Yo, John ...
 

Finally got vets.gov to recognize who I am. It was a little
frustrating because several times my attempt to register was kicked out
for some reason by a related registration requirement called "ID.me".
It asked all kinds of questions like what car loan I took out in the
last year along with a list of different vehicles. One answer was "none
of the above" which I checked. Another was what year one of my bank
credit cards was issued. Who the hell knows? It's not on the card like
some that say "member since XXXX". Anyway, I was finally able to answer
all the verification questions to their satisfaction and an ID.me
account was verified.

So, being formally registered, I went back to the Vet.gov site to apply
for the new veteran ID card. Turns out I don't need one. It states
that if you already have a VA health card (which I do) and/or a state
driver's license that has "Veteran" on it (which I also have) ... you
don't need to get the new card as either of the latter will qualify you
for any military discounts offered.

One thing is for sure. Dealing with the government hasn't changed in
the last 40-50 years. :-)

Yo, John ...
 

On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 07:43:51 -0400, "Mr. Luddite"
wrote:


Finally got vets.gov to recognize who I am. It was a little
frustrating because several times my attempt to register was kicked out
for some reason by a related registration requirement called "ID.me".
It asked all kinds of questions like what car loan I took out in the
last year along with a list of different vehicles. One answer was "none
of the above" which I checked. Another was what year one of my bank
credit cards was issued. Who the hell knows? It's not on the card like
some that say "member since XXXX". Anyway, I was finally able to answer
all the verification questions to their satisfaction and an ID.me
account was verified.

So, being formally registered, I went back to the Vet.gov site to apply
for the new veteran ID card. Turns out I don't need one. It states
that if you already have a VA health card (which I do) and/or a state
driver's license that has "Veteran" on it (which I also have) ... you
don't need to get the new card as either of the latter will qualify you
for any military discounts offered.

One thing is for sure. Dealing with the government hasn't changed in
the last 40-50 years. :-)



===

Most government web sites have some of the worst user interfaces that
I've ever seen. I suppose that if you use them all the time they're
probably OK, but I'm only on them once every year or two and it always
seems like a struggle. One of the worst is for renewing your EPIRB
registration and we have two of them.

---
This email has been checked for viruses by AVG.
http://www.avg.com

Yo, John ...
 

On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 07:43:51 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:


Finally got vets.gov to recognize who I am. It was a little
frustrating because several times my attempt to register was kicked out
for some reason by a related registration requirement called "ID.me".
It asked all kinds of questions like what car loan I took out in the
last year along with a list of different vehicles. One answer was "none
of the above" which I checked. Another was what year one of my bank
credit cards was issued. Who the hell knows? It's not on the card like
some that say "member since XXXX". Anyway, I was finally able to answer
all the verification questions to their satisfaction and an ID.me
account was verified

Those sound like the questions asked by some credit outfits to get your credit report. Takes a half
hour of research to answer the damn questions. I've had to go back and look at tax returns from 29
years ago to get answers sometimes.

So, being formally registered, I went back to the Vet.gov site to apply
for the new veteran ID card. Turns out I don't need one. It states
that if you already have a VA health card (which I do) and/or a state
driver's license that has "Veteran" on it (which I also have) ... you
don't need to get the new card as either of the latter will qualify you
for any military discounts offered.

One thing is for sure. Dealing with the government hasn't changed in
the last 40-50 years. :-)

Just try getting into the DOD website. I've quit. They want a new umpteen letter with a dozen rules
for a password, which you must change frequently. Finally I just said hell with it. It's cool that
your state puts 'Veteran' on your license. Virginia doesn't.

Yo, John ...
 

On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 10:12:23 -0400, wrote:

On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 07:43:51 -0400, "Mr. Luddite"
wrote:


Finally got vets.gov to recognize who I am. It was a little
frustrating because several times my attempt to register was kicked out
for some reason by a related registration requirement called "ID.me".
It asked all kinds of questions like what car loan I took out in the
last year along with a list of different vehicles. One answer was "none
of the above" which I checked. Another was what year one of my bank
credit cards was issued. Who the hell knows? It's not on the card like
some that say "member since XXXX". Anyway, I was finally able to answer
all the verification questions to their satisfaction and an ID.me
account was verified.

So, being formally registered, I went back to the Vet.gov site to apply
for the new veteran ID card. Turns out I don't need one. It states
that if you already have a VA health card (which I do) and/or a state
driver's license that has "Veteran" on it (which I also have) ... you
don't need to get the new card as either of the latter will qualify you
for any military discounts offered.

One thing is for sure. Dealing with the government hasn't changed in
the last 40-50 years. :-)



===

Most government web sites have some of the worst user interfaces that
I've ever seen. I suppose that if you use them all the time they're
probably OK, but I'm only on them once every year or two and it always
seems like a struggle. One of the worst is for renewing your EPIRB
registration and we have two of them.

---
This email has been checked for viruses by AVG.
http://www.avg.com

It's funny, my military pay site is pretty easy to get into and use. The Army Knowledge Online
site is unreal. It's the one I mentioned to Luddite early. I quit worrying about 'Army Knowledge'.

Yo, John ...
 

John H. wrote:
On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 07:43:51 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:


Finally got vets.gov to recognize who I am. It was a little
frustrating because several times my attempt to register was kicked out
for some reason by a related registration requirement called "ID.me".
It asked all kinds of questions like what car loan I took out in the
last year along with a list of different vehicles. One answer was "none
of the above" which I checked. Another was what year one of my bank
credit cards was issued. Who the hell knows? It's not on the card like
some that say "member since XXXX". Anyway, I was finally able to answer
all the verification questions to their satisfaction and an ID.me
account was verified

Those sound like the questions asked by some credit outfits to get your
credit report. Takes a half
hour of research to answer the damn questions. I've had to go back and
look at tax returns from 29
years ago to get answers sometimes.

So, being formally registered, I went back to the Vet.gov site to apply
for the new veteran ID card. Turns out I don't need one. It states
that if you already have a VA health card (which I do) and/or a state
driver's license that has "Veteran" on it (which I also have) ... you
don't need to get the new card as either of the latter will qualify you
for any military discounts offered.

One thing is for sure. Dealing with the government hasn't changed in
the last 40-50 years. :-)

Just try getting into the DOD website. I've quit. They want a new umpteen
letter with a dozen rules
for a password, which you must change frequently. Finally I just said
hell with it. It's cool that
your state puts 'Veteran' on your license. Virginia doesn't.


Maybe it is the new ID requirement licenses. California DL does not meet
the requirements.

Yo, John ...
 

On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 15:48:39 -0000 (UTC), Bill wrote:

John H. wrote:
On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 07:43:51 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:


Finally got vets.gov to recognize who I am. It was a little
frustrating because several times my attempt to register was kicked out
for some reason by a related registration requirement called "ID.me".
It asked all kinds of questions like what car loan I took out in the
last year along with a list of different vehicles. One answer was "none
of the above" which I checked. Another was what year one of my bank
credit cards was issued. Who the hell knows? It's not on the card like
some that say "member since XXXX". Anyway, I was finally able to answer
all the verification questions to their satisfaction and an ID.me
account was verified

Those sound like the questions asked by some credit outfits to get your
credit report. Takes a half
hour of research to answer the damn questions. I've had to go back and
look at tax returns from 29
years ago to get answers sometimes.

So, being formally registered, I went back to the Vet.gov site to apply
for the new veteran ID card. Turns out I don't need one. It states
that if you already have a VA health card (which I do) and/or a state
driver's license that has "Veteran" on it (which I also have) ... you
don't need to get the new card as either of the latter will qualify you
for any military discounts offered.

One thing is for sure. Dealing with the government hasn't changed in
the last 40-50 years. :-)

Just try getting into the DOD website. I've quit. They want a new umpteen
letter with a dozen rules
for a password, which you must change frequently. Finally I just said
hell with it. It's cool that
your state puts 'Veteran' on your license. Virginia doesn't.


Maybe it is the new ID requirement licenses. California DL does not meet
the requirements.

Ours seems to have everything on it, including the 'see through' picture along with the regular
picture. I think Virginia is just not that crazy about veterans. In many, if not most, places,
Veterans Day is a school holiday. Not here. Here, Martin Luther King did a lot more for this country
than any veterans did.

Yo, John ...
 

On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 15:48:39 -0000 (UTC), Bill wrote:

John H. wrote:
On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 07:43:51 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:


Finally got vets.gov to recognize who I am. It was a little
frustrating because several times my attempt to register was kicked out
for some reason by a related registration requirement called "ID.me".
It asked all kinds of questions like what car loan I took out in the
last year along with a list of different vehicles. One answer was "none
of the above" which I checked. Another was what year one of my bank
credit cards was issued. Who the hell knows? It's not on the card like
some that say "member since XXXX". Anyway, I was finally able to answer
all the verification questions to their satisfaction and an ID.me
account was verified

Those sound like the questions asked by some credit outfits to get your
credit report. Takes a half
hour of research to answer the damn questions. I've had to go back and
look at tax returns from 29
years ago to get answers sometimes.

So, being formally registered, I went back to the Vet.gov site to apply
for the new veteran ID card. Turns out I don't need one. It states
that if you already have a VA health card (which I do) and/or a state
driver's license that has "Veteran" on it (which I also have) ... you
don't need to get the new card as either of the latter will qualify you
for any military discounts offered.

One thing is for sure. Dealing with the government hasn't changed in
the last 40-50 years. :-)

Just try getting into the DOD website. I've quit. They want a new umpteen
letter with a dozen rules
for a password, which you must change frequently. Finally I just said
hell with it. It's cool that
your state puts 'Veteran' on your license. Virginia doesn't.


Maybe it is the new ID requirement licenses. California DL does not meet
the requirements.

Whoops, my bad. Virginia has a separate ID card for Veterans.

https://themilitarywallet.com/virgin...erans-id-card/

Yo, John ...
 

On 3/23/2018 11:48 AM, Bill wrote:
John H. wrote:
On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 07:43:51 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:


Finally got vets.gov to recognize who I am. It was a little
frustrating because several times my attempt to register was kicked out
for some reason by a related registration requirement called "ID.me".
It asked all kinds of questions like what car loan I took out in the
last year along with a list of different vehicles. One answer was "none
of the above" which I checked. Another was what year one of my bank
credit cards was issued. Who the hell knows? It's not on the card like
some that say "member since XXXX". Anyway, I was finally able to answer
all the verification questions to their satisfaction and an ID.me
account was verified

Those sound like the questions asked by some credit outfits to get your
credit report. Takes a half
hour of research to answer the damn questions. I've had to go back and
look at tax returns from 29
years ago to get answers sometimes.

