Christmas on July fourth

Was at flea market yesterday and I scored. I picked up unit hats ball caps at flea market. If you interested vets the vendor told me he buys bulk from I think he called it (eagle crest )online. I’ve always been a ball cap individual. I always was on the lookout for 82nd hat never liked the black ones with the all American emblem maybe subconsciously I associate it with class A’s as I hated inspection In army. I found one yesterday light Green with subdued patch. Same as shirts t shirts. I never liked the those with like skulls and maroon beret or any kind of writing just. One I bought is green jump wings on it army EIB and then Divison patch.

But I cleaned up I bought a dollar eighty seventh, Rakkasans 187th airborne Korea for my great uncle. But I scored for friends as well.

25th infantry tropical lightning Vietnam for Curtis. Curt’s cool knew him for years only black dude I know. Who loved my grandmother polish cooking. And I got Curtis a t shirt as well 25th emblem and reads 25th infantry cu chi national guard.

Jt usmc 1/5 vet Vietnam scored him a ball cap. Usmc Vietnam I’ve known Jt 30 years great guy and Mrs Jt. One night over beers he told me and I never asked. But he was drunk well I was as well. He said man I got bad feelings in battle for hue city tet. Sun was rising and from where we were man he said NVA was flying North Vietnamese flag over this complex. They was telling the world they own it come get it. He said man in my mind I was thinking about my wife pregnant. Sarah and Jt got married after marine infantry training. And he got sent Vietnam. He said bro I was for sure Sarah was gonna be a 17 year old widow that day. And I was never gonna see my baby he said I sat there feeling bad crying for them. And cursing the world for putting me in this situation, Jt got drafted into usmc.

Sgt major twent five years retired army. I picked up 101st hat , Sgt major got hit in Texas star. And I quote sgt major he said I jump up to go after a wounded brother and I caught Ak round in my leg.

I even bought a herd hat for my father 173rd airborne. The old man was gonna make the army career he got drafted in 64. Pulled a tour with the herd like 65 to 66. Re enlisted and then was retired with wounds with the herd again in 69 maybe 70 hey I can’t remember I was like four years old at time. He Got out army spent next thirty one years in Pennsylvania steel mill. That’s where we all learned my five brothers unions are great for the working man. He retired and then like year later got it in a car accident. So I picked up the old man a herd 173rd hat. I’ll give it to my brother to place by his urn. We joke we tell my brother dad loved you the best. Because you became a doctor. The other boys became well I’m union truck driver the others their union steam fitters welders. Except for the youngest he is non union truck driver and he voted for trump. We have theory that mom and dad got the wrong kid at hospital.

So we all cookout July 4th and I’ll give out the presents. Well my great uncle wore his yesterday he couldn’t wait. One day at the vfw it was sgt major my great uncle and me. And this retired marine gunny says out of humor. Three former infantry paratroopers at the bar. Guys haven’t jumped in awhile have you. My great uncle goes we’re still airborne but we’re not on jump status. My great uncle was 25 year army as well. He makes me laugh with stories of humor and just how he operates. A long post been up drinking coffee since like 0430 every one else is still in bed I’m rambling.