We're just one of many veterans who are proud but humble. War Veteran - Any active duty or reserve military member who has been in the area of conflict in another country or surrounding waters in support of activity against a national enemy.Â, Combat Veteran - Active duty or reserve military members who experience any level of combat for any duration resulting from offensive, defensive or friendly fire military action involving an enemy in any foreign theater.Â. In any form, I hate it. VideoPhilippines reef littered with PPE face masks. Not everyone who puts on a uniform is a hero. (Phil Harrison), My friend hates this. Not only did this guy check my engine (alternator or battery problems?) We Sleep Peacefully At Night - Thanks to the Veteran, Military Terms, Life, And How It Works For Active Duty, Military Uniform Rules For Retirees And Veterans, History of American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 2021 Reserve Enlisted Drill Military Pay Chart, All About Military Involuntary Separation Pay Charts, When a Military Member May Be Retired for Medical Reasons, How to Transition to a Post-Military Career, Army Reserves and Full-Time AGR Positions, How to Become a Citizen While in the U.S. Military, Basic Allowance for House (BAH) Type II: Enlisted Members, Air Force Uniform Regulations For Retirees / Veterans, How to Transfer from Active Duty to the National Guard, What to Know About the Armed Forces' National Defense Service Medal. The common theme is of an older car of sufficient historical interest to be collectible and worth preserving or restoring rather than scrapping.. Organisations such as the Classic Car Club of America (CCCA) maintain lists of eligible unmodified cars that are called "classic". Just pledge allegiance and help where you can. You don't trust a person who says they're a good person in the same sense you don't trust someone who embraces the hero title people bestow on them. They did not receive the gracious welcome back home that the younger veterans are currently receiving. True "heroic" soldiers don't seek the glory of such fandom. It will be great to understand more and it is sheer stupidity to call armed forces assassins. These features include missing branches, hollow trunks and habitat features more commonly associated with ancient trees. You can probably find his records, on which he was probably awarded the WWII victory medal. The ADA defines an “individual with a disability” as a person who (1) has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; (2) has a record of such an impairment; or (3) is regarded as having such an impairment. Now, no matter what you did in any conflict since the beginning of the war in Afghanistan and Iraq, upon your return home you are deemed a hero. If that's the case, who could possibly be against our wars? I did a couple of years in the Marines back in the mid-1970s and spent all of my time stationed at either Camp Pendleton, CA. Kind of a version of survivor guilt/imposter syndrome, I guess. I do not view myself as such. "It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. After taking these views into account, we believe if an individual meets the required standards of the British Armed Forces by completing the necessary basic training to deploy, then this is sufficient enough to qualify as a Veteran. Harry and Meghan rattle monarchy's gilded cage, The secret apartment behind my bathroom mirror. Then, when they tell me I am a hero or thank me for my service, I kind of lose my mind. A simple thank-you is enough. I just did what you do when someone is hurt and doesn't have a heartbeat. Plus what are people thanking me for? That, and voting. If you are, then you must be against our "heroes", right? Another classic veteran quote that demonstrates the many freedoms that we have the veteran is responsible for defending - even with his/her life if necessary. Get in touch to find out the latest information, support and help available to you and your family. I participated in an illegal war in Iraq that completely destabilised the region and did absolutely nothing for the American or British people. During this unprecedented time, we’re still here for you 24/7. It makes it too easy to glorify those doing the fighting. In 1954, President Eisenhower officially changed the name of the holiday from Armistice Day to Veterans Day. Every President has honored our military members in some fashion since George Washington who wisely stated: "The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation. As a veteran you know you are eligible for benefits. I hate talking about or being asked about my service. However, it can be very difficult knowing exactly what you are eligible for and how to go about getting everything you're entitled to. Pressure grows on Buckingham Palace to respond to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's Oprah interview. Most people ask right away did you … You can imagine how many more I had to deal with throughout my entire enlistment. We did it for the life experience of being among the great Americans doing what Americans do for their country. 'We women are pushed out of work because of childcare' Video, 'We women are pushed out of work because of childcare', Philippines reef littered with PPE face masks. I was impacted by the event and it has altered both my perception of life as well as how I choose to live my life. Below are just a few of the messages we have received so far. The woman at the machine next to mine, overheard me explaining my dilemma to the cocktail waitress and called her son on her cell phone (a mechanic who happened to be at the other end of the building). Suddenly everyone was calling the collective "us" who were Vietnam veterans "heroes". (giglio_associates_ltd), The blood, the fears, the cries, the tears, By Rob Aitchison (submitted by Dave Quinn), Urgent Palace talks over Harry and Meghan claims. And any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile, I think can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction: 'I served in the United States Navy.