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Veteran's Day Musings

HayesGreener

HayesGreener

Ronin
I am sitting here with my morning coffee reflecting on Veteran's Day and its importance. There are about 16 million living veterans who served in war or peacetime. That is about 6% of the adult population. About a third of those are Vietnam era veterans, and about a third have served since 9/11. Less than 1% are WWII vets.

I had the good fortune to have two rewarding careers, one as a LEO and a parallel career in active and reserve service over 42 years. I retired from the USAF in 2011, and although it was time to go, the powerful sense of brotherhood remains. When asked if I miss it, my response is that I don't miss the job, but do miss the the magnificent men and women that I served with. Throughout my career, I was constantly in awe of the commitment and fortitude of those around me. (As an investigator I met a few Adam Henry's as well) But all in all, they were, and are, the steel of America's power and security.

I often wear a Vietnam Veteran hat, and invariably someone will thank me for my service. My response is that it was my privilege. It was my privilege to have served with with those magnificent men and women and to have done my small part.

6% of the adult population alive have served, but I am sure the percentage here on the forum is higher. On this Veteran's Day, to all the veterans here on the forum and everywhere, I salute you, and thank you for your service.
 
HayesGreener said:
I am sitting here with my morning coffee reflecting on Veteran's Day and its importance. There are about 16 million living veterans who served in war or peacetime. That is about 6% of the adult population. About a third of those are Vietnam era veterans, and about a third have served since 9/11. Less than 1% are WWII vets.

I had the good fortune to have two rewarding careers, one as a LEO and a parallel career in active and reserve service over 42 years. I retired from the USAF in 2011, and although it was time to go, the powerful sense of brotherhood remains. When asked if I miss it, my response is that I don't miss the job, but do miss the the magnificent men and women that I served with. Throughout my career, I was constantly in awe of the commitment and fortitude of those around me. (As an investigator I met a few Adam Henry's as well) But all in all, they were, and are, the steel of America's power and security.

I often wear a Vietnam Veteran hat, and invariably someone will thank me for my service. My response is that it was my privilege. It was my privilege to have served with with those magnificent men and women and to have done my small part.

6% of the adult population alive have served, but I am sure the percentage here on the forum is higher. On this Veteran's Day, to all the veterans here on the forum and everywhere, I salute you, and thank you for your service.
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Amen, and thank you.
 
Agreed... and thank you to all who have served this great nation.
 

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HayesGreener said:
I am sitting here with my morning coffee reflecting on Veteran's Day and its importance. There are about 16 million living veterans who served in war or peacetime. That is about 6% of the adult population. About a third of those are Vietnam era veterans, and about a third have served since 9/11. Less than 1% are WWII vets.

I had the good fortune to have two rewarding careers, one as a LEO and a parallel career in active and reserve service over 42 years. I retired from the USAF in 2011, and although it was time to go, the powerful sense of brotherhood remains. When asked if I miss it, my response is that I don't miss the job, but do miss the the magnificent men and women that I served with. Throughout my career, I was constantly in awe of the commitment and fortitude of those around me. (As an investigator I met a few Adam Henry's as well) But all in all, they were, and are, the steel of America's power and security.

I often wear a Vietnam Veteran hat, and invariably someone will thank me for my service. My response is that it was my privilege. It was my privilege to have served with with those magnificent men and women and to have done my small part.

6% of the adult population alive have served, but I am sure the percentage here on the forum is higher. On this Veteran's Day, to all the veterans here on the forum and everywhere, I salute you, and thank you for your service.
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While you separate from the military, you never really leave. It stays with you, you are always a part of the bigger team. I kinda do miss my job in the military. I loved working on aircraft. But I miss the family I made during the time I served. I remain in touch with several men and women I served with in my career. We are part of a larger family.
I give my heartfelt thanks to all who served, in both of my countries. ❤️
 
HayesGreener said:
There are about 16 million living veterans who served in war or peacetime.
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Serious question. Maybe It's my screwed up head, or the fact that I grew up around so many WWII & Korea vets, as well as returning solders from Vietnam. I always thought/felt that "veteran" meant combat or at least served in a theater of war, to include "peace action" or any other mumbo-jumbo you want to call it. Then after the fall of the USSR we started hearing about "cold war vets", now it seems that everyone that ever wore a uniform is a vet. Yes, I served my six years, but I sure have a hard time calling myself a veteran and get a wee bit annoyed when other similar to me do so. Seems like it diminishes the sacrifices of those actually did have to serve their country, not just train and be prepared to do so.
Am I half a bubble out of plumb or does this make sense to anyone else?
 
bc22wm said:
Serious question. Maybe It's my screwed up head, or the fact that I grew up around so many WWII & Korea vets, as well as returning solders from Vietnam. I always thought/felt that "veteran" meant combat or at least served in a theater of war, to include "peace action" or any other mumbo-jumbo you want to call it. Then after the fall of the USSR we started hearing about "cold war vets", now it seems that everyone that ever wore a uniform is a vet. Yes, I served my six years, but I sure have a hard time calling myself a veteran and get a wee bit annoyed when other similar to me do so. Seems like it diminishes the sacrifices of those actually did have to serve their country, not just train and be prepared to do so.
Am I half a bubble out of plumb or does this make sense to anyone else?
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IF you have a DD214, you are a veteran. Whether you served in a combat role or a support role, you served. Whether you served in time or place of war is luck of the draw, you still were subject to being being sent in harm's way.
 
I think if you served whether in peace time or war, you should be called a Veteran You dedicated your years to the military and was prepared to go to war. wasn't your fault no war was happening. Without your presence in force, Our enemies would surely invade so the peace time veterans did still keep us free. i thank all of you for your service to keep us free.
 
Belt Fed said:
I think if you served whether in peace time or war, you should be called a Veteran You dedicated your years to the military and was prepared to go to war. wasn't your fault no war was happening. Without your presence in force, Our enemies would surely invade so the peace time veterans did still keep us free. i thank all of you for your service to keep us free.
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Cold and Southeast Asia War Games -- 24 plus years here. Thanks to all that gave, DD-214 or not -- LE, FD, EMS etc.
 
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