So, being formally registered, I went back to the Vet.gov site to apply
for the new veteran ID card. Turns out I don't need one. It states
that if you already have a VA health card (which I do) and/or a state
driver's license that has "Veteran" on it (which I also have) ... you
don't need to get the new card as either of the latter will qualify you
for any military discounts offered.

One thing is for sure. Dealing with the government hasn't changed in
the last 40-50 years. :-)

Just try getting into the DOD website. I've quit. They want a new umpteen
letter with a dozen rules
for a password, which you must change frequently. Finally I just said
hell with it. It's cool that
your state puts 'Veteran' on your license. Virginia doesn't.


Maybe it is the new ID requirement licenses. California DL does not meet
the requirements.



It's optional in Massachusetts. When I renewed my license last year I
brought my DD-214 with me. They scan it into their "system" and the new
license has the "Veteran" designation on it.

Congress passed the general Veteran ID card that John mentioned back in
2014 but they are just getting around to issuing them.

Yo, John ...
 

On 3/23/2018 12:21 PM, John H. wrote:
On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 15:48:39 -0000 (UTC), Bill wrote:

John H. wrote:
On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 07:43:51 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:


Finally got vets.gov to recognize who I am. It was a little
frustrating because several times my attempt to register was kicked out
for some reason by a related registration requirement called "ID.me".
It asked all kinds of questions like what car loan I took out in the
last year along with a list of different vehicles. One answer was "none
of the above" which I checked. Another was what year one of my bank
credit cards was issued. Who the hell knows? It's not on the card like
some that say "member since XXXX". Anyway, I was finally able to answer
all the verification questions to their satisfaction and an ID.me
account was verified

Those sound like the questions asked by some credit outfits to get your
credit report. Takes a half
hour of research to answer the damn questions. I've had to go back and
look at tax returns from 29
years ago to get answers sometimes.

So, being formally registered, I went back to the Vet.gov site to apply
for the new veteran ID card. Turns out I don't need one. It states
that if you already have a VA health card (which I do) and/or a state
driver's license that has "Veteran" on it (which I also have) ... you
don't need to get the new card as either of the latter will qualify you
for any military discounts offered.

One thing is for sure. Dealing with the government hasn't changed in
the last 40-50 years. :-)

Just try getting into the DOD website. I've quit. They want a new umpteen
letter with a dozen rules
for a password, which you must change frequently. Finally I just said
hell with it. It's cool that
your state puts 'Veteran' on your license. Virginia doesn't.


Maybe it is the new ID requirement licenses. California DL does not meet
the requirements.

Ours seems to have everything on it, including the 'see through' picture along with the regular
picture. I think Virginia is just not that crazy about veterans. In many, if not most, places,
Veterans Day is a school holiday. Not here. Here, Martin Luther King did a lot more for this country
than any veterans did.


Strange since certain areas of Virginia are awash with active duty
military and veterans.

Yo, John ...
 

On 3/23/2018 12:34 PM, John H. wrote:
On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 15:48:39 -0000 (UTC), Bill wrote:

John H. wrote:
On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 07:43:51 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:


Finally got vets.gov to recognize who I am. It was a little
frustrating because several times my attempt to register was kicked out
for some reason by a related registration requirement called "ID.me".
It asked all kinds of questions like what car loan I took out in the
last year along with a list of different vehicles. One answer was "none
of the above" which I checked. Another was what year one of my bank
credit cards was issued. Who the hell knows? It's not on the card like
some that say "member since XXXX". Anyway, I was finally able to answer
all the verification questions to their satisfaction and an ID.me
account was verified

Those sound like the questions asked by some credit outfits to get your
credit report. Takes a half
hour of research to answer the damn questions. I've had to go back and
look at tax returns from 29
years ago to get answers sometimes.

So, being formally registered, I went back to the Vet.gov site to apply
for the new veteran ID card. Turns out I don't need one. It states
that if you already have a VA health card (which I do) and/or a state
driver's license that has "Veteran" on it (which I also have) ... you
don't need to get the new card as either of the latter will qualify you
for any military discounts offered.

One thing is for sure. Dealing with the government hasn't changed in
the last 40-50 years. :-)

Just try getting into the DOD website. I've quit. They want a new umpteen
letter with a dozen rules
for a password, which you must change frequently. Finally I just said
hell with it. It's cool that
your state puts 'Veteran' on your license. Virginia doesn't.


Maybe it is the new ID requirement licenses. California DL does not meet
the requirements.

Whoops, my bad. Virginia has a separate ID card for Veterans.

https://themilitarywallet.com/virgin...erans-id-card/



Funny thing for me is that although I was nine years active duty and two
more in the reserves, I never knew I was eligible for benefits other
than education (which I used) and a VA mortgage guaranty (which I also
used when I purchased my first house).

It wasn't until a little over a year ago that I found out (due to the
prodding of several vet friends) that I should apply for VA health
care. I always thought you had to be a retired "lifer" or have a
service related disability to qualify. Much to my surprise all vets
can receive health care at the VA, the degree of services dependent on
a number of qualifiers.

I've been going to the VA for regular checkups and blood tests for over
a year now and am very pleased with their services. They offer many
tests recommended for people in my age group and to establish a baseline
in my records since I really had nothing before. All the visits and
tests are free. For example, one of my blood tests indicated a white
blood cell count that was slightly higher than normal. They performed a
specialized (and expensive) test for a potential genetic mutation that
could indicate early stages of leukemia. I tested negative and blood
work since indicates the white blood cell count has gone back to normal.

The only thing I pay is an $5 to $8 co-payment for any medications.

Yo, John ...
 

On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 13:03:08 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:

On 3/23/2018 12:34 PM, John H. wrote:
On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 15:48:39 -0000 (UTC), Bill wrote:

John H. wrote:
On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 07:43:51 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:


Finally got vets.gov to recognize who I am. It was a little
frustrating because several times my attempt to register was kicked out
for some reason by a related registration requirement called "ID.me".
It asked all kinds of questions like what car loan I took out in the
last year along with a list of different vehicles. One answer was "none
of the above" which I checked. Another was what year one of my bank
credit cards was issued. Who the hell knows? It's not on the card like
some that say "member since XXXX". Anyway, I was finally able to answer
all the verification questions to their satisfaction and an ID.me
account was verified

Those sound like the questions asked by some credit outfits to get your
credit report. Takes a half
hour of research to answer the damn questions. I've had to go back and
look at tax returns from 29
years ago to get answers sometimes.

So, being formally registered, I went back to the Vet.gov site to apply
for the new veteran ID card. Turns out I don't need one. It states
that if you already have a VA health card (which I do) and/or a state
driver's license that has "Veteran" on it (which I also have) ... you
don't need to get the new card as either of the latter will qualify you
for any military discounts offered.

One thing is for sure. Dealing with the government hasn't changed in
the last 40-50 years. :-)

Just try getting into the DOD website. I've quit. They want a new umpteen
letter with a dozen rules
for a password, which you must change frequently. Finally I just said
hell with it. It's cool that
your state puts 'Veteran' on your license. Virginia doesn't.


Maybe it is the new ID requirement licenses. California DL does not meet
the requirements.

Whoops, my bad. Virginia has a separate ID card for Veterans.

https://themilitarywallet.com/virgin...erans-id-card/



Funny thing for me is that although I was nine years active duty and two
more in the reserves, I never knew I was eligible for benefits other
than education (which I used) and a VA mortgage guaranty (which I also
used when I purchased my first house).

It wasn't until a little over a year ago that I found out (due to the
prodding of several vet friends) that I should apply for VA health
care. I always thought you had to be a retired "lifer" or have a
service related disability to qualify. Much to my surprise all vets
can receive health care at the VA, the degree of services dependent on
a number of qualifiers.

I've been going to the VA for regular checkups and blood tests for over
a year now and am very pleased with their services. They offer many
tests recommended for people in my age group and to establish a baseline
in my records since I really had nothing before. All the visits and
tests are free. For example, one of my blood tests indicated a white
blood cell count that was slightly higher than normal. They performed a
specialized (and expensive) test for a potential genetic mutation that
could indicate early stages of leukemia. I tested negative and blood
work since indicates the white blood cell count has gone back to normal.

The only thing I pay is an $5 to $8 co-payment for any medications.

I had been out of the Army a long time when I went to Walter Reed about my hearing. The doctor there
told me I couldn't get hearing aids from the hospital because I was no longer on active duty. He was
the one who told me to go to the VA with my ID and Purple Heart orders to get a VA ID card which had
'Combat Related' printed on the front. With that, according to him, I'd be eligible for anything
they have. And it was true, but I had no ideal I was eligible for any of that. I am on Medicare and
have Tricare as a secondary, so like you I pay only for medication co-payments. The closest VA
hospital is downtown, and a bitch to get to. If it's a beautiful day I may take the motorcycle and
go. Won't ever take the truck 'cause parking's a bitch.

Yo, John ...
 

On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 12:47:10 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:

On 3/23/2018 12:21 PM, John H. wrote:
On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 15:48:39 -0000 (UTC), Bill wrote:

John H. wrote:
On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 07:43:51 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:


Finally got vets.gov to recognize who I am. It was a little
frustrating because several times my attempt to register was kicked out
for some reason by a related registration requirement called "ID.me".
It asked all kinds of questions like what car loan I took out in the
last year along with a list of different vehicles. One answer was "none
of the above" which I checked. Another was what year one of my bank
credit cards was issued. Who the hell knows? It's not on the card like
some that say "member since XXXX". Anyway, I was finally able to answer
all the verification questions to their satisfaction and an ID.me
account was verified

Those sound like the questions asked by some credit outfits to get your
credit report. Takes a half
hour of research to answer the damn questions. I've had to go back and
look at tax returns from 29
years ago to get answers sometimes.

So, being formally registered, I went back to the Vet.gov site to apply
for the new veteran ID card. Turns out I don't need one. It states
that if you already have a VA health card (which I do) and/or a state
driver's license that has "Veteran" on it (which I also have) ... you
don't need to get the new card as either of the latter will qualify you
for any military discounts offered.

One thing is for sure. Dealing with the government hasn't changed in
the last 40-50 years. :-)

Just try getting into the DOD website. I've quit. They want a new umpteen
letter with a dozen rules
for a password, which you must change frequently. Finally I just said
hell with it. It's cool that
your state puts 'Veteran' on your license. Virginia doesn't.


