I'm back home (yea!) after 10 days on the road, visiting my in-laws for the holidays. I rented a car because my car may or may not be reliable for such a long trip. During the 2150 miles I've driven the rental car, I noticed an interesting thing: I missed my military stickers. I didn't actual enter any military bases during my trip, so it wasn't I'm going to have to go into the pass office and
get a temporary pass and this is a pain. It was more along the lines of an imaginary conversation that I have with other cars: Hey, you're military? So are we. Have a nice day! Those stickers identify you as part of the club.
One time, when passing a distressed vehicle on the side of a smallish road, I noticed the out-of-state plates and wondered if I should offer assistance. I don't often stop to help people, but it was a mini-van with car seats, stuck on the side of a bridge on a busy road during the day. It wasn't until I passed and saw the military stickers on the car that I knew for sure what I needed to do. They didn't need my help, but I'm glad I asked and hopefully they appreciated the offer. We military folks need to look out for each other! Plus, I'm sure I'm not the only person who has had a conversation based upon someone's stickers. "Fort Nowhere? When were you there? Did you know Such-And-Such? We were there right before you!"
I've heard that the Air Force is doing away with stickers altogether, and I understand some of the reasoning. I hope the Navy doesn't follow along, because I think I'd feel lonely without those stickers.
