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I have a BIL that walks and talks 'ex-military', 'proud airforce' and like camo, big SUVs and guns and all-american stuff, he's extremely fat now and he's taking so much credit for everything US military especially on Veteran's day when he has his kids have a special Dad time him in the park with some vets/flags and all. Only his immediate family knows he was never deployed or even left his base, he was some desktop support guy in the base so probably never issued a gun. Is he really a veteran we celebrate and thank on Veteran's day??
Reminds me of the movie comedy "All Hail The Conquering Hero" except the guy in the movie didn't want to play apart of the hero. It doesn't bother me because i can usually tell who was a combatant or not by asking them what unit were they in, where was they stationed or deployed and what was their MOS. Most combatants usually don't play up the fact that they were combatants just to make themselves look good in front of people because the experience is one they rather forget because actual combat is unpleasant and traumatizing. The ones who never seen combat think it is glorious like a John Wayne movie. It really does't matter to me if Veterans Day me is for non combat vets or not because i don't get caught up days designated for certain things.
Is he really a veteran we celebrate and thank on Veteran's day??
Veteran's Day was proclaimed by President Wilson to commemorate the end of WWI whereas;
the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and
Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; and
Whereas the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have already declared November 11 to be a legal holiday: Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), that the President of the United States is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.
In 1938, 52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a was enacted to establish November 11th as a legal holiday dedicated to the cause of world peace and "to be thereafter celebrated and known as "Armistice Day." Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I." It wasn't until 1954 that the words peace were stricken and replaced with veterans so as to honor veterans of all wars.
So what does that all have to do with the OP's question. To my mind, the U.S. military has deemed it fit to award to every member of the U.S. military the National Defense Medal if they served during times of war. As a result, they are just as entitled to be recognized on Veterans Day as those who served in combat. One should keep in mind that who goes to war and who doesn't is not based upon the whims and desires of any individual serving in the U.S. military but rather by the needs of the service. Those who have served in combat could not have done so without the support and aid of those who did not (personal feelings aside). So in short, regardless of your brother-in-law's pomposity, he rightfully deserves the recognition of his country and his fellow citizens for having served.
This is a good debate. I served in the Marines during the Carter administration. Other than protecting said US population from bad beer and watching many americans weigh-in on the Iranian Hostage crisis, I can't say I did much that put my chimichangas at risk.
To meet me you would never know that I once held PFT scores of 297, 298, 293 and 300 during my 4 year tenure. I don't carry my "veteran status" out loud (don't you wish other groups would keep more to themselves) and recently, upon watching my son's graduation from Ft. Sill Oklahoma, I was one of the last veterans to stand up when the commanding officer asked those that did serve and were present in the audience to stand and be recognized....I only did it when my wife nudged me..(I was fooling around with the camera setting the date)...I hesitated because I just didn't feel right about it.
I served honorably and was discharged (degrading word to describe one leaving the service by the way) as an E-5 Sargent...yawn....no matter, I have never "carried that attitude" some have.....
The reason? Simple. I never served in combat. I personally hold a higher regard for those that did than those that didn't. Myself included. That's not to say other veterans do not deserve some credit for what they did (hey, someone has to protect your bacon, don't forget that) for all of us. Amen.
That aside, I always put myself and those in similar positions somewhere between civilians and combat veterans...I did and continue to do so, out of deference to those that really risked A LOT to be here. Please know that out of every combat soldier, there are probably 6-7 behind them. When people say every veteran coming back is a "hero" I wince.
No they are not. The ones that are wounded or killed are truly heroes. Hard to laud that on those that hand out blankets, cook beans, and pack crates. Or in my case, sat on a flight line in Hawaii babysitting some radars for the airfield.....I just don't see it.
It's not that they didn't serve or, are not worthy of thanks, it's just a different element of risk. That's all. Nothing more. Please thank the veterans you see as you never know when the pendulum of respect and appreciation will swing back to the left. In my time we were treated horribly overall. It's good to see that America, in general, does appreciate the effort.
Just don't think that everyone one of them was in the bush, is Chesty Puller or Sargent York. They are not. I think we should all hold a slightly elevated position for those that truly were shot at, cleared mines, or killed and wounded in the line of duty.
For the record, you will never see me on veterans day taking a free meal from restaurants kind enough to offer that to veterans. That's for those that were in combat in my mind. I don't rate. They do. Don't get me wrong. I was proud I served and am grateful for the generations before me that sacrificed so I could sit here and tap this rant out.
I do, however, always thank any vet in uniform (especially during this wartime), buy one of them a coke at the airports when I travel and always, always have a smile and hello for those travelling through. It's a simple courtesy that costs nothing but, may help them through the day. You have no idea of what they may face or already have faced. Neither do I. It's just the right thing to do.
To all combat veterans, you have my deepest respect. To the rest, I thank you for your service and wish you well in the future.
Of course he is a veteran. The majority of service people aren't in the field pulling triggers. There would not be soldiers in the field were it not for guys who never left their base and weren't issued guns.