Maybe it is the new ID requirement licenses. California DL does not meet
the requirements.

Ours seems to have everything on it, including the 'see through' picture along with the regular
picture. I think Virginia is just not that crazy about veterans. In many, if not most, places,
Veterans Day is a school holiday. Not here. Here, Martin Luther King did a lot more for this country
than any veterans did.


Strange since certain areas of Virginia are awash with active duty
military and veterans.


Like I told Bill, Virginia has a separate Veterans ID card. Good for life, needs a DD 214 and $10.
Of course, those opposing voter ID's would consider that extremely onerous. :)

Yo, John ...
 

On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 07:43:51 -0400, "Mr. Luddite"
wrote:


Finally got vets.gov to recognize who I am. It was a little
frustrating because several times my attempt to register was kicked out
for some reason by a related registration requirement called "ID.me".
It asked all kinds of questions like what car loan I took out in the
last year along with a list of different vehicles. One answer was "none
of the above" which I checked. Another was what year one of my bank
credit cards was issued. Who the hell knows? It's not on the card like
some that say "member since XXXX". Anyway, I was finally able to answer
all the verification questions to their satisfaction and an ID.me
account was verified.

So, being formally registered, I went back to the Vet.gov site to apply
for the new veteran ID card. Turns out I don't need one. It states
that if you already have a VA health card (which I do) and/or a state
driver's license that has "Veteran" on it (which I also have) ... you
don't need to get the new card as either of the latter will qualify you
for any military discounts offered.

One thing is for sure. Dealing with the government hasn't changed in
the last 40-50 years. :-)

It took my 2 swings at it to get the card, entering identical
information. The first time the application just got in a loop. For
some reason it did not take my DD214 upload although it would show me
a picture of it and I tried uploading it several times. By closing the
browser and starting over it flew right through.

Yo, John ...
 

On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 10:25:15 -0400, John H.
wrote:

On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 10:12:23 -0400, wrote:

On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 07:43:51 -0400, "Mr. Luddite"
wrote:


Finally got vets.gov to recognize who I am. It was a little
frustrating because several times my attempt to register was kicked out
for some reason by a related registration requirement called "ID.me".
It asked all kinds of questions like what car loan I took out in the
last year along with a list of different vehicles. One answer was "none
of the above" which I checked. Another was what year one of my bank
credit cards was issued. Who the hell knows? It's not on the card like
some that say "member since XXXX". Anyway, I was finally able to answer
all the verification questions to their satisfaction and an ID.me
account was verified.

So, being formally registered, I went back to the Vet.gov site to apply
for the new veteran ID card. Turns out I don't need one. It states
that if you already have a VA health card (which I do) and/or a state
driver's license that has "Veteran" on it (which I also have) ... you
don't need to get the new card as either of the latter will qualify you
for any military discounts offered.

One thing is for sure. Dealing with the government hasn't changed in
the last 40-50 years. :-)



===

Most government web sites have some of the worst user interfaces that
I've ever seen. I suppose that if you use them all the time they're
probably OK, but I'm only on them once every year or two and it always
seems like a struggle. One of the worst is for renewing your EPIRB
registration and we have two of them.

---
This email has been checked for viruses by AVG.
http://www.avg.com

It's funny, my military pay site is pretty easy to get into and use. The Army Knowledge Online
site is unreal. It's the one I mentioned to Luddite early. I quit worrying about 'Army Knowledge'.

I had no problem starting an account at the Army PX site, it was the
Navy and CG that I still have not accomplished and they both should
know me. Harry, insert the "it is because they know you" joke here

I poked around a little and I did not see anything at the PX I could
not live without. They are big on clothes and I don't wear a lot of
them. They don't have my boat shoes. I was curious if they could beat
Zappos on that.

Yo, John ...
 

On 3/23/18 1:59 PM, wrote:
On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 10:25:15 -0400, John H.
wrote:

On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 10:12:23 -0400, wrote:

On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 07:43:51 -0400, "Mr. Luddite"
wrote:


Finally got vets.gov to recognize who I am. It was a little
frustrating because several times my attempt to register was kicked out
for some reason by a related registration requirement called "ID.me".
It asked all kinds of questions like what car loan I took out in the
last year along with a list of different vehicles. One answer was "none
of the above" which I checked. Another was what year one of my bank
credit cards was issued. Who the hell knows? It's not on the card like
some that say "member since XXXX". Anyway, I was finally able to answer
all the verification questions to their satisfaction and an ID.me
account was verified.

So, being formally registered, I went back to the Vet.gov site to apply
for the new veteran ID card. Turns out I don't need one. It states
that if you already have a VA health card (which I do) and/or a state
driver's license that has "Veteran" on it (which I also have) ... you
don't need to get the new card as either of the latter will qualify you
for any military discounts offered.

One thing is for sure. Dealing with the government hasn't changed in
the last 40-50 years. :-)



===

Most government web sites have some of the worst user interfaces that
I've ever seen. I suppose that if you use them all the time they're
probably OK, but I'm only on them once every year or two and it always
seems like a struggle. One of the worst is for renewing your EPIRB
registration and we have two of them.

---
This email has been checked for viruses by AVG.
http://www.avg.com

It's funny, my military pay site is pretty easy to get into and use. The Army Knowledge Online
site is unreal. It's the one I mentioned to Luddite early. I quit worrying about 'Army Knowledge'.

I had no problem starting an account at the Army PX site, it was the
Navy and CG that I still have not accomplished and they both should
know me. Harry, insert the "it is because they know you" joke here

I poked around a little and I did not see anything at the PX I could
not live without. They are big on clothes and I don't wear a lot of
them. They don't have my boat shoes. I was curious if they could beat
Zappos on that.



Perhaps you mustered out old farts could simply get a service-provided
tattoo...

Yo, John ...
 

On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 13:59:01 -0400, wrote:

On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 10:25:15 -0400, John H.
wrote:

On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 10:12:23 -0400, wrote:

On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 07:43:51 -0400, "Mr. Luddite"
wrote:


Finally got vets.gov to recognize who I am. It was a little
frustrating because several times my attempt to register was kicked out
for some reason by a related registration requirement called "ID.me".
It asked all kinds of questions like what car loan I took out in the
last year along with a list of different vehicles. One answer was "none
of the above" which I checked. Another was what year one of my bank
credit cards was issued. Who the hell knows? It's not on the card like
some that say "member since XXXX". Anyway, I was finally able to answer
all the verification questions to their satisfaction and an ID.me
account was verified.

So, being formally registered, I went back to the Vet.gov site to apply
for the new veteran ID card. Turns out I don't need one. It states
that if you already have a VA health card (which I do) and/or a state
driver's license that has "Veteran" on it (which I also have) ... you
don't need to get the new card as either of the latter will qualify you
for any military discounts offered.

One thing is for sure. Dealing with the government hasn't changed in
the last 40-50 years. :-)



===

Most government web sites have some of the worst user interfaces that
I've ever seen. I suppose that if you use them all the time they're
probably OK, but I'm only on them once every year or two and it always
seems like a struggle. One of the worst is for renewing your EPIRB
registration and we have two of them.

---
This email has been checked for viruses by AVG.
http://www.avg.com

It's funny, my military pay site is pretty easy to get into and use. The Army Knowledge Online
site is unreal. It's the one I mentioned to Luddite early. I quit worrying about 'Army Knowledge'.

I had no problem starting an account at the Army PX site, it was the
Navy and CG that I still have not accomplished and they both should
know me. Harry, insert the "it is because they know you" joke here

I poked around a little and I did not see anything at the PX I could
not live without. They are big on clothes and I don't wear a lot of
them. They don't have my boat shoes. I was curious if they could beat
Zappos on that.

I 'spect anything you saw in the PX site could be found cheaper elsewhere.

Yo, John ...
 

On Friday, March 23, 2018 at 1:46:37 PM UTC-4, John H wrote:
On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 12:47:10 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:

On 3/23/2018 12:21 PM, John H. wrote:
On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 15:48:39 -0000 (UTC), Bill wrote:

John H. wrote:
On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 07:43:51 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:


Finally got vets.gov to recognize who I am. It was a little
frustrating because several times my attempt to register was kicked out
for some reason by a related registration requirement called "ID.me".
It asked all kinds of questions like what car loan I took out in the
last year along with a list of different vehicles. One answer was "none
of the above" which I checked. Another was what year one of my bank
credit cards was issued. Who the hell knows? It's not on the card like
some that say "member since XXXX". Anyway, I was finally able to answer
all the verification questions to their satisfaction and an ID.me
account was verified

Those sound like the questions asked by some credit outfits to get your
credit report. Takes a half
hour of research to answer the damn questions. I've had to go back and
look at tax returns from 29
years ago to get answers sometimes.

So, being formally registered, I went back to the Vet.gov site to apply
for the new veteran ID card. Turns out I don't need one. It states
that if you already have a VA health card (which I do) and/or a state
driver's license that has "Veteran" on it (which I also have) ... you
don't need to get the new card as either of the latter will qualify you
for any military discounts offered.

One thing is for sure. Dealing with the government hasn't changed in
the last 40-50 years. :-)

Just try getting into the DOD website. I've quit. They want a new umpteen
letter with a dozen rules
for a password, which you must change frequently. Finally I just said
hell with it. It's cool that
your state puts 'Veteran' on your license. Virginia doesn't.


Maybe it is the new ID requirement licenses. California DL does not meet
the requirements.

Ours seems to have everything on it, including the 'see through' picture along with the regular
picture. I think Virginia is just not that crazy about veterans. In many, if not most, places,
Veterans Day is a school holiday. Not here. Here, Martin Luther King did a lot more for this country
than any veterans did.


Strange since certain areas of Virginia are awash with active duty
military and veterans.


Like I told Bill, Virginia has a separate Veterans ID card. Good for life, needs a DD 214 and $10.
Of course, those opposing voter ID's would consider that extremely onerous. :)

People that served are smart enough to figure out how to get an ID. It's those poor, unwashed Democratic voters that aren't smart enough that would be disenfranchised. :)

Yo, John ...
 

Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 3/23/2018 11:48 AM, Bill wrote:
John H. wrote:
On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 07:43:51 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:


Finally got vets.gov to recognize who I am. It was a little
frustrating because several times my attempt to register was kicked out
for some reason by a related registration requirement called "ID.me".
It asked all kinds of questions like what car loan I took out in the
last year along with a list of different vehicles. One answer was "none
of the above" which I checked. Another was what year one of my bank
credit cards was issued. Who the hell knows? It's not on the card like
some that say "member since XXXX". Anyway, I was finally able to answer
all the verification questions to their satisfaction and an ID.me
account was verified

Those sound like the questions asked by some credit outfits to get your
credit report. Takes a half
hour of research to answer the damn questions. I've had to go back and
look at tax returns from 29
years ago to get answers sometimes.

