American vs British soldiers

[almostwitty]

I was in a queue for some bagels, behind a very tall soldier fully decked out in green camouflage uniform. While in the queue, someone else randomly went up to him, shook his hand and said "I thank you, soldier, for protecting our country" before going on his way.

I'm not too sure how much that happens in the United States - do random strangers thank policemen and fire fighters too? Certainly contrasts to the UK, where the armed forces essentially had to launch a media campaign telling people to thank the Army and Navy after there were rumours of hotels barring soldiers and the like.

Whilst waiting for our respective bagels, I was tempted to look up to the soldier (man, he was TALL!) and ask him why he was wearing his uniform instead of casual civillian clothing. I mean, it can't have been that comfortable, surely - and you don't see policemen or fire fighters wearing their uniform off-duty. But alas my courage failed me - another reason why I'll never be a journalist...

Just 150 minutes to wait to my next connection...

Comments

[countessof-roth.livejournal.com]

They were probably a crazy die hard republican that thinks this "war on terror" is a decent and noble cause.

I support the guys over there because they are putting their lives at stake, however i don't support the REASON why they are there.

[britgeekgrrl.livejournal.com]

The guy might have been on duty and stepping away from whatever his post was to get his breakfast. My hubby, essentially, worked in an office in downtown Oakland and so was forever nipping out for lunch/dinner in his blues.

If you're travelling to/from somewhere on leave, you may opt to wear your uniform, even if you're using civvy transport.

Also, recruiters wear their uniform out and about, trawling for potential victims.

And, yeah, I see folks thank the soliders occasionally, but not the cops or the firefighters...

[choirgrrl.livejournal.com]

I'd wear my uniform everywhere. There are so many businesses (and bars!) that offer major discounts or giveaway items for people in the military.
You want to give me a FREE beer? I'm on it!
You want to dry clean my uniform for FREE? Here it is!

I'm sure that's not why all our military men go out dressed up, I'm just saying it would be my sole reason! *is looking online for believable military wear*

[(Anonymous)]

Reminds me of a post on Copperfield's blog after he moved to Canada. A planeload of troops landed at the airport and the poilce escorted them from there to the barracks with blues'n'twos while crowds applauded them on the street.

Far cry, as you say, from our lot who're treated like someone else's shit when in reality they're *doing* someone else's shit work and putting themselves at risk for it.

I have an ex (you know her, no names) who writes to soldiers overseas and keeps their *ahem* peckers up for them. Her way of saying "thank you".