â âJohn F. Kennedy,  âSome people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they have ever made a difference in the world, but the Marines donât have that problem.â -- Ronald Reagan, A popular veteran phrase often seen on Veteranâs Day:"A veteran whether active duty, discharged, retired, or reserve is someone who, at one point in his or her life wrote a blank check to their government for an amount of âup to and including his or her life.". Yes, I'd served in combat. Veteran Owned UK was set up by a former British Army Royal Engineer to help support ex-military business owners. I don't think I'm a hero, that's for people who save lives and things like that. Nobody is going to hand you your veterans benefits That would be too easy. Disabled Veteran â Any former active duty or reserve military member who was injured through combat action or peacetime accident while serving on duty and is permanently injured.Â. I also have come to dislike the phrase, "Thank you for your service." Aircraft on which I flew routinely came under enemy fire - both anti-aircraft artillery and heavy machine gun. Under Title 38 of the U.S. Code a veteran is defined as a “person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable.” When the VA evaluates a person’s veteran status, it examines his or her service record to … --George Orwell, The Balance Careers uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Veteran trees are trees which have features of ancientness but at a younger age. Additionally the word "hero" has connotations of superiority, ubermensch, of being above or better than the situation that is used to define them. I am not ashamed of my service, I am proud to be a US Marine and will always be proud. Anytime anyone applies that label "hero" to me, it is awkward. This article seeks to identify whether characteristics by which UK ex-Service personnel self-identify as veterans are aligned with official policy/public opinion, and which factors are associated with self-identification as a veteran. What does upset me is when yahoo 'Mericans equate body count to heroism. All ancient trees are also known as veterans. Like when people ask if we've ever killed anyone, or thank us for our service. In the absence of that, calling them, calling us, all heroes is nothing but lip service. (Sharein N Jose), None of us did it for the glory or respect of others. Tossing out the label of "hero" has become an almost knee-jerk response. Our premium quality 11 oz ceramic mugs feature unique double sided military designs that are not available anywhere else. I pretty much have a good idea what makes one a veteran but does being a veterans daughter or granddaughter make them one or being married to one make them a veteran. To be eligible for the variety of veteran benefits depends upon many elements from time in service, permanent injury. They don't earn enough to qualify as assassins and yes they do follow orders, that is discipline and respect, something half the youth in the UK could do with learning! Veteran definition, a person who has had long service or experience in an occupation, office, or the like: a veteran of the police force; a veteran of many sports competitions. A veteran must meet the ADA’s definition of disability. George Floyd death: How will jurors be selected? In fact, it makes him feel guilty because he never saw combat, but many of his friends from training did and were maimed or killed. Learn more. Who truly was the most dishonest president? I think most people who are called heroes are actually survivors whose individual and/or group integrity and sense of purpose helped sustain them through a bad or extremely difficult time. Discharges marked “general and under honorable conditions” also qualify. It's become an empty term that reminds me of how the nation turned its back on its returning veterans just like after Vietnam. Veteran definition: A veteran is someone who has served in the armed forces of their country, especially... | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples Thanking me for my service is about as useful as saying sorry for your loss when someone dies. We wanted to change this so we started the first and original Veteran Owned Business Directory for the UK. There were many heroes in the field of battle. And in so doing, it has become all but meaningless. He carries the emotional and psychological scars to this day. If you’re just getting started in applying for veterans benefits, there are some basic things you should know. This Site Might Help You. (Debbie Smith), I have been called a hero. Stew Smith is the U.S. military expert for The Balance Careers, a Veteran Navy SEAL Officer, and a freelance writer and author. It has happened to me, usually around the Memorial Day and Veterans Day holidays. 'We women are pushed out of work because of childcare' Video'We women are pushed out of work because of childcare'. RSL National President Ken Doolan told News Corp that the term “veteran” had meaning under the Act, but many younger veterans don’t like it because it makes them sound old. I served one tour in Iraq and my husband served two or three tours in Iraq, one tour in Afghanistan, and is still serving on active duty. You can still apply on behalf of someone who has died, as long as you get: a War Widow’s or Widower’s Pension (Thomas F McCoy), Heroes are rare. If you haven't signed the paper, taken the oath, felt that obligation and pride, you'll never know what you're talking about. And those not directly involved can lift themselves up by lifting the military onto some imaginary pedestal and heaping praise upon them. