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I believe a veteran is …..
One who opposes war as a solution but values might when required to affect a solution.
One who values their life in relation to a cause important to their nation?
One who stands proudly to salute their flag as an icon of their nation and values they hold dear.
One whose humility stands out more often than others around them do.
These are the attributes of the Veteran…..
I say to a veteran, “Thank you and your family for your service & sacrifice, we owe you a debt to hear this from at least one person every day.” The reply so often received is - “No thanks necessary, it was my honor to serve.” It is their reply that reveals the spirit of the Veteran, an unofficial title of Honor and respect due to those who served for the true hero they are.
There are those in our society who chose to undermine and demean what a Veteran is, using the term to distinguish time in a job or as some title in a computer game for “experience earned.”
There are those in government whose political views oppose war and they therefore oppose all Veterans for the sake of politics, the Veteran a pawn in their game of thrones.
There are those in society who opposed a particular war at one time and continue to oppose its Veterans. These individuals interpose the noble reason of a government-imposed draft to justify supporting their nation's enemies and creating chaos within their own country as protected acts done under the guise of a statement of Freedom of Speech and Expression. Some people who, in the least of their actions, spit on our returning Veterans, in uniform, even while injured in a wheelchair.
There are those who hate & detest Veterans and may, in the course of their business or job, be it banking, insurance, a restaurant, etc., do heinous deeds on behalf of their hatred. Several misgivings include denying a loan, denying a policy or denying needed care
Yet in spite of all this, we encounter a true oxymoron “Veteran's Administration” to which the attribute “dysfunction” is, and has been, a most graceful understatement lasting for more than 60 years. The Veteran, who has faced death as a tool to be used or at the loss of a fellow Soldier more often than those who hate them, continues humbly to move through their life. Be it in a cardboard box, providing for their family now and in the future, or to assure a warm and healthy meal every day, the Veteran continues to “take that hill” and overtake all opposition as a matter of course, conviction, self-worth, and, most importantly, Honor.
Therein lies the source of the Veteran's heroism and humility, their Honor, an Honor to serve. Please, if you see or run into a Veteran, express a simple thank you for their service and sacrifice, show them you Honor their Honor that you appreciate the slice of their life they put forward on America's behalf, standing for your nation, irrespective of the outcome or the government's reason for war. These people served by choice but it is a contractual obligation that they cannot walk away from, or, they were drafted, the government assuming their life a “resource,” repugnant to the Veteran's very reason for fighting, “...endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life,...” Veterans deserve our heartfelt appreciation just because they are Veterans, the remaining American blood and Treasure of a group of Americans who continue to serve America with their Honor.
One who opposes war as a solution but values might when required to affect a solution.
One who values their life in relation to a cause important to their nation?
One who stands proudly to salute their flag as an icon of their nation and values they hold dear.
One whose humility stands out more often than others around them do.
These are the attributes of the Veteran…..
I say to a veteran, “Thank you and your family for your service & sacrifice, we owe you a debt to hear this from at least one person every day.” The reply so often received is - “No thanks necessary, it was my honor to serve.” It is their reply that reveals the spirit of the Veteran, an unofficial title of Honor and respect due to those who served for the true hero they are.
There are those in our society who chose to undermine and demean what a Veteran is, using the term to distinguish time in a job or as some title in a computer game for “experience earned.”
There are those in government whose political views oppose war and they therefore oppose all Veterans for the sake of politics, the Veteran a pawn in their game of thrones.
There are those in society who opposed a particular war at one time and continue to oppose its Veterans. These individuals interpose the noble reason of a government-imposed draft to justify supporting their nation's enemies and creating chaos within their own country as protected acts done under the guise of a statement of Freedom of Speech and Expression. Some people who, in the least of their actions, spit on our returning Veterans, in uniform, even while injured in a wheelchair.
There are those who hate & detest Veterans and may, in the course of their business or job, be it banking, insurance, a restaurant, etc., do heinous deeds on behalf of their hatred. Several misgivings include denying a loan, denying a policy or denying needed care
Yet in spite of all this, we encounter a true oxymoron “Veteran's Administration” to which the attribute “dysfunction” is, and has been, a most graceful understatement lasting for more than 60 years. The Veteran, who has faced death as a tool to be used or at the loss of a fellow Soldier more often than those who hate them, continues humbly to move through their life. Be it in a cardboard box, providing for their family now and in the future, or to assure a warm and healthy meal every day, the Veteran continues to “take that hill” and overtake all opposition as a matter of course, conviction, self-worth, and, most importantly, Honor.
