Quote:
Originally Posted by snakebitekit
The year 1972, the country is in a slump, people looking for jobs, the lines were long. I was discharged on March 17 1972. I came home with no fan
fare, no parades, in fact I had to change clothes so no one would spit on me or call me a baby killer.
I went to Ford in Dearborn, Michigan, the Rouge plant, near my hometown, looking for a job. There were probably 50 to 60 people in the room looking for work. A man came out and shouted " any veterans here" several of us put our arms up. He then shouted "those with your hands up stay all others we have no more positions available".
I had a job. Ford in my mind IS AMERICA. I will never forget that day. I only worked for 89 days, 1 day short of the proverbial 90 days and your in for life, because it was not what or where I wanted to be. But God bless Ford for picking out the veterans. If you're old enough to rememer those times you're old enough to remember how we were treated. Ford went above and beyond.
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Thank you sir for your service. That was my era too. I didn't have to go but know many that came back to those same circumstances. I knew a few that didn't come back.
Edit: I guess I posted before I read everyone else's replies. For all those who served, thank you.
I was at the Shelby Cafe last summer. It's a favorite hangout for a bunch of those from Nellis AFB. I bought one table's lunch. I asked that the server not say anything but they all stood up when I left so someone ratted.
Later I was in Minneapolis for a meeting. It was late and a bunch of us from work were sitting in the loungs. A Sgt. was sitting at the bar eating (the restaurant was closed). I bought his dinner. He came over to the table too.
I have made a habit of thanking anyone in a uniform I see in the airport.
It was this photo from the Rocky Mountain News (and the article that won the Pulitzer):
The Rocky shut its doors today (last issue ever). The story evolved to a book, Final Salute, that followed the Buckley Air Force Marine detachment that delivered "the knock on the door".
http://www.amazon.com/Final-Salute-S...5751043&sr=8-2
Again, thank you.