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. And not every hero is a soldier. Upon my return, my family and some friends said they appreciated what I'd been through, but no one called me a hero. People say and ask things when it comes to soldiers that we constantly have issues with, it seems. See more. Not in the way I know one of my friends from my time overseas still suffers from having flown over 700 combat missions. I had medals to prove it. Driving a classic car is a state of mind, it is a stirring of the soul, a tug on the emotions, it is not done out of any necessity or requirement. The veteran profile was heavily influenced by those who served in the (Terry Long), Just call us veterans and refer to us as men and women who served. To be eligible for the variety of veteran benefits depends upon many elements from time in service, permanent injury. But I wasn't a hero. This article utilizes data from a structured telephone interview survey of UK Armed Forces personnel. Veterans UK administer the Armed Forces Pension Scheme and the War Pension and Armed Forces Compensation Schemes. When we returned home we were scorned. (Heather Thein), We need to understand that every country has men and women who choose to enter military life. Most people assume anyone who has served in the military a veteran, but there is actually an official definition of the status of veteran.In order to meet the requirement for many of the benefits available to veterans, you’ll need to meet these qualifications. In America only about 1% of the population is directly involved in our seemingly never-ending wars. Veterans were estimated to be predominantly white (98%), male (90%) and / or aged 65 and over (63%). Other offered benefits allow for retired veterans to have base access and store privileges and all veterans are offered the GI Bill if they opted in at some point in their career. The reason I say that is because there was an enormous amount of suicides in my first unit in Beaufort South Carolina. " --George Washington, âHonor to the soldier and sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country's cause. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. These pages give you information on benefits and tax credits if you are working or unemployed, sick or disabled, a parent, a young person, an older person or a veteran. I went back into the casino to see if I could use a phone to call for a tow truck, or get a "jump". He has struggled with PTSD [Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder] as a result of his service but is being supported by Combat Stress. I served in the US Marine Corps from 2008-12. I guess "heroes" come in many forms, depending upon the circumstance. Or maybe it's worse than meaningless. Veterans are often surprised at the number and types of benefits that are available. You're probably talking about your grandpa being a veteran of a specific war. © 2021 BBC. People I know would say it and I'd thank them. There are different types of veterans, but regardless of the type, they are all veterans. Being a veteran who didn't get deployed to those combat zones makes it pretty tough to hear these statements you express in the video. On Remembrance Day in the UK, and Veterans Day in the US, military veterans are thanked for their service and described as "heroes". The types of veterans below offer different awards and benefits from home loans, retirement and medical/dental. Currently, the term is much too overused. If you are in doubt and you have served in uniform, please call our office. We did it for us and it made us better human beings. or Kaneohe Bay on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. I detest this and think that it is a jingoistic, nationalistic ploy to cover the terrible decisions US politicians made in declaring these wars. After training, he was in Okinawa, then a variety of other places, but he never made it into combat and was honourably discharged after serving his time. Even with a short enlistment I had great times while in the Air Force. He didn't ask for anything in return. Talk to one of our friendly advisors 24/7 on 0808 802 1212. Thank God for them and their decisions - which are not taken lightly! Coronavirus: The 99-year-old war veteran raising money for the NHS Close Captain Tom Moore, who served in World War Two, is aiming to walk the … In many instances a certain bitterness may build up and only over the course of time may those walls come down. (Magnus Johnson), My colleagues think I'm a hero as I've survived cancer. Make an appointment with your County Veteran’s Service Officer…every county in the US has at least one. To this Army veteran, it means: Advil is the narcotic of choice for a bad back and creaky knees, both earned like an invisible Purple Heart. The Department of Education outlines a veteran as any individual that was a member of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard or Air Force. Actually try and act like you care. Most of the soldiers I know try to avoid anything that would provoke a conversation because they just don't like what usually results, even if it is a person trying to be kind. No, not every soldier is a hero. I believe they are all heroes, some more than others but still all heroes! It isn't much. Plus, after working in casualty and mortuary affairs as a civilian, and after taking part in arranging many active duty funerals and flights