Therein lies the source of the Veteran's heroism and humility, their Honor, an Honor to serve. Please, if you see or run into a Veteran, express a simple thank you for their service and sacrifice, show them you Honor their Honor that you appreciate the slice of their life they put forward on America's behalf, standing for your nation, irrespective of the outcome or the government's reason for war. These people served by choice but it is a contractual obligation that they cannot walk away from, or, they were drafted, the government assuming their life a “resource,” repugnant to the Veteran's very reason for fighting, “...endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life,...” Veterans deserve our heartfelt appreciation just because they are Veterans, the remaining American blood and Treasure of a group of Americans who continue to serve America with their Honor.
Posted in these groups: 
Honor
Honor
Edited >1 y ago
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 71
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There are statutory requirements. Generally speaking it's in B&W. The only "grey area" is those injured during initial training, and most of those are accorded status.
If you raised your hand and shipped, there's a better than 99% chance you are a Veteran by the "statutory requirement." There is no need for Veterans to be our own worst enemies on this subject. There is no need for us to divide ourselves on this issue. It doesn't matter when we served. Where we served. Why we served. Who we served with. We served is what matters.
If you raised your hand and shipped, there's a better than 99% chance you are a Veteran by the "statutory requirement." There is no need for Veterans to be our own worst enemies on this subject. There is no need for us to divide ourselves on this issue. It doesn't matter when we served. Where we served. Why we served. Who we served with. We served is what matters.
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PFC Joseph Levi
LCpl Lance Flowers - You might want to check with your local Veteran Service Agency and see if you could get that discharge changed. The fact that at the time you went through that life event, then took it on your own to clean-up, might be enough to get your discharge changed.
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AB Brian Fritzie
Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS - that is tricky..I am one of those guys..Due to no fault of mine, while in basic training, some guy trip and knocked me down a flight of stairs..I receive 30% from the VA!! You are right that is tricky?? Quick question would u consider me a Vet?? I wasnt in long didnt finish basic, yet got a honorable discharge and a VA service connected? Thanks..
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
AB Brian Fritzie - You raised your hand. You didn't shirk service. I'd hazard a guess that when they told you they were sending you home you were devastated.
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AB Brian Fritzie
Thank you sir u made my day!! Great honor to hear from a US Marine...I have so much respect for the Marine Corp!!
Since I was a freshman in high school I wanted to join the US Air Force like my father did for 20 years. .I was devestated but my father was there to help so wasnt to bad got the VA went to college and have a great job with the feds!!
Thanks again Sgt Aaron Kennedy!!
Since I was a freshman in high school I wanted to join the US Air Force like my father did for 20 years. .I was devestated but my father was there to help so wasnt to bad got the VA went to college and have a great job with the feds!!
Thanks again Sgt Aaron Kennedy!!
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A Veteran
Whether active duty,retired,or national guard or reserve
is someone who, at one point in his or her life
wrote a blank check made payable to
The United States of America
for an amount of
up to and including my life
That is honor
there are way too many people in this country
who NO LONGER understand it
Whether active duty,retired,or national guard or reserve
is someone who, at one point in his or her life
wrote a blank check made payable to
The United States of America
for an amount of
up to and including my life
That is honor
there are way too many people in this country
who NO LONGER understand it
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AB Brian Fritzie
I served for a short time because of injury that happened in basic training. Some guy trip knocked me down steps.. I recieved 30% va..I am I not a veteran?
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SSG Edward Joy
The men who stormed the beaches at Normandy and Omaha were called veterans, the same as the Remington raiders who never left the Pentagon. We go where we are told to go, and do the job's that have to be done.
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I define a Veteran as someone who honorably served their country.
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SGT Juan Torres
I went to Ft steward Georgia, got drunk a lot, got in a lot of troubles, lots of extra duty and restrictions, they sent me to the Rapid deployment force at hunter army airfield, kept getting drunk and in trouble. They shipped me to Germany, where I kept getting drunk, getting in trouble and flipping my fingers at the red army, eye balling me from behind the curtain, 5 years later they honorably discharged me. Some people might not consider me a veteran, but hey, I dont care, I got drunk a lot
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I have two of these meaning I personally defended this nation and her way of life TWICE, and was recognized by two presidents by being presented this award, so that basically makes me THE Hardcorest SuperVet this side of the Mississippi. EAT THAT Chuck Norris. SF ain't got sh*t on me.
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SSG Larry Asher
Seriously? This looks like it belongs in a duffleblog post. There needs to be a humor section in here or maybe a "Hilarious" vote open.
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MAJ (Join to see)
SrA Scott Malone - A quick look at his profile will show you that he served in the Balkans back in the 90's. When a Reservist or National Guardsmen is mobilized in a contingency operation in which a the NDSM is not being given, but otherwise a campaign or expeditionary medal is, then that service member qualifies for the NDSM, even if it is not currently being given. I know because I was there as a mobilized Reservist, we got so many medals for that one mission, we had a filed day medal wise. I am one of the few people walking around with three of them: DS/DS, Operation Joint Guard/Force, and for the current operations.
