US Campaign Ribbons

[Bruce Scott]

...... to us Brits you Americans wearing medals or ribbons with civilian day wear does look out of place.I suppose the mixing of cultures can be confusing, on occasion.

British veterans can be seen wearing medals with civilian day wear on any remembrance day.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

British veterans can be seen wearing medals with civilian day wear on any remembrance day.

What Jock Scot was referring to was the habit of some of the kilt-wearing population in the United States to wear service ribbons, medals, training badges, etc. on civilian attire at Highland Games. These are not only seen on jackets and short sleeve shirts, but also on Prince Charlie coatees being worn by attendees at the games, something one does not see (at least I've never seen it) at Games held in Scotland.

[Redshank]

What Jock Scot was referring to was the habit of some of the kilt-wearing population in the United States to wear service ribbons, medals, training badges, etc. on civilian attire at Highland Games. These are not only seen on jackets and short sleeve shirts, but also on Prince Charlie coatees being worn by attendees at the games, something one does not see (at least I've never seen it) at Games held in Scotland.

Furthermore, these men are the last of the few, they earned their medals in the bloodiest and hardest of ways, the where prepared to lay down their lives for us and future generations in the bloody conflict that was WWII, they have my total and upmost respect, and if they wanted to wear their medals on their pyjamas, then that's ok by me

[Bruce Scott]

Furthermore, these men are the last of the few, they earned their medals in the bloodiest and hardest of ways, the where prepared to lay down their lives for us and future generations in the bloody conflict that was WWII, they have my total and upmost respect, and if they wanted to wear their medals on their pyjamas, then that's ok by me

I could not agree more.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Furthermore, these men are the last of the few, they earned their medals in the bloodiest and hardest of ways, the where prepared to lay down their lives for us and future generations in the bloody conflict that was WWII, they have my total and upmost respect, and if they wanted to wear their medals on their pyjamas, then that's ok by me

I'm glad you feel that way.

But, unfortunately, to those who do not wear their medals on their pajamas, or on Prince Charlie coatees at Highland games, it looks-- well, socially awkward. There is a thing called "correct form", and by and large all of us strive to observe it in our daily lives; "please" and "thank you" are two examples of correct form that most of us adhere to without giving it a second thought. The more one observes "correct form" the more one is generally regarded to be a lady or a gentleman.

Unless one is totally ignorant of the correct form regarding the wearing of medals with civilian attire, then the wearing of medals at inappropriate times, and at inappropriate places, seems to be nothing more than "showing off". It's as if the wearer is shouting, "Look at me, I've got medals, so you'd better pay attention to me." This cry for undeserved attention really shows a lack of respect for anyone else (and probably some self-esteem issues as well).

There is a time and a place where the wearing of medals is totally appropriate. It's just that pinned to a Prince Charlie coatee at the local Highland games isn't one of them.

[KFCarter]

Furthermore, these men are the last of the few, they earned their medals in the bloodiest and hardest of ways, the where prepared to lay down their lives for us and future generations in the bloody conflict that was WWII, they have my total and upmost respect, and if they wanted to wear their medals on their pyjamas, then that's ok by me

Unless one is totally ignorant of the correct form regarding the wearing of medals with civilian attire, then the wearing of medals at inappropriate times, and at inappropriate places, seems to be nothing more than "showing off". It's as if the wearer is shouting, "Look at me, I've got medals, so you'd better pay attention to me." This cry for undeserved attention really shows a lack of respect for anyone else (and probably some self-esteem issues as well).

Do these inappropriate displays on the part of decorated veterans of WWII truly warrant this type of blanket psychoanalysis?

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Do these inappropriate displays on the part of decorated veterans of WWII truly warrant this type of blanket psychoanalysis?

Please note that I specifically did not refer to WWII veterans, the youngest of whom would be 72, the oldest of whom is just over 100, and with a median age of somewhere around 80. These gentlemen seem to have far more respect for the appropriate wearing of their medals than do your average 50-something "weary warriors" one occasionally encounters festooned in medals, gnoshing on a jumbo turkey leg, wandering aimlessly around the vendor tents at most Highland games.

Let me give you an example of the difference between respectfully wearing medals when appropriate, and those who show up at Highland games be-ribboned and be-medalled to the nines:

Recently I attended a dinner in Chicago hosted by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Virtually all of the 95 living recipients of the Medal of Honor were present (the oldest of whom is 100). At dinner they wore their medals in the most unaffected, self-effacing way you could imagine. The next morning, at breakfast, there they were, the nation's most honored soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines, and not one of them was wearing his Medal of Honor.

Now contrast that with the fellow in line at the Burger King this morning, wearing his medals, on his way to the Richmond VA Highland games. If anybody has a self-esteem issue, it wasn't the gentlemen I dined with in Chicago.

[KFCarter]

Please note that I specifically did not refer to WWII veterans.

You did make the post in direct response to Redshank (quoting him) and he did specifically refer to WWII veterans; thus my confusion.

[cavscout]

There are many ways to scream "look at me" it would seem. I worked with a SSG who knew the regs backwards and forwards but couldn't do his job to save his life. Needless to say, people got rather tired of hearing him drone on and on.

Perhaps a bit more focus on the other aspects of being a "gentlemen" and "good form" is warranted.

[Geoff Withnell]

Furthermore, these men are the last of the few, they earned their medals in the bloodiest and hardest of ways, the where prepared to lay down their lives for us and future generations in the bloody conflict that was WWII, they have my total and upmost respect, and if they wanted to wear their medals on their pyjamas, then that's ok by me

And are those of following generations, who stepped forward to offer their lives as well somehow less deserving of respect? If they are indeed the "last of the few" then our civilization is indeed doomed, for only by the valor of rough men (and women) at the edges is the peace of the center preserved. I went to my Marine Corps League meeting Friday in Leatherneck kilt otherwise casual without ribbons. In a couple of weeks I will attend the Marine Corp Birthday Ball in kilt, argyle, waistcoat, white pleated tux shirt and my few miniature medals from my service with brave comrades on my jacket.

Geoff Withnell