So, being formally registered, I went back to the Vet.gov site to apply
for the new veteran ID card. Turns out I don't need one. It states
that if you already have a VA health card (which I do) and/or a state
driver's license that has "Veteran" on it (which I also have) ... you
don't need to get the new card as either of the latter will qualify you
for any military discounts offered.

One thing is for sure. Dealing with the government hasn't changed in
the last 40-50 years. :-)

Just try getting into the DOD website. I've quit. They want a new umpteen
letter with a dozen rules
for a password, which you must change frequently. Finally I just said
hell with it. It's cool that
your state puts 'Veteran' on your license. Virginia doesn't.


Maybe it is the new ID requirement licenses. California DL does not meet
the requirements.



It's optional in Massachusetts. When I renewed my license last year I
brought my DD-214 with me. They scan it into their "system" and the new
license has the "Veteran" designation on it.

Congress passed the general Veteran ID card that John mentioned back in
2014 but they are just getting around to issuing them.




I see you can now get the veteran designation in California. But you have
to go though some other VA agency first. And an extra $5.

Yo, John ...
 

On 3/23/2018 1:44 PM, John H. wrote:
On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 13:03:08 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:

On 3/23/2018 12:34 PM, John H. wrote:
On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 15:48:39 -0000 (UTC), Bill wrote:

John H. wrote:
On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 07:43:51 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:


Finally got vets.gov to recognize who I am. It was a little
frustrating because several times my attempt to register was kicked out
for some reason by a related registration requirement called "ID.me".
It asked all kinds of questions like what car loan I took out in the
last year along with a list of different vehicles. One answer was "none
of the above" which I checked. Another was what year one of my bank
credit cards was issued. Who the hell knows? It's not on the card like
some that say "member since XXXX". Anyway, I was finally able to answer
all the verification questions to their satisfaction and an ID.me
account was verified

Those sound like the questions asked by some credit outfits to get your
credit report. Takes a half
hour of research to answer the damn questions. I've had to go back and
look at tax returns from 29
years ago to get answers sometimes.

So, being formally registered, I went back to the Vet.gov site to apply
for the new veteran ID card. Turns out I don't need one. It states
that if you already have a VA health card (which I do) and/or a state
driver's license that has "Veteran" on it (which I also have) ... you
don't need to get the new card as either of the latter will qualify you
for any military discounts offered.

One thing is for sure. Dealing with the government hasn't changed in
the last 40-50 years. :-)

Just try getting into the DOD website. I've quit. They want a new umpteen
letter with a dozen rules
for a password, which you must change frequently. Finally I just said
hell with it. It's cool that
your state puts 'Veteran' on your license. Virginia doesn't.


Maybe it is the new ID requirement licenses. California DL does not meet
the requirements.

Whoops, my bad. Virginia has a separate ID card for Veterans.

https://themilitarywallet.com/virgin...erans-id-card/



Funny thing for me is that although I was nine years active duty and two
more in the reserves, I never knew I was eligible for benefits other
than education (which I used) and a VA mortgage guaranty (which I also
used when I purchased my first house).

It wasn't until a little over a year ago that I found out (due to the
prodding of several vet friends) that I should apply for VA health
care. I always thought you had to be a retired "lifer" or have a
service related disability to qualify. Much to my surprise all vets
can receive health care at the VA, the degree of services dependent on
a number of qualifiers.

I've been going to the VA for regular checkups and blood tests for over
a year now and am very pleased with their services. They offer many
tests recommended for people in my age group and to establish a baseline
in my records since I really had nothing before. All the visits and
tests are free. For example, one of my blood tests indicated a white
blood cell count that was slightly higher than normal. They performed a
specialized (and expensive) test for a potential genetic mutation that
could indicate early stages of leukemia. I tested negative and blood
work since indicates the white blood cell count has gone back to normal.

The only thing I pay is an $5 to $8 co-payment for any medications.

I had been out of the Army a long time when I went to Walter Reed about my hearing. The doctor there
told me I couldn't get hearing aids from the hospital because I was no longer on active duty. He was
the one who told me to go to the VA with my ID and Purple Heart orders to get a VA ID card which had
'Combat Related' printed on the front. With that, according to him, I'd be eligible for anything
they have. And it was true, but I had no ideal I was eligible for any of that. I am on Medicare and
have Tricare as a secondary, so like you I pay only for medication co-payments. The closest VA
hospital is downtown, and a bitch to get to. If it's a beautiful day I may take the motorcycle and
go. Won't ever take the truck 'cause parking's a bitch.



I have Medicare like everyone 65 or over but have never used it for
anything. I have nothing but good things to say about the care and
services I've experienced at the VA. I go to a small VA clinic that's
less than 10 miles from where I live. The services there are limited
and focus mainly on the blood lab work that they do for every
appointment. If more extensive tests are indicated I'd have to travel
to the main VA hospitals, one about 25 miles away or to one of two in
Boston. Nice thing is that if I have to go to Boston (which I did once
for an ultrasound exam) I just go to the hospital 25 miles from me,
park, and they have a shuttle service to the locations in Boston.

I recently injured my rotator cuff in my right arm somehow. I did this
once before many years ago and I know from experience that it just takes
a long, long time for it to heal. But, I had an appointment at the
Clinic on Tuesday and she offered all kinds of help for it if I wanted
it. Told her we'll see how it is by the next appointment in six months.

BTW .. in the event of an emergency I'd probably end up in the closest
civilian hospital. If that happens all you have to do is let the VA
know about it within 72 hours and the VA covers the hospital costs.

It's really quite a nice benefit for the relatively short amount of time
I served.

Yo, John ...
 

On 3/23/2018 1:54 PM, wrote:
On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 07:43:51 -0400, "Mr. Luddite"
wrote:


Finally got vets.gov to recognize who I am. It was a little
frustrating because several times my attempt to register was kicked out
for some reason by a related registration requirement called "ID.me".
It asked all kinds of questions like what car loan I took out in the
last year along with a list of different vehicles. One answer was "none
of the above" which I checked. Another was what year one of my bank
credit cards was issued. Who the hell knows? It's not on the card like
some that say "member since XXXX". Anyway, I was finally able to answer
all the verification questions to their satisfaction and an ID.me
account was verified.

So, being formally registered, I went back to the Vet.gov site to apply
for the new veteran ID card. Turns out I don't need one. It states
that if you already have a VA health card (which I do) and/or a state
driver's license that has "Veteran" on it (which I also have) ... you
don't need to get the new card as either of the latter will qualify you
for any military discounts offered.

One thing is for sure. Dealing with the government hasn't changed in
the last 40-50 years. :-)

It took my 2 swings at it to get the card, entering identical
information. The first time the application just got in a loop. For
some reason it did not take my DD214 upload although it would show me
a picture of it and I tried uploading it several times. By closing the
browser and starting over it flew right through.



Same thing happened to me. I didn't upload the DD214 but gave them my
SSN and answered all the goofy questions. It didn't recognize me twice
but the third time, with the same info, it worked like a charm.

Yo, John ...
 

On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 19:01:19 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:

On 3/23/2018 1:44 PM, John H. wrote:
On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 13:03:08 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:

On 3/23/2018 12:34 PM, John H. wrote:
On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 15:48:39 -0000 (UTC), Bill wrote:

John H. wrote:
On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 07:43:51 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:


Finally got vets.gov to recognize who I am. It was a little
frustrating because several times my attempt to register was kicked out
for some reason by a related registration requirement called "ID.me".
It asked all kinds of questions like what car loan I took out in the
last year along with a list of different vehicles. One answer was "none
of the above" which I checked. Another was what year one of my bank
credit cards was issued. Who the hell knows? It's not on the card like
some that say "member since XXXX". Anyway, I was finally able to answer
all the verification questions to their satisfaction and an ID.me
account was verified

Those sound like the questions asked by some credit outfits to get your
credit report. Takes a half
hour of research to answer the damn questions. I've had to go back and
look at tax returns from 29
years ago to get answers sometimes.

So, being formally registered, I went back to the Vet.gov site to apply
for the new veteran ID card. Turns out I don't need one. It states
that if you already have a VA health card (which I do) and/or a state
driver's license that has "Veteran" on it (which I also have) ... you
don't need to get the new card as either of the latter will qualify you
for any military discounts offered.

One thing is for sure. Dealing with the government hasn't changed in
the last 40-50 years. :-)

Just try getting into the DOD website. I've quit. They want a new umpteen
letter with a dozen rules
for a password, which you must change frequently. Finally I just said
hell with it. It's cool that
your state puts 'Veteran' on your license. Virginia doesn't.


Maybe it is the new ID requirement licenses. California DL does not meet
the requirements.

Whoops, my bad. Virginia has a separate ID card for Veterans.

https://themilitarywallet.com/virgin...erans-id-card/



Funny thing for me is that although I was nine years active duty and two
more in the reserves, I never knew I was eligible for benefits other
than education (which I used) and a VA mortgage guaranty (which I also
used when I purchased my first house).

It wasn't until a little over a year ago that I found out (due to the
prodding of several vet friends) that I should apply for VA health
care. I always thought you had to be a retired "lifer" or have a
service related disability to qualify. Much to my surprise all vets
can receive health care at the VA, the degree of services dependent on
a number of qualifiers.

I've been going to the VA for regular checkups and blood tests for over
a year now and am very pleased with their services. They offer many
tests recommended for people in my age group and to establish a baseline
in my records since I really had nothing before. All the visits and
tests are free. For example, one of my blood tests indicated a white
blood cell count that was slightly higher than normal. They performed a
specialized (and expensive) test for a potential genetic mutation that
could indicate early stages of leukemia. I tested negative and blood
work since indicates the white blood cell count has gone back to normal.

The only thing I pay is an $5 to $8 co-payment for any medications.

I had been out of the Army a long time when I went to Walter Reed about my hearing. The doctor there
told me I couldn't get hearing aids from the hospital because I was no longer on active duty. He was
the one who told me to go to the VA with my ID and Purple Heart orders to get a VA ID card which had
'Combat Related' printed on the front. With that, according to him, I'd be eligible for anything
they have. And it was true, but I had no ideal I was eligible for any of that. I am on Medicare and
have Tricare as a secondary, so like you I pay only for medication co-payments. The closest VA
hospital is downtown, and a bitch to get to. If it's a beautiful day I may take the motorcycle and
go. Won't ever take the truck 'cause parking's a bitch.



