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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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The actual definition of a Veteran vs what most of us believe it to be vary considerably. I'm a 35yr old man that has put in 10yrs and 11 months of service of which I would go back active duty in a heart beat if I could. I consider myself to be a Veteran, yet I feel that I am and have done nothing out of the ordinary to deserve special treatment. I do however wish that we were not looked at and talked about like WE expect to be treated above others.
I feel that we(Myself included) are taken advantage of, whether by our very own government or by those teaching the younger crowds that we volunteered for this, so our pay/benefits should be lower.
A Veteran is someone that sacrifices their well being and gives up the everyday comforts in life to protect those that we love/care for, in order to keep our country and those in it free from harm. This also includes disaster assistance and other times of need.
As a Veteran, I consistently feel like I'm missing out on something and/or a part of myself by not currently being an active duty member.
I feel that we(Myself included) are taken advantage of, whether by our very own government or by those teaching the younger crowds that we volunteered for this, so our pay/benefits should be lower.
A Veteran is someone that sacrifices their well being and gives up the everyday comforts in life to protect those that we love/care for, in order to keep our country and those in it free from harm. This also includes disaster assistance and other times of need.
As a Veteran, I consistently feel like I'm missing out on something and/or a part of myself by not currently being an active duty member.
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By Congress Code, they follow the "Any, any, any" rule. Meaning ANY person who served ANY AMOUNT OF TIME in ANY BRANCH OF SERVICE is a veteran.
That being said, if you washed out in boot, I would have trouble with it, and I graduated boot but was sepped out later in AIT. I did everything I could to stay in, but the might AF gods said no. I did 6 months, which is not long, but I rarely get shit from fellow veterans, its always civilians who never served who have the gall to say shit.
That being said, if you washed out in boot, I would have trouble with it, and I graduated boot but was sepped out later in AIT. I did everything I could to stay in, but the might AF gods said no. I did 6 months, which is not long, but I rarely get shit from fellow veterans, its always civilians who never served who have the gall to say shit.
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Amn Michael McClung
ADD ON: I think what is hard for veterans is to go back to all being equal. We start as equals in boot camp, being shaved and new, but then along the way, we get ranks, medals, different numbers of years, and its hard for a vet of 25 years to be lumped in with a guy who did 6 months.
Understandable, but who cares? As long as its Honorable and Faithful service to this great country.
Understandable, but who cares? As long as its Honorable and Faithful service to this great country.
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While doing a security check around the COC Combat Operations Center / CCO Combat Command Center , what ever. It is the place out in the field , way back in the rear. In which Communications / Messages were sent and received. Could be land line or high tech Radio wave transmission. Point is that during the security check around the out side i was pushed into something or other. I fell into the razor ribbon / concertina wire , right. Blood , blood every were. A deep puncture wound. The staff SGT. told me , well he made me very happy. He said Larson your going to get the Reserve Casualty Ribbon. I was so happy. I wanted to bleed more, i felt so proud. ** Until i found out months latter there is no such award in the USMC **.
Point being i don't think the idea of being called a Veteran should be based completely on one aspect related to the service we provided our country and society. There are many points that are important related to the concept. The matter of one's discharge should be high on the totem pole.
Point being i don't think the idea of being called a Veteran should be based completely on one aspect related to the service we provided our country and society. There are many points that are important related to the concept. The matter of one's discharge should be high on the totem pole.
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My tadbit for the local new this year for Veteran's Day:
November 11th is Veteran's Day, a day to remember all Veterans who have served our country in the military, protecting and defending our great nation! If it was NOT for these veterans, we would NOT enjoy the freedoms we have! So on this day when you bump into a Veteran, please tell him or her; thank you for your unselfishness service!
It takes sacrifice and dedication to serve in the military. These two attributes is why our military members and veterans are the best in the world! Without these two attributes, our military would not be the force that is today and has been in the past! It is these attributes that drive our military members to protect and defend our nation in a world of tyranny that we live.
