What happens to retired Legionnaires

[brokenheart]

After I retirement wives often insist on their husbands accompanying them to the SHOPS Unfortunately, most men, Find shopping boring and prefer to get in and get out. most women - love to browse Here is what happened to one poor legionnaires wife
She received a letter from the TARGET....

Dear Mrs. Conley,

Over the past six months, your husband has caused quite a commotion in our store. We cannot tolerate this behavior and have been forced to ban both of you from the store.. Our complaints against your husband are listed below and are documented by our video surveillance cameras.

1. June 15: Took 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in other people's carts when they weren't looking.

2.. July 2: Set all the alarm clocks in Housewares to go off at 5-minute intervals.

3. July 7: He made a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading to the women's restroom.

4. July 19: Walked up to an employee and told her in an official voice, 'Code 3 in Housewares. Get on it right away'. This caused the employee to leave her assigned station and receive a reprimand from her Supervisor that in turn resulted with a union grievance, causing
Management to lose time and costing the company money.

5. August 4: Went to the Service Desk and tried to put a bag of M&Ms on layaway.

6. August 14: Moved a 'CAUTION - WET FLOOR' sign to a carpeted area.

7. August 15: Set up a tent in the camping department and told the children shoppers he'd invite them in if they would bring pillows and blankets from the bedding department to which twenty children obliged.

8. August 23: When a clerk asked if they could help him he began crying and screamed, ' Why can't you people just leave me alone?' EMTs were called.

9.. September 4: Looked right into the security camera and used it as a mirror while he picked his nose.

10. September 10: While handling guns in the hunting department, he asked the clerk where the antidepressants were.

11. October 3: Darted around the store suspiciously while loudly humming the 'Mission Impossible' theme.

12. October 6: In the auto department, he practiced his 'Madonna look' by using different sizes of funnels.

13. October 18: Hid in a clothing rack and when people browsed through, yelled 'PICK ME! PICK ME!'

14. October 21: When an announcement came over the loud speaker, he assumed a fetal position and screamed 'OH NO! IT'S THOSE VOICES AGAIN!'


And last, but not least:

15. October 23: Went into a fitting room, shut the door, waited awhile, then yelled very loudly, 'Hey! There's no toilet paper in here.' One of the clerks passed out.

[flash010]

we take them to the vets and get them put down humainly
thats why i aint falling for (lets go for walkys lol)

[Ervious]

But I must admit this guy has some good humor, they even could make movie about this kind of person.

[teenzyla92]

Thank you for making my day. I now have a goal to reach after my 5 is done.

[Haforn]

I'll tell you what else happens to ex Legionnaires. It doesn't matter what crap life throws at them, they take it with a smile; because what they went through in training sets a threshhold of pain that nothing quite comes up to for the rest of their lives. What would break other men, an ancien just laughs at. Whatever else happens to them, until the day they die, they divide their lives into three parts; Before the Legion, During the Legion, and after the Legion. None of them will regret their time in the Legion, and most of them will admit that the Legion made them what they are, as men, irrespective of how long ago they served or what the achieved - or didn't achieve whilst serving.
But mostly what happens to retired Legionnaires is that nobody really knows them. A few people get to know a bit; and from that they think that they're either nice guys or hard and unfeeling. Many retired Legionnaires get pretty taciturn, because often people don't believe that they've even served in the Legion at all - (On the basis that " I could'nt have done it so how can you?"), so the ancien buries it away; or they get asked stupid questions like "Did you kill anyone?" - No one ever seems to ask this of veterans from other services.
Some, in civillian life, brace themselves for a difficult day by playing "Le Grand Atlas" and "La Legion Marche" at full volume in the car before the conflict of the day, just to remind themselves who they are.
But mostly by the time they get to their fifties, they have a glass case with a couple of medals and a blackening pair of para wings, a kepi stuffed in a wardrobe somewhere, a few interesting scars and the ability to speak apalling French on holiday. This is probably what most people see in a retired Legionnaire.
You know what? I've never seen a retired Legionnaire, and I don't think I'll ever be one. I had a fall ice climbing on Snowdon at new year, right near the summit. I walked the six miles back down in -8 in the dark with a torn cartilage on my knee, and I went down that hill like a gazelle. Sac a dos, et en avant. I think people see what they think is a retired Legionnaire because they can't see past what they can see and understand; but in my own experience when you get that kepi you get it in two places - one on your head and one on your heart; you are a Legionnaire for life; just because you stop wearing it on your head doesn't mean you're not carrying it somewhere else. Or maybe it's carrying you?

