Laughing_Jakal

Same here, except the "frog" that covers the pointy end of the pin was impaled all the way to the hilt with the pointy end sticking out. The frog just dropped off rendering the whole pin useless....therefore it went in the garbage....shame to waste the money if they weren't going to do it right. What's even more embarrassing is that my 15 year old daughter said she thought a shipping company would know better.

The form letter was also torn where the pin shredded it......thought it was actually fairly representative of our relationship right now.

fdx727pilot

I agree with Tony. My wife, definitely a non-pilot, got one two days prior to mine showing up. May be a nice sentiment, but the execution sucked.

NightShip1129

I just got the 20 year award catalog and thought the same thing. It's all cheap garbage. My 5 and 10 year options were better.

Plus while you guys were out on mil leave playing around I was busting my butt working. How come I don't get a crappy BZ pin too?

Flying Boxes

It's not playing around! Some of us have buried a friend/squadron mate.

NightShip1129

And so have we GA guys. I'm not saying it's easier or harder. There's sacrifices and risks military and civilian.

Flying Boxes

Lost friends in training accidents too.

So your equating an aircraft accident with fighting in a war? It's sad you don't understand the difference.

threeighteen

Guys working at FedEx have lost their lives on the job too.

We are all equal in death, nobody's death is a "greater loss" because they died in war. We all have loved ones that will be hurt if we die.

NightShip1129

When was the last time we didn't have total air superiority in any war or conflict? I'm not a history major but my guess was Vietnam. Ground pounders and helo guys I truly feel for. Your risk as a fighter, tanker or cargo guy is no more than my risk here in "Baghdad on the Bluffs". Yes there is risk but get over yourself being a Lt Col just so you'll have an extra retirement check when you turn 60.

Albief15

How about a ground FAC during Desert Storm, Nightship? Would that impress you enough to be "worthy"? How many tank battles do you have to survive to be worth your admiration? I only had a couple, but you can google "Medina Ridge" if you want.

FYI...I hear the stories every week as I listen to guy tell their flying stories getting ready for interviews at DAL, AMR, etc. When you hear about an F-18 guy going down low on NVGs to drop or strafe at night to save a squad that has been ambushed on the road, or cover the medical evacuation of some injured soldiers...you might be a little more impressed. When you hear about the boys from Jackson Mississippi extending a duty day to 30 hours so they can fly home some injured troops or flag draped coffins with honor, maybe then you might notice. Or maybe you wouldn't.

Here's the simple fact: Those of us that have been in combat, served our country, and buried our comrades will never have a doubt about how we will react in the heat of the moment, because we've done it. Because of that, we also trust those who have been there with us or supporting us. You may not think its special, but you don't have to. You don't matter. Your input doesn't count. Your thoughts on the value of our service, in war or in peace, mean absolutely nothing because you have never done it. But feel free to prattle on if you desire...I'm just sitting around waiting for my check to show up in the mail when I turn 60...

NightShip1129

I bet you're the guy who monitors the #2 radio and yells "guard" into the microphone when somebody makes a mistake and transmits on the wrong radio.

You certainly have a great sense of self worth that makes you feel superior to me. Just remember when you pour my coffee, 1 cream and 1 sugar.