G.I. KEL, A real American Hero.....
Last night I went to Blockbuster to take a video game back for my son, and to pick up a movie. After I wandered around the store looking for something worthwhile, I headed to the counter. Like always, there was a long line and I found myself in the pleasant company of three Goth kids. As usual, I didn't feel like changing clothes after I got home so I still had my ACU's on. I noticed one of the kids, (two female, one male...although I had to study the male to discern his gender), kept looking at me and he was whispering something to this female companions. I purposely acted as if I didn't notice....
Suddenly the guy looks up and says.. "Hey man, are you in the Army?"
I said, "Yes I am."
He extended his hand and said, "Thanks man, I really appreciate it." (For a split second I felt guilty about thinking that he was up to no good.)
He then said, "Man, you are a "Real American Hero"..."You'll fight for freedom wherever there's trouble....I mean you're there."
His vampiric looking cohorts snickered again....which irritated me. Unfortunately for this guy, I was a child of the eighties, and the entire theme music from G.I. Joe went through my head, (He'll fight for freedom wherevere there's trouble...Gi. Joe is there.... G. I. Jooooooooooooeeee......A great American Hero!), and I knew he was trying to clown me. I dropped my hand from his grasp and said...
"How old are you man?"
"Eighteen." he said.
I said to him.....
"When I was eighteen I was a lot like you, except I had a decent haircut and bathed once a day. I loved to impress girls by being a witty smartass. But, most of the time I was careful of who I got smart with. Generally I would make fun of someone and my comedy would be unbeknownst to them. I grew up watching G.I. Joe, so I know the song, and I see through your feeble joke. Your friends laughed, so I am sure they are impressed. But how impressed are they going to be when I punch you in the face and you fall on the floor? How impressed are they going to be when I start choking you and you piss yourself and pass out in public? So, to make sure that they remain impressed with you, why don't you just turn around, leave me alone, and pay for your movies. I'll go my seperate way, and it'll be like we never met."
A hush fell over the people near us and the counter. We continued to wait in line, they paid for their movie and left. I paid for my movie and left. Dang I feel old.....
Last night I went to Blockbuster to take a video game back for my son, and to pick up a movie. After I wandered around the store looking for something worthwhile, I headed to the counter. Like always, there was a long line and I found myself in the pleasant company of three Goth kids. As usual, I didn't feel like changing clothes after I got home so I still had my ACU's on. I noticed one of the kids, (two female, one male...although I had to study the male to discern his gender), kept looking at me and he was whispering something to this female companions. I purposely acted as if I didn't notice....
Suddenly the guy looks up and says.. "Hey man, are you in the Army?"
I said, "Yes I am."
He extended his hand and said, "Thanks man, I really appreciate it." (For a split second I felt guilty about thinking that he was up to no good.)
He then said, "Man, you are a "Real American Hero"..."You'll fight for freedom wherever there's trouble....I mean you're there."
His vampiric looking cohorts snickered again....which irritated me. Unfortunately for this guy, I was a child of the eighties, and the entire theme music from G.I. Joe went through my head, (He'll fight for freedom wherevere there's trouble...Gi. Joe is there.... G. I. Jooooooooooooeeee......A great American Hero!), and I knew he was trying to clown me. I dropped my hand from his grasp and said...
"How old are you man?"
"Eighteen." he said.
I said to him.....
"When I was eighteen I was a lot like you, except I had a decent haircut and bathed once a day. I loved to impress girls by being a witty smartass. But, most of the time I was careful of who I got smart with. Generally I would make fun of someone and my comedy would be unbeknownst to them. I grew up watching G.I. Joe, so I know the song, and I see through your feeble joke. Your friends laughed, so I am sure they are impressed. But how impressed are they going to be when I punch you in the face and you fall on the floor? How impressed are they going to be when I start choking you and you piss yourself and pass out in public? So, to make sure that they remain impressed with you, why don't you just turn around, leave me alone, and pay for your movies. I'll go my seperate way, and it'll be like we never met."
A hush fell over the people near us and the counter. We continued to wait in line, they paid for their movie and left. I paid for my movie and left. Dang I feel old.....
Comments
When do you leave for Iraq?
Will you be able to write from there?
I have the honor of working with men and women like you: the honorable members of the U.S. military. You did your country proud.
Once upon a time, children respected their elders. People respected those who wore the uniform. I think you just made a little headway back to a better America.
Way to keep your cool with the little darling. I'm sure he thought it was pretty funny, right up until you gave him a reality check. I hate those little goth punks.. "..I'm so brooding and complex." Sonny, you are about a deep and complex as a glass of water. My most vervent hope is they grow out of it and are ashamed of who they were..