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AndyLuka Elite user Milwaukee, Wisconsin 440 Posts |
Back in March I was at the Grand Ole Opry in Tennessee. I forget which performer did this, but at the end of their set they asked everyone who was in the United States Military, currently active, or veterans to stand up, and thanked them for their service. This was a very strong moment, if you were there then you would know. My question is would this work for busking?
Let’s say you pull in a big crowd. Right after your closer you say this “ladies and gentleman, Is there anyone out there who is part of the United States Military, if so I want you to come on up next to me, and face everyone” (let’s say you get 4 people to come up.) “Ladies and gents, I had a great time performing for you, and I hope you guys enjoyed the show, but if it were not for men and woman like these who stand before you now, none of this would be possible, I want to personally thank them for the sacrifices they have made for our freedom, can you please give them a round of applause.” Then you transition to passing the hat. I am not currently in the military, nor have I ever been in the military, and I was wondering if this would come off as too much. The last thing I want to do is make it seem like I am mocking our troops, or offend anyone in any way. Yes, part of this is to hopefully generate more tips, but it is also an honest and sincere gesture of my appreciation. What do you guys think? I know some of you on these forums are ex-military. How would you feel about this? Is it too much? Too, over the top? Too corny? Or do you think it’s valid. I have not attemtped this, and don't plan too for my next busking event. I was just wanted to bounce the idea off you guys.
Making Magic and Fantasy a reality in a world where our reality can sometimes be rather cruel
Http://www.lukamagic.com -That's Me Http://www.deceptionsmke -My Show |
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Nick W Special user 515 Posts |
Ummm, where in Milwaukee do you plan to busk?
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carbone1853 Loyal user RI USA 239 Posts |
I am a retired Army guy. I would say do not do this. Unless this was a veterans day celebration, it would come off as a gimmick. If this was a Vets day celebration asking the audience to give a round of applaus to the Vets would be appropriate.
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AndyLuka Elite user Milwaukee, Wisconsin 440 Posts |
Inside the gates of Summerfest. the good news is there are only two other buskers inside summerfest grounds, one is a juggeler, and one is a group of guys who drum on buckets. All the other buskers. are outside the gates along the streets.
Quote:
On 2012-06-26 18:35, carbone1853 wrote: that's what I was thinking. but I wanted to see what others had to say.
Making Magic and Fantasy a reality in a world where our reality can sometimes be rather cruel
Http://www.lukamagic.com -That's Me Http://www.deceptionsmke -My Show |
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imgic Inner circle Moved back to Midwest to see 1336 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-06-26 18:35, carbone1853 wrote: As another vet I concur. It will appear as if you're using the vets to generate money and will come off poorly. Good luck busking at Summerfest. Lots of traffic but most are there for music, food and drinking... Lots of drinking. And Milwaukeans are notoriously bad tippers. But willing to bet you'll get a good share of fun groups watching you. You should have a blast.
"Imagination is more important than knowledge."
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Pecan_Creek Veteran user The Nation of TEXAS! 323 Posts |
I agree , it would look like pandering.
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Paddy Inner circle Milford OH 1571 Posts |
And this old Marine makes it unanimous. Don't pander to the vets respect us
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starksanity New user 40 Posts |
It is pandering as described. I have seen magic shows indoors that have thanked the troops and it came across as pandering, despite having already payed, and the performer being former military. If you are sincere about thanking the troops, I say go for it. Just like Paddy says though, do it with respect, and keep it far from your hatting. For example, have a special, meaningful trick that you only do when you have military in the crowd. Say why it's personally important to you.
If its just to up the hat, leave it out. |
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Faulkner Loyal user New Orleans 249 Posts |
Any time I meet a Vet I shake their hand and thank them for serving...if I am in a show I may stop to do this if the person is in uniform, wearing a cap or showing it in someway and I don't kill the flow of the show. I can thank them after my show if I don't think my timing would work. My point is to thank them, not to do it in my show.
It is who I am and I will do it in a bar, bookstore or airport. It is an honor that these men and women served for us. I guess my point is that if your modivation is right then there should be no problem. It sounds like you want to do something and want to do it with class. Good luck and fat hats. And thank you to all the folks on the thread that have served. |
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kentfgunn Inner circle Merritt Island FL 1639 Posts |
What you're doing isn't pandering. In my world pandering is what a pimp does. (hey it's my world) It's creepy though. I don't especially like being thanked for my service, in one-on-one encounters. If I saw you do it in a show I'd definitely find it inappropriate.
We can all appreciate what people who serve in the military have done. Let's keep that respect as far away from attempts to make money or elicit a favorable response from a crowd. It ain't right. ETC(SS)Gunn Ret. (that's an old sailor for those who don't do miltary abbreviations) |
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JJKnight New user 52 Posts |
I agree with everyone else on this, if it were a celebration such as a concert we just had for flag day a couple of weeks ago then sure go ahead but it really does come off as kind of cheesy and inappropriate to do it 'randomly'. It really needs to fit the environment, these guys and gals (unfortunatly I never joined) don't do it for the recognition they do it because they have too. At a patriotic celebration these kids of callouts are kind of expected and most service members will take a bow so to speak but like kentfgunn said small groups and one on one encounters are kind of weird and some service members even get a little annoyed inside (though they keep a straight face).
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Devious Inner circle 2120 Posts |
I wouldn't mind so it's NOT unanimous!
Heck, I'll even do a trick for ya' and let you rest! |
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Octopus Sun Special user Wiggle Wiggle 586 Posts |
Me as a USAF vet, I find it completely inappropriate, and utterly distasteful and it just plain leaves a bad taste in my mouth to hear stuff like this from those who have never served.