I have Medicare like everyone 65 or over but have never used it for
anything. I have nothing but good things to say about the care and
services I've experienced at the VA. I go to a small VA clinic that's
less than 10 miles from where I live. The services there are limited
and focus mainly on the blood lab work that they do for every
appointment. If more extensive tests are indicated I'd have to travel
to the main VA hospitals, one about 25 miles away or to one of two in
Boston. Nice thing is that if I have to go to Boston (which I did once
for an ultrasound exam) I just go to the hospital 25 miles from me,
park, and they have a shuttle service to the locations in Boston.

I recently injured my rotator cuff in my right arm somehow. I did this
once before many years ago and I know from experience that it just takes
a long, long time for it to heal. But, I had an appointment at the
Clinic on Tuesday and she offered all kinds of help for it if I wanted
it. Told her we'll see how it is by the next appointment in six months.

BTW .. in the event of an emergency I'd probably end up in the closest
civilian hospital. If that happens all you have to do is let the VA
know about it within 72 hours and the VA covers the hospital costs.

It's really quite a nice benefit for the relatively short amount of time
I served.



I've got my Internal Medicine doctor about two miles down the road that I've been seeing for the
past 20 years or so. He takes Medicare and Tricare, which covers everything. If something is beyond
his expertise he recommends someone for me to see - neurosurgeon, cardiologist, proctologist (they
are now 'gastroenterologists'), opthamologist, etc. So far I've been very pleased with his
recommendations, and they've all been with 10-15 miles. It's nice having a doctor who knows me well.
Wasn't used to that in the military, unless I was in the same hospital for a while.

Yo, John ...
 

On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 12:21:25 -0400, John H.
wrote:

Maybe it is the new ID requirement licenses. California DL does not meet
the requirements.

Ours seems to have everything on it, including the 'see through' picture along with the regular
picture. I think Virginia is just not that crazy about veterans. In many, if not most, places,
Veterans Day is a school holiday. Not here. Here, Martin Luther King did a lot more for this country
than any veterans did.

It has to do with the "Real ID" law. That requires that you need
provable documents to establish your identify when you apply for a
license. Evidently an "undocumented" person can get a license in
California. I am surprised they let people on a plane with a Ca DL.

Yo, John ...
 

On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 12:21:25 -0400, John H.
wrote:

On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 15:48:39 -0000 (UTC), Bill wrote:

John H. wrote:
On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 07:43:51 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:


Finally got vets.gov to recognize who I am. It was a little
frustrating because several times my attempt to register was kicked out
for some reason by a related registration requirement called "ID.me".
It asked all kinds of questions like what car loan I took out in the
last year along with a list of different vehicles. One answer was "none
of the above" which I checked. Another was what year one of my bank
credit cards was issued. Who the hell knows? It's not on the card like
some that say "member since XXXX". Anyway, I was finally able to answer
all the verification questions to their satisfaction and an ID.me
account was verified

Those sound like the questions asked by some credit outfits to get your
credit report. Takes a half
hour of research to answer the damn questions. I've had to go back and
look at tax returns from 29
years ago to get answers sometimes.

So, being formally registered, I went back to the Vet.gov site to apply
for the new veteran ID card. Turns out I don't need one. It states
that if you already have a VA health card (which I do) and/or a state
driver's license that has "Veteran" on it (which I also have) ... you
don't need to get the new card as either of the latter will qualify you
for any military discounts offered.

One thing is for sure. Dealing with the government hasn't changed in
the last 40-50 years. :-)

Just try getting into the DOD website. I've quit. They want a new umpteen
letter with a dozen rules
for a password, which you must change frequently. Finally I just said
hell with it. It's cool that
your state puts 'Veteran' on your license. Virginia doesn't.


Maybe it is the new ID requirement licenses. California DL does not meet
the requirements.

Ours seems to have everything on it, including the 'see through' picture along with the regular
picture. I think Virginia is just not that crazy about veterans. In many, if not most, places,
Veterans Day is a school holiday. Not here. Here, Martin Luther King did a lot more for this country
than any veterans did.

I am surprised Va is not more vet friendly with all of the military
presence you have there. I guess those people vote in their home
state.

Yo, John ...
 

On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 21:09:37 -0400, wrote:

On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 12:21:25 -0400, John H.
wrote:

On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 15:48:39 -0000 (UTC), Bill wrote:

John H. wrote:
On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 07:43:51 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:


Finally got vets.gov to recognize who I am. It was a little
frustrating because several times my attempt to register was kicked out
for some reason by a related registration requirement called "ID.me".
It asked all kinds of questions like what car loan I took out in the
last year along with a list of different vehicles. One answer was "none
of the above" which I checked. Another was what year one of my bank
credit cards was issued. Who the hell knows? It's not on the card like
some that say "member since XXXX". Anyway, I was finally able to answer
all the verification questions to their satisfaction and an ID.me
account was verified

Those sound like the questions asked by some credit outfits to get your
credit report. Takes a half
hour of research to answer the damn questions. I've had to go back and
look at tax returns from 29
years ago to get answers sometimes.

So, being formally registered, I went back to the Vet.gov site to apply
for the new veteran ID card. Turns out I don't need one. It states
that if you already have a VA health card (which I do) and/or a state
driver's license that has "Veteran" on it (which I also have) ... you
don't need to get the new card as either of the latter will qualify you
for any military discounts offered.

One thing is for sure. Dealing with the government hasn't changed in
the last 40-50 years. :-)

Just try getting into the DOD website. I've quit. They want a new umpteen
letter with a dozen rules
for a password, which you must change frequently. Finally I just said
hell with it. It's cool that
your state puts 'Veteran' on your license. Virginia doesn't.


Maybe it is the new ID requirement licenses. California DL does not meet
the requirements.

Ours seems to have everything on it, including the 'see through' picture along with the regular
picture. I think Virginia is just not that crazy about veterans. In many, if not most, places,
Veterans Day is a school holiday. Not here. Here, Martin Luther King did a lot more for this country
than any veterans did.

I am surprised Va is not more vet friendly with all of the military
presence you have there. I guess those people vote in their home
state.

I added a comment yesterday. They provide a separate Veteran's ID, for $10 with a DD 214 as proof of
service.

Yo, John ...
 

On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 09:33:19 -0400, John H.
wrote:

On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 21:09:37 -0400, wrote:

On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 12:21:25 -0400, John H.
wrote:

On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 15:48:39 -0000 (UTC), Bill wrote:

John H. wrote:
On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 07:43:51 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:


Finally got vets.gov to recognize who I am. It was a little
frustrating because several times my attempt to register was kicked out
for some reason by a related registration requirement called "ID.me".
It asked all kinds of questions like what car loan I took out in the
last year along with a list of different vehicles. One answer was "none
of the above" which I checked. Another was what year one of my bank
credit cards was issued. Who the hell knows? It's not on the card like
some that say "member since XXXX". Anyway, I was finally able to answer
all the verification questions to their satisfaction and an ID.me
account was verified

Those sound like the questions asked by some credit outfits to get your
credit report. Takes a half
hour of research to answer the damn questions. I've had to go back and
look at tax returns from 29
years ago to get answers sometimes.

So, being formally registered, I went back to the Vet.gov site to apply
for the new veteran ID card. Turns out I don't need one. It states
that if you already have a VA health card (which I do) and/or a state
driver's license that has "Veteran" on it (which I also have) ... you
don't need to get the new card as either of the latter will qualify you
for any military discounts offered.

One thing is for sure. Dealing with the government hasn't changed in
the last 40-50 years. :-)

Just try getting into the DOD website. I've quit. They want a new umpteen
letter with a dozen rules
for a password, which you must change frequently. Finally I just said
hell with it. It's cool that
your state puts 'Veteran' on your license. Virginia doesn't.


Maybe it is the new ID requirement licenses. California DL does not meet
the requirements.

Ours seems to have everything on it, including the 'see through' picture along with the regular
picture. I think Virginia is just not that crazy about veterans. In many, if not most, places,
Veterans Day is a school holiday. Not here. Here, Martin Luther King did a lot more for this country
than any veterans did.

I am surprised Va is not more vet friendly with all of the military
presence you have there. I guess those people vote in their home
state.

I added a comment yesterday. They provide a separate Veteran's ID, for $10 with a DD 214 as proof of
service.

I saw that after my post. You already have acceptable ID with your VA
card and now the VA will give you one for free so the $10 card may not
be a big seller. Putting it right on your license is a better deal,
one less card in your wallet.

Yo, John ...
 

On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 13:25:32 -0400, wrote:

On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 09:33:19 -0400, John H.
wrote:

On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 21:09:37 -0400, wrote:

On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 12:21:25 -0400, John H.
wrote:

On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 15:48:39 -0000 (UTC), Bill wrote:

John H. wrote:
On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 07:43:51 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:


Finally got vets.gov to recognize who I am. It was a little
frustrating because several times my attempt to register was kicked out
for some reason by a related registration requirement called "ID.me".
It asked all kinds of questions like what car loan I took out in the
last year along with a list of different vehicles. One answer was "none
of the above" which I checked. Another was what year one of my bank
credit cards was issued. Who the hell knows? It's not on the card like
some that say "member since XXXX". Anyway, I was finally able to answer
all the verification questions to their satisfaction and an ID.me
account was verified

Those sound like the questions asked by some credit outfits to get your
credit report. Takes a half
hour of research to answer the damn questions. I've had to go back and
look at tax returns from 29
years ago to get answers sometimes.

So, being formally registered, I went back to the Vet.gov site to apply
for the new veteran ID card. Turns out I don't need one. It states
that if you already have a VA health card (which I do) and/or a state
driver's license that has "Veteran" on it (which I also have) ... you
don't need to get the new card as either of the latter will qualify you
for any military discounts offered.

One thing is for sure. Dealing with the government hasn't changed in
the last 40-50 years. :-)

Just try getting into the DOD website. I've quit. They want a new umpteen
letter with a dozen rules
for a password, which you must change frequently. Finally I just said
hell with it. It's cool that
your state puts 'Veteran' on your license. Virginia doesn't.


Maybe it is the new ID requirement licenses. California DL does not meet
the requirements.

