The jargon surrounding me is different from what my buddies and I bantered about. There is still a bond between the families and comradeship among the service members. There is still a dedication to serving the country, only now that dedication occasionally gets lost in the new emphasis on the individual's needs. I suspect that when you active duty service men and women see retirees like me in the commissary, the BX, the service clubs or on the golf course, you seldom think that one day you will be one of us. If you're lucky, it will happen.
Retirees are still part of military life.
We volunteer in base organizations such as the Thrift Shop, veterinary clinic, hospital, pharmacy, Retiree Activities Office and clubs. We are everywhere. This Veteran's Day, look at us and look into your own future. One day we will proudly welcome you to our ranks.