I have a BIL that walks and talks 'ex-military', 'proud airforce' and like camo, big SUVs and guns and all-american stuff, he's extremely fat now and he's taking so much credit for everything US military especially on Veteran's day when he has his kids have a special Dad time him in the park with some vets/flags and all. Only his immediate family knows he was never deployed or even left his base, he was some desktop support guy in the base so probably never issued a gun. Is he really a veteran we celebrate and thank on Veteran's day??
I personally believe every Veteran deserves to celebrate Veterans' day.
My brother served in the Marine Corps (95-01). When he joined the Marine Corps, I was only 11 years old. My mom made several those really ugly "I love Marines" T shirt for us to wear. We just wanted him to be safe, no more no less.
After he got out of the Marine corps, there were no living souls have told him "Thank you for your service." I don't really think people gave a damn if my brother served or not. My brother never bragged about his experience because he felt it was pointless. Civilians will never understand what he has been through anyway. I on the other hand like to brag about him, He's my big brother and I am proud of him.
I've seen my brother's SRB, I've seen my brother's NCO sword, I've witnesses what he has been through, what my family has been through. Honestly speaking, I am just so glad that my brother is now happy. That's all I care about. Marine Corps is a 100% positive experience for him, for me, for our entire family. We just love the Marines Corps. Semper Fi!!
You will NEVER see my brother go to the store asking for military discount. On Veteran's day, I am the only one who will give him a card says, "Love you, big brother, you are always my hero." The card always brings a big smile to his face. My brother is out of the Marine Corps for 12 years now. It is like another life time ago. Veterans' day for him and for us is just another day. We celebrate his birthday, special occasions, Christmas, Thanksgiving, etc, etc. That is about it.
To answer your question, if your friend is a Veteran, then he deserves to celebrate Veteran's day because it is his day. I am not very sure if he is entitled to any special treatment though.
Last edited by lilyflower3191981; 11-07-2013 at 05:55 PM..
So what does that all have to do with the OP's question. To my mind, the U.S. military has deemed it fit to award to every member of the U.S. military the National Defense Medal if they served during times of war. As a result, they are just as entitled to be recognized on Veterans Day as those who served in combat. One should keep in mind that who goes to war and who doesn't is not based upon the whims and desires of any individual serving in the U.S. military but rather by the needs of the service. Those who have served in combat could not have done so without the support and aid of those who did not (personal feelings aside). So in short, regardless of your brother-in-law's pomposity, he rightfully deserves the recognition of his country and his fellow citizens for having served.
Exactly. Many people don't realize that the military has every type of job imaginable. Your friend may not have been in combat but the military NEEDS people to do the desk jobs. Just look at this MOS list from the Army. They have everything from cooks, to HR people, to finance/accounting jobs, to musicians, and professors.
What about all of the guys who prep the planes before the pilots fly them? They may not go into combat but where would the military be without them?
To meet me you would never know that I once held PFT scores of 297, 298, 293 and 300 during my 4 year tenure. I don't carry my "veteran status" out loud (don't you wish other groups would keep more to themselves).
No, absolutely not.
I think we need EVERY SINGLE VETERAN reminding people that whether it was draft or voluntary, that the military are something special.
Why hide? To give Liberals something to ignore? With their FAKE patriotism?
This same debate gets carried on in the Letters to the Editor section of the Little Rock Democrat Gazette.
A car registration renewal in Arkansas is only $3 if your DD214 shows you served during war time.
Your license plate states............what war and veteran
Seems there are one or two letter writers who are furious that anyone besides a combat soldier dare apply.
I applied.
Drafted into the Navy and served 2 years in squadrons at stateside Naval Air Stations.
My last squadron, I was a plane captain on the line for A-6 bombers.
We were the training squadron that trained pilots and crews before they left for carriers in Vietnam.
I never claim my service was equal to an infantryman in Vietnam , but the military took two years of my life during war time and if they are offering, I gladly will accept.
Only his immediate family knows he was never deployed or even left his base, he was some desktop support guy in the base so probably never issued a gun. Is he really a veteran we celebrate and thank on Veteran's day??
You apparently do not understand the military. Only a very small proportion of the men/women will ever be deployed for combat. Some will be in friendly countries such as stationed in England, France, etc., on bases in those countries. Some will be on ships at sea that never see combat. Some will be stationed in the U.S.
I was also in the Navy, and was stationed in the U.S. I was the Air Terminal Chief for half of my enlistment, which means I was in full charge of an air terminal which is to say in charge of all passengers, and cargo disbursement right in the San Francisco bay area. Before that I had been in Hawaii, in charge of the cargo being received and shipped overseas. My squadron, was the ones that shipped the nukes and test equipment to the Islands where they tested them. I had to have top secret clearance to be able to handle the paperwork, and to account for every item we shipped which was several plane loads. I and the Commanding Officer were the only ones with this level of clearance, and I had to accept Top Secret items shipped by courier when he was not on the base, as I was the only one available with Top Secret Clearance. I was called in on a day off to receive something. It would come in inside a locked briefcase, handcuffed to the courier.
Yes, I was a Veteran. I was being used, where the navy thought I was most needed. The same is said for your relative. There is a bond, that is formed between veterans that those that have never served do not understand. Yes he earned the right to celebrate Veterans Day with the other veterans.
If the military thought he was needed where he was, then he was needed there and that is the only reason he was stationed where he was.
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