Does anyone, including Repubs, ever call bush* a "veteran"?

[MoonRiver]

It seems to me that if his spin about honorably serving in the National Guard during Vietnam were correct, he and Rove would be pushing his "veteran status" non-stop right now. Instead, they, and their minions, are just hoping the subject of *'s "service in the NG" goes away, asap. I'm assuming here that service in the National Guard during wartime makes one a veteran. If not, then this post will probably sink like a lead balloon!

[woofless]

1. Serving at all makes one a veteran.

[Eric J in MN]

5. no, only serving in or near combat makes one a veteran (nt)

nt

[Vickers]

7. Not true.

Service in the military makes you a veteran.

Technically he is a veteran, but for the reason powergirl lists below, he does not emphasize it.

[Vickers]

2. I've never heard anybody call him a veteran

Like you say, they trot out tired lines like "During his guard service" or stuff like "He was a fighter pilot in the guard" etc.

It's like my fighter pilot friend says, "You aren't a fighter pilot if you didn't fight."

[powergirl]

3. They would have called him a vet if Dean were the nominee

You can be sure the RNC was going to tout Bush's "service" if Dean got the nomination. But Kerry threw them a curve ball (not to be cofused with Chalabi's zaney spy nickname). So, they try to sweep it under the rug. :evilgrin:

[Eric J in MN]

4. Veterans are people who served in or near combat.

Veterans are people who served in or near combat.

Bush didn't.

He's not a veteran, and he never claimed to be.

[MoonRiver]

6. I'm not sure about that.

Here's the definition of "veteran" from Dictionary.com

1. A person who is long experienced or practiced in an activity or capacity: a veteran of political campaigns.
2. A person who has served in the armed forces: “Privilege, a token income... were allowed for veterans of both world wars” (Mavis Gallant).
3. An old soldier who has seen long service.

Seems like it's saying anyo9ne who served in the armed forces. I would think being in the National Guard constitutes service.


http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=veteran

[powergirl]

8. My 68 dad is a veteren but did not fight in a war - but he was ACTIVE DUTY

He served between WWII and Korea. He was stationed in Ethiopia. He is classified as a veteran and was able to go to college on the GI Bill. Maybe a veteren is defined as someone who is active duty (like my dad) as a opposed to a reservist who was never called up.

[Vickers]

9. That's a good point, but anybody in the guard or reserves

is considered to be on active duty while in basic training, during tech schools, flight school, etc.

So, EVERY person who was ever in, for whatever reason, has at least a little active duty time under their belt.

:hi:

[MoonRiver]

10. Another interesting point would be if * has ever received any

veteran benefits, including membership in various veterans' groups, publications for NG veterans, etc. In other words, I wonder if the military treats him like they do real veterans.

[Zorro]

11. Ethiopia

A little off-topic, but you might want to point him to www.kagnewstation.com, if he doesn't know about it. Lots of shared photos and memories from veterans that were stationed there.

I know because I spent some time there, myself.