Independence Day, from a veteran's perspective.

[arbusto_baboso]

This coming Independence Day weekend, I'll be getting a lot of attention. It comes now, and around Veteran's and Memorial Days. It's already starting at work, with my boss asking all veterans to stand up during staff meetings for "thanks and acknowledgment". And I know this weekend, My Army Special Forces license plate frame and ODS Vet cap will garner attention and comments that I normally don't get. While this is nice, as a veteran I have to say it's all pretty hollow. (In fact, I'm reminded of the Kipling poem, "Tommy" (which is slang for a British soldier), and the line, "Oh, it's 'Tommy this' and 'Tommy that', and 'Chuck him out, the brute', but it's 'saviour of his country' when the guns begin to shoot.")

Let me clear up some misconceptions first.

Not all veterans are heroes, and none of us think of ourselves as such. Indeed, there are as many rogues among us as there are among the general population. Remember that Timothy McVeigh was a veteran. Lyndie England is, too. So, knock off the "you're all heroes" crap. It's embarassing to us, it's false, and it just makes you look like a rube.

That being said, in an all-volunteer military motivations for service vary greatly. Still, despite the obfuscations of recruiters (it is one of life's truisms that military recruiters are people who make their living by lying), all in uniform know that their service could conceivably result in their untimely deaths. That alone deserves something in return.

So what am I asking for? And what do most veterans want? Well, I can't pretend to speak for all veterans, but the parades and all the "thank you for your service" remarks are fairly meaningless and can even be grating after awhile.

So here's the deal:

1) We have knowingly put our lives at risk merely by the choices we once made for our career. So it follows that if we are injured in the process, we expect the rest of you to take care of those of us who are permanently injured or maimed. It isn't too much to ask, I feel.

2) You owe it to us, and all future veterans, to make DAMN SURE that this nation only puts us in harm's way for a bloody good reason. That hasn't really been true since 1946, unfortunately.

In short, those who do not serve have an obligation to exercise their citizenship responsibly. You should also can the chatter, and actually do something. It would mean more to us veterans than you can ever know.

[Symarip]

1. Man, you said it

I appreciate nice words from people, but it does make me and others feel awkward.

I ask for the same things after being in and now out. If you're going to send us somewhere, it better be worth it and you better take care of those who are fortunate enough to come back.

[TahitiNut]

2. ...

:popcorn:

[arbusto_baboso]

3. Hell, nobody seemed to even notice.....

[arbusto_baboso]

4. Kicking 'cuz I'd like some comments.