to send our deceased service members home, I feel that they're the true heroes. And, then, maybe ask what the person did over there. I always appreciate it. I am grateful for all I've been given just for being born here and I love the United States and all of my brethren who pledge allegiance. I think it's often a way of some to assuage a feeling of guilt at not serving. I simply pulled a guy from a wreck and did CPR until the ambulance got there. And if the soldiers - ALL the soldiers - represent some form of glory, doesn't that mean the fight itself is also worthy of glory? What does it mean, on a day-to-day basis, to be a veteran? I never really advertise the fact that I am a veteran and most people are surprised when they do find out. I never accept thanks for my service. But I do have some insight on why some may not feel comfortable with praise. Read about our approach to external linking. veteran meaning: 1. a person who has had a lot of experience of a particular activity: 2. someone who has been in…. And NO I did not feel that way. George Floyd: Chauvin trial jury selection begins. Veterans UK delivers the Armed Forces Pension Schemes (AFPS), War Pension Scheme (WPS) and Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS), making payments to those injured or disabled due to It's quite common for military to consider others heroes but themselves "just doing their job". After all is said and done. I'm an Air Force vet and I would not call myself a hero. VideoThe secret apartment behind my bathroom mirror, The kidnapped woman who defied Boko Haram, Urgent Palace talks over Harry and Meghan claims1, 'First dogs' leave White House over biting incident2, The US mogul who gave Meghan and Harry a home4, Man held over Capitol riot after Kenya deportation5, Charity criticises Morgan's comments about Meghan6, Harry and Meghan rattle monarchy's gilded cage7, French teen admits lying about murdered teacher8, Microsoft-led team retracts quantum 'breakthrough'9, 12 things we learned from Meghan's Oprah interview10. We provide free support for veterans and their families, including a helpline, Veterans Welfare Service and injury/bereavement compensation scheme payments. Veterans UK is part of the Ministry of Defence and is a dedicated support organisation for service personnel, veterans and their families. But war does not make heroes. (William Kelly), As a combat veteran, I feel that the overuse of the word hero has diminished the gravitas for when it's actually warranted. A combat veteran is any GI who experiences any level of hostility for any duration resulting from offensive, defensive or friendly fire military action involving a real or perceived enemy in any pre- or post-designated theater of combat (war) operations. However, I appreciate it nonetheless. (Jeff Scott), I think anyone that puts their neck on the line to defend or help people in turbulent areas of the planet are heroic - that doesn't just mean military. I am more comfortable with being described as and thinking of myself as a survivor. And I hadn't suffered doing it. He enlisted in 2002, intending to serve overseas in combat. At the same time, no one called me a baby killer either, something that happened to far too many vets returning from that war. I'd merely done my job. "Heroes" remain fixed and constant, unaffected by what they endure and witness. He joined in 1998 at age 19 and served in the Royal Signals until 2012. Perhaps Remembrance Day needs to commemorate other brave, selfless folk as well such as volunteer nurses fighting Ebola? But I was never deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan. Because although we all put our lives on the line and sacrificed our family time, we got to come home alive while those men and women didn't. I got to be an American because of someone else's sacrifice and it is still the greatest community of heroes that the world has ever known. Most people ask right away did you kill anyone or how many people have you killed. Sometimes I feel that I am not deserving of the thank-you because I was not able to finish out my enlistment. I worked in the air wing with the Marine Corps and had to deal with a different type of combat that I call the combat of suicide. (Andrew Gieseke), I'm a Vietnam veteran. Instead, you have to … I don't know any soldier who enjoys it other than the soldiers that other soldiers don't want to be associated with it. " --Father Dennis Edward OâBrien, USMC, We sleep soundly in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm. And as so often happens, the pendulum swung too far in that new direction. Sadly, due to PTSD from a traumatic event I departed my military service early. Being a veteran who didn't get deployed to those combat zones makes it pretty tough to hear these statements you express in the video. But for many this word "hero" feels uncomfortable, as the BBC's David Botti discovered in his web documentary What Makes A Hero? [See #3, below] NOTE: 1. There are heroes in war. A veteran (from Latin vetus, meaning "old") is a person who had long service or experience in a particular occupation or field. What is a Combat Veteran? That's far too dangerous a form of circular logic to buy into. Compared to that, I count myself lucky. It wasn't until the end of the first Gulf War that I began to feel some sense that we Vietnam vets were finally being recognised along with the veterans of the current war. People think they can say that and then pat themselves on the back like they did something. You will know his type of discharge, where he served, duty stations, awards, training, combat, other things, but not medical information. I've been called a hero hundreds of times by people who