Every so often when I meet new people in the company of old friends or family, attention is brought to my time spent in the Marine Corps, and specifically to the time when I was with STA. I get the usual questions about how long I was in, do I know so-and-so who served with thus-and-such unit, where was I stationed and so on. These questions are absolutely fine and I have no problem answering them, but sometimes, and surprisingly more often from adults than children, do I get the inappropriate questions. These questions most often involve the quantity of people whom I have killed, or the quantity of friends I have lost in combat.
I want to say first and foremost that I understand that answers to these questions are interesting, but asking them is entirely inappropriate, rude and it shows someone's complete ignorance and insensitivity when they are asked.
If there is any question in your mind as to whether what you want to ask is appropriate or not, take the safe rout and don't ask it. Avoiding bringing up a veteran's traumatic or painful memories is a better thank you than any donation or bumper sticker.
As far as children are concerned, please make sure you let them know what is appropriate to ask and especially what isn't. I love children; I have one of my own and one on the way, which is why I want to make sure that they understand proper "veteran etiquette" and don't grow up to be an ignorant adult with detached sensitivity to a man's pain.
Thank you for reading.
I want to say first and foremost that I understand that answers to these questions are interesting, but asking them is entirely inappropriate, rude and it shows someone's complete ignorance and insensitivity when they are asked.
If there is any question in your mind as to whether what you want to ask is appropriate or not, take the safe rout and don't ask it. Avoiding bringing up a veteran's traumatic or painful memories is a better thank you than any donation or bumper sticker.
As far as children are concerned, please make sure you let them know what is appropriate to ask and especially what isn't. I love children; I have one of my own and one on the way, which is why I want to make sure that they understand proper "veteran etiquette" and don't grow up to be an ignorant adult with detached sensitivity to a man's pain.
Thank you for reading.