Grey-Haired Brigade

I HOPE THIS DOSE NOT GO POOF

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Grey-Haired Brigade

They like to refer to us as senior citizens, old fogies, geezers, and in some cases dinosaurs. Some of us are "Baby Boomers" getting ready to retire. Others have been retired for some time. We walk a little slower these days and our eyes and hearing are not what they once were. We have worked hard, raised our children, worshiped our God and grown old together. Yes, we are the ones some refer to as being over the hill, and that is probably true. But before writing us off completely, there are a few things that need to be taken into consideration.

In school we studied English, history, math, and science which enabled us to lead America into the technological age. Most of us remember what outhouses were, many of us with firsthand experience. We remember the days of telephone party-lines, 25 cent gasoline, and milk and ice being delivered to our homes. For those of you who don't know what an icebox is, today they are electric and referred to as refrigerators. A few even remember when cars were started with a crank. Yes, we lived those days.

We are probably considered old fashioned and out-dated by many. But there are a few things you need to remember before completely writing us off. We won World War II, fought in Korea and Viet Nam. We can quote The Pledge of Allegiance, and know where to place our hand while doing so. We wore the uniform of our country with pride and lost many friends on the battlefield. We didn't fight for the Socialist States of America, we fought for the "Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave." We wore different uniforms but carried the same flag. We know the words to the Star Spangled Banner, America ,and America the Beautiful by heart, and you may even see some tears running down our cheeks as we sing. We have lived what many of you have only read about in history books and we feel no obligation to apologize to anyone for America.

Yes, we are old and slow these days but rest assured, we have at least one good fight left in us. We have loved this country, fought for it, and died for it, and now we are going to save it. It is our country and nobody is going to take it away from us. We took oaths to defend America against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and that is an oath we plan to keep. There are those who want to destroy this land we love but, like our founders, there is no way we are going to remain silent.

It was mostly the young people of this nation You make a lot of noise, but most are all too interested in their careers or "Climbing the Social Ladder" to be involved in such mundane things as patriotism and voting. With all the education we gave you, you didn't have sense enough to see through the idle promises made by all parties and instead drank the 'Cool-Aid.' Now you're paying the price and complaining about it. No jobs, lost mortgages, higher taxes, and less freedom. This is what you voted for and this is what you got grid-lock and finger pointing with nothing being accomplished. We entrusted you with the Torch of Liberty and you traded it for a paycheck and a fancy house.

Well, don't worry youngsters, the Grey-Haired Brigade is here, and in 2012 we are going to take back our nation. We may drive a little slower than you would like but we get where we're going, and in 2012 we're going to the polls by the millions. This land does not belong to the man in the White House nor those on capitol hill, it belongs to "We the People" and "We the People" plan to reclaim our land and our freedom. We hope this time you will do a better job of preserving it and passing it along to our grandchildren. So the next time you have the chance to say the Pledge of Allegiance, Stand up, put your hand over your heart, honor our country, and thank God for the old geezers of the "Grey-Haired Brigade."

Author, Grey-Haired Brigade Member

JR FRYE

Well Said and I saved it before it goes poof

Amen! Enough said. Vic

Amen to that

Hope is don't go away.

You forgot us greying guys, who gave up home stability because of transfers and forced moves and many deployments through the cold war, Grenada and the 1st Gulf War. Our children grew with dad/mom "away" again and then they too went on to serve. We didn't serve the politicians, we served the people and the country! Some gave all, others have disabilities that were hard earned and consider it a point of pride to have sacrificed.

Reminds me of a saying from the NCO's.

I the willing, have lead the unknowing, for the ungrateful, to do the impossible!

I have done so much, with so little for so long that I am now qualified to do anything with nothing.

US Military NCO Corp!

Yea we have served. From my father and father in law, to my BIL's and my own children, from 1938 to present we have served over 100 years active duty.

Rick, US Army Retired, disabled Vet and glad that I served for you.

JR This is so true. I was rejected for service ue to a physical condition and I always had a empty feeling. A intresting fact: My wifes great grandfather was a member of the orginsl Gray Beard Divison.

gitrib

I know the feeling. I was on active duty in the Marine Corps during part of the Vietnam War, but the Corps saw fit to have me involved in other matters.

I've always felt like I missed out on something.

I was with you until you started talking about ice delivery guess I'm not as old as you but agree with what you say. I am a military veteran serving in Air Force during the Gulf War MK I, my father in law drove B-24s and B-29s during WWII. We owe a lot to the greatest generation however they were driving when things like Kennedy Johnson and Nixon happened, I was in High School when Jimmy Carter was elected. Those that came before me were in charge when we started our decline, a friend of mine (Viet Nam vet) was complaining about the young people, I pointed out we raised 'em-to bad we didn't have the parenting skills to teach them right from wrong.

Working men were just that 50 years ago. 250 Ft- Lbs everywhere. No power tools.
I admire Computer skills of the younger generation but by brother is heavy equipment foreman at a major company. He advises the new hires cannot even read a measuring tape.
I guess times have changed.

The way this new generation feels so smug and superior about their "computer skills" you would almost think that it was their generation that developed this technology they're enjoying so much.

I am right with you. I didn"t think I was that old, but I do remember the ice truck bringing cubes of ice to our farm for Grandmas ice box, our house had a fancy one, it was run by butaine. Then there was the outhouse, and party lines.We need to bring the draft, and spanking kids in school. I think a lot of kids today are completely out of control. During WW2 my Dad was a bit too old, becides he was providing food for the war effort. I didn"t go to Canada during the Vietnam war, but served my country in the Navy. Stan

Can't add anything to that. But we all have to follow through with our threats. The only way to beat these guys is with their own weapon- the ballot box, and a good dose of old fashioned common sense. It's been long known that the minority has been rulling this country, and we're a minority. So, if we vote, and vote together, we can take this country back from those who are hellbent on ruining it! Excuses are for losers; there's no excuse for not voting.

Amen, could not have said it better Rodney

Amen! I didn't serve due to a physical disability, but I sure do thank those that did. There's some hope for the young generation, but many of them are going to have to learn from us. I think Socrates said something like that too!

Can I join? My hair isn't gray but I am almost 63 years old. I never served in the armed forces but I got second degree burns many times fighting house fires as a volunteer.