Any special event planned for July 4th this year?

Post by **rickfarang** » June 23, 2007, 10:26 am

Just curious - haven't heard anything mentioned yet.

If nothing else, maybe I could light off those 8 bottle rockets left over from Khao Pansa in front of the house and scare the neighborhood cats.

Post by **Bump** » June 23, 2007, 10:29 am

The last I heard the VFW is not having an activity at the park this year.

Post by **papaguido** » June 23, 2007, 1:39 pm

Ray do you know Bill Smith? He's with the VFW. The VFW cancelled the annual 4th of July event, but Bill is having a 4th of July party at his house on the 30th (Sat). I have very few details, but from my understanding it's word of mouth invite, 100 bt for adults, children free, kicks off about 1500. He lives near the Khon Kaen and Wing 23 road intersection on a side street about half a click (kilometer) east of the Honda dealership. I don't know exactly where, but planning on reconning the limited directions I was given.
Also, ran into the post chaplin, basically told me the same thing.

Post by **Doc** » June 23, 2007, 1:44 pm

That is true. Attendance limited to Americans. Food will be hot dogs and hamburgers. Believe that the drinking situation is BYOB.

Post by **Bump** » June 23, 2007, 2:40 pm

Thanks

Post by **wokkawombat** » June 23, 2007, 6:45 pm

Doc wrote:That is true. Attendance limited to Americans. Food will be hot dogs and hamburgers. Believe that the drinking situation is BYOB.

Put the razor wire, claymores and fletchette rounds away Doc. I feel certain no one else except Americans have the inclination to attend.

Have a good day seppos and I hope you get a good roll up. 144 seems an appropiate number.

John

Post by **Bump** » June 23, 2007, 8:12 pm

John I'm afraid history doesn't support your thoughts, in the past farrangs from all countries did attend. I'm afraid Udon is changing, but it's just the way things go I guess.

Used to be that these events were something that meant farangs in the areas having a chance to socialize. These days there are so many places for farrrangs to go and speak with eachother.

I think a more accurate description is the Amercians and thier invited guests.

Personally I find it sad that the Chritmas party didn't happen last year and now the 4Th changed. Looks like the end of a good tradtition here. I guess thats progress.

valentine · Post by **valentine** » June 23, 2007, 8:23 pm

Doc wrote:That is true. Attendance limited to Americans. Food will be hot dogs and hamburgers. Believe that the drinking situation is BYOB.

I have attended with my wife many 4th July celebrations here in Udon. I have never heard of no one other than Americans were welcome. What about Thai wives? I think this is another of Docs bloody minded rants. I am friends with many veterans and am regularly invited to their parties at home.I think most would be horrified by this discrimination, after all we Brits were there at the original party

Don,t forget to take your passports by the way if you believe all Doc says.

Post by **Bump** » June 23, 2007, 8:56 pm

No I'm afraid Doc is right the event is really scaled down this year.

Americans and thier invited guests was the last word I got.

valentine · Post by **valentine** » June 23, 2007, 9:07 pm

ray23 wrote:No I'm afraid Doc is right the event is really scaled down this year.

Americans and thier invited guests was the last word I got.

Doc says Americans only, you say, and their guests.So presumably no Thai wives.

Can,t really say I fancy hot dogs and hamburgers anyway.
I hope you guys don,t mind if I say, thats hardly a spirit of entente cordial, especially when you have to pay to get in anyway.

Post by **Doc** » June 23, 2007, 11:04 pm

valentine wrote:Doc says Americans only, you say, and their guests.So presumably no Thai wives. Can,t really say I fancy hot dogs and hamburgers anyway.

Being a bit obtuse there Val????

valentine wrote:I hope you guys don,t mind if I say, thats hardly a spirit of entente cordial, especially when you have to pay to get in anyway.

This is not the VFW that is throwing the party - but instead an American - a private American who just happens to be a member of the VFW. So - no VFW funds are being spent on the shindig.

Bear in mind that the 4th of July is the day that we celebrate our independence from England. Don't really want a bunch of pompous old Brits showing up and spoiling our fun.

Post by **farang** » June 24, 2007, 1:57 am

well Doc , i hope you all have a nice day..

and i hope it dont Rain and mess up all the dodgy hair styles LOL

Post by **Paul** » June 24, 2007, 5:35 pm

Doc wrote: Don't really want a bunch of pompous old Brits showing up and spoiling our fun.

Pompous and old ?
Doc you could almost be an honoury Brit

:):)

Post by **beer monkey** » June 24, 2007, 5:56 pm

Arise Sir Doc.

Post by **Doc** » June 25, 2007, 2:55 am

Paul wrote:
Doc wrote: Don't really want a bunch of pompous old Brits showing up and spoiling our fun.
Pompous and old ?
Doc you could almost be an honoury Brit :):)

Damn Paul. I thought we were friends.

Why do you want to insult me that way????????

Post by **rjb** » June 25, 2007, 11:17 am

After much discussion about last years 4th and the nasty aftermath, including loss of money to the VFW Post among other things AND rembering the 4th of July is a celebration of American Independence, it was decided to limit the this years private gathering to Americans and their guests. The guest certainly includes foreign wives or other foreign guests but with a limit and not whole families of aunts, uncles and cousins who could give a s--t about American Independence. Bill offered to host this event at his home, so limits needed to be placed. The cost is 100 b per person, children 9 and under free. Yes, hot dogs and hamburgers are an American tradition. I have been in Udon nearly 5 years and don't recall a single invitation to another countrys celebration of anything, so what's the beef? Okay, the local gov't makes a halfa----d attempt to acknowledge farang sons in law and the Thai military invites us to an event or two but certainly with no lunch or entertainment. The previous 4th celebrations had drifted far away from the true purpose of the 4th to the point that last year even the music was Thai. It had become apparent that the American celebration was being held, it seemed, more to be popular with local elements than American Independence. Sorry if anyone feels slighted.

Post by **muscle** » June 25, 2007, 11:43 am

The events, as I understand it, were meant to be fund raisers for the school projects. Last year there were more Thai than Americans. They did not seem to understand what it was about but it was an excellent picnic. A lot of hard work went into it. My thanks to the people who did the heavy lifting as we had just arrived in Udon and it helped us meet a lot of people.
I am a VFW member, although I was not active in the Udon Post. Trying to find out when and where the meetings were, proved to be a challenge and there were a few misstarts. I finally gave up.
It is unfortunate if anyone feels slighted.
In Vientiane, the long-running Fourth Picnic has been cancelled. No VFW but the Comittee that had sponsored it, gave up.

Post by **rjb** » June 25, 2007, 11:53 am

Muscle, the meetings are the 2nd Wed of every month at 1100 hrs. If you are serious about attending, I will meet you at Steve's Bar at 1000 the day of the meeting and take or escort you to the Post home. This includes any member that hasn't located the place yet.

Post by **Aardvark** » June 25, 2007, 2:12 pm

I just heard a rumour

A bunch of Englishmen are going to turn up, wearing Pyjamas and armed with cornish pasties.

What possible deffence could Americans have against that

Post by **BKKSTAN** » June 25, 2007, 3:26 pm

Collect taxes,eat the Cornish pastries and hang them from the nearest yardarm!

$\:D/$ $\:D/$ Unless they recite the ''Star Spangled Banner'',then party down