one guy flash us his dawg tags to get a discount hahah.

No doubt I am full supporter of the military and tried to join, but my vision and knee Injury kept me from joining.

lol We hate 'em as much as you do.

 

[RAWZ08]

Personally would never put my ribbon rack on a vehicle. I don't mind valor medals/purple hearts (I have neither), but the whole thing is too much.

Other exception is plates that the state gives discounts for. I cant blame anyone for saving a few bucks.

 

[Viking Jeeper]

I was driving cross country years ago when I saw a car with a Medal of Honor license plate. I slowed to their speed, honked, and gave a nice salute. The gentleman and his wife just waved like it happened all the time.

 

[CybrSlydr]

I was driving cross country years ago when I saw a car with a Medal of Honor license plate. I slowed to their speed, honked, and gave a nice salute. The gentleman and his wife just waved like it happened all the time.

Wow, now there's something you don't see everyday!

 

[RAWZ08]

I'm going to expand on this, because as much as I don't like the entire ribbon rack, what a vet puts on their car is a pretty personal decision and when it comes down to it, I do like to see them representing their service (with some exceptions mentioned by others above, like waving their dog tags around acting entitled).

Other than valor medals/purple hearts and others that represent specific acts of heroism, the span of what those medals/ribbons represent can span the gamut of literally having a pulse, staying out of trouble, or on the other end of the spectrum, some seriously awesome stuff that maybe doesnt meet the stringent heroism criteria, but was crucial to saving lives or some other effort. Theres no way to know without asking, and its incredibly subjective, but the truth is, usually the majority of instances are on the lower end of the scale.

Most want to be able to share their experiences and are proud of their service but to me a whole ribbon rack is in mostly about yourself. Personally, I think a better way to do it is to pick a couple things that mean the most and go with it. Was is a deployment to Afghanistan? Slap a unit patch and the Afghan ribbon on the back. A pilot? Put a set of wings and a couple squadron patches. In both cases when people ask you can still tell them a good story about all the hero's you served with.

Me for example, I didnt do anything remarkable, but was fortunate enough to go to a service academy so I rock those license plates. I also have a memorial sticker of a helo crew that went down. My roomate was one of the pilots and I was his escort to bring him home. Anytime someone asks about it, its a chance to tell them how awesome of a dude he was.

 

[CybrSlydr]

My mother thinks I'm crazy for not getting PH plates for my vehicles. Same with not getting a handicapped placard.

I'm just not a showy person. I don't like drawing attention to myself - and while earned, I think that's what those kind of plates do. I don't begrudge anyone else their opportunity to do so, but it's not for me. The one thing I do do is I still wear my multicam PC from my deployment.

I just detest those kind of people who shove it all in everyone's face and desperately don't want to be one.

 

[Viking Jeeper]

My mother thinks I'm crazy for not getting PH plates for my vehicles. Same with not getting a handicapped placard.

Can you get PH plates for free? I'm thinking you can in FL.

 

[CybrSlydr]

Can you get PH plates for free? I'm thinking you can in FL.

I think you're right.

https://www.bmv.ohio.gov/vr-sp-military.aspx

 

[qslim]

Never been a fan, and I think the entire rack on display for all to see is just a bit much. The majority of a ribbon rack is just a visual record of one's military travels, and for most folks that means going with the flow and following the orders handed to you and staying out of trouble. Whether or not you want to put it all on display for everyone is a personal decision, personally it has never been for me.

Something that has made me cringe recently are the "veteran parking" signs that popped up at my local Lowes. Something about that rubs me the wrong way... In my mind military service isn't something that should get you to the head of the line over everyone else's day to day existence, and if you're able bodied you should be parking in a regular spot like everyone else. Lowe's can do what they want though, I just think it's overboard. Kind of like in professional sports now where we have to stop and "honor the troops" every 3 minutes.

 

[CybrSlydr]

Never been a fan, and I think the entire rack on display for all to see is just a bit much. The majority of a ribbon rack is just a visual record of one's military travels, and for most folks that means going with the flow and following the orders handed to you and staying out of trouble. Whether or not you want to put it all on display for everyone is a personal decision, personally it has never been for me.

Something that has made me cringe recently are the "veteran parking" signs that popped up at my local Lowes. Something about that rubs me the wrong way... In my mind military service isn't something that should get you to the head of the line over everyone else's day to day existence, and if you're able bodied you should be parking in a regular spot like everyone else. Lowe's can do what they want though, I just think it's overboard. Kind of like in professional sports now where we have to stop and "honor the troops" every 3 minutes.

I'm 100% in agreement.

This almost deification of military members goes a little too far. It's one thing to be appreciated, but because of Vietnam, the pendulum has swung so far in the opposite direction.

 

[billiebob]

Something that has made me cringe recently are the "veteran parking" signs that popped up at my local Lowes.

Absolutely, the fittest members of our society should not get better parking than seniors, handicapped or pregnant women. I refuse to park in the veteran stalls.

 

[qslim]

I was driving cross country years ago when I saw a car with a Medal of Honor license plate. I slowed to their speed, honked, and gave a nice salute. The gentleman and his wife just waved like it happened all the time.

Wow. Yeah, so a MoH recipient gets a pass for sure. NDSM? Hahaha you and everyone else these days.

 

[lowranger]

I'm 100% in agreement.

This almost deification of military members goes a little too far. It's one thing to be appreciated, but because of Vietnam, the pendulum has swung so far in the opposite direction.

I agree 100% with you. I'm a Vietnam Veteran (Brown Water Navy). You've heard how we were treated when we came home. And that has stuck with me for a long time, (not to mention I was in the service). Now, like you say, it's seems to be going the other way. I wouldn't put my Ribbion rack on my Jeep. I just got brave enough 6 years ago to put a Vietnam Veteran license plate on my Jeep. First encounter I had with it, was when I was gassing up in Moab. An older guy walking by asked me if this was my Jeep. I said...yes, wondering what why he asked and what he was going to say. He just said two words to me...."Welcome Home". It choked me up.

 

[Fixer6]

We used to call that an “I love me wall” when guys had every award they ever got framed and hanging In their house, apartment, whatever. Now you see the equivalent plastered all over the back windows, bumpers, etc.
Although I’m proud of my time in the service, it’s not the only thing I’ve ever done, or will do. I have all my awards, certificates, letters, etc. in a big ass binder on a shelf in my closet. All medals, ribbons, patches, ropes, and stuff in boxes. Never felt a need to boast, or brag and would rather stay kind of incognito about it. I’ll answer questions if people ask, and about the only discount I take advantage of is at Home Depot. There are many others out there that did more than me, did it longer than me, paid more for doing it than me, and I’ll gladly give them the love moreso than me.

 

[billiebob]

Never felt a need to boast, or brag and would rather stay kind of incognito about it.

Same..

I'll donate to a local project and tell them, no recognition please. Every now and then it gets out.... I hate kind words.

If the project might be good advertising for my business I will donate in the company name, but that is just an advertising investment. On the whole, I respect those who donate anonomously more than those who want it to be the days conversation.