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SFC Everett Oliver
SSgt Ed Lewandowski - Join the American Legion, they have a better representation in Washington anyway.... (This has nothing to do with me being a local Commander)
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MAJ (Join to see)
I stay away from using the term "combat veteran". Even as I have been in three wars, plus Korea, I have never been shot, and never shot back at anybody. I have always got stuck - unfortunately - inside the base, with no chance to see any action. Tried to "escape" but us "chairbornes" are treated like prisoners, to a point, never allowed to go outside the wire. Really hated it!
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MSG (Join to see)
MAJ (Join to see) - When I was deployed to Iraq, I was what I am now, a Preventive Medicine Specialist. I was basically a Hopping Fobbit. When I did leave the wire, it was via rotary or MRAP....and all the time I was the passenger. For the MRAP, every time I crawled into one, the TC would tell us in the back to sit down to shut up and to not do a damn thing without his permission or say so.
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I came here due to a post on a friend's page. He said he didn't consider himself a "vet" because he hadn't deployed. I replied that, You know, I've deployed twice, once with the Infantry, and It never occurred to me to ASK if you'd deployed when we were stationed together. You were there, you were in uniform, you were doing your job to the best of your ability, you were my battle buddy. To me, You're a Vet. I'm not sure why this is a discussion. I had family who never deployed because they served during the Ford or Clinton era and there were no wars to be fought. But they're still Veterans. I had a dear friend who was injured (though no fault of his own) in an Airborne jump only a few weeks after passing Airborne school, then medically discharged. He's Still a Veteran. We all signed a blank check. For some, that check was never cashed, but their signature was still on it. And that's enough for me.
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SPC Mark Kreutsberg
Ok. Let me try again. Autocorrect is being stupid. 3 deployments under Clinton. Iraq still had deployments going on, Bosnia and Somali.
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SPC Mark Kreutsberg
And deployment does not mean you are a veteran. As long as you don't have dishonorable or other than honorable discharge, you are veteran.
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SGT (Join to see)
thanks for that sgt christie, I served 92-01, my gramps said 'you served in Korea, you were in a war zone..you can join the VFW...I was like 'what?' He got me in, he was a commander or asst. commander or something...It means a lot to me to be a vet. I saw some things I don't want to see again and it is hard for me to talk about. But to be called a vet and have someone thank me? That's more precious to me than gold. Thanks again.
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I would qualify a Veteran as someone that has completed all necessary training to fulfill there contract. Now if they completed all training and was at there assigned duty station and was injured etc I would consider them a Vet. If they were injured during the basic phase of boot camp etc, no I wouldn't consider that person to be a vet, if they were hurt and discharged at boot camp etc yes DOD should give them benefits to cover that injury but that's it. But wouldn't be considered a Vet. IMO
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MSG David Holmden
Sgt Kelli Mays - No, I guess I must have stated something in the wrong manor. You can complete all of your training in less than a year, hurt or not you'd be considered a vet. I was only giving an example, if someone was to be injured before completing contract etc. Of course if you completed 5 years you'd be considered a Vet. I hope I cleared up what you were asking.
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SPC Charles Gray
I was in the guard from 08-13 before that the reserves 89-91 during late 2010 i tore my knee up in a school re-classing once i had the surgery in the following june I tired to deploy with the airborne infantry unit they needed 91b so I decided to give it a shot then at mob I finished off my knee and now have a rating of 50% one thing thats going on is I'm still trying to get my sleep apnea claim in this is my 5ht time .There trying to tell me since I have a big neck i smoke and I'm fat that it causes it the only thing is that I never knew I had while i was on duty so I've had former people that i have served with on at school with me used to record me sleeping he wrote me a letter towards my claim and hes a respiratory therapist active duty army any ideas if this might go through from anyone my claim person is great but this has been going for awhile
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MSG David Holmden
SPC Charles Gray - First question I have is are you already ETS'ed, Med boarded out or still in? Shouldn't be that huge of a problem if your still in so I'm only guessing your already out. Many SM's have issues with going back for a claim for sleep apnea after being out. VERY hard to prove that it actually existed during your time of service, my father is in the same situation. "We" know he had it during his service but because he never had it officially diagnosed during service they won't give him the percentage for it. Having other SM's write sworn statements is good but look at what VA has to look at, the SM's that recorded you are not doctors nor can you or them prove that it's you on the recording. Not trying to shoot you down and keep up the fight but look at it from there view. Only other thing I could suggest is going to ear, nose, throat Doctor as he can actually say weather it's caused by weight issues. Wish you luck, hit me up anytime, as I like helping SM's get what they deserve.
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SPC Petra Gutierrez
I just had that discussion about that topic with a fellow veteran the other day and we came to the same conclusion on how individuals who get injured during basic training should get labeled and how they should get medically taken care of but NOT be considered a veteran .