don't know me. Video, The secret apartment behind my bathroom mirror, 'First dogs' leave White House over biting incident, The US mogul who gave Meghan and Harry a home, Man held over Capitol riot after Kenya deportation, Charity criticises Morgan's comments about Meghan, French teen admits lying about murdered teacher, Microsoft-led team retracts quantum 'breakthrough', 12 things we learned from Meghan's Oprah interview. Covid vaccines: How fast is worldwide progress? On that particular day (in my book) the dude was a HERO and an angel. Video, Philippines reef littered with PPE face masks, The secret apartment behind my bathroom mirror. If he served during WWII he is considered a WWII veteran. So it really makes me not want to speak about my service or be asked about it. But it never felt right. All veterans were invited on the floor before the game for the national anthem - I saw a couple of Vietnam veterans, and that put a lump in my throat. On the other hand, about seven months ago, I couldn't get my truck to start (in a parking lot here in Reno, Nevada). Anytime he goes anywhere with his family, they bring up the fact that he is a Marine to waiters and the powers-that-be to get discounts. During the 13 months I spent there, I flew on 151 combat missions, and was awarded the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters. Hundreds of veterans have responded to the film by sharing their stories and experiences. An ancient tree is a tree which is remarkably old for its species and this can vary dramatically depending on the species. What hurts the most is that when I do speak of this to civilians, or ask if they have any idea about the suicide rate with active duty military or veterans, they normally have no idea. People hear that he was in the Marines and thank him for his service and have used terms like "American hero" and he doesn't feel it's deserved. Read about our approach to external linking. We noticed that supporting Veteran Owned Businesses has been very popular in the USA, but has very little presence in the UK. This individual served as active duty and received a discharge that was any type other than dishonorable. And I call HIM a hero! Better stop before I really lose my rag! I did what I thought needed to be done at the time to help out in a bad situation. Others view that as heroic because it was not what they would have done, or perhaps not what they could have done. Owning a classic car is not a normal decision, it’s not something that makes a whole lot of sense unless you have the passion for and want to reconnect with the real meaning of driving. I was in the United States Army National Guard, where I did a year-long deployment to Afghanistan. We signed up to do a job. See details. Doing my job didn't make me a hero. A classic car is an older car, typically 20 years or older, though definitions vary. Veter UK is the MOD’s support organisation for service personnel, veterans and their families. Some survived, some didn't. I was in the Air Force from 2004 to 2006. RE: What makes a person a veteran? (Christopher P Gehringer), Yes I've been called a hero. Honorable service in the military typically makes you a veteran for life. That's disgusting. I consider my husband, Carl, to be a hero although he does not. I am a veteran myself (24 years in the US Air Force) and I don't mind people calling me a hero, or people thanking me for my service. Whilst in Afghanistan, his actions saved the life of his 16 colleagues, for which he received praise (due to the nature of the operation he was never officially given a commendation). Don't thank them, just genuinely spend time with them. Under federal law, a veteran is any person who served honorably on active duty in the armed forces of the United States. A fantastic way to make your morning cup of tea or coffee a little more special and start off your day on the right foot. I was just simply doing my job. As far as being called a hero, I think that really only happens during Veterans Day. One aspect is the psychological damage that had already been done to those veterans of the earlier wars of WW2, Vietnam and Korea. We had 17 suicides just from the first eight months of my service. Think about this… if these people did not choose, forced conscription and national service would be inevitable since all countries need defence just in case! What if the person is dead. That's the ultimate benefit. My husband and I both served and we're not comfortable with the term hero either. I lost several friends when one of my squadron's aircraft was shot down. Even if no words are spoken the whole time, just being there for a veteran is the greatest way to pay respect. Did the job and that's it. When you sign the enlistment document, you sign an open death warrant that can be served at any time during the six years. I hadn't risked my life to save someone, or anything like that. They are the ones running toward the gunshots, the fire, the car crash instead of running away, or grabbing their cell phone and taking pictures. You might be amazed how much info is publicly releasable about any servicemember. It diminishes those incredible moments when it is truly deserved. As far as being considered a veteran in general, anyone who served their country in the military is a veteran. However, if you served in the armed forces of another country, or even served alongside the UK armed forces, for example in the Canadian Navy or Royal Australian Air Force, you are not eligible. I prefer, "I appreciate what you've done." What makes a hero is a person who just does what they need to do when they need to do it instead of running the other way.
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