Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

HAB911

(9,365 posts)
Tue Oct 1, 2024, 05:35 PM Oct 1

Sitting in the waiting room of my radiation oncologist

for my 5th and final external-beam radiation treatment and there is a guy yammering away about everything and nothing, 93 years old (I had not asked), wearing a “Korean War Veteran” hat. Great, something in common, I lean over and ask what was the last year he was in Korea. He says, I was never in Korea. I just pointed at his hat and almost uttered the words WTF? Immediately tuned his yammering out and never looked at him again. My wife says he launched into a Harris hate rant at some point while I was gone. Damn glad I didn’t hear it.

18 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies

Clouds Passing

(2,555 posts)
1. Radiation is hard enough. I'm sorry you had to go through that along with it.
Tue Oct 1, 2024, 05:38 PM
Oct 1

Heal quickly and wholly.

usonian

(14,352 posts)
2. JHC. The trumpster is madly in love with North Korea's "commie" dictator and tyrant.
Tue Oct 1, 2024, 05:39 PM
Oct 1

WITH THE WORLD'S WORST HAIRCUT.

Skittles

(159,970 posts)
3. my Uncle Flave was a Korean War Veteran
Tue Oct 1, 2024, 05:40 PM
Oct 1

he taught me how to shoot. I don't think he would have a high opinion of all these gun humping wannabe heroes

congrats on that "final treatment" - all is good?

HAB911

(9,365 posts)
5. Oooh.....define good
Tue Oct 1, 2024, 05:46 PM
Oct 1

5 over 3 weeks and I think they saved the worst for the last 2. some would probably bail if these two were first. Get to check the PSA in a month and see how we did

marble falls

(62,403 posts)
4. We live in interesting times. But we will pull through, keep hanging in. VA has seems to have cured my ...
Tue Oct 1, 2024, 05:43 PM
Oct 1

... two cancers. Because of your run in with peepaw, I gather you're not at the VA.

Who's the largest air force on the planet? USAF
Who's the second largest air force? USN.

We may be second but we got the flashier uniforms ... I mean, we try harder!
And unlike the Army, we don't have walk anywhere or jump out of a plane.

HAB911

(9,365 posts)
8. LOL
Tue Oct 1, 2024, 05:52 PM
Oct 1

not at the VA but on 100% by virtue of the PACT Act, to be reviewed again as soon as I can get all my records to them.

My dad and older brother were a Seabees, dad spent his time on a PT boat base in New Guinea. I won the Agent Orange Prostate Cancer Lottery, he won the Malaria Lottery. And so it goes

marble falls

(62,403 posts)
14. The Navy fought Agent Orange claims sooo long. I had a friend who fought for it, but because he was ...
Tue Oct 1, 2024, 06:09 PM
Oct 1

... "blue water" and not "brown water" (PBR boats), they kept denying him. His job on the carriers? Cleaning and painting (which has it's own dangers) planes and helos used to deliver Agent Orange.

Finally a VA councilor told him to change his claim to asbestos caused cancer because there a lot of claims for Agent Orange, there was a big pile of money asbestos claims. He did and within weeks he was granted his claim. About six months later he died at peace - his widow was going to be taken cake care of.

I was a machinist mate. I worried about asbestos for a long time after I got out. And what did I get? Cancer. Suspected from second hand tobacco smoke.

I hope you're in Texas, the VA system here is highly rated and I think they've spent a million on me, easily.

SWBTATTReg

(24,260 posts)
7. This POS. Ignore the POS. My dad served proudly in Korea. Was even caught behind enemy lines, and made
Tue Oct 1, 2024, 05:49 PM
Oct 1

it out w/ his squad aok. Thank God.

I would too, tune him out, thinking all along about stolen valor. I would told the idiot this too and tell him about my dad's service.

Some people just can't shut up when they need to. Respect those who did in fact, serve.

SWBTATTReg

(24,260 posts)
13. It isn't worth it. Those that serve, and their families know truly what it is to serve, and especially during the
Tue Oct 1, 2024, 06:07 PM
Oct 1

Korean Conflict, when China sent hordes of troops into what's now North Korea to save the losers in the northern part of Korea (what's now North Korea). General MacCarthur wanted to drop the bomb on China but Truman (another fine Missouri chap) said no, and asked McCarthy as a result, among other things, to resign.

JustABozoOnThisBus

(23,800 posts)
16. Doesn't sound like Stolen Valor. He said he was never in Korea.
Tue Oct 1, 2024, 06:27 PM
Oct 1

Maybe he found the hat in the VA parking lot and put it on his head without reading it.

He didn't seem "all there"

- SP5 Bozo, Army, REMF

Docreed2003

(17,852 posts)
17. What the f*ck
Tue Oct 1, 2024, 07:41 PM
Oct 1

A "Korean War Vet" but was never in Korea?? That's insane. I'm an Afghanistan Vet and if someone wore an Afghanistan hat around me but had never served there, I'd be pissed af

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Veterans»Sitting in the waiting ro...