WWII Military badge or shoulder flash? Honorable or disrespect?

[peaveyuser]

basically I have a leather jacket I'm putting a bunch of stuff on. I'd be wearing this for gigs and such.

I like the idea of having an old WWII armband or badge as a sign of respect and acknowledgment of what my country fought for. I'm mainly anti war but when i read about what our troops did there it made me proud as are most Canadians.

But would this be disrespectful, i don't really see how as what we did was against the evil. But I imagine other people might see it as bad.

Really I'm just being a bit nationalist and showing some Canadian pride, at least those are my intentions.

I could understand saying I didn't "earn it", but I'd like to have a kinda remembrance for what was fought for as some kids I think forget about it and if buying something military wear stuff like communism, and Che stuff.

Keep in mind this badge would be more general service kind of thing or unit badge, I wouldn't dare wear a military award of some kind.


If this is touchy, please don't bite I have good intentions



something like this or this

[cheezewiz]

I think the key is, when someone asks you what it is, or why it's there, tell them it's due to your respect for your forefathers sacrifices. I don't see it as inherently disrespectful. On a practical note though, you may want to rethink wearing a leather jacket for gigging. It may have lots of attachments that will scratch your bass, and it'll be friggin hot.

[peaveyuser]

Originally Posted by cheezewiz

I think the key is, when someone asks you what it is, or why it's there, tell them it's due to your respect for your forefathers sacrifices. I don't see it as inherently disrespectful. On a practical note though, you may want to rethink wearing a leather jacket for gigging. It may have lots of attachments that will scratch your bass, and it'll be friggin hot.

I live in Canada and have bad body heat, I am cold for a while. I could wear the jacket for the first two songs to warm up, and get circulation going then take it off. Plus I play metal and it looks badass

[MyUsernameHere]

I don't see anything wrong with it...unless you're going to start spouting some b.s. about "war for oil" or the like while wearing it.

That said, why don't you just get an t-shirt with some Canadian Army (or whatever branch you want) logo on it. Won't scratch up your bass and you won't be sweating balls after two minutes.

Edit: By the way, if you read up on what your service people have done since then, including now, you'd probably be proud of them as well...lots of evil to go around I'm afraid.

[peaveyuser]

Originally Posted by MyUsernameHere

I don't see anything wrong with it...unless you're going to start spouting some b.s. about "war for oil" or the like while wearing it.

That said, why don't you just get an t-shirt with some Canadian Army (or whatever branch you want) logo on it. Won't scratch up your bass and you won't be sweating balls after two minutes.

Edit: By the way, if you read up on what your service people have done since then, including now, you'd probably be proud of them as well...lots of evil to go around I'm afraid.

To be honest the main reason its a WWII one is that is the war I specifically and wholeheartedly agree was the right thing to do.

So the reason i'd like one from that era is its representing that specific group of people.

After all if it weren't for them I wouldn't have a leather jacket.

[K_Shizzle]

I don't know about Canada, but I'm pretty sure that's illegal in the U.S.

[hartke20g]

Originally Posted by K_Shizzle

I don't know about Canada, but I'm pretty sure that's illegal in the U.S.

what's illegal? you can put military badges/patches on your clothing, otherwise they wouldn't be able to sell them. 2 years ago i went to an army surplus store and bought a bunch of military patches and a badge for this same reason (although i put them on a shirt, not a jacket). i could see a problem wearing a 'replica' of a current uniform as that could cause some confusion, but that's why Peaveyuser's getting what's basically WWII memorabilia. i also doubt he'd be able to just buy a real Canadian military uniform, complete with insignia.

as always, i could be wrong (and have broken some federal law), but take into account all the neo-nazis in the US who buy nazi uniforms (the real [used] deal) without problems (other than the whole nazi thing). some even wear them in public. and i don't think anyone's gonna mistake Peaveyuser for a Canadian soldier in a squad/platoon/what have you that probably doesn't exist anymore. in fact, i'd be surprised if anyone who doesn't research WWII would even know what the "things on his jacket" are.

edit: Peaveyuser, when i wore my shirt to a gig, i actually had an ex-military family friend talk to me about it. he said something along the lines of being proud that some of today's youth still remembers our soldiers. he even told me what one of them meant (the Sergeant shoulder stripes). i felt pretty good after that.

