QUestion for Vetrans

[keeler]

I don't know if this is the right forum for this but none of the others seemed to fit. I am a vetran and have been to combat at least once. I have great pride in my uniform and what it means to the nation as well as to my life. My question is about using parts of my Army uniform in an outfit. I know Trad. dancers often use thier ribbons and patches. However I am a Grass Dancer. I am very proud of my service and of those who served before, with and will serve after. I do not wish to offend or make any feel disrespected. So I hope my fellow vetrans will give me guidance and insight as to how my ideas would be received by the Vetran's community before I progress.
As I've said before I Take great pride in my uniform and service. I would like to show it as a MAJOR part of an outfit. I feel that there is definate traditional precidence for this... What I'm thinking of doing is building a grass dance outfit off of one of my ACUs (army combat uniform). Beading my name tapes and enlarging my rank (beaded of course) in the center of the chest. I also considered Using my old dress uniform Jacket to make my aprons and side drops. This would be an older style grass outfit with chainette fringe ( in leu of wild yarn/ of course not rag); to be respectful and tasteful to the uniform. Thank you for your thoughts and especialy for your service.
Respectfuly,
Sgt. Keeler
10th MNT Div (LI)

[Josiah]

Perhaps you should post your questions in the Grass Dance Forum...

I am a veteran and I do incorporate some things into what I dance with, mostly the ribbons I was awarded during my service and certain rank pins. I have seen other veterans do something similar and even use service patches.

But I have never seen a uniform used in such matter...

[keeler]

Thankyou for your thoughts. I specifically didn't post in the grass dance forum; because It's the elders that are vetrans that I am concerned about being offended or upset. The young vetrans like myself are less of a concern. while I would still value thier oppinion; I've eaten much of the same dirt as they have. To be honest I have probably been in far worse conditions than most of them. I do not feel thier oppinion would outway mine in anyway. It's the elders I want to give their respected oppinions.
I know noone has ever done something quite like this. That's why it intrigued me so. Most "Vetran's" outfits are made in a Traditional style. My intent is to show my pride of service with my style.

[Manido Nimkee]

Combat uniforms for grass dancers.

Sgt Keeler, good day to you Sir. I know I will get gruff for saying that , but till you ,ve been in are shoes , you are endeared from other combat vets that HONOR! I for one did {2} combat tours one in Granada the other in Panama. I,m a men tradirional dancer for about 10yrs now. I dont wear alot of my ribbons or rank but to me if its done correctly and with honor you shouldnt have any problem form other vets but I could/can be wrong sometimes. You idea about your class A uniform jacket would make a good dance item . As I too have thought about putting mine in my regalia too. If you have any more question search out a NDN vets group that dance and ask them what their feelings are about you rebuilding your regalia with ...ribbons ...rank... . talk to your elder vets and see what they have to say. Go to your head vet that you look up to ask him he will know more about what will work and not. Do a sweat and see what you see when it comes to your regalia , ther you will find most of your answers. I hope I answered some question and brought up more SGt Keeler. Baa Maa pii and Toksha Manidoo Nimkee 2nd batt 75th inf Airborne Rangers class off 77 rangers lead the way oooorah!

[CHEROSAGE]

Big Guns Troop! Fire Mission!!! I hope you are well and in great health.

I'm a old gunner as was my dad and uncle, greatgranddad and gggranddad.

I think that your idea of using your ACU would be great. I haven't seen one of these yet. I'm not sure of your dress greens. I can't see this in my mind as I could see the ACU. In my days we called them Fatigues and then BDUs.

Good luck, Gunner.

[keeler]

nix the A's

Gentlemen (stop looking behind you; I'm talking to you),
Thankyou for your insight and service. I think I have started to settle on some ideas. I agree the Class A jacket is probably not something I should do. Perhaps as part of my trad. outfit (kind of a modern Dog Soldier) but not grass. I think I'm gonna go with Tan or Sage colored yarn on the blouse and pants, and modified guidons (of my combat units) as the aprons. These will be red and white/ red and blue; as I'm part of the BDE Recon element attached to a Cav[RSTA(Reconisance,Survellance,&Target Aquisistence)] Squadron.

