Definition of A Veteran

[gunfighter48]

"Definition of a Veteran"

A Veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve,

is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made

payable to "The United States of America", for an amount of "up to

and including my life."

That is honor, and there are way too many people in this country who

no longer understand it.

Author Unknown

[SCOUTER]

Gunfighter,

I often wonder if we had to fight WWII all over again with today's population. How would we do? God bless those vets who fought the fight and those guys who are serving now.

Me- 9 years USMC... Semper Fi-

[gunfighter48]

Hi Scouter,

I thought that the "Definition of a Veteran" was the best explanation of what a vet is, that I have ever read. Sums it up pretty good.

I don't think todays generation could do what our grandfathers did in WWII. They don't have the grits our forefathers had. Too sissyfied by the educational system and their parents. My son in law is a SFC in the Army stationed ar Ft. Lewis, WA. He's a good soldier but not up to the WWII standards. I was 4th generation Army, only served 3years 4 months. Volunteered in June 1967. The proudest day of my life was when I raised my right hand and took the oath!!!! Wound up in Eatontown, NJ for 3 years, research and development in a new field called Satellite Communications. The US only had 1 comm satellite in the sky when I started and had 5 up when I got out in Nov. 1970. Now there is something like 58 or more comm satellites in the sky. We were on the cutting edge of technology at that time, was a lot of fun.

John

Edited January 31, 2008 by gunfighter48

[Regis]

Gunfighter,

I often wonder if we had to fight WWII all over again with today's population. How would we do? God bless those vets who fought the fight and those guys who are serving now.

Me- 9 years USMC... Semper Fi-

The answer is that there would be vastly different borders and probably our language. Our military is GREAT but, they honorably do follow the will of our people. Sure wish someone dug into and reported on news media as much as they do on leaders. We have very easily swayed recent generations and the greatness and honor of our past is being trampled and disgarded. You would be supprised how often our veteran memorials are vandalized. Sometimes I wish we could guard them with volunteer ex-military. After some brused and broken bone reports, the problem would end.

[bcurrier]

I don't think todays generation could do what our grandfathers did in WWII. They don't have the grits our forefathers had. Too sissyfied by the educational system and their parents.

I couldn't disagree more. Americans have been in more or less continuous combat since WWII in one place or another, at one scale or another. Lately we toppled 2 regimes. One - Afghanistan - after the Soviet Union failed to do so after years of trying. American soldiers are currently fighting and dying, enjoying, moreover, the most widespread public support of any action since WWII.

Don't pretty up history too much. We were brutally hammered any number of times in WWII in both theaters, including major defeats and surrenders. There was significant opposition in and out of the military to the war itself, various components of it, policy and funding issues, conscription, etc. Aside from any pro & con arguments around the government's heavy-handedness during the war, there were many things I wouldn't want repeated which in our times are properly the subject of public debate ... even if not all have been solved. Those include torture & prisoner treatment (many documented WWII abuses), civilian casualties (carpet bombing of German cities plus the atomic bombings), treatment of "suspect" populations in the US (Nisei), segregation in the military, censorship, war profiteering, and more. We were blessed geographically in that our industrial infrastructure, unlike Europe's, remained intact throughout the war. Finally, we were damn lucky in several critical battles - two of which could have turned the result (the Bulge and Guadalcanal).

I think you may have the education point backwards. The military has historically supported and used civilian education heavily. The senior ranks have always been among the best-educated people in the nation, having a high concentration of advanced degrees across virtually all disciplines. The preference is for an educated military population, including the enlisted ranks. The military sees no conflict whatsoever between good education and the quality of the individual soldier - quite the opposite.

My father was an Army veteran (a private) of heavy combat in both theaters in WWII, fighting through Italy, ending up at the aforementioned Battle of the Bulge, then shipped off to combat duty in the Pacific, ultimately winding up as part of the occupation force. So I recognize and take nothing away from the grit of such soldiers. But I see the same kind of soldier in the news every day.

Bill

[bustedlifter]

I've never seen that before, how true. Not to take anything away from WW2 vets ,but I think our military today is very competent and up to the task. The difference being we are so prosperous a country that the country functions the same whether in war or peace. During WW2 there was rationizing, food drives, scrap drives etc. that are not necessary today.

