The legal definition of “veteran” from U.S. Code > Title 38 > Part I > Chapter 1 > Section 101 follows:

• 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.

The U.S. legal definition of a Veteran is unfortunate.  If a man or woman went to war for us, served in a foreign country for xx number of years, or months, experiencing events most of us couldn’t survive and walk away because they just can’t live with the actions they’ve personally taken, are they any less of a Veteran?

No, they were still there, they still fought, they still served their country.  They are already penalized by our government by the fact they are not eligible for any Veteran benefits if they have a dishonorable discharge.    I suspect our government would say calling them Veterans would be dishonoring those Veterans that do have honorable discharges.  I’m sure many Veterans would also feel that way, but IMHO a major dishonor to Veterans in this country is the failure of Department of Veterans Affairs, the government agency responsible for caring for Veterans to remain open on Veterans Day.  Their mission reads “To fulfill President Lincoln’s promise “To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan” by serving and honoring the men and women who are America’s veterans.

While VA is contemplating whether, or not, they should remain open on Veterans Day, they may also want to consider changing their mission from “To care for him who shall have borne the battle” to “To care for those who shall have borne the battle”.  Apparently, no one has bothered to inform them women are now in the military.

Veterans are the young men and women that put their lives on hold for several years to serve our country in any capacity necessary which makes them “Our Heroes”. They are there to serve us morning, noon and night, 24-hours a day, seven days a week, under conditions that most of us would find unacceptable, but they do it to protect the freedom of the United States.

They come from all incomes, all races, all political and religious affiliations, and various countries.  The men and women who serve in our military were not all born in the United States.    They are as diversified as the men and women they fight for at home.   In some instances, they are not even from this country when they fight, and give up lives or limbs on our behalf.    How many lost their lives when we initially went to war with Iraq?  Numerous countries provided military support to the U.S.

Changes don’t come quickly in this country.  Veterans Day is a prime example.  Years ago, I wrote an article about trying to find a card to send out on Veterans Day to the many Veterans I know that have served our country.  None were available and I was absolutely flabbergasted.  I could not believe millions of men and women could lose their life or limb for this country and we couldn’t even honor them with a greeting card on THEIR day.  For years, I had to hand create cards to send out.  But, times have changed, cards are available (although limited), all sorts of pastries are available and numerous establishments honor those that served with freebies, free meals, partial meals, haircuts, car washes, discounts, etc.  You may review the following list to see what’s available in your location.  Please be sure to call in advance to confirm requirements for receiving whatever benefits are being offered.  Military Benefits Info

There is a total of 23,234,000 living Veterans according to America’s Wars Fact Sheet published by the Department of Veterans Affairs.  As of April 2017, there were a total of 4,444,533 Veterans receiving service-connected compensation for disabilities incurred during World War II, the Philippines, the Korean Conflict, the Vietnam Era and/or the Gulf War.

Just think about that number for a minute.  That means going back 75 years, men or women in this country have suffered from a disease and/or injury incurred while fighting for us.  It’s time you fought for them by demanding the VA medical centers stay open on Veterans Day, that we do not get into another war without total Congressional approval and you help celebrate Veterans Day by thanking a Veteran for their service to our country.

HAPPY VETERANS DAY to all who served!

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