Cherosage: It's always good to talk to another "Redleg". I hope you don't mind that I am not and never will be a gunner. I'm a Forward Observer; basicaly a grunt with binos and a radio. "Grid AZ09876543;Fire for effect. Target neutralized."

Thankyou again; any further insight would be appreciated.
"Elf 40 Kilo; out"

[50cal]

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[50cal]

wow, really surprised me how arrogantly this sounded......I am offended......you'd be surprised the amount of information some of the younger ones hold.......this isn't an attack on your service or your record, it just came off to me wrong......I mean, how can you say you've probably seen worse when you only seen combat once???....Or young vets are less of a concern??? I don't know, just came off to me very arrogant like......and FYI, 3 tours......2 in Iraq and 1 in Afghanistan.......Lima Co./3rd BN/7thMar.Reg./1stMarDiv........anyway, like I said, it's not an attack on you....just how it came off to me...........

[keeler]

50 Cal..... I never intended to insult or degrade the service of younger vets (I am one...kinda). However, I feel you've misinterpreted what I've said. Firstly, I said I've been to combat "AT LEAST" once. I don't feel the need to number these things in an open forum as I feel that if you went one time or 10 times...you still went. Secondly, I said I still respected and appreciated the oppinions of the younger vets. However being of a simular service timeframe...I beleive that they're Ideas would for the most part be of a simular line as mine. Besides it is the elders who we should always look to for advice on prodocal. I have talked to several NDN vets in my unit and polled thier thoughts; I was looking for the views of the elders so I could hopefully get a more rounded and balanced cross section of the vetran community as a whole. Like I've said my intent was not, is not, and will not be to offend anyone. I do not feel that is what the brotherhood of vetrans is about.

[50cal]

That's cool man, it just sounded odd to me is all....and I had to respond...*L*....another thing that came to mind last night while I was reading the Art of War.....there are some elders out there who are actually learning from the younger people, which seems odd to me too....oh well......strange world, ennit?.........Echo5Delta, Raider2 out.

[CHEROSAGE]

Time on Tgt.

Guys, there is always a time for everything and a place for everything/ everyone. Try to remember those Troops who were not given orders to be in any particular Battle/Zone or war. We aren't always able to choose our assignments, WE JUST SERVE those who won't or can't.

With that said, Keeler, I started out my carrier as an AO (Air Observer). My Carrier just didn't stay as a 13-Fox, I went on to the world of Echo. I did spend some time on the line of steel with the Pig and the newer 198. NO offense to anyone I just didn't care for the Pop-Guns(105's).

Good luck and Big Guns.

[owlsong]

Wear your awards proudly

As a veteran of several campaigns, I wear my ribbons, medal and rank proudly on my traditional regaila. In addition to that, I wear a large POW-MIA patch on my back apron for the POW's that I knew and are no longer here and a friend who is still MIA. Wear your awards proudly, you earned them.

[keeler]

Thank you all

I truly appreciate all the thoughts and good advice I've received. You've given me some things to think about and some good Ideas. I am going to use my ACUs as the base for my outfit, but will have to think more about what I want to do for the aprons. I found some yarn that is the perfect color and will start cutting and tieing soon. More suggestions and oppinions will be gratefuly accepted as this outfit progresses and developes.

[tigger]

got an idea fpr you for your aprons, since you said that you weren't sure what to do yet. i think that you stated that you were going to use your "unit flag" (sorry wasn't in the army) for your tabs, so why not have beaded ribbons and unit patches. just an idea.

thanks for the service to the country and welcome back


AT2 Keith Tollett
USN 6yrs service

[tigger]

also, (forgot to say this) i haven't seen the uniform used that way but if your proud of it, use it. YOU EARNED IT!!!!!!! i don't think there is anything wrong with it, but like everyone else has said talk to some of the Elder Vets in your area to see what they have to say