[Kronenberg]

I'll tell you what else happens to ex Legionnaires. It doesn't matter what crap life throws at them, they take it with a smile; because what they went through in training sets a threshhold of pain that nothing quite comes up to for the rest of their lives. What would break other men, an ancien just laughs at. Whatever else happens to them, until the day they die, they divide their lives into three parts; Before the Legion, During the Legion, and after the Legion. None of them will regret their time in the Legion, and most of them will admit that the Legion made them what they are, as men, irrespective of how long ago they served or what the achieved - or didn't achieve whilst serving.
But mostly what happens to retired Legionnaires is that nobody really knows them. A few people get to know a bit; and from that they think that they're either nice guys or hard and unfeeling. Many retired Legionnaires get pretty taciturn, because often people don't believe that they've even served in the Legion at all - (On the basis that " I could'nt have done it so how can you?"), so the ancien buries it away; or they get asked stupid questions like "Did you kill anyone?" - No one ever seems to ask this of veterans from other services.
Some, in civillian life, brace themselves for a difficult day by playing "Le Grand Atlas" and "La Legion Marche" at full volume in the car before the conflict of the day, just to remind themselves who they are.
But mostly by the time they get to their fifties, they have a glass case with a couple of medals and a blackening pair of para wings, a kepi stuffed in a wardrobe somewhere, a few interesting scars and the ability to speak apalling French on holiday. This is probably what most people see in a retired Legionnaire.
You know what? I've never seen a retired Legionnaire, and I don't think I'll ever be one. I had a fall ice climbing on Snowdon at new year, right near the summit. I walked the six miles back down in -8 in the dark with a torn cartilage on my knee, and I went down that hill like a gazelle. Sac a dos, et en avant. I think people see what they think is a retired Legionnaire because they can't see past what they can see and understand; but in my own experience when you get that kepi you get it in two places - one on your head and one on your heart; you are a Legionnaire for life; just because you stop wearing it on your head doesn't mean you're not carrying it somewhere else. Or maybe it's carrying you?

Fantastic post Haforn.

This is especially true "But mostly what happens to retired Legionnaires is that nobody really knows them." There are 2 or 3 people in every ex-Legionnaire and the world only sees 1 of them or at best 2 - but never the 3rd.

A little anicdote: I was admitted "en urgence" to the Tropical Disease unit in Toulon some years back with Pleurisy. I could hardly walk 3 steps without collapsing, but I needed to catch a plane to San Jose (Costa Rica) for a contract I really needed 48 hours later. It was only the "can do - must do" attitude that the legion had injected me with that (a) stopped me dying there and then I think, and (b) got me on that fcuking plane. The toubibs gave me a stash of Roche antibiotic pills, a walking stick and wished me good luck :-)

It is good to remember that the Legion experience is for life as you have quite rightly pointed out.

[SeanG]

i'll tell you what else happens to ex legionnaires. It doesn't matter what crap life throws at them, they take it with a smile; because what they went through in training sets a threshhold of pain that nothing quite comes up to for the rest of their lives. What would break other men, an ancien just laughs at. Whatever else happens to them, until the day they die, they divide their lives into three parts; before the legion, during the legion, and after the legion. None of them will regret their time in the legion, and most of them will admit that the legion made them what they are, as men, irrespective of how long ago they served or what the achieved - or didn't achieve whilst serving.
But mostly what happens to retired legionnaires is that nobody really knows them. A few people get to know a bit; and from that they think that they're either nice guys or hard and unfeeling. Many retired legionnaires get pretty taciturn, because often people don't believe that they've even served in the legion at all - (on the basis that " i could'nt have done it so how can you?"), so the ancien buries it away; or they get asked stupid questions like "did you kill anyone?" - no one ever seems to ask this of veterans from other services.
Some, in civillian life, brace themselves for a difficult day by playing "le grand atlas" and "la legion marche" at full volume in the car before the conflict of the day, just to remind themselves who they are.
But mostly by the time they get to their fifties, they have a glass case with a couple of medals and a blackening pair of para wings, a kepi stuffed in a wardrobe somewhere, a few interesting scars and the ability to speak apalling french on holiday. This is probably what most people see in a retired legionnaire.
You know what? I've never seen a retired legionnaire, and i don't think i'll ever be one. I had a fall ice climbing on snowdon at new year, right near the summit. I walked the six miles back down in -8 in the dark with a torn cartilage on my knee, and i went down that hill like a gazelle. Sac a dos, et en avant. I think people see what they think is a retired legionnaire because they can't see past what they can see and understand; but in my own experience when you get that kepi you get it in two places - one on your head and one on your heart; you are a legionnaire for life; just because you stop wearing it on your head doesn't mean you're not carrying it somewhere else. Or maybe it's carrying you?

True, True, so fcuking true. Brilliant post haforn

[flash010]

thats what happens to ex legion we get wiser as has mr haforn
good post bro

[Tonyus]

Probably the wine helps too..you know the "In vino veritas" saying...
Anyway with the danger of sounding like a soft cnut, I say, I feel honored to be the member of this forum hosted by such wise people.