Ours seems to have everything on it, including the 'see through' picture along with the regular
picture. I think Virginia is just not that crazy about veterans. In many, if not most, places,
Veterans Day is a school holiday. Not here. Here, Martin Luther King did a lot more for this country
than any veterans did.

I am surprised Va is not more vet friendly with all of the military
presence you have there. I guess those people vote in their home
state.

I added a comment yesterday. They provide a separate Veteran's ID, for $10 with a DD 214 as proof of
service.

I saw that after my post. You already have acceptable ID with your VA
card and now the VA will give you one for free so the $10 card may not
be a big seller. Putting it right on your license is a better deal,
one less card in your wallet.

I've got the VA card, but never use it. I showed it once at the VA Hospital downtown, got my
physical there, got my hearing aids, and got my 'disability' rating. Once all that was in the
computer, I've only carried my retired ID card. Can't get on a military installation any more
without that, unless you're willing to go through a bunch of crap.

Yo, John ...
 

On 3/24/2018 2:31 PM, John H. wrote:
On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 13:25:32 -0400, wrote:

On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 09:33:19 -0400, John H.
wrote:

On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 21:09:37 -0400, wrote:

On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 12:21:25 -0400, John H.
wrote:

On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 15:48:39 -0000 (UTC), Bill wrote:

John H. wrote:
On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 07:43:51 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:


Finally got vets.gov to recognize who I am. It was a little
frustrating because several times my attempt to register was kicked out
for some reason by a related registration requirement called "ID.me".
It asked all kinds of questions like what car loan I took out in the
last year along with a list of different vehicles. One answer was "none
of the above" which I checked. Another was what year one of my bank
credit cards was issued. Who the hell knows? It's not on the card like
some that say "member since XXXX". Anyway, I was finally able to answer
all the verification questions to their satisfaction and an ID.me
account was verified

Those sound like the questions asked by some credit outfits to get your
credit report. Takes a half
hour of research to answer the damn questions. I've had to go back and
look at tax returns from 29
years ago to get answers sometimes.

So, being formally registered, I went back to the Vet.gov site to apply
for the new veteran ID card. Turns out I don't need one. It states
that if you already have a VA health card (which I do) and/or a state
driver's license that has "Veteran" on it (which I also have) ... you
don't need to get the new card as either of the latter will qualify you
for any military discounts offered.

One thing is for sure. Dealing with the government hasn't changed in
the last 40-50 years. :-)

Just try getting into the DOD website. I've quit. They want a new umpteen
letter with a dozen rules
for a password, which you must change frequently. Finally I just said
hell with it. It's cool that
your state puts 'Veteran' on your license. Virginia doesn't.


Maybe it is the new ID requirement licenses. California DL does not meet
the requirements.

Ours seems to have everything on it, including the 'see through' picture along with the regular
picture. I think Virginia is just not that crazy about veterans. In many, if not most, places,
Veterans Day is a school holiday. Not here. Here, Martin Luther King did a lot more for this country
than any veterans did.

I am surprised Va is not more vet friendly with all of the military
presence you have there. I guess those people vote in their home
state.

I added a comment yesterday. They provide a separate Veteran's ID, for $10 with a DD 214 as proof of
service.

I saw that after my post. You already have acceptable ID with your VA
card and now the VA will give you one for free so the $10 card may not
be a big seller. Putting it right on your license is a better deal,
one less card in your wallet.

I've got the VA card, but never use it. I showed it once at the VA Hospital downtown, got my
physical there, got my hearing aids, and got my 'disability' rating. Once all that was in the
computer, I've only carried my retired ID card. Can't get on a military installation any more
without that, unless you're willing to go through a bunch of crap.



I can't go on a military installation, yet I receive VA health care and
can buy from the on-line exchanges.

Doesn't matter though. My grandson takes my daughter shopping at the
exchanges he can go to. It's not like the old days. As you've posted,
the prices aren't that great anymore.

Yo, John ...
 

On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 14:56:41 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:

On 3/24/2018 2:31 PM, John H. wrote:
On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 13:25:32 -0400, wrote:

On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 09:33:19 -0400, John H.
wrote:

On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 21:09:37 -0400, wrote:

On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 12:21:25 -0400, John H.
wrote:

On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 15:48:39 -0000 (UTC), Bill wrote:

John H. wrote:
On Fri, 23 Mar 2018 07:43:51 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:


Finally got vets.gov to recognize who I am. It was a little
frustrating because several times my attempt to register was kicked out
for some reason by a related registration requirement called "ID.me".
It asked all kinds of questions like what car loan I took out in the
last year along with a list of different vehicles. One answer was "none
of the above" which I checked. Another was what year one of my bank
credit cards was issued. Who the hell knows? It's not on the card like
some that say "member since XXXX". Anyway, I was finally able to answer
all the verification questions to their satisfaction and an ID.me
account was verified

Those sound like the questions asked by some credit outfits to get your
credit report. Takes a half
hour of research to answer the damn questions. I've had to go back and
look at tax returns from 29
years ago to get answers sometimes.

So, being formally registered, I went back to the Vet.gov site to apply
for the new veteran ID card. Turns out I don't need one. It states
that if you already have a VA health card (which I do) and/or a state
driver's license that has "Veteran" on it (which I also have) ... you
don't need to get the new card as either of the latter will qualify you
for any military discounts offered.

One thing is for sure. Dealing with the government hasn't changed in
the last 40-50 years. :-)

Just try getting into the DOD website. I've quit. They want a new umpteen
letter with a dozen rules
for a password, which you must change frequently. Finally I just said
hell with it. It's cool that
your state puts 'Veteran' on your license. Virginia doesn't.


Maybe it is the new ID requirement licenses. California DL does not meet
the requirements.

Ours seems to have everything on it, including the 'see through' picture along with the regular
picture. I think Virginia is just not that crazy about veterans. In many, if not most, places,
Veterans Day is a school holiday. Not here. Here, Martin Luther King did a lot more for this country
than any veterans did.

I am surprised Va is not more vet friendly with all of the military
presence you have there. I guess those people vote in their home
state.

I added a comment yesterday. They provide a separate Veteran's ID, for $10 with a DD 214 as proof of
service.

I saw that after my post. You already have acceptable ID with your VA
card and now the VA will give you one for free so the $10 card may not
be a big seller. Putting it right on your license is a better deal,
one less card in your wallet.

I've got the VA card, but never use it. I showed it once at the VA Hospital downtown, got my
physical there, got my hearing aids, and got my 'disability' rating. Once all that was in the
computer, I've only carried my retired ID card. Can't get on a military installation any more
without that, unless you're willing to go through a bunch of crap.



I can't go on a military installation, yet I receive VA health care and
can buy from the on-line exchanges.

Doesn't matter though. My grandson takes my daughter shopping at the
exchanges he can go to. It's not like the old days. As you've posted,
the prices aren't that great anymore.

The commissary is still a good deal. But, they're pretty careful about checking ID's there. And it's
illegal to buy for someone else, although 'giving' stuff is OK.

Yo, John ...
 

On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 14:31:07 -0400, John H.
wrote:

Can't get on a military installation any more
without that, unless you're willing to go through a bunch of crap.

Times certainly changed. I used to just get waived through the gate at
Andrews and I shot skeet there so much that nobody ever asked who I
was. We used to give the "puller" a buck a round but I think the range
was free. (Bring your own ammo). I think you could get it at the PX
but I would have needed an ID there.

Yo, John ...
 

On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 17:25:11 -0400, wrote:

On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 14:31:07 -0400, John H.
wrote:

Can't get on a military installation any more
without that, unless you're willing to go through a bunch of crap.

Times certainly changed. I used to just get waived through the gate at
Andrews and I shot skeet there so much that nobody ever asked who I
was. We used to give the "puller" a buck a round but I think the range
was free. (Bring your own ammo). I think you could get it at the PX
but I would have needed an ID there.

Things have changed since 9/11. I don't know of any 'open posts' anymore. Ft. Belvoir didn't even
man the gates, except for the main gate. Now they're all manned and the ID card is scanned. Many
days they'll have a 100% ID check and everyone's ID gets checked. There must be at least one
military ID in the car.

Yo, John ...
 

On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 18:18:03 -0400, John H.
wrote:

On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 17:25:11 -0400, wrote:

On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 14:31:07 -0400, John H.
wrote:

Can't get on a military installation any more
without that, unless you're willing to go through a bunch of crap.

Times certainly changed. I used to just get waived through the gate at
Andrews and I shot skeet there so much that nobody ever asked who I
was. We used to give the "puller" a buck a round but I think the range
was free. (Bring your own ammo). I think you could get it at the PX
but I would have needed an ID there.

Things have changed since 9/11. I don't know of any 'open posts' anymore. Ft. Belvoir didn't even
man the gates, except for the main gate. Now they're all manned and the ID card is scanned. Many
days they'll have a 100% ID check and everyone's ID gets checked. There must be at least one
military ID in the car.

The last military base we were on is in California.
http://gfretwell.com/ftp/california/Liggett%20sign.jpg
http://gfretwell.com/ftp/california/M551%20Tank.jpg
http://gfretwell.com/ftp/california/Target%20Tank.jpg

They did an ID check and ran us on the computer, took about 5 minutes.
This is up a mountain on a dirt road from Big Sur off the Pac Coast
highway.
It is a pretty cool drive but at the top of the hill you hit the back
gate of an army base. They do let you drive through tho.

http://gfretwell.com/ftp/california/...the%20hill.jpg

Yo, John ...
 

wrote:
On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 18:18:03 -0400, John H.
wrote:

On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 17:25:11 -0400, wrote:

On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 14:31:07 -0400, John H.
wrote:

Can't get on a military installation any more
without that, unless you're willing to go through a bunch of crap.

Times certainly changed. I used to just get waived through the gate at
Andrews and I shot skeet there so much that nobody ever asked who I
was. We used to give the "puller" a buck a round but I think the range
was free. (Bring your own ammo). I think you could get it at the PX
but I would have needed an ID there.

Things have changed since 9/11. I don't know of any 'open posts'
anymore. Ft. Belvoir didn't even
man the gates, except for the main gate. Now they're all manned and the
ID card is scanned. Many
days they'll have a 100% ID check and everyone's ID gets checked. There
must be at least one
military ID in the car.