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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. A war veteran is any GI (Government Issue) ordered to foreign soil or waters to participate in direct or support activity against an enemy. The operant condition: Any GI sent in harm's way. A combat veteran is any GI who experiences any level of hostility for any duration resulting from offensive, defensive or friendly fire military action involving a real or perceived enemy in any foreign theater.
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SFC Craig Dalen
You are looking at this in a broad sense. Not every combat vet is worthy of respect. I get that, of course some are true dirt bags just like anything in life. The answer to your question is no.
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1SG Harold Piet
2LT R. A. - He is still a combat Veteran. He was tried, convicted, served his time, but in my opinion was the fall guy. No disrespect intended Sir but if a Lt gave me an illegal order to murder such a group I would tell him what to do. Someone higher than a LT was giving orders.
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I love words. They're my stock in trade. For example, my wife and I spent the afternoon laughing over the connection between "ruminate" and "ruminant". No, I'm not going to belabor that one with you. We're talking here about "veteran".
Generally, the word is derived from the Latin for "old" and is used in many applications that have nothing to do with the military. Thus, we have to specify "military veteran" for the purposes of this discussion.
Under 38 U.S. Code § 101 - Definitions - (2)The term “veteran” means a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable.
I believe that should settle the point.
So, I'll just leave you with the assignment to find out what it means to "chew the cud".
Generally, the word is derived from the Latin for "old" and is used in many applications that have nothing to do with the military. Thus, we have to specify "military veteran" for the purposes of this discussion.
Under 38 U.S. Code § 101 - Definitions - (2)The term “veteran” means a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable.
I believe that should settle the point.
So, I'll just leave you with the assignment to find out what it means to "chew the cud".
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SSgt Daniel Lamb
Old Corps, New Corps, don't matter as long as it's Marine Corps! - Marine Corps Saying
"Old breed? New breed? There’s not a damn bit of difference so long as it’s the Marine breed." -Lewis "Chesty" Puller, USMC
"Old breed? New breed? There’s not a damn bit of difference so long as it’s the Marine breed." -Lewis "Chesty" Puller, USMC
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SSgt Daniel Lamb
I want to note that the picture above is not me, but one of my men while we were in Panama. Mike Company 3d Bn, 4th Mar (I do not like my picture taken).
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I served 365 days on active duty. Sometime around my 300th I was rucking in Hohenfels, Germany when I couldn't bare the pain anymore. A surgical attempt to remove a bone spur in my foot, 3 years prior, had failed. The calcium deposits had been growing back for some time, bigger and sharper. I just didn't realize it until we started marching so much. I was 19 years old and devoted to being a Scout, but my options were between a desk job and home. I chose home. I spent the remaining two months helping my unit prep for deployment. It's been 15 years since then. I have my moments when I wish I had stayed in. Now that I have a family, I've come to terms with my decision. I'm humbled. I have many friends who've toured in Iraq and Afghanistan. I praise them for their dedication and sacrifice. When asked about my time in the military, I can see the confusion in some people's faces when I tell them that I never deployed. I'm always afraid that they're going to think that I'm some loser who gave up. For a long time, I believed that I gave up. I was so embarrassed. It took me many years to come to the realization that I didn't give up; I made it through OSUT at FORT KNOX! A lot of guys can't even get through basic! And I did that, AIT, and several months of active duty in the harsh Winter of Germany; all while unknowingly injured! To Hell with anyone who thinks I quit! I'm a Veteran! Just because I'm not in the military anymore doesn't mean that I won't fight to the death for my country. Scouts Out!
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PV2 Gary Weller
Thank you, Margaret. My Commander allowed me to stay with the unit for the remaining 2 months for two reasons: 1) Help the unit deploy for Kosovo. 2) At the 365 day mark, I'd get my GI Bill. I stuck around and helped all that I could. I received an Honorable Medical Discharge. No disability, as it was a preexisting condition, and I was fine with that. I didn't feel like they owed me anything. If anything, I felt that I still owed them something. Like I said "Just because I'm not in the military anymore doesn't mean that I won't fight to the death for my country." Thanks again, Margaret.
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SPC Margaret Higgins
PV2 Gary Weller, You are more than welcome.
I feel the Exact Same Way about Our Country. I am exceedingly PROUD of YOU; for your loyalty, honor and sense of duty.
Ironically, though I am sure that mine wasn't Nearly as painful as yours, I just had foot surgery to remove my bone spur. Go figure, huh?
I feel the Exact Same Way about Our Country. I am exceedingly PROUD of YOU; for your loyalty, honor and sense of duty.
Ironically, though I am sure that mine wasn't Nearly as painful as yours, I just had foot surgery to remove my bone spur. Go figure, huh?
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