Wearing Your Medals With Your Kilt

**cacunn** · 9th November 07, 01:27 PM

Wear - don't wear - these are all personal choice that I hope the fashion police don't get involved with, they are too busy now.

However, to those that have ribbons/gongs and to all those that served regardless to the branch of service or the country you served.

Thank you - Welcome home - You did good

**macwilkin** · 9th November 07, 02:57 PM

edited.

**irishrob** · 9th November 07, 03:07 PM

To wear or not to wear...that is the question.

I think that if I still had mine I might consider wearing them on a jacket on appropriate occasions. I left mine at the foot of a black wall some years ago while visiting some friends.

My wife, who is a disabled Viet Nam vet, works for the VA so I will ask her to see what the concensus is among her patients.

But I will be kilted, as will my son, tomorrow as we watch the local parade.

Rob

**ccga3359** · 9th November 07, 03:12 PM

Originally Posted by cajunscot

I still think the British Commonwealth custom of full size goings on day wear, and miniatures on formal (never full size on formal) is a good one. I don't see it as being snobby. Whenever I see a picture of a ex-serviceman from the Commonwealth wearing his medals, I see only a proud soldier showing the world his service for their country. Different horses for courses and all that.

Regards,

Todd

Todd I've only ever seen our vets wear their medals with day wear on November 11th, our Remembrance day and then only during parades. I feel that the reason they wear them is not so much pride but in remembrance of fallen brothers and to all veterans. One should also realize that in the British Commonwealth medals are seldom given out. My grandfather who served 4 years in WWI was awarded three medals, My father after 15 years in the RN including 5 years in WWII with numerous battle related injuries - only 5 medals. Many of our vets don't show a whole chestful of silver & bronze and coloured silk.

**davedove** · 9th November 07, 03:22 PM

Originally Posted by ccga3359

Todd I've only ever seen our vets wear their medals with day wear on November 11th, our Remembrance day and then only during parades. I feel that the reason they wear them is not so much pride but in remembrance of fallen brothers and to all veterans. One should also realize that in the British Commonwealth medals are seldom given out. My grandfather who served 4 years in WWI was awarded three medals, My father after 15 years in the RN including 5 years in WWII with numerous battle related injuries - only 5 medals. Many of our vets don't show a whole chestful of silver & bronze and coloured silk.

That was fairly true of the US Military as well during those wars. In fact, many of the medals our servicemen receive today did not even exist until the last few decades, especially some of those with lower precedence.

The special days recommended by the Veteran's Administration are Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Veteran's Day. Other than that, medals may be worn for military occasions, such as dinners, funerals, etc.

**macwilkin** · 9th November 07, 03:38 PM

Originally Posted by ccga3359

Todd I've only ever seen our vets wear their medals with day wear on November 11th, our Remembrance day and then only during parades. I feel that the reason they wear them is not so much pride but in remembrance of fallen brothers and to all veterans. One should also realize that in the British Commonwealth medals are seldom given out. My grandfather who served 4 years in WWI was awarded three medals, My father after 15 years in the RN including 5 years in WWII with numerous battle related injuries - only 5 medals. Many of our vets don't show a whole chestful of silver & bronze and coloured silk.

Grant -- If you read my earlier posts, I am not advocating the everyday wear of medals -- you'll notice I mention Remembrance Day, ANZAC Day, etc. I'm not saying wear them everyday.

I am also aware that the British & Commonwealth do not have the same criteria in terms of the awarding of medals, nor do they have the same amount. For example, the British Long Service & Good Conduct medal is just for that -- long service (18 years) and good conduct. As you mentioned, many ex-servicemen and women only receive just a few medals for their service -- hence why their display is one of pride and not of snobbery or arrogance.

T.

**James MacMillan** · 9th November 07, 04:23 PM

Originally Posted by cajunscot

James,

I'm sorry you have such a low opinion of civilians.

I don't have "such a low opinion of civilians." I mentioned that the average civilian doesn't understand and that they don't know the significance of the awards, we're being encouraged to wear.

I don't think you can disagree with that. In all of our countries, the servicemen are, all too often taken for granted, and sometimes treated as second class citizens.

I am not complaining, merely stating fact. I have shed blood that these same average civilians can live in their ignorance and malaise, and I would do it again. That also is not bravado, but merely a statement of fact.

Thankfully it is also true, that in today's society, again in all of our countries, the serviceman gets better treatment, than we did during the Viet Nam era. Although, sometimes some of our defeatest politicians still anger those fighting to preserve our freedoms.

This is not wholey a bad thing. I'm really very glad that we live in an era where the majority can be protected by the minority. I am equally glad that the average civilian has not been placed in harms way. After all, that's why the service men and women serve in the first place.

You sir, are not the average civilian, and for that I salute you, and say thanks.

**Mr. MacDougall** · 9th November 07, 09:25 PM

I understand where you're coming from, James. Like you, I didn't serve for the thanks of the folks at home. In fact, I'm always very slightly uncomfortable when someone thanks me for my service, because I feel that I, as a veteran of Gulf Wars Episode 1, did much less than my fathers, who were in Viet Nam, or my grandfathers, who were in WWII.

At the same time, I think that civilians won't understand unless they ask, and we tell them. And one way to tell them that we're open to being asked, that we'll tell them, is to wear our decorations at the appropriate times.

And it doesn't hurt to remember our friends who didn't come home. So the more I think about it, the more I think I will get a ribbon bar to wear on my scrubs on memorial day and veteran's day.

**rdjmchris** · 9th November 07, 10:32 PM

I think that it is very appropriate to wear the awards you've earned on Veterans' Day, Memorial Day, etc. Full bore or minis should be according to the event. I personally only wear mine when in my Dress Blues.

**Alaskan Kilted Guy** · 10th November 07, 02:38 AM

Gosh...what a thread. I have served my country, thankfully only during peacetime. I have several medals and awards that I earned, but don't feel like I need to "flaunt" them. I never went to combat, never was in "harm's way". Honestly, I feel I shlould be serving now. I still have buddies that I served with, that are in Iraq and Afghanistan now. Guys I know have died over there...... Jeez....tough subject. My hat is off to all that have served their country...