Bonnets and badges at Burns dinners.

**Sir William** · 1st February 15, 05:39 AM

I'm going to approach this from a slightly different perspective.

I have decorations awarded for both military and civilian service. By regulation they cannot be worn together. I wear the military ribbons at military related events, to include SAMS functions. I wear my civilian awards at formal (black tie) non-military functions.

Steve's observations are spot on. I live in a region with a much larger than average percentage of the population that is currently serving, is retired from, or has served in the military. Around here it is customary, if not expected, to wear medals or pins to show that service.

Friends and relatives asked me why I didn't wear my awards to formal events like others did. I've compromised by wearing some of my civilian awards (not all have a miniature version). An added benefit is that these awards are not well known or as commonly seen as military awards, so it greatly confuses the Medal Spotters.

**Geoff Withnell** · 1st February 15, 07:38 PM

Indeed, Sir William. I would estimate that half the gentlemen at the Burns Dinner we attended together last night had decorations displayed, from a couple of miniature medals, to one fellow with 5 rows of ribbons on his PC jacket (which to my eye looks very weird). I didn't wear my decorations, for the reasons I explained up thread, and you had on your civilian awards. But the American South and especially Virginia and West Virginia hve a very high level of military service and pride in such service.

**OC Richard** · 2nd February 15, 07:31 AM

Originally Posted by Geoff Withnell

the American South and especially Virginia and West Virginia have a very high level of military service and pride in such service.

Yes indeed! Being from West Virginia I've long experienced that. My family, as far as I know, has served in the Army in every generation going back to the Revolution. I'm the one that broke that chain, in my branch anyhow, though there are plenty who serve/have served in the numerous other branches of Cooks in southwest West Virginia. My uncle's name is on the War Memorial at the Capitol. When my son (born and raised here in California) turned 18 I spoke to him of the Army, in particular of pursuing his music there (he played trombone all through school). He had no interest whatsoever, and little's the wonder, seeing the poor example I've set in that regard.