I'm an Iraq vet, and there is no way I would ask someone to stay at a hostel if I couldn't pay for it. If I was in that situation, I would ask for work for stay, if it wasn't available, I would leave. I don't even usually bring up the vet thing, first of all because I really didn't do all that much, and also because it usually doesn't relate to anything in a conversation. I am not ashamed of it or anything, but I generally won't bring it up unless asked specifically or the conversation is about the military.
Maybe Karl isn't any kind of hiker. Tourist maybe?
Moderator, perhaps something needs to be said to our friend Karl. His behavior seems abusive.
It is good to alert other people up the trail so they can be prepared It would also be good if you reported this to the ATC office. 304-535-6331 ext 128 Laurie Pottieger and call the Boiling Springs office
Mary from Duncannon, PA
http://www.facebook.com Mary Trailangelmary Parry
www.YouTube.com/user/trailangelmary
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...and folks like you are the reason I have a soft spot for vets.......... usa.gif
Fear ridges that are depicted as flat lines on a profile map.
Any Vet that carries around his DD214 on a hike is suspect to me. It is not something you need for anything in everyday life, so that alone should be a sign to others that the individual is trying to work the system.
birchy,
Thanks for trying to look out for Vets. I get ripped off from time to time and I will continue to get ripped off, because when in doubt, I help.
I believe KK is off a little on this one. He is right that it's your fault (we are all responsible for our own choices), but he is way off on the grow up thing. You tried to do the right thing, and are just passing the word to others.
Thank you
My DD214 is stored away in a lockbox. Vets don't need to be asking for anything nor advertising to the world their status. This is just my opinion. If talk about military service comes up, I'll usually engage the person(s) and thank them for their service. Maybe I'll buy them a beer...
wow! you must have been hitting the sauce pretty hard & early yesterday.
i hope you were, as it would provide an explaination for your convoluted logic & combative attitude. for your sake, i hope that's not how your brain normally operates and processes information.
"The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions, that I wish it always to be kept alive." -TJ
Birchy: Sorry this happened to you, and even sorrier to see people actually criticizing YOU for mentioning the situation. In any case, you've provided a good service to other folks further North, so thanks for bringing it up here. And I'm also sorry if anyone views or uses this situation to think or speak ill of veterans; this is a case of an individual acting badly, and that's how it should be seen, period.
Mary from Duncannon, PA
http://www.facebook.com Mary Trailangelmary Parry
www.YouTube.com/user/trailangelmary
www.youravon.com/maryparry
I was just interested to hear this guy was still hiking. He was out of money in the Smokies (yet somehow had booze, cigarettes and dope). My best memory of him was him yelling at someone for throwing a page from a book into a fire (while eating sardines from a can with a giant hunting knife that must have weighed 5 pounds). That was the BEST memory.
They had to fight hard to get their taken care of by the VA. (ie agent orange) Much like today's vets are. (ie traumatic brain injury, and PTSD) All too often our national leaders throw "Supporting our Troops" around to make themselves look like super-patriots, while denying them the care they need when they come home.
L Dog
AT 2000 Miler
The Laughing Dog Blog
https://lighterpack.com/r/38fgjt
"The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness." - John Muir
there's a story like this about bad hikers every year. Lets keep it in perspective, very very few hikers are dishonest like this guy. Most are cheap, but not dishonest. He is not one of us.
Panzer (cheap, but honest)
(not too cheap, just thrifty cheap), (but still a good tipper)
Last edited by Panzer1; 07-01-2011 at 10:47.
That is partially true. I keep a copy of mine in a ziploc with my birth cert and social security card, along with work history. If I was to become homeless, I would honestly prefer to do it on the Appalachian Trail than in a city, and thus, those documents would come with me. I have been job hunting for awhile, and have had several jobs ask for it. That is why I would carry it, not to show a hostel owner or anyone else, just an employer.
Not trying to justify what he did, just explaining that there is a rational reason to carry around your DD214.
Should be kinds fun if this guy shows up next weekend in Duncannon.......especially if Birchy is there, too. Nothing like some good drama and our entertainment budget is limited this year.
Even back in ancient times when I received my discharge (1972), the Army furnished a wallet card-sized version of the DD 214 encased in hard plastic. It makes more sense to bring that with you than the original.