On behalf of a gratefully nation, with gratitude we thank all veterans who have served this great nation. We are in your debt for your service and our ability to live and enjoy the freedoms. We owe you an eternity for your service!
With Deep Appreciation,
Thomas J. Lucken
Post Commander
Brownstown VFW Post 9770
November 11th is Veteran's Day, a day to remember all Veterans who have served our country in the military, protecting and defending our great nation! If it was NOT for these veterans, we would NOT enjoy the freedoms we have! So on this day when you bump into a Veteran, please tell him or her; thank you for your unselfishness service!
It takes sacrifice and dedication to serve in the military. These two attributes is why our military members and veterans are the best in the world! Without these two attributes, our military would not be the force that is today and has been in the past! It is these attributes that drive our military members to protect and defend our nation in a world of tyranny that we live.
On behalf of a gratefully nation, with gratitude we thank all veterans who have served this great nation. We are in your debt for your service and our ability to live and enjoy the freedoms. We owe you an eternity for your service!
With Deep Appreciation,
Thomas J. Lucken
Post Commander
Brownstown VFW Post 9770
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So I got my knee destroyed at the end of training. Said my goodbyes to my brothers when they shipped out. My tank crew are all dead and I'm here. So please tell me if I'm a Veteran or not. Because this one up than the other is starting to become bs. Took the oath lost my brothers and stuck living in this world. My life was changed and nothing I could do and still can't to change it.
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Imo a vet is someone who did their job. Deployments or not. In all reality deployments are an experience some are lucky enough to get. I loved my time on deployment, it was an experience I wouldn't ever give up, however some people get dealt the shitty hand and don't get a chance to leave the states. However, if someone joined to stay stateside I don't consider them much of a vet. I don't know anyone who's done that though. I don't consider reservists and nat guard who never deployed, out of choice more than anything, vets either. They basically took the military as a part time job. I also don't consider those who got broken in boot camp vets. From a Marine stand point they technically didn't even earn the title of Marine by not completing boot camp. I have a friend who was kicked out during boot camp cuz it was discovered he had developed Crohn's disease. In talking with him, he doesn't consider himself a vet. Should people who get med sep'd during boot camp get benefits? Of course, through no fault of their own were they unable to preform their duties. Should they be considered vets? Not so much.
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I once was told that sense I served during peace time I did not deserve to use the VA or get any other benies. How is that, and who else believes that? Any one else.
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LCpl Chad Parson
Whoever once told you that doesn't have their facts straight and shouldn't be someone you listen to on such matters.
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When I retired from the National Guard in 2004, I had 24 years towards retirement. My final DD214 does not show any AD time, all of AD entries are for ADT. I retired as a Major and I will never forget a dear friend of mine, and a Vietnam veteran telling me I was a veteran. He verbalized the "Blank Check" statement to me and he said to finish, "you raised your hand and served this country honorably". Even though I don't qualify for VA benefits or admission to a VFW, I know I served. I have never, or will ever take advantage of being a veteran. I'm 53 years old, I wear hearing aids (19 years as a UH-1H pilot), have a replaced hip (which I believe wasn't helped by 1000's of miles running and marching in combat boots) and I'm currently fighting cancer. I'm one of the lucky ones, I have a great job, great health care and can afford this fight. I would never dream of fighting for medical help when so many of our brothers and sisters are in dire need of strong caring help from our Government and the VA.
So if I, and others with similar military backgrounds aren't seen as "Veterans", that's not our problem, it's someone else's, and I won't be bothered with it. I can lay my head down each night in this great country and know that I served, and served with honor, along with hundreds of others, and that I will always consider brothers and sisters, but mostly Veterans. Thank you, and God Bless.
So if I, and others with similar military backgrounds aren't seen as "Veterans", that's not our problem, it's someone else's, and I won't be bothered with it. I can lay my head down each night in this great country and know that I served, and served with honor, along with hundreds of others, and that I will always consider brothers and sisters, but mostly Veterans. Thank you, and God Bless.
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