Thread: Those Old Army Mates

Hi,
Just wanting to talk about those moments that pop up from time to time when you chat with an old army mate from twenty years ago where you talk about when you and he were a recruit together thirty years ago where you talk about what the guys in the photo you just posted used to do.

And you sit there feeling a bit teary for those days and that sort of level of mateship that doesn't exist in your life any more.

You know those moments?

I still think of those days to. And I'll admit even at 19 airborne school kicked my but I still wish I was there now, not at 47, I mean at 19. Those were some good times and good people.

Yup, know exactly what you're talking about. I still stay in touch with lots of my buds from the military. That kind of friendship can't be matched. I often miss it too. Truth is I would have taken a bullet for any of those guys and they would have gladly returned the favor. You just can't find that kind of loyalty out in "the civilized" world. In many ways we were closer than family

I know what you mean. When you share experiences like that, you can't really talk about them with anyone else. There are some things that just don't translate well to folks who weren't there.

Reflection....
And a few calls I need to make.

Thank you Carl,
sometimes we need a reminder of what we do have.

The friendships are the only thing I miss about the Army. I still have a couple of people I keep contact with. One of them called me up out of the blue a couple of years ago, I hadnt seen him since our days in Korea in '78, we talked for a couple of hours over the phone, when we finished the call it felt as if I had shut the door in my own face. It hurt.

The other one was just here last weekend, we keep in constant touch.

nun2sharp I know what you mean,
but at the same time if I called one of my buds with a real need well you get the idea.
I have not found that short of three lifetime friends from before my time in.
I have been down here in TN going on 10 years and only have a few I would even call acquaintances.

As I have moved around a lot I've never really had any friendships like that, just sort of drifted out if contact , though I wish I hadn't. I sometimes get teary for what I haven't had. At least it has helped me to know what I want for my daughter.

I stay in touch with a few of the men I served with through some Military Associations. A couple of them are cigar buddies as well and we try to get together for a couple of smokes and some BBQ once a year. Generally we speak of things other than the war.

I haven't been in the military. But I can understand the bond. I have 3 similar bonds. your family moves to a strange town, you go to college in a strange town, you move to a strange town to find a job. If you want to get that feeling again divorce your wife quit your job and move across the country to a new residence. Decide for yourself if it is worth it but in my opinion that is what it takes.

Your friend,

Tim