What is a Veteran?

I Am an IMA (Individual Mobilization Augmentee). My civilian employer has never acknowledged our Veterans on Veterans Day, though I often wear my uniform and celebrate after work with the Veterans in the area. This year, I brought it up again that Veterans Day is coming up, and so my company decided to have a breakfast to honor those of us who have served. The discussion came up : 'Who is a Veteran?' What? But even some of the former military here (most notably a former an Air Force officer ) have said that they are not 'Veterans', which is upsetting,as though they are trying to distinguish themselves as somewhat 'better'. As a Soldier who joined the Active Army In 1974, got off active duty In 1992, joined The Reserves right after that, and has plans to retire next September (with 32 'good' years), it frustrates me when 'civilians' try to define the roles of military members. The VA has one definition of Veteran, Reservists have another definition, etc etc etc. I have decided to go with the definition of Veteran from The American War Library: " A Veteran is defined By Federal Law, Moral Code And Military Service as "Any, Any, Any"... A Military Veteran Is ANY Person who Served for ANY Length of time In ANY Military Service Branch. What do you think of this definition?"