I mentioned to my girls I was thinking of going to DC tomorrow to protest in uniform.

[demmiblue]

I mentioned to my girls I was thinking of going to DC tomorrow to protest in uniform. I’m 66, and a VFW. They suggested staying local, rather than DC. I never felt more compelled to serve my country than right now.

Link to tweet

Thank you, sir!

[dem4decades]

1. Thank you for your desire to protect the Constitution.

[El Mimbreno]

20. Against all threats, foreign & DOMESTIC. nt

[demmiblue]

2. Ah, man (something in my eye). This response:

Link to tweet

These people give me such hope for our country.

P.S. wear a mask, too.

[Zoonart]

3. Thank You, Ted.

[dware]

4. Why is your rank and rating and hash stripes on your right arm?

It's my understanding that after WWII, the Navy changed it to the left arm.

During my 35 years in the USMC, I never saw any sailor with those on the right arm, always on the left arm.

[2naSalit]

5. It's a selfie in a mirror...

everything is reversed.

[dware]

6. No, because his ribbons should be on the same side as his rank/rating and hash stripes. nt.

[demmiblue]

8. Yes, it is reversed.

He is apparently wearing his ribbons on the wrong side.

[dware]

9. Ahhh, ok.

He was also wearing his name plate on the wrong side.

I see now that his wedding band is on his left finger, so it is reversed.

Hopefully someone tells him that he has his ribbons and name plate reversed before he goes out to protest.

[dware]

10. Gotta hit the road now, y'all have a great and safe Friday.

[Scarsdale]

11. You, too.

Thanks for all that you do.

[BannonsLiver]

22. This picture was taken by pointing the camera at a mirror

AKA a mirror selfie. It makes it appear that way.

[MineralMan]

7. I'd second their suggestion about staying local.

If you go to DC, you'll just be part of a huge crowd. More locally, your protest will stand out more, i think. Add to that the difficulty of finding accommodations in DC.

Wearing your old uniform is a great idea, though. People will notice, I guarantee. Be prepared, though, for some negative reactions on the part of some who are not aligned with the protesters.

Back in 1968, I was still in the USAF, and participated in a number of anti-war protests in uniform. It was a very risky thing to do, since I was still on active duty. Some liked my participation. Others most definitely did not. I suffered no real consequences for protesting in uniform, but I knew that I could have faced some serious discipline. You don't have that problem.

Thank you for your protest and for your service.

[Fla Dem]

12. Is this you demmiblue or are you posting a twitter post?

If it is you, Thank You for your service? My Dad was Navy too, during WWII. Mom was a Coast Guard Spar.

If you do go whether locally or in DC, please post your experiences. All the best.

[demmiblue]

13. No, it isn't me.

I just saw it on Twitter and found it touching.

One of the things sustaining me at the moment is the sea of wonderful people of all stripes coming together for justice.

[JGug1]

14. Needing To Serve

It starts off with serving yourself first. That you can still wear that uniform after all these years suggests that you do exactly that. Your girls are incredibly lucky to have you in their lives.

[Aussie105]

15. I'm proud of Ted.

Not only for his resolve to do his bit, but for the choice of tiles on his bathroom wall.
Have the same in our kitchen.

(Ted is doing an old fashioned selfie, stand in front of a mirror and shoot away. Things just get reversed.)

[BittyJenkins]

16. Go for it, it does make a difference, my dad

marched in the Iraq war marches. He wore his WWII uniform. He was interviewed so many times, he made a difference.

[iluvtennis]

17. Do what your heart tells you to Ted. Just be safe in doing so/take the precautions for CV-19. nt

[Upthevibe]

18. demmiblue......Thank you for whatever you decide to do.....

[demmiblue]

25. It isn't me.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100213546909#post13

Sorry for the confusion.

[Nitram]

19. Good for you, Demmiblue!!!

[demmiblue]

24. It isn't me:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100213546909#post13

Sorry for the confusion.

[Hortensis]

21. How about both? DC tomorrow, local after. There's going to be

plenty more before we're safely out the other side. His daughters might accompany him to make sure he doesn't fall into trouble.

[Traildogbob]

23. Bravo sailor.

This old salt is proud of you. Go Navy!! They did away with cracker jacks while I served on a destroyer, and brought them back after I left. 8 years in a stupid police looking uniform, would be asked to carry peoples luggage when in airports. Still passed. I salute you Petty Officer. Looking sharp, gotta be proud daughters. Never give up the ship, and in this case, the country. Our oath still stands.

[George II]

26. That could be a danger to your safety. Staying local is much better. BTW, I wish I could fit...

...in my uniform. I haven't had it on since 1972.

[AllaN01Bear]

27. you go sir. and to think , he still fits his uni and looks very handsome in it too.

folks , this is a true patriot , rather than those fake wannabies .

[Native]

28. I'm so superficial; that was my first thought...I can't believe he still fits in his uniform!

[Yeehah]

29. Still fits!

Go get 'em, Sailor!

[OverBurn]

30. Thank you for your service and God bless you.

[marble falls]

31. My monkey suit is too tight to wear, I'm impressed he can still fit in his! G*d bless him.

[Grins]

32. THAT MAY BE ILLEGAL!!

For certain events/occasions, those who wore the uniform can wear them after their time in service has ended; i.e. Memorial Day parade - in a formation with others that is sponsored.

That very thing happened in 2016 when a retired Navy CPO wore his uniform in a parade for H. Clinton. The Reich went nuts over that, but the Navy said it was ok because it was a sponsored event.

And then there are those “Stolen Valor” laws....

Check with American Legion or VFW. I’m sure they have someone who will know.

(I wish I could fit into my former uniform.)

[Smackdown2019]

40. That maybe correct IF the uniform is not the current regs.

That maybe correct IF the uniform is not the current regs.

That being said, your former branch still have the same uniform you have pictured. I suggest wearing something that is a uniform, but not a current uniform... if there is a group, create your own uniform for a new club... like "navy vets against Nazi Trump" NVANT or "VAT- Vets Against Trump" First amendment for the right to assemble peacefully and my golly your served this country and should Express your right!

[saidsimplesimon]

33. Jane Fonda's Washington protests

are an inspiration. Thank you Madame Fonda

[Karadeniz]

34. Go to D.C....get photographed...start a landslide!❤

[NurseJackie]

35. It still fits!!

[efhmc]

36. So absolutely adorable and heroic.

[lapfog_1]

37. Sir

is that a pair of silver wings on your chest?

If so, you belonged to a very select group of enlisted pilots and you may even be a member of the Silver Eagles (retired Navy enlisted pilots)... just like my father.

I used to go with him (while he was alive) to the annual convention of other Silver Eagles.

As a Navy brat and member of a blue star family (my brother) I salute you.

[proud patriot]

38. Strength to you Brother

thank you !

[Thekaspervote]

39. Hey buddy....love the uniform you should be proud. Whatever you decide, be safe

[James48]

41. You are extraordinarily lucky

That you can still fit in your uniform. You look wonderful! Go picket for me!

I retired from the Army Guard 17 years ago, and the first thing that happened to be after Guard retirement is that I gained 40 pounds . Then, ten years on, I had bypass surgery, after a heart attack, and inballooned up another 100 pounds in the years since. I still have my uniforms, but I will never be able to wear them again.

Be thankful you have your health, and go set the example in DC for all of us!