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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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SSgt Nicholas Merchant
A Vet is any person who completed one enlistment term or was released honorably by no fault of their own it is a mind set a person who puts this countries ideals before their own a vet lives by the code honor integrity and commitment
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AB Brian Fritzie
I agree my father was a 20 year veteran USAF my mind set was to be like my father never made it. Sucked
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This is a tricky situation, Someone that is hurt in basic training and can not go on with their service I feel should be covered by VA and be a Vet. The one that cop out and pull the I can't take this mentally should not. When I went through 26 yrs ago, we had 3 or 4 guys once we got to AIT pull the I can't do this mentally so they could get out. I do think that a set amount of time should be there that you have to complete. Only exception is injuries...
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SGT Steve Oakes
What about mental break down during BCT? We had a guy snap and throw his weapon at a Drill Sgt. We never saw him again.
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SGT Andrew Chapman
Sgt Steve Oakes, there are those who have true mental break downs and that is what I meant by exception is injury. We had some that were perfectly fine use the mental excuse to get out thought. But I do agree the ones that are true mental breakdowns need to be taken care of.
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CPT Richard Riley
With so much back-and-forth about "combat vet" versus 'veteran' it becomes almost vitriolic against one another. I don't believe there is a real reason for the infighting, it's just a scrum about who deserves what -or- I'm better than you. Neither are factually correct on the surface in reality. There are only so many combat MOS's yet there are scores of additional MOS's that support those combatants and truth be told, it takes everyone of them to get the job done. There are some specific comments here in the thread that would have been better off left alone but that is not my call.
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I served 2007 to 2009...because of injury and other reasons I was let go 34 days shy of my 2 year mark BUT the Post General and JAG said the Army damaged me so they were obliged to care for me for the rest of my days so long story short, I am a DAV/Disabled American Veteran. I tried to deploy more than once but a head injury during AIT ended that for me-so we veterans need to stick together NO matter what
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CPT Richard Riley
Answers are not always concrete, but damage needs to be cared for and taken care of. Being one of us is not always easy.
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PFC Pamala (Hall ) Foster
Never is or will be in uniform. Glad I did it...50 years young now and if not for being Legal blind in one eye, I'd enlist again, but different MOS!
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I personally feel a veteran is anyone who has fully and honorably served the United States of America. It is kind of a civilian attitude towards the word "veteran" that implies that one has been in combat.
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lol actually I remember that lol I think they call "none qualifying veteran" .... or something like that ...
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Hello Jinger, may I ask why you were told you were not a veteran? Is it solely because you are a woman? If so, that is utter crap! You are indeed a veteran, and I venture to say women in the service have it rougher than most men because there is the very real problem of sexual harassment and assault in the military. As a father of one girl and two boys I can tell you I would feel safer having my boys serve than my girl. Women are forced to work that much harder and have to be better than most just to make it! Look at the two female officers who just graduated Ranger School. There are all sorts of malcontents that scream conspiracy theory and use lack of evidence as evidence saying there is a cover-up. I served 5 years in RTB and if SGM Boley who is the OPS SGM of the Ranger Training Brigade says they legitimately passed, then that is it. There are too many professionals in RTB to say otherwise. The other question I have is are they saying you are not a vet because of your MOS or era you served in? Or is it because you were Guard or Reserves? I have heard all kinds of vets say so and so isn't a vet because of their MOS or component. We all need to support each other if we expect anyone else to! :D
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PFC Pamala (Hall ) Foster
You served the time in (let go due to injury, no fault of your own), got the DD214 that says You ARE a veteran, than YOU ARE! I didn't see combat/Deploy due to TBI and eye damage and a friend took my place. I say I did NOT due enough but I did inspire a few girls and when I go out to sing somewhere and they see that pin that says VETERAN, they ask how to help and I tell them SHOW love to those around you be in or OUT of uniform.
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I retired with 20 years, no combat. my brother and my father retired with 20 years, my brother was in combat. My father had 3 brothers retired with 20 or more years active duty and one that died in combat. My daughter has 3 years and a medical discharge. In my humble opinion if you have 180 continuous days of honorable service you are a vet. If you did not attain 180 days honorable service then you were a trainee and not a vet. I still thank you for trying.
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PFC David Ryba
It doesn't matter where you served, when you served, or what your job was. The important think is that you served!
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[By statute, a veteran is defined as a “person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable.” ]http://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R42324.pdf
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SGT Eric Kesseler
This is true Nick! That is why they have length of service requirements for Guard and Reserves. I remember for the Kosovo Campaign Medal a Guard member or Reservist had to serve 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days in theater to qualify. Obviously, that is for award of a medal, not the title military veteran, but I think the principle is similar!
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To be fair, the word 'veteran' is old...it's been around for a long time and it effectively means someone who's experienced at something. You know, seasoned. However, everyone here makes a valid point: the current American lexicon uses the term Veteran to identify someone who's served their military term honorably. You know what I can stand? Civilian companies using the phrase "years of service". I've worked for two civilian organizations that uses that phraseology. I don't know why that pisses me off, but it does.
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Thank you for saying all that you did because that sums up everything. I trully enjoyed reading your statement and brings pride and joy to my heart because i feel edpecially being a bkack american and vet that im not appreciated thank you.
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SGT Eric Kesseler
May I ask when you served Christopher? I can't believe anyone in this day and age would say a black veteran is not a real vet or unappreciated! I met my best friend who is a proud black man from South Carolina at my first duty station! I'd take issue with anyone who tried to discredit his service! And in case you haven't heard it in a while, THANK YOU for your service!!!
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