[bmc]

It's disrespectful. Rank and medals are earned. Don't be surprised if someone takes you on.

[peaveyuser]

^^^^
Even a flash?



I'm starting to think this could get too controversial if I were to get one. I mean I think it would be cool and honor the vets, but I guess some people could take it too touchy. The last thing I want is a REAL vet getting mad at me for it.

I would still really like too though


keep the answers coming though I'd love to see what some vets here think of this. I'd really like pacman to state his opinion, smart guy.

[K_Shizzle]

Originally Posted by hartke20g

what's illegal? you can put military badges/patches on your clothing, otherwise they wouldn't be able to sell them. 2 years ago i went to an army surplus store and bought a bunch of military patches and a badge for this same reason (although i put them on a shirt, not a jacket).

I'm not quite sure of the laws in this section. It may have just been rank and other earned awards. I'm really not certain, I just remember hearing of someone getting railed for it and could've faced massives fines.

[hartke20g]

Originally Posted by K_Shizzle

I'm not quite sure of the laws in this section. It may have just been rank and other earned awards. I'm really not certain, I just remember hearing of someone getting railed for it and could've faced massives fines.

well that's surprising. i mean, i'd assume if you can legally buy them, that there wouldn't be any problems. part of me wants to research this a bit, and the other part of me is too lazy.

[Loel]

Peaveyuser,

I wouldn't put that to a test, might be to controversial,
however you may want to consider having a Poppy waxed
or something,after all the Poppy is our symbol of respect
for WWII vets in Canada...

ps: Poppy's can be had from any Legion branch

[dlloyd]

When I visited Normandy a good few years back with my Grandfather for the 42nd anniversary of D-Day, there were often a number of 'enthusiasts' wearing replica uniforms at the rememberence ceremonies. I got a pretty clear impression that at least some of the veterans were really not amused by guys wearing medals that they hadn't earned, and for some, that included regiment badges, etc.

[bmc]

Originally Posted by peaveyuser

^^^^
Even a flash?



I'm starting to think this could get too controversial if I were to get one. I mean I think it would be cool and honor the vets, but I guess some people could take it too touchy. The last thing I want is a REAL vet getting mad at me for it.

I would still really like too though


keep the answers coming though I'd love to see what some vets here think of this. I'd really like pacman to state his opinion, smart guy.

When you're in the military, you learn of the pride your regiment has. You learn of the battles previous soldiers died in pursuit of winning. To earn rank, it's often a combination of time in and courses. The higher the rank, the harder the courses and more time in. In terms of medals, it's often for action, heroic activity. Jump wings are medals. To earn them, you have to take a pretty daring course that includes night jumps out the back of Hercs.

To acheive rank and be awarded medals is a big source of pride and acheivement. These acheivements are worn with dignity and regarded as such. Some of those medals were awarded to soldiers who lost their lives in war.

To see someone wear them out of uniform and not in the service denegrates them to cheap apparel.

I wore a uniform a long time ago. I was an officer in the Canadian infantry. To this day, I take offence at seeing someone wearing my regimental colours or parts of the uniform.

FYI Peaveyuser....my regiment is in your hometown on Esplanade.

[i_got_a_mohawk]

I know you mean well, but I do agree with bmc.

[peaveyuser]

Well thats all I needed to know, I guess I'll pass. I understand grown to agree with them especially bmc's post.


Then I thought, if this was worn by a soldier before, would he really want this artifact to end up being worn by some punk kid playing loud music?

Even in my mind if it is a sign of respect for what they did I guess I did not earn the rank in which they have fought. And making their badge "cheap" decoration is not something good I guess.


As for the poppy thing, keep in mind I was looking for that military look in the first place I just thought it would be cool if it was Canadian. Plus Poppys are way to delicate.




Hmmm maybe I can buy some fake or meaningless consumer flash or badge.

[Phalex]

As long as you aren't wearing a swastika or double lightning bolts, and shaving your head I think it's fine.

[BassChuck]

Maybe try an older war. You know it was a Canadian who shot down the Red Baron.

[Phalex]

Originally Posted by BassChuck

Maybe try an older war. You know it was a Canadian who shot down the Red Baron.

Snoopy was Canadian???

[dlloyd]

Originally Posted by BassChuck

Maybe try an older war.

Battle of Bosworth!



Might scratch your bass though.