Especially now. IMHO THIS IS FALSE PATRIOTISM!!! Jumping on the train just to wave a flag and seem important. Yeah, I'm a little angry at the USA Civi's False acts of patriotism. It's disgusting. I've heard this B.S. for 25+yrs now and it sickens me every time to hear a civi's justification for wanting to shake my hands etc. Do you know how ignorant and condescending that is to 90% of service person's? EveryoneI know who has served, seen action(that's like close to 5 hundred people), including myself during Beirut in the 80's and more hate to hear these congrats, thanks etc. It turns the stomach sour with disgust to hear your facetious Thank You's over and over. We know/see who is truly grateful, and it's not those of you who have to prove your better than others by your false pretenses. Seriously...to any/all you civi's - most of us - We Want to Forget Our Pain. Best thing you can do is keep the Nation and it's Service Persons in your Prayers. IMHO that's enough you don't like or agree with MO...well screw you!!! nuf said. |
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imgic Inner circle Moved back to Midwest to see 1336 Posts |
Gee Whiz Octopus...how do you really feel?
As a 26 year vet, in both Army and Air Force, I'm uncomfortable accepting thanks and praise from folks. To me, the military was something I felt I had to do for a tour, ended up liking it and doing well at it, so after active duty, stayed in Guard and Reserves. To me, the things I did, the action I saw, the friends I lost...it was all part of a unique career I was fortunate to have...and don't feel the need to be thanked for it. But I also realize the military is not for everyone: not all are cut out to serve. And that's not a bad thing. And 99% of the civilians who have not served had a genuine respect for thos who have. When they shake my hand and offer thanks, I feel the honest appreciation. But I've been at events where the MC or Host have asked for vets to stand and be recognized...in situations that seem totally inappropriate. In those cases I won't stand...those are the times it feels like pandering. Those are the times it feels like false praise, and the person is using false patriotism to promote themselve/show/event. That is what I think many of use on here are trying to say about calling out vets during a show. Just my humble opinion. And you don't like it or agree: please thank me for my contribution to this thread and post a rationale and logic response. Thanks all.
"Imagination is more important than knowledge."
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Paddy Inner circle Milford OH 1571 Posts |
I have mixed feelings about this. I am not young, 68 yrs old to be precise. I spent 3 years crowling all over the "south east" Nice way to say Viet Nam. Then got my 2nd silver star and 3rd purple heart so they threw me out of the Corps. Said a fractured back was not wanted so I got a medical retirement. The year, 1966. Then the really good treatment began. Had to lie like a dog and put 3 years "experience" working in Canada and Mexico. If peole saw any military service especially with USMN you were a PROVEN murderer and a "baby burner" You could say that you spent 3 years in prison because you were a child molester and be treated better than a combat vet. Now the legs (green beanie term for anyone who did not wear the "girl Scout Hats" that we did. Yea, even the non spec forces guys gave us crap. Yes I feel uncomfortable when civilians try to recognize vets. This time of year with memorial day, 4th of July just brings up memories of those who never returned
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Devious Inner circle 2120 Posts |
Peter Lansing AKA "Paddy", let me see if I have this right,
* You are collecting a pension from The Veteran's Administration for medical issues related to your service. * You are ashamed of your military service, but don't mind the pension from said military injuries. * You denied any prior military service. * You lied abour your work experience in Mexico and Canada. * You compare military service to life as a convicted pedophile. * You get mad when folks thank you for military service, yet you don't mind boasting about your medals. I could see why it makes you feel uncomfortable when folks bring up your prior service. Shameful behaviour indeed....you should be proud of your service not embarrassed. My father was a miltary police officer in the US Army in Vietnam on two tours, yet he was never ashamed to admit his prior military service. He also doesn't give everyone a run down of his fruit salad each time medals are discussed. During Desert Storm, I served with many Marines who also spent time in Vietnam. They were very proud of having served both in Vietnam and Iraq when I spoke with them in the field. I don't like to be singled out either, but I've NEVER once been embarrassed of my enlistment in The U.S.M.C. |
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imgic Inner circle Moved back to Midwest to see 1336 Posts |
Devious...whoa cowboy...settle down. I think you read more into Paddy's post than intended.
I didn't see him as being ashamed of his service. I've seen him mention his time in on other posts as well as this one. He was merely relating a time in our country's history when Military Service was not seen as an honorable thing. He related how poorly Service members were seen when he used the analogy that pedophiles were held in higher regard. He did not say Miltary service was in anyway related to to being a convicted pedophile. Also I his discussion of his medals as him providing us with his background, and why he has the viewpoint he does. He didn't state them in a boastful manner. And he didn't say he got mad when folks thanked him...just that it made him uncomfortable. Lastly, I've yet to meet a vet on medical discharge that doesn't wouldn't trade any pension for being fit for duty. You have to be pretty bad to be on medical retirement...even then the pension (if they give you one) is nowhere near the compenstation for the injuries sustained. I would have expected a bit more respectful tone from a Jarhead to another Leatherneck...especially one with 2 silver stars and 3 purple hearts. And back to the original topic: Andy, you can see what a wide variety of responses this brings out in vets...
"Imagination is more important than knowledge."
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Devious Inner circle 2120 Posts |
You served for 26 years, were you ever ashamed or lied about having served as he did?
Just because he claims to have recieved those awards doesn't make it so. A search of the Purple Heart Database doesn't list any Peter Lansing. Once again, my father served during the same period and NEVER once hid this fact. I won't pretend to honor those who deny prior military service. Sorry, not on my watch! |
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Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts |
I want to thank all the vets for what they did for our country...and you too Paddy Cake.
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Paddy Inner circle Milford OH 1571 Posts |
Sorry devious I did not serve for 26 years. I was in for 3 years and got out on a medical
Yes in order to work in civial life in 1967 to 1972 you hid any military service in "nbam. You aren't old enough to be there in those days I was |
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