The last military base we were on is in California.
http://gfretwell.com/ftp/california/Liggett%20sign.jpg
http://gfretwell.com/ftp/california/M551%20Tank.jpg
http://gfretwell.com/ftp/california/Target%20Tank.jpg

They did an ID check and ran us on the computer, took about 5 minutes.
This is up a mountain on a dirt road from Big Sur off the Pac Coast
highway.
It is a pretty cool drive but at the top of the hill you hit the back
gate of an army base. They do let you drive through tho.

http://gfretwell.com/ftp/california/...the%20hill.jpg




It is an armored combat test base plus a reserve training base. Civilians
are allowed to hunt on weekends and government holidays. Is in the deed
restrictions. William Randolph Hearst had his hunting camp there. Admin
building is his old hunting camp. Gorgeous building. Supposedly Russian
Boars were introduced here by Hearst. He sold the land to the government
as a training base for a buck, with the provision that public hunting will
be allowed. That drive to the coast is paved these days unless you come in
from Carmel Valley. You probably visited Hearst Castle. The Hearst cattle
company still owns as far north as you can see from the castle. 89,000
acres.

Yo, John ...
 

On Sun, 25 Mar 2018 06:15:34 -0000 (UTC), Bill
wrote:

wrote:
On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 18:18:03 -0400, John H.
wrote:

On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 17:25:11 -0400, wrote:

On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 14:31:07 -0400, John H.
wrote:

Can't get on a military installation any more
without that, unless you're willing to go through a bunch of crap.

Times certainly changed. I used to just get waived through the gate at
Andrews and I shot skeet there so much that nobody ever asked who I
was. We used to give the "puller" a buck a round but I think the range
was free. (Bring your own ammo). I think you could get it at the PX
but I would have needed an ID there.

Things have changed since 9/11. I don't know of any 'open posts'
anymore. Ft. Belvoir didn't even
man the gates, except for the main gate. Now they're all manned and the
ID card is scanned. Many
days they'll have a 100% ID check and everyone's ID gets checked. There
must be at least one
military ID in the car.

The last military base we were on is in California.
http://gfretwell.com/ftp/california/Liggett%20sign.jpg
http://gfretwell.com/ftp/california/M551%20Tank.jpg
http://gfretwell.com/ftp/california/Target%20Tank.jpg

They did an ID check and ran us on the computer, took about 5 minutes.
This is up a mountain on a dirt road from Big Sur off the Pac Coast
highway.
It is a pretty cool drive but at the top of the hill you hit the back
gate of an army base. They do let you drive through tho.

http://gfretwell.com/ftp/california/...the%20hill.jpg




It is an armored combat test base plus a reserve training base. Civilians
are allowed to hunt on weekends and government holidays. Is in the deed
restrictions. William Randolph Hearst had his hunting camp there. Admin
building is his old hunting camp. Gorgeous building. Supposedly Russian
Boars were introduced here by Hearst. He sold the land to the government
as a training base for a buck, with the provision that public hunting will
be allowed. That drive to the coast is paved these days unless you come in
from Carmel Valley. You probably visited Hearst Castle. The Hearst cattle
company still owns as far north as you can see from the castle. 89,000
acres.

We were on the Pac Coast Highway and stopped at a place that wanted
$900 a night for the cheapest room they have but the only one
available was $1600. We never got past the guard shack. Then my wife
said there was a road back there that looks like it gets up away from
Big Sur. That was the one we took. It was pretty much one lane the
whole way and if it was paved, it needed a lift badly.
We ended up in King City for the night.
I may have some pictures or even a movie. I will look at my old stuff.
I know we shot videos of some of the wilder roads.

Yo, John ...
 

On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 23:10:54 -0400, wrote:

On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 18:18:03 -0400, John H.
wrote:

On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 17:25:11 -0400, wrote:

On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 14:31:07 -0400, John H.
wrote:

Can't get on a military installation any more
without that, unless you're willing to go through a bunch of crap.

Times certainly changed. I used to just get waived through the gate at
Andrews and I shot skeet there so much that nobody ever asked who I
was. We used to give the "puller" a buck a round but I think the range
was free. (Bring your own ammo). I think you could get it at the PX
but I would have needed an ID there.

Things have changed since 9/11. I don't know of any 'open posts' anymore. Ft. Belvoir didn't even
man the gates, except for the main gate. Now they're all manned and the ID card is scanned. Many
days they'll have a 100% ID check and everyone's ID gets checked. There must be at least one
military ID in the car.

The last military base we were on is in California.
http://gfretwell.com/ftp/california/Liggett%20sign.jpg
http://gfretwell.com/ftp/california/M551%20Tank.jpg
http://gfretwell.com/ftp/california/Target%20Tank.jpg

They did an ID check and ran us on the computer, took about 5 minutes.
This is up a mountain on a dirt road from Big Sur off the Pac Coast
highway.
It is a pretty cool drive but at the top of the hill you hit the back
gate of an army base. They do let you drive through tho.

http://gfretwell.com/ftp/california/...the%20hill.jpg


When working with the CA National Guard at Camp Roberts, just north of Paso Robles, we'd go to Ft.
HL to get cigs, etc, at the PX. Back then cigs were a good deal at the PX or Commissary.

Yo, John ...
 

On Sun, 25 Mar 2018 06:15:34 -0000 (UTC), Bill wrote:

wrote:
On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 18:18:03 -0400, John H.
wrote:

On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 17:25:11 -0400, wrote:

On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 14:31:07 -0400, John H.
wrote:

Can't get on a military installation any more
without that, unless you're willing to go through a bunch of crap.

Times certainly changed. I used to just get waived through the gate at
Andrews and I shot skeet there so much that nobody ever asked who I
was. We used to give the "puller" a buck a round but I think the range
was free. (Bring your own ammo). I think you could get it at the PX
but I would have needed an ID there.

Things have changed since 9/11. I don't know of any 'open posts'
anymore. Ft. Belvoir didn't even
man the gates, except for the main gate. Now they're all manned and the
ID card is scanned. Many
days they'll have a 100% ID check and everyone's ID gets checked. There
must be at least one
military ID in the car.

The last military base we were on is in California.
http://gfretwell.com/ftp/california/Liggett%20sign.jpg
http://gfretwell.com/ftp/california/M551%20Tank.jpg
http://gfretwell.com/ftp/california/Target%20Tank.jpg

They did an ID check and ran us on the computer, took about 5 minutes.
This is up a mountain on a dirt road from Big Sur off the Pac Coast
highway.
It is a pretty cool drive but at the top of the hill you hit the back
gate of an army base. They do let you drive through tho.

http://gfretwell.com/ftp/california/...the%20hill.jpg




It is an armored combat test base plus a reserve training base. Civilians
are allowed to hunt on weekends and government holidays. Is in the deed
restrictions. William Randolph Hearst had his hunting camp there. Admin
building is his old hunting camp. Gorgeous building. Supposedly Russian
Boars were introduced here by Hearst. He sold the land to the government
as a training base for a buck, with the provision that public hunting will
be allowed. That drive to the coast is paved these days unless you come in
from Carmel Valley. You probably visited Hearst Castle. The Hearst cattle
company still owns as far north as you can see from the castle. 89,000
acres.

There also used to be a nudist beach at Morro Bay. Wonder if it's still there.

Yo, John ...
 

On 3/25/2018 9:34 AM, John H. wrote:
On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 23:10:54 -0400, wrote:

On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 18:18:03 -0400, John H.
wrote:

On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 17:25:11 -0400, wrote:

On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 14:31:07 -0400, John H.
wrote:

Can't get on a military installation any more
without that, unless you're willing to go through a bunch of crap.

Times certainly changed. I used to just get waived through the gate at
Andrews and I shot skeet there so much that nobody ever asked who I
was. We used to give the "puller" a buck a round but I think the range
was free. (Bring your own ammo). I think you could get it at the PX
but I would have needed an ID there.

Things have changed since 9/11. I don't know of any 'open posts' anymore. Ft. Belvoir didn't even
man the gates, except for the main gate. Now they're all manned and the ID card is scanned. Many
days they'll have a 100% ID check and everyone's ID gets checked. There must be at least one
military ID in the car.

The last military base we were on is in California.
http://gfretwell.com/ftp/california/Liggett%20sign.jpg
http://gfretwell.com/ftp/california/M551%20Tank.jpg
http://gfretwell.com/ftp/california/Target%20Tank.jpg

They did an ID check and ran us on the computer, took about 5 minutes.
This is up a mountain on a dirt road from Big Sur off the Pac Coast
highway.
It is a pretty cool drive but at the top of the hill you hit the back
gate of an army base. They do let you drive through tho.

http://gfretwell.com/ftp/california/...the%20hill.jpg


When working with the CA National Guard at Camp Roberts, just north of Paso Robles, we'd go to Ft.
HL to get cigs, etc, at the PX. Back then cigs were a good deal at the PX or Commissary.



When my wife and I were in Italy cigarettes were $2.50 a carton at the
base exchange however we were rationed to a limited number a month.
On the ship they were $1.50 a carton once we were underway. Neither of
us smoked back then and I'd buy all the cartons of Marlboro's allowed
per month and store them at our apartment. Once a month an Italian
"salesman" would visit all the Americans' apartments, carrying a huge
suitcase and buy all the cartons for $5.00/carton to be sold on the
Italian black market. We made enough profit to pay for our apartment
every month.

Now I can admit it. :-)

Yo, John ...
 

On Sun, 25 Mar 2018 10:02:58 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:

On 3/25/2018 9:34 AM, John H. wrote:
On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 23:10:54 -0400, wrote:

On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 18:18:03 -0400, John H.
wrote:

On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 17:25:11 -0400, wrote:

On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 14:31:07 -0400, John H.
wrote:

Can't get on a military installation any more
without that, unless you're willing to go through a bunch of crap.

Times certainly changed. I used to just get waived through the gate at
Andrews and I shot skeet there so much that nobody ever asked who I
was. We used to give the "puller" a buck a round but I think the range
was free. (Bring your own ammo). I think you could get it at the PX
but I would have needed an ID there.

Things have changed since 9/11. I don't know of any 'open posts' anymore. Ft. Belvoir didn't even
man the gates, except for the main gate. Now they're all manned and the ID card is scanned. Many
days they'll have a 100% ID check and everyone's ID gets checked. There must be at least one
military ID in the car.

The last military base we were on is in California.
http://gfretwell.com/ftp/california/Liggett%20sign.jpg
http://gfretwell.com/ftp/california/M551%20Tank.jpg
http://gfretwell.com/ftp/california/Target%20Tank.jpg

They did an ID check and ran us on the computer, took about 5 minutes.
This is up a mountain on a dirt road from Big Sur off the Pac Coast
highway.
It is a pretty cool drive but at the top of the hill you hit the back
gate of an army base. They do let you drive through tho.

http://gfretwell.com/ftp/california/...the%20hill.jpg


When working with the CA National Guard at Camp Roberts, just north of Paso Robles, we'd go to Ft.
HL to get cigs, etc, at the PX. Back then cigs were a good deal at the PX or Commissary.



