What exactly is a Veteran?

I was born in 1952 during the “Forgotten War” commonly called “The Korean War” or “The Korean Conflict”, a war that never ended. My aging Dad is a World War 2 U. S. Navy Veteran, I am a U. S. Air Force Vietnam Veteran and my son is a U. S. Army Korean War/Iraqi Freedom/War on Terror Veteran and is most likely running convoy escort as I write this, in the Country of Iraq.

Both of my Grandfathers served in the U. S. Army, one helped chase Pancho Villa across the Rio Grande River and the other as a soldier fighting in France, where he was wounded and walked with a cane the rest of his days. My sister is a U. S. Air Force Veteran and was a Communication Specialist at NORAD during the Vietnam War. Too many uncles and cousins to mention wore the uniforms of the Navy, Coast Guard and Army to list here. My father-in-law served in the U. S. Army on the island of Biak in the South Pacific during World War 2 and three of my wife’s distant aunt’s captured Yankee soldiers and turned them over to Rebel soldiers during the Civil War.

On the wall in my room is a signed commendation from Donald Rumsfeld for doing my part to stem the tide of Communism during the Cold War. It hangs alongside my Honorable Discharge and my son’s Army Commendations.

Am I a hero; are my relatives and son heroes? No and yes. Do we Veterans want people to make some kind of big deal about our service to this country? No, we do not. Do we deserve the benefits the Veteran’s Administration has promised those who serve? Yes, we do, in every way. Do we get angered when folks dishonor the American flag? Yes, we do, very much so. Do we look down with contempt on people who imitate military service? Absolutely. Do we love America? I would have to say yes.

Veteran’s Day is celebrated every November 11th and incidentally this is the day my Sergeant son was born. Veteran’s Day is set aside to honor those who have served and in my book, those presently serving. It’s one of the most important days of the year to millions of “Vet’s” and should be a day all Americans hold dear.

The Veterans of Desert Storm reaped the praise and adoration we Vietnam Veterans desperately needed and some VV’s could still use an understanding word or three. My hat is off to all who served in Desert Storm, as is it off to all Vietnam/Korea/WW2 Vets. I love the Marine Vets and their hard-charging, beach-landing, Devil Dog yells. I’m grateful and extremely proud of our young men and women in uniform in this time of war, which put on the uniform of our military, as support for Iraq’s cause has started to cool.

I “take a knee” for all Veteran’s who bear the physical and mental wounds of wartime. I will always vote to secure their Veteran’s benefits. I “take a knee” for their caregivers and for those who will welcome home the freshly broken and maimed soldiers, Marines, sailors, Coasties, and airmen. The good both will contribute to America will far exceed the “issues” they will sort over and over and over till peace of mind comes.

Every Veteran is a hero in my book, but like most, I do not feel I did anything heroic. Every man and woman who wears or has worn the uniform of our Armed Forces deserves the respect of our countrymen, as do our fire fighters and police. Truth be known, many Veterans fill the ranks of our most dangerous professions and deserve double the accolades. My hat is off to them all.

I bow my head and shed tears for PFC Wesley Riggs and his family in Beach City, Texas. He is not forgotten and I wish we could honor him Veteran’s Day instead of Memorial Day. I personally thank every parent, wife, brother, sister, child, aunt and uncle who takes the time and money to send a package or email to someone presently serving our country, or for phoning a Vet and telling them thanks. “Thanks” is all most of us want to hear. We don’t feel special, we feel proud. I salute you Veterans.

Note: The day I published this article, unknown to me, my son's vehicle was hit by an IED in Iraq and he suffered shrapnel injuries to the face. He is okay and convelescing at Camp Anaconda, Iraq and I want to thank everyone for their prayers and support.