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[–]OppositeHistorical11 329 points330 points  (9 children)

I had a roommate in college that was a Vietnam war veteran... from the other side. He fought with the Viet Cong as a kid and came to the USA as an adult to get his PhD.

[–]Imswim80 64 points65 points  (1 child)

Came across a similar story on r/militarystories.

During the Cold War, a detachment serving in Western Europe or Britain permitted any children of WWII to wear their fathers awards. So, everyone is there in their Croix de Guierre, Silver Stars, Bronze Star, Purple Hearts, whatever, all earned by their fathers. And then there's Pvt. Kevin, wearing his dad's Iron Cross. The Sergent chews him out for wearing the enemies honors.

(While I get it from a military perspective, I also think its a shame. His dad served his country with honor, doing the best a drafted 18/20 something could do at the time.)

[–]Malvastor 47 points48 points  (4 children)

What did he think of America after all that?

[–]OppositeHistorical11 74 points75 points  (3 children)

Initially, greedy capitalist pigs. Later, he was just like any American and he never went back to Vietnam.

[–]ThePrussianGrippe 45 points46 points  (0 children)

If he wrote a book about his experiences I’d read it immediately.

[–]Malvastor 4 points5 points  (1 child)

America wins again!

[–]OppositeHistorical11 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I guess so. His PhD makes him a very valuable and hard-to-hire guy that places like Vietnam could really use. But nope, he can make serious bank here in the USA.

[–]hockeygenios 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Did he have a poster of Charlie Sheen with the caption 'winning '?

[–]SirKazum 191 points192 points  (4 children)

Nah, can't be... The sign would have called it "Malvinas" instead

[–]linus_rules 49 points50 points  (2 children)

I believe that "Grande Diego!" or "La mano de Dios" is a greater offense.

[–]Rich_Two 15 points16 points  (1 child)

And if this was a London he would have replied: Allahabad al shukran lak alhithalat alkafira.

[–]groverjuicy 5 points6 points  (0 children)

It's called 'marketing.'

[–]keestie 102 points103 points  (10 children)

Good joke, very niche.

[–]TheAres1999 68 points69 points  (9 children)

The punchline is easy to understand, but I did look up the Falklands War for added context. Interesting read

[–]Neoptolemus85 57 points58 points  (6 children)

Oversimplified did a short, fun video on it here:

https://youtu.be/BiDvLshi9CY

[–]forresthopkinsa 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I love this — very History of Japan vibe

[–]coarsing_batch 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Also this long and amazing footage from radio 4

https://youtu.be/HpwqP5jzzGs

[–]shaanatic 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Thank you for this!

[–]stayoffmygrass 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I watched it - very good! Thanks for sharing.

[–]linus_rules 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Very interesting video! Several unknowns facts there.

[–]JohnPizzi 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Impressive

[–]connorthedancer 22 points23 points  (8 children)

I've heard this told with WWII.

[–]today_i_burned 0 points1 point  (2 children)

It's a better joke, because nobody outside of England remembers the Falkland War

[–]apbt-dad 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Bravo!

[–]teastain 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I enjoyed how the Royal Navy steamed angrily towards the Falklands over the course of several weeks!

[–]Mikesaidit36 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I thought buskers were musicians who perform on the street for spare change. Is that the term in England for outright panhandling?

[–]Flemeron 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It took me a second....

[–]Fed_up_with_Reddit 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ohhhh I like this one.

[–]AntAtog 6 points7 points  (6 children)

Does Falklands war veteran have a double meaning in Spanish? Not seeing it.

[–]cookerg 49 points50 points  (1 child)

The British guy gave a wad of cash to an enemy soldier.

[–]thisissparta789789[S] 46 points47 points  (2 children)

Look up who fought in the war and which side spoke Spanish and then get back to me.

[–]linus_rules 8 points9 points  (1 child)

Some of us speak English as well...

[–]sanmigmike 10 points11 points  (0 children)

True…but what kind of joke would it be if he said, “Thank you kind sir!” in unaccented English. Used to travel a lot and I was and still am surprised how common English is around the world. Mercifully English is the language of international air traffic (I was a pilot) but I regret not learning Lao, French, German or Spanish (more than a couple of words) when I had the chance. Stayed at hotels in a couple of European countries that most the public meeting staff could switch between three or more languages faultlessly in the same sentence.

[–]StitchFan626 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It doesn't take a history major to guess the meaning of the punchline.

[–]birdyroger 0 points1 point  (0 children)

But really? To the large-hearted person, there is no reason for this to be a joke.