When my wife and I were in Italy cigarettes were $2.50 a carton at the
base exchange however we were rationed to a limited number a month.
On the ship they were $1.50 a carton once we were underway. Neither of
us smoked back then and I'd buy all the cartons of Marlboro's allowed
per month and store them at our apartment. Once a month an Italian
"salesman" would visit all the Americans' apartments, carrying a huge
suitcase and buy all the cartons for $5.00/carton to be sold on the
Italian black market. We made enough profit to pay for our apartment
every month.

Now I can admit it. :-)



In Korea, bananas were the hot item. The Koreans had a hard time getting bananas, for some reason.
Oh, cigarettes were always hot, but they were rationed there also. I used up my ration smoking the
damn things!

Yo, John ...
 

On Sun, 25 Mar 2018 10:02:58 -0400, "Mr. Luddite"
wrote:

On 3/25/2018 9:34 AM, John H. wrote:
On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 23:10:54 -0400, wrote:

On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 18:18:03 -0400, John H.
wrote:

On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 17:25:11 -0400, wrote:

On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 14:31:07 -0400, John H.
wrote:

Can't get on a military installation any more
without that, unless you're willing to go through a bunch of crap.

Times certainly changed. I used to just get waived through the gate at
Andrews and I shot skeet there so much that nobody ever asked who I
was. We used to give the "puller" a buck a round but I think the range
was free. (Bring your own ammo). I think you could get it at the PX
but I would have needed an ID there.

Things have changed since 9/11. I don't know of any 'open posts' anymore. Ft. Belvoir didn't even
man the gates, except for the main gate. Now they're all manned and the ID card is scanned. Many
days they'll have a 100% ID check and everyone's ID gets checked. There must be at least one
military ID in the car.

The last military base we were on is in California.
http://gfretwell.com/ftp/california/Liggett%20sign.jpg
http://gfretwell.com/ftp/california/M551%20Tank.jpg
http://gfretwell.com/ftp/california/Target%20Tank.jpg

They did an ID check and ran us on the computer, took about 5 minutes.
This is up a mountain on a dirt road from Big Sur off the Pac Coast
highway.
It is a pretty cool drive but at the top of the hill you hit the back
gate of an army base. They do let you drive through tho.

http://gfretwell.com/ftp/california/...the%20hill.jpg


When working with the CA National Guard at Camp Roberts, just north of Paso Robles, we'd go to Ft.
HL to get cigs, etc, at the PX. Back then cigs were a good deal at the PX or Commissary.



When my wife and I were in Italy cigarettes were $2.50 a carton at the
base exchange however we were rationed to a limited number a month.
On the ship they were $1.50 a carton once we were underway. Neither of
us smoked back then and I'd buy all the cartons of Marlboro's allowed
per month and store them at our apartment. Once a month an Italian
"salesman" would visit all the Americans' apartments, carrying a huge
suitcase and buy all the cartons for $5.00/carton to be sold on the
Italian black market. We made enough profit to pay for our apartment
every month.

Now I can admit it. :-)



Way up into the 70s cigarettes were only $3-4 a carton in North
Carolina. I used to always load up in Kenley on my way through for my
smoker friends in Florida and Maryland. By the 80s they were getting
up in the $4.50 range but still a good deal.
In the ship, at sea, they were $1.50
I think the tobacco companies gave them away at below cost to the
military to drum up future sales. I was one of the few who got out
without the habit. I can smoke a cigarette to be social and not want
another one. I finally stopped that when I figured out you do not need
to be smoking to be in the smoking pit with your buddies. I preferred
smoking cigars then and I kept 1 or 2 in the cleaning kit holder in
the stock of my M1 in boot camp. It is hard to carry a cigar in your
pocket without crushing it and that was perfect. Nobody said a thing
about it. I was smoking those grocery store cigars at the time.
Then I was in a bar in New York and some people started making fun of
me, telling me that was not a cigar. I found the premium cigars and
never looked back but the price limited my consumption. Now I seldom
even partake in one of those and I hold out for something special.

Yo, John ...
 

On 3/25/2018 1:43 PM, wrote:
On Sun, 25 Mar 2018 10:02:58 -0400, "Mr. Luddite"
wrote:

On 3/25/2018 9:34 AM, John H. wrote:
On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 23:10:54 -0400, wrote:

On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 18:18:03 -0400, John H.
wrote:

On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 17:25:11 -0400, wrote:

On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 14:31:07 -0400, John H.
wrote:

Can't get on a military installation any more
without that, unless you're willing to go through a bunch of crap.

Times certainly changed. I used to just get waived through the gate at
Andrews and I shot skeet there so much that nobody ever asked who I
was. We used to give the "puller" a buck a round but I think the range
was free. (Bring your own ammo). I think you could get it at the PX
but I would have needed an ID there.

Things have changed since 9/11. I don't know of any 'open posts' anymore. Ft. Belvoir didn't even
man the gates, except for the main gate. Now they're all manned and the ID card is scanned. Many
days they'll have a 100% ID check and everyone's ID gets checked. There must be at least one
military ID in the car.

The last military base we were on is in California.
http://gfretwell.com/ftp/california/Liggett%20sign.jpg
http://gfretwell.com/ftp/california/M551%20Tank.jpg
http://gfretwell.com/ftp/california/Target%20Tank.jpg

They did an ID check and ran us on the computer, took about 5 minutes.
This is up a mountain on a dirt road from Big Sur off the Pac Coast
highway.
It is a pretty cool drive but at the top of the hill you hit the back
gate of an army base. They do let you drive through tho.

http://gfretwell.com/ftp/california/...the%20hill.jpg


When working with the CA National Guard at Camp Roberts, just north of Paso Robles, we'd go to Ft.
HL to get cigs, etc, at the PX. Back then cigs were a good deal at the PX or Commissary.



When my wife and I were in Italy cigarettes were $2.50 a carton at the
base exchange however we were rationed to a limited number a month.
On the ship they were $1.50 a carton once we were underway. Neither of
us smoked back then and I'd buy all the cartons of Marlboro's allowed
per month and store them at our apartment. Once a month an Italian
"salesman" would visit all the Americans' apartments, carrying a huge
suitcase and buy all the cartons for $5.00/carton to be sold on the
Italian black market. We made enough profit to pay for our apartment
every month.

Now I can admit it. :-)



Way up into the 70s cigarettes were only $3-4 a carton in North
Carolina. I used to always load up in Kenley on my way through for my
smoker friends in Florida and Maryland. By the 80s they were getting
up in the $4.50 range but still a good deal.
In the ship, at sea, they were $1.50
I think the tobacco companies gave them away at below cost to the
military to drum up future sales. I was one of the few who got out
without the habit. I can smoke a cigarette to be social and not want
another one. I finally stopped that when I figured out you do not need
to be smoking to be in the smoking pit with your buddies. I preferred
smoking cigars then and I kept 1 or 2 in the cleaning kit holder in
the stock of my M1 in boot camp. It is hard to carry a cigar in your
pocket without crushing it and that was perfect. Nobody said a thing
about it. I was smoking those grocery store cigars at the time.
Then I was in a bar in New York and some people started making fun of
me, telling me that was not a cigar. I found the premium cigars and
never looked back but the price limited my consumption. Now I seldom
even partake in one of those and I hold out for something special.



Heh. One of my recollections of bootcamp was a day when the company
commander came into the barracks and asked how many people smoked.
(Nobody had been allowed to have a cigarette up until then).

Almost the entire company raised their hand and the CC told them to
go to the barracks lounge and light 'em up.

The rest of us who didn't raise their hand were sent outside in the
freezing cold Great Lakes winter to shovel snow.

Yo, John ...
 

wrote:
On Sun, 25 Mar 2018 06:15:34 -0000 (UTC), Bill
wrote:

wrote:
On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 18:18:03 -0400, John H.
wrote:

On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 17:25:11 -0400, wrote:

On Sat, 24 Mar 2018 14:31:07 -0400, John H.
wrote:

Can't get on a military installation any more
without that, unless you're willing to go through a bunch of crap.

Times certainly changed. I used to just get waived through the gate at
Andrews and I shot skeet there so much that nobody ever asked who I
was. We used to give the "puller" a buck a round but I think the range
was free. (Bring your own ammo). I think you could get it at the PX
but I would have needed an ID there.

Things have changed since 9/11. I don't know of any 'open posts'
anymore. Ft. Belvoir didn't even
man the gates, except for the main gate. Now they're all manned and the
ID card is scanned. Many
days they'll have a 100% ID check and everyone's ID gets checked. There
must be at least one
military ID in the car.

The last military base we were on is in California.
http://gfretwell.com/ftp/california/Liggett%20sign.jpg
http://gfretwell.com/ftp/california/M551%20Tank.jpg
http://gfretwell.com/ftp/california/Target%20Tank.jpg

They did an ID check and ran us on the computer, took about 5 minutes.
This is up a mountain on a dirt road from Big Sur off the Pac Coast
highway.
It is a pretty cool drive but at the top of the hill you hit the back
gate of an army base. They do let you drive through tho.

http://gfretwell.com/ftp/california/...the%20hill.jpg




It is an armored combat test base plus a reserve training base. Civilians
are allowed to hunt on weekends and government holidays. Is in the deed
restrictions. William Randolph Hearst had his hunting camp there. Admin
building is his old hunting camp. Gorgeous building. Supposedly Russian
Boars were introduced here by Hearst. He sold the land to the government
as a training base for a buck, with the provision that public hunting will
be allowed. That drive to the coast is paved these days unless you come in
from Carmel Valley. You probably visited Hearst Castle. The Hearst cattle
company still owns as far north as you can see from the castle. 89,000
acres.

We were on the Pac Coast Highway and stopped at a place that wanted
$900 a night for the cheapest room they have but the only one
available was $1600. We never got past the guard shack. Then my wife
said there was a road back there that looks like it gets up away from
Big Sur. That was the one we took. It was pretty much one lane the
whole way and if it was paved, it needed a lift badly.
We ended up in King City for the night.
I may have some pictures or even a movie. I will look at my old stuff.
I know we shot videos of some of the wilder roads.


The paved rod comes in to and through HL. Ends up at the gate at Jolon.
Is a two lane. Narrow. If you run off the road the vehicle stays there.
Too expensive to recover most times.