Vet Hats and Morons
A few days ago my best friend from High School sent me a 'Viet Nam Veteran'
hat. I never had one of these before and I was pretty hyped about it,
especially because my friend Ronn was considerate enough to take the time
to give it to me.
Yesterday, I wore it when I went to Walmart. There was nothing in
particular that I needed at the world's largest retailer but, since I
retired, trips to Wally World to look at the Walmartians is always good for
some comic relief. Besides, I always feel pretty normal after seeing some
of the people that frequent the establishment. But, enough of my
psychological fixes.
While standing in line to check out, the guy in front of me, probably in
his early thirties, asked, "Are you a Vet Nam Vet?"
"No" I replied.
"Then why are you wearing that hat?"
"Because I couldn't find my one for the War of 1812." I thought it was a
snappy retort.
"The War of 1812 huh." the Walmartian queried, "When was that?"
God forgive but, I couldn't pass up such an opportunity. "1936"
He pondered my response for a moment and responded, "Why do they call it
the War of 1812 if it was in 1936?"
"It was a Black Op. No one is supposed to know about it." This was
beginning to be way fun.
"Dude! Really!" he exclaimed. "How did you get to do something that
COOOOL?"
I glanced furtively around me for effect, leaned toward the guy and in a
low voice said, "I'm not sure. I was the only Caucasian on the mission."
"Dude!", he was really getting excited about what he was hearing. "That is
seriously Awesome! But, didn't you kind of stand out?"
"Not really. The other guys were wearing white camouflage." The moron
nodded knowingly.
"Listen man," I said in a very serious tone, "You can't tell anyone about
this. It's still Top Secret and I shouldn't have said anything."
"Oh yeah." he gave me the "don't threaten me look. "Like, what's gonna
happen if I do?"
With a really hard look I said, "You have a family don't you? We wouldn't
want anything to happen to them would we?" The guy gulped, left his basket
where it was and fled through the door. By this time the lady behind me was
about to have a heart attack she was laughing so hard. I just grinned at
her.
After checking out and going to the parking lot I saw dimwit leaning in a
car window talking to a young woman. Upon catching sight of me he started
pointing excitedly in my direction. Giving him another 'deadly' serious
look, I made the "I see you" gesture. He turned kind of pale, jumped in
the car and sped out of the parking lot.
What a great time! Tomorrow I'm going back with a Homeland Security hat.
Whoever said retirement is boring just needs the right kind of hat..
especially after several days of nothing but pain.....
:patriotic-flagwaver 
