I agree mostly. It doesn't matter if one served 4 years or 34 years. A vet is a vet, and earned that title by having served. However, not everyone who's worn the uniform is a "hero" by any means. I've had to deal with plenty of "zero's" who were parasitic, morale-sucking leeches who took up too much of my time working with admin to get them discharged ASAP. From my experience, those types were usually the first ones to hit their local VA office the day after they are discharged, and then sport their vet hats/shirts/bumper stickers for public adoration and freebie handouts. This is not to take away from the vets who honorably served, who I have sincere gratitude for.
I must admit that after a lot of years on this forum reading comments that were very favorable to veterans, that I am somewhat dismayed about some comments that have been made on this thread.
“a look at me hat”
“after having "served" for only 4 years”
“Everybody’s a hero now”
Maybe I'm feeling just a bit sensitive but there seems to be some amount of contempt creeping in. I'm proud of my service and I didn't stay in for 20-30 years. Those of us who served less that that are just as worthy of being call a "VET" as those who served more years. Those who served in support positions are just as important as those who were in combat. It takes a lot of support personnel to keep one combat troop in the field.
And all vets are eligible to participate in the benefits of the VA system. It's a flawed system for sure, but the only health care available to millions of those who served.
Like I said, maybe I'm just being overly sensitive. If so, my apologies to those who made those comments.
I do not wear a hat. Also, I am the one who does not ask for discounts. Patriot Guard Rider; you are correct. It takes a special person to serve this great nation, and not everyone can do it for various reasons, and I am not mad at them. Many times I would have people offer to buy my lunch while in uniform but I would kindly turn them down with this statement; "thank you for your support but the real hero's are the ones who have not returned or have come back disabled."
I must admit that after a lot of years on this forum reading comments that were very favorable to veterans, that I am somewhat dismayed about some comments that have been made on this thread.
“a look at me hat”
“after having "served" for only 4 years”
“Everybody’s a hero now”
Maybe I'm feeling just a bit sensitive but there seems to be some amount of contempt creeping in. I'm proud of my service and I didn't stay in for 20-30 years. Those of us who served less that that are just as worthy of being call a "VET" as those who served more years. Those who served in support positions are just as important as those who were in combat. It takes a lot of support personnel to keep one combat troop in the field.
And all vets are eligible to participate in the benefits of the VA system. It's a flawed system for sure, but the only health care available to millions of those who served.
Like I said, maybe I'm just being overly sensitive. If so, my apologies to those who made those comments.
I do not wear a hat. Also, I am the one who does not ask for discounts. Patriot Guard Rider; you are correct. It takes a special person to serve this great nation, and not everyone can do it for various reasons, and I am not mad at them. Many times I would have people offer to buy my lunch while in uniform but I would kindly turn them down with this statement; "thank you for your support but the real hero's are the ones who have not returned or have come back disabled."
I must admit that after a lot of years on this forum reading comments that were very favorable to veterans, that I am somewhat dismayed about some comments that have been made on this thread.
“a look at me hat”
“after having "served" for only 4 years”
“Everybody’s a hero now”
Maybe I'm feeling just a bit sensitive but there seems to be some amount of contempt creeping in. I'm proud of my service and I didn't stay in for 20-30 years. Those of us who served less that that are just as worthy of being call a "VET" as those who served more years. Those who served in support positions are just as important as those who were in combat. It takes a lot of support personnel to keep one combat troop in the field.
And all vets are eligible to participate in the benefits of the VA system. It's a flawed system for sure, but the only health care available to millions of those who served.
Like I said, maybe I'm just being overly sensitive. If so, my apologies to those who made those comments.
100%
The VA has had it's problems. The latest one was when they opened up to allow all Vets to use the hospital system and didn't hire staff to support the increase. But the staff at most VAs take great care of the Vets they see. That has been my experience at the 3 different VA hospitals that I have used since I started using them. I went 9 years after retirement before I started using them because of the bad press that they were getting. But I was getting bad care from the civilian health care in San Antonio so I went to the VA and they took great care of me and addressed the problems instead of catered to Insurance company $$$.
On the military/Vet hats. I usually only wear one when going to the VA or on special days like Veterans Day or the Air Force birthday. Like I said before, I wear a hat a lot, but usually a wide brim hat for health reasons. I see lots of Vets hats around town. It's a relative small town, but has a large military retirement population. That might make a difference. I don't remember wearing one much when I was living in San Antonio, and it is a pretty big military community.
May you be treated the way you treat other people, today and everyday!
I rarely wear a military related hat -- just keeping a low profile and getting on with life works for me. Though I do use the discounts at Lowe's and Home Depot -- every little bit of savings helps.
My appreciation to all who have served. The only ones I disdain are those who did serve and cry and claim all of their ailments were related to their service. The VA is a racket. If I were head of the VA I would propose that unless your ailment was combat-related, you don't qualify for any health-related, non-combat monthly stipends unless you served 20 plus years. You volunteered to begin with. Suck it up buttercups. I won't be head of the VA anytime soon though.
not sure how old you are but in the 60s/70s when you enlisted or got drafted you were promised lifetime medical care with the va. that was part of the trade off for serving for extremely low pay and in a lot of instances some of the worst conditions you could imagine.
I was discharged on feb. 22 1974 and at the va in march on recommendation of my dr. that did my separation stuff. dropped off their care in 84 when I got private insurance, obiecare forced me back on the rolls and will use them till I fall over dead.
while I agree there are those who abuse the system and fake stuff there are a whole lot more like me that probably would not be alive without the va hospitals. if you served 4 yrs. or were a lifer with 40 yrs. like my grandfather you earned what little the govt. gives you combat or not, using it is purely up to the individual.
" Hop, set the hook"! hopalong 99,999 TexDawg 99,999 FJB! not my president by a long shot!
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I have an acquaintance who served a few years during Viet Nam as some kind of supply clerk in Hawaii. He never leaves the house without, at least, the hat and maybe a shirt or jacket and of course the sticker on his trucks back window. Makes me laugh.
"Nothing spoils a good story like the arrival of an eyewitness."-Mark Twain
My appreciation to all who have served. The only ones I disdain are those who did serve and cry and claim all of their ailments were related to their service. The VA is a racket. If I were head of the VA I would propose that unless your ailment was combat-related, you don't qualify for any health-related, non-combat monthly stipends unless you served 20 plus years. You volunteered to begin with. Suck it up buttercups. I won't be head of the VA anytime soon though.
not sure how old you are but in the 60s/70s when you enlisted or got drafted you were promised lifetime medical care with the va. that was part of the trade off for serving for extremely low pay and in a lot of instances some of the worst conditions you could imagine.
I was discharged on feb. 22 1974 and at the va in march on recommendation of my dr. that did my separation stuff. dropped off their care in 84 when I got private insurance, obiecare forced me back on the rolls and will use them till I fall over dead.
while I agree there are those who abuse the system and fake stuff there are a whole lot more like me that probably would not be alive without the va hospitals. if you served 4 yrs. or were a lifer with 40 yrs. like my grandfather you earned what little the govt. gives you combat or not, using it is purely up to the individual.
I'm 57 Hop, joined the Corps in 1984, retired in 2005, and wear multiple hats (at my dermatologists recommendation). Maybe I need to visit the VA and claim all the the skin damage I suffered frolicking on the beach with women folk back in the 80's. Ha. Thank you for your service - squid.
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