A former North Vietnamese General Tran Van Tra wrote in a book that they were ready to surrender if there was one more day of American bombing raids over Hanoi. He also wrote that after the TET offensive, after American troops thoroughly defeated the NVA, he was ready to throw in the towel again until he heard Walter Cronkite declare on the news that it was a defeat of the Americans. He then decided to hold on because he knew the American public would soon give up.

[SCOUTER]

The question isn't if today's military compare with yesterday's ... I know for a fact that today's military outstanding due to the fact that it's 100% volunteer!

The REAL question is that "If we had to fight WWII today, (With a DRAFT), how would we do?"

(Would anybody show up?)

Also in my opinion- We are getting "softer" with every generation...

[bustedlifter]

The question isn't if today's military compare with yesterday's ... I know for a fact that today's military outstanding due to the fact that it's 100% volunteer!

The REAL question is that "If we had to fight WWII today, (With a DRAFT), how would we do?"

(Would anybody show up?)

Also in my opinion- We are getting "softer" with every generation...

I think we would do just fine if you get the clowns in Washington out of the way and let the military do what they're paid to do.

[rgerbitz]

Every generation since the begining of man has looked down upon the next, read any history or biograghical account and men and women from every era of civilization have expressed concern about the next generations ability to lead forward. Some how we as species manage to be better as a whole with each passing day. There still are and will always be the type of folks around that can be depended on in any event. Its just that they are not noticed, they are busily tending to what is needed and has been asked of them to do. Should Uncle Sam knock on the door and ask for their participation they will immediately and without hesitation do what is needed of them, with honor. Americans are and always have been the type of folks that when called upon for help will respond with overwhelming enthusiasm, wether it be to help flood victims or fight a war. Regardless of the generation they come from. If you should ever loose faith in the generation that are up and coming, it is easily restored, simply spend some time with them and don't take what you hear and see in the media as fact as to what they are all about.

Rob Gerbitz

[fleabitpokey]

I have 2 sons in the US Military. They have both been to Iraq and back, my Marine, 3 times over and back , my Soldier, 13 months-one tour,and he will probably deploy again.

I support them and the Men and Women they serve with 100% and then some. It is people like my Sons that assure us the freedom to voice our opinions here or any place.

Guess you can tell I am a Proud Military Mom.

Stephanie

[outcast]

Also in my opinion- We are getting "softer" with every generation...

Heh heh, I'd like you to meet my son. You might just think twice about that. It's not the succeeding generations fault if they are looked on to be softer. It's the fault of the parents who are too weak to raise them up in the right way.

Steve

USN Veteran 1968-1972

[barra]

I don't think the kids of today are any softer than my generation. The major difference is society has changed. I personally would not want to be a kid growing up today. To me it is all too hectic and fast paced, we had time to sit down and smell the roses. Things that were considered basic life skills for my generation are no longer relevant to the kids of today. I will give you a few examples.

I spent a fair amount of time as a recruit instructor. I have had to teach kids

a. how to strike a match

b. how to shave

c. how to tie up boots (18 years of slip on velcro track shoes)

The list could go on. I used to think what is wrong with these kids. I could concede single parent families with no male to teach them to shave but hey have you not seen it on TV.

I then came to the conclusion that it is not essentially them it is society. What to us was basic stuff has no meaning to them. On the other hand they can quote mega gyga byte computer stuff and WE have no real concept. My point being life is no easier and in many ways I think they have it harder, life is just different.

I once heard this same topic being debated when an old WW2 veteran jumped in. he said in his day they went to basic etc and it was not until in a combat situation did they really start to learn. They well and truly proved the WW1ers wrong when they said you lot don't have what it takes. I will cut to the chase.

Trust me, the current generation are out there in "HARMS WAY" doing it and doing it WELL. How do I know. I'm looking out the window as I type.

Barra

[LarryB]

"Definition of a Veteran"

What veterans have given, shows what a wonderful country we live in. Also, what must be done to protect our families and freedom. Just my two cents and I am also a veteran.