[Martin Scott]

I'll tell you what else happens to ex Legionnaires. It doesn't matter what crap life throws at them, they take it with a smile; because what they went through in training sets a threshhold of pain that nothing quite comes up to for the rest of their lives. What would break other men, an ancien just laughs at. Whatever else happens to them, until the day they die, they divide their lives into three parts; Before the Legion, During the Legion, and after the Legion. None of them will regret their time in the Legion, and most of them will admit that the Legion made them what they are, as men, irrespective of how long ago they served or what the achieved - or didn't achieve whilst serving.
But mostly what happens to retired Legionnaires is that nobody really knows them. A few people get to know a bit; and from that they think that they're either nice guys or hard and unfeeling. Many retired Legionnaires get pretty taciturn, because often people don't believe that they've even served in the Legion at all - (On the basis that " I could'nt have done it so how can you?"), so the ancien buries it away; or they get asked stupid questions like "Did you kill anyone?" - No one ever seems to ask this of veterans from other services.
Some, in civillian life, brace themselves for a difficult day by playing "Le Grand Atlas" and "La Legion Marche" at full volume in the car before the conflict of the day, just to remind themselves who they are.
But mostly by the time they get to their fifties, they have a glass case with a couple of medals and a blackening pair of para wings, a kepi stuffed in a wardrobe somewhere, a few interesting scars and the ability to speak apalling French on holiday. This is probably what most people see in a retired Legionnaire.
You know what? I've never seen a retired Legionnaire, and I don't think I'll ever be one. I had a fall ice climbing on Snowdon at new year, right near the summit. I walked the six miles back down in -8 in the dark with a torn cartilage on my knee, and I went down that hill like a gazelle. Sac a dos, et en avant. I think people see what they think is a retired Legionnaire because they can't see past what they can see and understand; but in my own experience when you get that kepi you get it in two places - one on your head and one on your heart; you are a Legionnaire for life; just because you stop wearing it on your head doesn't mean you're not carrying it somewhere else. Or maybe it's carrying you?

Cant top that post bloody brilliant..

[Martin Scott]

[QUOTE=Haforn;131833]I'll tell you what else happens to ex Legionnaires. It doesn't matter what crap life throws at them, they take it with a smile; because what they went through in training sets a threshhold of pain that nothing quite comes up to for the rest of their lives. What would break other men, an ancien just laughs at. Whatever else happens to them, until the day they die, they divide their lives into three parts; Before the Legion, During the Legion, and after the Legion. None of them will regret their time in the Legion, and most of them will admit that the Legion made them what they are, as men, irrespective of .
Some, in civillian life, brace themselves for a difficult day by playing "Le Grand Atlas" and "La Legion Marche" at full volume in the car before the conflict of the day, just to remind themselves who they are.

Thats why if I know Im In for a shite day at work I always play a Cd of MPLE in the car,to remind me of what I once was and still am. Legionnaire aujour hui ,legionnaire pour toujours.

[SeanG]

Martin

POUR TOUJOURS MON BRAVE

[Alex Solomon]

I'll tell you what else happens to ex Legionnaires. It doesn't matter what crap life throws at them, they take it with a smile; because what they went through in training sets a threshhold of pain that nothing quite comes up to for the rest of their lives. What would break other men, an ancien just laughs at. Whatever else happens to them, until the day they die, they divide their lives into three parts; Before the Legion, During the Legion, and after the Legion. None of them will regret their time in the Legion, and most of them will admit that the Legion made them what they are, as men, irrespective of how long ago they served or what the achieved - or didn't achieve whilst serving.
But mostly what happens to retired Legionnaires is that nobody really knows them. A few people get to know a bit; and from that they think that they're either nice guys or hard and unfeeling. Many retired Legionnaires get pretty taciturn, because often people don't believe that they've even served in the Legion at all - (On the basis that " I could'nt have done it so how can you?"), so the ancien buries it away; or they get asked stupid questions like "Did you kill anyone?" - No one ever seems to ask this of veterans from other services.
Some, in civillian life, brace themselves for a difficult day by playing "Le Grand Atlas" and "La Legion Marche" at full volume in the car before the conflict of the day, just to remind themselves who they are.
But mostly by the time they get to their fifties, they have a glass case with a couple of medals and a blackening pair of para wings, a kepi stuffed in a wardrobe somewhere, a few interesting scars and the ability to speak apalling French on holiday. This is probably what most people see in a retired Legionnaire.
You know what? I've never seen a retired Legionnaire, and I don't think I'll ever be one. I had a fall ice climbing on Snowdon at new year, right near the summit. I walked the six miles back down in -8 in the dark with a torn cartilage on my knee, and I went down that hill like a gazelle. Sac a dos, et en avant. I think people see what they think is a retired Legionnaire because they can't see past what they can see and understand; but in my own experience when you get that kepi you get it in two places - one on your head and one on your heart; you are a Legionnaire for life; just because you stop wearing it on your head doesn't mean you're not carrying it somewhere else. Or maybe it's carrying you?

Excellent post. You have put into words what a lot of us ex think. If you haven't served then you will not understand. Once again excellent post

[veteranlouisianne]

Excellent post. You have put into words what a lot of us ex think. If you haven't served then you will not understand. Once again excellent post

as an outsider/other army who may never serve anywhere again, the thing about FFL that stands out is the way you guys provide for your invalides and retirees with that vineyard estate. To provide fellows not only with care, but meaning and significance and pride: that really stands out stark in this crass day.

[brokenheart]

Thanks
Amazing where this post started and where it has gone....
I send my respect to you all.