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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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It's already been stated a few times in a few different ways, but a lot of people are conflating the notions of veterans and combat/war veterans. The definition of a veteran in general is just someone who has a great deal of experience in a particular field. There are very specific guidelines as to what constitutes being a military veteran already mentioned here, which are 180 days of consecutive service or if medically discharged the time constraint does not apply.
To be a combat veteran is also really pretty simply defined, and generally noticeable on service members' service or dress uniforms depending on what branch. Whether someone personally defines themselves as a "combat veteran" or just a "garden variety veteran" or "none of the above" is their own cross to bear in how they view themself. If you crossed the line of departure into hostile territory during recognized hostilities, you are technically a combat veteran even if you just ran the chow line on the wagon train. Whether you consider yourself one or not is only really relevant to you.
Semper Fi.
C.H.U.D.
To be a combat veteran is also really pretty simply defined, and generally noticeable on service members' service or dress uniforms depending on what branch. Whether someone personally defines themselves as a "combat veteran" or just a "garden variety veteran" or "none of the above" is their own cross to bear in how they view themself. If you crossed the line of departure into hostile territory during recognized hostilities, you are technically a combat veteran even if you just ran the chow line on the wagon train. Whether you consider yourself one or not is only really relevant to you.
Semper Fi.
C.H.U.D.
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The definition of who is and who is not a veteran is defined in law. At the Federal level the definition is included in Title 38 of the US Code. Some, but not all, of the States have also created defined whom they consider a veteran, however, that cannot supersede the Federal definition. My opinion on the matter is effectively moot, given the law.
A veteran is defined by law as follows: Title 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.
All of the above being true, in my opinion, anyone who serves in any component of the armed forces deserves to be honored for that service, veteran by law or not.
Here is a link to a congressional research document related to this topic.
https://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R42324.pdf
Who is a "Veteran"?
"To be eligible for most VA benefits, the claimant must be a veteran or, in some circumstances, the survivor or the dependent of a veteran. 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." -- 38 U.S.C. § 101(2); 38 C.F.R. § 3.1(d).
A veteran is defined by law as follows: Title 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.
All of the above being true, in my opinion, anyone who serves in any component of the armed forces deserves to be honored for that service, veteran by law or not.
Here is a link to a congressional research document related to this topic.
https://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R42324.pdf
Who is a "Veteran"?
"To be eligible for most VA benefits, the claimant must be a veteran or, in some circumstances, the survivor or the dependent of a veteran. 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." -- 38 U.S.C. § 101(2); 38 C.F.R. § 3.1(d).
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Found this though Google. FEDERAL DEFINITION: under Federal Law a VETERAN is any person, who served honorably on active duty in the armed forces of the United States. (Discharges marked GENERAL AND UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS also qualify.)Jul 27, 2006
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IMHO a veteran is a service member who has completed IET and has completed their initial service contract. if you were injured before that or were discharged you can refer to yourself as having been a soldier. Now above that people like to break things down into who is more hooah then the other guy categories which I find silly but to each their own.
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As a firefighter, I run into a lot of homeless people who clam to be vets. I am simply amazed how many are Infantry, Ranger, Special Forces, Marine RECON and SEAL trained!
If they are actually are vets, I wonder how many were actually vets, or how many had been booted out either during basic, for failure to adapt, or were kicked out in there first few years due to drugs, alcohol or other disciplinary issues.
If they are actually are vets, I wonder how many were actually vets, or how many had been booted out either during basic, for failure to adapt, or were kicked out in there first few years due to drugs, alcohol or other disciplinary issues.
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War is a terrible thing. But not the most terrible thing. The most terrible thing is a man (and I might add woman) who values NOTHING more than their own life. For they can only be kept free by those possessing more character than they themselves possesses. To paraphrase a great philosopher.
A veteran is one who has when asked or volunteered to run toward that storm on the horizon, to place him/herself between the ravaging violence of the human condition and the innocent humanity within a society, to provide for the protection of known and unknown persons in places far flung upon the earth, to stand where others fear and serve a more noble cause. I am so honored to meet the young soldiers, sailors, airman and marines of today and see that same fire in their bellies for the nation and her liberty. When America can no longer fill the ranks of the heroes of the Republic with honorable men and women, then the downfall is surely within sight. Let us pray that God in His benevolence will continue to shine His grace on us and this great experiment in self governance for decades to come.
A veteran is one who has when asked or volunteered to run toward that storm on the horizon, to place him/herself between the ravaging violence of the human condition and the innocent humanity within a society, to provide for the protection of known and unknown persons in places far flung upon the earth, to stand where others fear and serve a more noble cause. I am so honored to meet the young soldiers, sailors, airman and marines of today and see that same fire in their bellies for the nation and her liberty. When America can no longer fill the ranks of the heroes of the Republic with honorable men and women, then the downfall is surely within sight. Let us pray that God in His benevolence will continue to shine His grace on us and this great experiment in self governance for decades to come.
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Anyone who donned the uniform at any time.
Then of course there are federal definitions for purposes of benefits and hiring (i.e. 5 point veteran). These are typically war/combat veterans.
Bottom line is all veterans are the same in the sense that they raised their right hand and gave an oath to potentially fight for something better and bigger than themselves.
Then of course there are federal definitions for purposes of benefits and hiring (i.e. 5 point veteran). These are typically war/combat veterans.
Bottom line is all veterans are the same in the sense that they raised their right hand and gave an oath to potentially fight for something better and bigger than themselves.
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2 weeks of Airforce bootcamp does NOT a veteran make! And for them to claim to have been a Marine and going to Marine sniper school to boot makes them even worse.
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I served but I don't consider myself a veteran. I feel like there's a time requirement of sorts.
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Just my view not trying to argue with no one, I joined when I was 17 went to Korea,then home (fort Bragg) for eight years only left because I was struck by a vehicle. I only call my fellow soldiers bros and sisters, who did not get general or a negative discharge. Regardless of if you rode "shin splints" all through basic and got discharged you are not a veteran
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