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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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That depends upon whom you ask. According to the Department of Labor, a veteran is any one who served during the Spanish-American war, between 1914-1918, 1941-1955, 1965-1975, 1991-present, earned a campaign medal, forces or occupation ribbon, Purple Heart, or served in an action against an enemy force. So, according to the Department of Labor, any one who served after Vietnam and before Desert Storm are not considered veterans and therefore do not qualify for the 5 points Veteran's preference. To the Department of Labor, I want to thank you for discrediting my 9 years, 10 months and 27 days of active military service.
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LCpl Chad Parson
It's not so much that the DOL is discrediting your service, but more so that they are providing protections for specific groups of veterans who may encounter hiring discrimination due to their military service during recognized time of war. That said, unless you are applying for a government sector job, that specific preference privilege does not really apply. And I can tell you that most private sector employers would have no clue whether you ticked all of the boxes to be a DOL defined veteran or not.
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I was never spit on the United States, but while I was stationed in Korea back in 96-97, I was spit on 3 different times for being an American soldier. I know its not the same as being spit on by your own people, but its demoralizing all the same when you and your brothers are the only thing standing between them and the 5th largest army in the world. One of times I was spit on was while visiting a college campus with a Korean friend I had made. I grabbed the dude by the collar and said, "Do you think I want to be here in this shit hole country? I speak for almost every soldier I know when is say that we would pack up and leave this country to go home with our families in a heartbeat, and let the North Koreans invade you and rape and kill you entire family. Im here because the US Government asked me to be here and its my duty. I dont give a shit about you." The look he gave me was classic. I dont think he ever thought of it that way. He just saw us as occupiers and not individual people.
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If you took the oath, and, unless prevented by forces beyond your control, completed the contract. Whether you were front lines or in the rear with the gear, you are a veteran.
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I've always wondered how true combat veterans felt about "Weekend Warriors."
I spent 6 years driving a forklift in the peacetime reserves. I feel like I missed a valuable experience by never having been in combat.
I spent 6 years driving a forklift in the peacetime reserves. I feel like I missed a valuable experience by never having been in combat.
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The way I see it is boot camp and AIT trains soldiers to serve. If they didn't make it out of training they didn't serve. Those who were injured do deserve compensation but only for the injury that ended their training . As for those who didn't deploy, they are still veterans . Many soldiers served in times of peace and still deserve respect for being ready just as the rest of us were. I am a 5th generation soldier and am proud of both of my parents for serving . Neither one deployed but I may not be who I am without their peacetime service . Thank you mom and dad, my veterans , for instilling in me the pride and courage it takes to serve.
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There are different "types" of veterans, based on the situation. The majority of my career has been in the National Guard and reserves, and as a "Cold Warrior". I was activated in 1992-93 for 139 days under Title 10, and again in 1996 for 75 days. Another time in 1999-2000 for 91 days and under Title 32 for 75 days in 2009. I am considered a Persian Gulf Era veteran for my service in the 1990s. I am also a disabled veteran based on a service-connected disabilty. I did serve under Title 10 orders for Basic and AIT as an Army Guardsman, and later under Title 32 as an AGR soldier. As a basic rule, to receive VA benefits (non disability) one needs to complete 180 days of active duty service, or complete the period of service for which they were called to duty (example: my 139 days of active duty in 1992-93). If you served in the NG or reserves for at least 6 years you are a veteran for VA Home Loan eligibility. Each of the states have a slightly different rule for things such as license plates, tuition assistance, etc. Best to check with your local veterans agent or a service officer from the AL, VFW or DAV for what you may be eligible for in your community and state. Thank you all for your service - for whatever duration or whatever location!
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The question is complex. Do you mean by legal definition or some other definition? By law, a veteran eligible for benefits through the VA is someone who served two years or the period ordered to serve on ACTIVE DUTY and who were discharged under other than dishonorable circumstances. Historically, many reservists and National Guardsmen are not veterans by law because they are ordered to active duty for less than the time required to qualify. So a person could do a full 20 in the Reserves and still not be considered by law to be a veteran.
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Note that everyone that signs there life away is not a "good person", let's remember we have American gangs that send their recruits to the military to come back to the gangs with weapons knowledge to kill innocent Americans. Something like two years consecutive service, with anything but a dishonorable discharge, is what I remember browsing over for official veteran status. Every other rule in the book must be followed so why not this one as well, lest the military becomes more Obama like and just decides to start making rules that are unlawful and unconstitutional without every member of that groups in put (Obamas case = every American citizen, Military = every current and past member).
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There used to be a standard, someone mentioned it being in B&W. As I recall it was 2 years service during peace time and 6 months during a period of conflict. Personally for me the biggest difference is in the labels, "Veteran" and "Combat Veteran". I've deployed 3 times, still on my third actually and I in no way consider myself a "Combat Veteran". I have been in harms way but have not been engaged by nor have I engaged the enemy in combat. I consider myself a Veteran, status I have earned several times over.
I don't flaunt my status nor do I use it to get any benefits/preferential treatment. What I don't like are the kids that wash out of basic training and still demand special treatment because they took an oath (which they failed to uphold). That is a disgrace to everyone that has actually earned the title. They piss me off more than the stolen valor types.
I don't flaunt my status nor do I use it to get any benefits/preferential treatment. What I don't like are the kids that wash out of basic training and still demand special treatment because they took an oath (which they failed to uphold). That is a disgrace to everyone that has actually earned the title. They piss me off more than the stolen valor types.
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MAJ Vermillion I respectfully disagree with you. I have a relative who was discharged for asthma midway through OSUT. His four months of training does not equal my 12 years and I would be pissed if he called himself a veteran.
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