war vet

Bill from Left 4 Dead

William “Bill” Overbeck is one of the four playable Survivors in VALVE’s survival zombie shooter Left 4 Dead. He is a Vietnam veteran who served in the US Army 1st Special Forces Group. He is often seen with his trusty M16A2 assault rifle.

Lieutenant Dan

Lt. Dan Taylor (Gary Sinise) is affectionately called Lieutenant Dan by Forrest Gump. After losing his legs in the Vietnam War, he returns stateside and enters a dark period before emerging to partner with Forrest in a shrimping business.

Lincoln Clay

In Mafia III, Lincoln Clay is a Vietnam War vet. When he finds that his adopted family, the Black Mob, has been killed, he seeks revenge on the Marcano Crime Family and starts his own criminal empire.

John “Hannibal” Smith

Colonel John “Hannibal” Smith (George Peppard) leads the A-Team, a group of former special forces soldiers who were convicted of a crime they did not commit, escaped, and who now work covertly as soldiers of fortune. Like his namesake, he is a master tactician, and he loves nothing more than when a plan comes together.

Gene from Wet Hot American Summer

In Wet Hot American Summer, Gene Jenkinson (Christopher Meloni) is a shell-shocked Vietnam vet who finds his calling as a summer camp chef. With the help of his friend, a talking can of vegetables, he’s able to help Coop win over his crush Katie.

Travis Bickle

In Martin Scorsese’s movie Taxi Driver, Travis Bickle (Robert De Niro) is a US Marine who gets a job as a New York City cab driver. He spirals into depression due to the street crime he witnesses every night and his lack of a love life. He’s starting to get fed up, and about to take things into his own hands.

Rambo

Rambo, first name John, is an action hero played by Sylvester Stallone. At first a sympathetic war vet who has trouble integrating back into society, Rambo becomes more and more comical as the sequels pile up. For this costume, we’ll supply the muscles, you supply the blood, sweat, and tears.

The Punisher

Frank Castle is the Punisher, a vigilante willing to cross any boundaries in his fight against crime. After his family is brutally murdered by the mob, he wages an all out war by kidnapping, extorting, and torturing his way to justice.

Walter Sobchak from The Big Lebowski

In The Big Lebowski, Walter Sobchak (played by John Goodman) is a Vietnam veteran with a temper who is on the same bowling team as the Dude and Donny. It’s hard to decide whether you want Walter on your side or if you want to stay away from him. With his military vest and random weapons, Walter is ready to go to war over anything. He’ll even take you out over a game of bowling. Walter is the Dude’s best friend, though his tendency to use his pistol to settle an argument can be stressful for the Dude’s pacifist nature.  Walter often talks down to Donny, but when Donny dies, Walter takes the initiative to try and spread his ashes at the beach. Some of the most iconic pieces of Walter’s costume include his yellow aviators, tan vest, and his pistol.  If you don’t have an old metal Folgers can lying around in your basement or garage, a metal urn shaped like a coffee can will certainly do the trick.

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