Gone To War With Wifey Over My Window Stickers

All of a sudden, out of the blue, over this July 4 holiday weekend, wifey has started bitching about my window decals on MY T4R.

I am an aviation enthusiast at heart, especially military aircraft.

On the driver’s side rear side window, I have a B-52 shaped sticker, with associated Air Force Global Strike Command, and Air Combat Command stickers.

On the right rear side glass, I have an F-16 shaped sticker, with a sticker for the the 180th Tactical Fighter Wing, whom fly F-16s.

On the rear window glass, I have an IH sticker- the corporate logo for the now defunct farm equipment company, INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER. I used to farm with IH and CASE IH farm equipment when we lived up in southeast Michigan.

Well, as I said, out of the blue, for the first time yesterday, wifey says she wants me to remove ALL my stickers from my T4R. Her reasoning is I am risking drawing the wrong type of attention to our vehicle by making a political statement. She fears some whackos may even vandalize the vehicle because of the nature of the stickers on it. She says some people may view them as making it appear as though the owner is a war monger. She claims in these times of political discontent and divisiveness, we need to lay low and not rock the boat by “advertising” our support for the Military. Give me a F’ing break.

While I myself have never served in our Military, I have all the respect and thanks in the world for those who currently serve, and those who did serve, in all branches. I just happen to favor the USAF, hence my USAF stickers.

As for my IH sticker, yes she wants that removed as well, claiming no one these days knows what that IH corporate logo stands for, and she fears that it may be mis-construed as something political or even racist. Give me a F’ing break.

Well we are at odds with each other right now- I’ve dug my heels in and have told her NO, I will not remove my USAF stickers OR my IH (INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER) farm equipment sticker.

She says she will not ride in or drive the T4R until the stickers are removed. She also tells me I will not be permitted to drive OR ride in her car, our 2021 RAV4 Hybrid AWD, until I remove my stickers off my truck.

So here we set, suddenly pissed off at one another on the July 4 Independence Day weekend. W-T-F.

I’m going to wait and see how long this BS lasts and try to ride it out. What would you guys do?

(Pics attached of my stickers. I think they are in good taste. I’ll be dammed if I can’t show my support for our USAF)

 

How long have you been married?

 

You need to tell your wife "Look WOMAN, this is MY truck and I will do what I damn well please with it!"



....then, after you come out of the coma she puts you in after beating you, let us know if she ripped the stickers off herself.


P.S. My dad was in the Air Force for 27yrs and I was Army. I never see military supporting stickers as political. But that's just me.

 

I agree with you. I would not remove my stickers out of fear someone might get offended or upset and then might resort to vandalism in response. To me, it sounds like an irritational fear and I would not go along with it. But that's just me.

Looks like you've got the 4runner to yourself for now at least

 

We married in 2009. We are both divorced from previous marriages.

I’ve had those stickers on my T4R for close to a year now. And now all of a sudden it is a problem.

 

Might need a new wife! younger too.

 

If you really want to poke the bear, buy the exact same stickers and put them on her vehicle. I know, I know...I'm a terrible influence on others. I like throwing rocks at the wasps nest while people are standing under neath it to see who gets stung.

 

I've been married long enough that I get to hear the sigh in the morning when she realizes I didn't die in my sleep. Although she doesn't say anything about the one sticker I have on mine.

 

People who have never served should avoid putting military unit stickers on their vehicles.

They are not entitled to those stickers because they never put their skin in the game. Leave them for people who earned them.

Remember, stolen valor is a crime.

I have an 8th Inf Div and a "US Veteran" sticker on my Runner. And my Honorable Discharge gives me the right to show them.

 

Show her this. It's my ride, I make the rules.

 

Personally, I don’t put decals on my vehicles partly for the reason OP’s wife gives… but mostly I don’t like drawing unwanted attention, good, bad, or otherwise. Kinda like raptor lights.

other than that, cool stickers

 

Agree with this too. I never served but come from a military family. I thought it was a bit strange to have the unit stickers.

 

you serious, Clark?

 

I get what you're saying, but the OP didn't do that.

If he posted "USAF - Retired" or "CMSgt" stickers on his 4Runner, then yeah, that's stolen valor. But he didn't. He posted stickers supporting the Air Force & showing he's an air craft enthusiast.

 

Those stickers have been an issue for her since you first put them on your T4R, she's just now saying something, it takes more than a few months or sometimes years of marriage for some people to voice their true opinions about their spouse's quirks, beliefs, opinions and taste, etc.

Be prepared for more in the future!

 

Oh I know that sigh.

 

Where'd you serve?

 

Thank you for your service. And thank you for your reply.

But I do respectfully disagree with your reply, in-so-far as civilians or non-veterans displaying Military stickers.

I am proud of our Military, and as I said thankful for those who serve and those who have served.

And, as an American tax payer, I have contributed and am contributing to our Military in the way that I am able to do so.

And I am not falsely claiming to be a Vet.

 

I didn’t really know how to respond to this at first, just figured it was lighthearted marital drama. Re-reading, it sounds like some deeper issues there, and I don’t think the stickers are the real issue.

Whatever the case, I’d recommend working on communication or ejecting because her coercive tactics are not normal or healthy in a marriage. Good luck!

 

If it matters: USMC 1995-2002, Army 2003 - 2020 (Retired). Son currently Air Force.

I’ve never seen military affiliated stickers as a form of stolen valor. Do some people use them in poor taste? Sure, maybe, but not in OPs case, IMO.

 

Then take the unit stickers off. You did not earn them.

 

If so, then you know I'm serious.

 

Damn.....I have seen everything on this forum, but we are now into marriage counseling and having honorable military discussions. Easy boys....don't blow up over this stuff.

 

This is the only sticker on my truck. I wish it had a red stripe along with a green stripe.

 

"Air Force Global Strike Command", and "Air Combat Command" are not individual "units". They are entire world-wide "Commands".

As for my being specific regarding the "180th Fighter Wing", my wife's sister's son, ie. my wife's nephew, is an F-16 jet engine technician in Ohio in the Ohio Air National Guard, hence my 180th Fighter Wing sticker in show of support for him.

On top of that, our neighbor's son is a B-52H pilot, ie. left seater, out of Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana. I am showing support in the way that I can, for him, and his parents.

You sir cannot dictate to civilians to NOT show our support for our men and women in the Military.

 

Now stand up to your wife like you do to people on the internet

 

This was what I needed to hear and It would have worked on my first two marriages.. Well one, got one annulled/thrown out for bigamy.

 

As a former Army Ranger, I respectfully disagree with your post. These are simply stickers people put on their vehicles so for you to say "stolen valor is a crime." Come on bro! OP likes aviation stuff from the military.

 

@Rick G. , Respect your wife's wishes remove the decals from your marital property.
Then, have the decals tattooed on your back and shoulders. Put skin in the game. Show them tattoos proudly.

 

I didn't read the short story but i agree with your spouse, the stickers are tacky. Just like the individuals that post their whole carrier on the back widow. Take your old squadron patches and toss them on the headliner. Still tacky but a bit more respectable.