Question for veterans.

cj95 · 08-19-08, 02:44 PM

I have a question on protocol for you veterans out there.

I have never served, but I honor and respect those that do.

I am very careful not to infringe on what I beleive to be the rights and dignity of those that do serve.

ie...I dont buy unit patches...I dont wear caps from active duty ships etc etc.

I dont beleive in pretending to be something Im not.

I have question on other unit caps though.

I own a USS TEXAS cap and a USS CAVALLA cap....both museum relics here in Houston. If I wear one I dont say that I was once a member of their crews....much to young for that, but rather am respectingtheir history.

Is this wrong?

The reason I ask is because today wearing my Cavalla hat, I was asked if I wasin the NAVY. I was quick to point out that the sub was in fact a museum just down the road, but I didnt like the fact that I lead somebody to think that.

Likewise when I bought the cap in the first place, the curator asked me if I served.
When I replied no, he said, 'Oh well...we'll sell it to ya anyway.'

I kinda felt like I made a gaff.

Whats the protocol on this real old ships?

I want to show my support, but dont want to pretend to something Im not.

August · 08-19-08, 02:48 PM

I don't think wearing a cap bearing the name of a retired warship is wrong, but there will be some people who will give you a hard time for it. Sometimes it's in jest, sometimes they're more serious but just remember they are not necessarily an authority.

Schroeder · 08-19-08, 03:01 PM

Since the ship is retired you only show your support to keep it as a museum. Without such support those ships would surely be scrapped and lost forever. Therefore I don't think it to be a problem.

AVGWarhawk · 08-19-08, 03:13 PM

I wear my Torsk cap all the time. If people ask if I served on her, I say I do now. I volunteer to keep her up. The cap is showing support for the military and the hardware they used. If it makes things better for you, volunteer at the Cavalla! Send in donation money. This to is show of support. The Torsk sells caps in two different colors and shirts/sweat-shirts/mugs. This money goes to the Marine Museum. Just advise those who ask that this is your way of support by wearing the cap (also advertising because the person inquired and now just might go for a visit) and monetary support to keep the Cavalla and Texas up as a living museum for generations to come as a result of the sale of the hat to you. You should not feel bad about a cap. I never served and never felt strange when someone asked. Your answer could be as easy as support for the boat or just a boat in history that interests you. Take the conversation on from that point.

Jimbuna · 08-19-08, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schroeder

Since the ship is retired you only show your support to keep it as a museum. Without such support those ships would surely be scrapped and lost forever. Therefore I don't think it to be a problem.

Agreed....your supporting a worthy cause in what you do.

I just wish we had as many retired vessels as symbols of a bygone era as you have in the USA.

Stealth Hunter · 08-19-08, 03:35 PM

So long as you don't sell them or destroy them, then no. There's nothing wrong, IMO (let me also let you know that I'm not an American vet; just my opinion).

Sailor Steve · 08-19-08, 03:46 PM

A cap or shirt from a retired ship? If anybody asks, just praise the ship in question and tell them it's a piece of history. I still have a Desert Storm sweatshirt. If anybody asks if I was there, I just say "No. It was a gift from a friend who was."

Honoring a piece of history might bring on an argument about the history itself, but wearing a cap from an historic ship is cool. Very cool. I've always wanted a cap or shirt from Constitution.

Rockstar · 08-19-08, 02:58 PM

It is not wrong, your purchase of that hat provides much needed support for the upkeep and maintenance of those old ships. Wear it, you have every right to do so. To me it says you where there and took an interest in your country's history and in the men and women who served.

You know, ask to volunteer as a maintenance worker or tour guide. I worked on the Aircraft Carrier Yorktown in Charleston for a few months. Recieved a resiprocity pass giving me access to a whole lot of other musuems in the area for free. And better still I was priviledged to meet a good many volunteer/vets that actually served on the Yorktown during WWII. Got to hear some incredible stories from these gentlemen over morning coffee in the ships wardroom.

Granted there probably isn't one alive to tell a personal story about the TEXAS but I bet there are some old timers milling about smartly that would be all to glad to bend yer ear over a story while serving on another ship or unit.

