9 Facts Of Life When You Call A Veteran Mom Or Dad
The military is a part of your parent's identity, and it is consequently a part of yours as their kid, even if you haven't realized it yet.
If your parent is a veteran, odds are the military runs through their veins. You don't remember when you learned what the military was or how it worked. All you know is that you did learn and at a very young age at that. During your time growing up, your parent has probably received multiple military-themed gifts and has told you about the good ole military days more than a few times.
So, if your parent is a veteran, here are nine facts of your life.
1. Curse words are a frequent form of expression
Bad words are beautiful gifts to the languages. Odds are your parent not only knows all the curse words in the English language but probably some others in a foreign language. My dad knows quite a few in German.
2. Guns are not inherently "bad"
While I cannot speak for everyone's parents' political beliefs, odds are guns are not hated in a military household, considering the military relies on them a lot of the times.
3. Pretty much ALL gifts you get for them are military-themed
We have gotten my father a LEGO tank model, many other tanks models, military T-shirts, veteran-made coffee, glasses with bullets stuck in the sides, and many more items that I could list off if I so wished.
4. There are at least 20 t-shirts with the American flag on it in your household
This goes along with the gift thing. A fair majority of your parent's wardrobe is made up of military-related clothing, and there is no denying it. USA loud and proud.
5. Alcohol and coffee = the two main forms of sustenance
Now that I think about it, I have never met a veteran that doesn't enjoy at least one of these things immensely. Like... ever.
6. You'll learn weird phrases or sayings that you have never heard any one else's parents say
My father always says, "Well, that's a dead soldier!" after a bottle is emptied in my house. According to Google, this phrase derives from WWI times, in which people referred to empty bottles as "dead soldiers" or "dead marines" because the bottle has served its duty. Also, my dad has explained to me many times that the f-word is actually an acronym referring to early prostitutes.
So, that's fun.
7. You'll hear the same military stories a THOUSAND times
For example, my dad once lived in a barracks that all the soldiers claimed was haunted. They would hear boots going up and down the halls late at night while everyone was in bed, or so the story goes over and over and over...
8. And when you try to INTERRUPT the military stories, they just take more time to tell it
OMG I KNOW THAT IT WAS HAUNTED. PLEASE JUST LET ME STARE INTO THE FRIDGE MINDLESSLY
9. You are proud to call them your parent
They served for their country. Now, they serve you as your parent and a great parent at that.
I love you, Dad!