08-19-08, 02:44 PM	#1
cj95 Lieutenant Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 258 Downloads: 141 Uploads: 0	Question for veterans. I have a question on protocol for you veterans out there. I have never served, but I honor and respect those that do. I am very careful not to infringe on what I beleive to be the rights and dignity of those that do serve. ie...I dont buy unit patches...I dont wear caps from active duty ships etc etc. I dont beleive in pretending to be something Im not. I have question on other unit caps though. I own a USS TEXAS cap and a USS CAVALLA cap....both museum relics here in Houston. If I wear one I dont say that I was once a member of their crews....much to young for that, but rather am respectingtheir history. Is this wrong? The reason I ask is because today wearing my Cavalla hat, I was asked if I wasin the NAVY. I was quick to point out that the sub was in fact a museum just down the road, but I didnt like the fact that I lead somebody to think that. Likewise when I bought the cap in the first place, the curator asked me if I served. When I replied no, he said, 'Oh well...we'll sell it to ya anyway.' I kinda felt like I made a gaff. Whats the protocol on this real old ships? I want to show my support, but dont want to pretend to something Im not.

08-19-08, 02:48 PM	#2
August Wayfaring Stranger Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 23,197 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I don't think wearing a cap bearing the name of a retired warship is wrong, but there will be some people who will give you a hard time for it. Sometimes it's in jest, sometimes they're more serious but just remember they are not necessarily an authority. __________________ Flanked by life and the funeral pyre. Putting on a show for you to see.

08-19-08, 03:13 PM	#4
AVGWarhawk Lucky Jack Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a 1954 Buick. Posts: 28,253 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	I wear my Torsk cap all the time. If people ask if I served on her, I say I do now. I volunteer to keep her up. The cap is showing support for the military and the hardware they used. If it makes things better for you, volunteer at the Cavalla! Send in donation money. This to is show of support. The Torsk sells caps in two different colors and shirts/sweat-shirts/mugs. This money goes to the Marine Museum. Just advise those who ask that this is your way of support by wearing the cap (also advertising because the person inquired and now just might go for a visit) and monetary support to keep the Cavalla and Texas up as a living museum for generations to come as a result of the sale of the hat to you. You should not feel bad about a cap. I never served and never felt strange when someone asked. Your answer could be as easy as support for the boat or just a boat in history that interests you. Take the conversation on from that point. __________________ “You're painfully alive in a drugged and dying culture.” ― Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road

08-19-08, 03:46 PM	#7
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	A cap or shirt from a retired ship? If anybody asks, just praise the ship in question and tell them it's a piece of history. I still have a Desert Storm sweatshirt. If anybody asks if I was there, I just say "No. It was a gift from a friend who was." Honoring a piece of history might bring on an argument about the history itself, but wearing a cap from an historic ship is cool. Very cool. I've always wanted a cap or shirt from Constitution. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

08-19-08, 03:01 PM	#3
Schroeder Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Banana Republic of Germany Posts: 6,170 Downloads: 62 Uploads: 0	Since the ship is retired you only show your support to keep it as a museum. Without such support those ships would surely be scrapped and lost forever. Therefore I don't think it to be a problem.

08-19-08, 03:35 PM	#6
Stealth Hunter Silent Hunter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Y'ha-Nthlei Posts: 4,262 Downloads: 19 Uploads: 0	So long as you don't sell them or destroy them, then no. There's nothing wrong, IMO (let me also let you know that I'm not an American vet; just my opinion).

08-19-08, 02:58 PM	#8
Rockstar In the Brig Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Zendia Bar & Grill Posts: 12,614 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	It is not wrong, your purchase of that hat provides much needed support for the upkeep and maintenance of those old ships. Wear it, you have every right to do so. To me it says you where there and took an interest in your country's history and in the men and women who served. You know, ask to volunteer as a maintenance worker or tour guide. I worked on the Aircraft Carrier Yorktown in Charleston for a few months. Recieved a resiprocity pass giving me access to a whole lot of other musuems in the area for free. And better still I was priviledged to meet a good many volunteer/vets that actually served on the Yorktown during WWII. Got to hear some incredible stories from these gentlemen over morning coffee in the ships wardroom. Granted there probably isn't one alive to tell a personal story about the TEXAS but I bet there are some old timers milling about smartly that would be all to glad to bend yer ear over a story while serving on another ship or unit.