Who & what is a “Veteran”? As of recent I was asked during a grievance interview “Who & What is a Veteran”? And immediately thought this was a very strange question coming from a postal manager, but never-the-less, with hesitation I answered by stating “anyone who has served in the military.” Then as fast as I answered that question, I immediately clarified my answer in much more detail. My point…there is no simple answer! The word "veteran" for the purpose of this article refers to a person who has served with the Armed Forces of the nation or of the states. The military is comprised of 12 Service branches: five Active Duty and seven part-time duties – Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard. Obviously, I think we all understand the Active Duty portion of our military. The Reserve …show more content…
But it gets a little deeper than that…let me explain. In general, veterans who served during wartime must have served for at least 90 days. Veterans who served during peacetime must have served for at least 180 days. Reservists must have been called to regular active duty and served for 90 days if service was during wartime or 180 days if service was during peacetime. Active duty does not include active duty for training in the Army or Air National Guard or active duty for training as a reservist. So, did it simplify things yet? Well, hold on - there is more! Did you know that minimum service requirements do not apply to a veteran who was awarded the Purple Heart, or whose discharge certificate shows the veteran suffered a service-connected disability, or died in the service under honorable conditions? Did you know VA benefits administered by the Veterans Administration, the claimant must be a veteran or, in some circumstances, the survivor or the dependent of a
I knew that there were services offered to low income people but what I didn’t realize was that they served the military too. I had
When you look into veterans eyes, you can see several things that are important. The pride shines through, the pride of serving ones country, and the dedication to protect other peoples freedom even it if requires paying the ultimate price. These men and women give their lives to give us our freedom. As a one of the many individuals that they are protecting it is vital that we see that pride and appreciate where it comes from.
My grandfather, Larry, served in WWII. He enlisted and stationed at Camp Polk. He went through places like New Guinea and the Philippines during the war.
America’s veterans should be honored because they have suffered through so many hardships that others could not and have not survived, and they did it for their country that they loved and still love today.
In seeking to determine whether the American Legion should open its doors to non-wartime veterans, we must begin with a look at the organization itself:
“Factors Affecting Health Care” (50-55) Demonstrates the sacrifices and how difficult it is for veterans to receive healthcare from the Department of Veteran Affairs.
Data indicates that it takes years for the trauma associated with military combat to appear, hence the name post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). After the Vietnam War it took nine to twelve years before veterans began showing up at homeless shelters in large numbers. It’s unfortunate that ANY veteran who we reposed special trust and confidence in would someday find themselves living on the street at ANY point in their life.
Are veterans being taken care of medically, mentally, and financially? According to Steve Buyer, a member of the House of Representatives from Indiana's fourth district, "Because all of us believe and understand in the fabric of the common bond of why we call ourselves American is to care for the men and women who wear the uniform; and when they take off the uniform, we care for them when they are veterans." After men or women finish their time serving our country and take off their uniform, they still hold the title of Veteran. They are the brave ones who fought and served for America. The care for the veterans of America is a crucial part of giving back to those who risked their lives for our country.
(Homeless Veterans Programs). In other words this means that 200,000 veterans can
The government’s struggle with keeping up with the veterans began shortly after WWI. Veterans of WWI had been promised a bonus of $1,000 for their service in the Great War, however the money that had been promised never came. Due to the onset of the great depression and the weak economy that came as a result prevented the government from being able to pay the bonus they had promised. The veterans then began a protest in 1932 that 25,000 veterans attended that would become know as the Bonus Expeditionary Force. The force protested until the government decided to send in troops to break the protest up. While the troops succeeded and ended the protest the veterans never received the bonus that had been promised but congress established the Veterans Administration as a result. The VA would then later become the Department of Veteran Affairs in 1988.
Veteran’s day is a reflection of the peace and the warrior culture in the United States. While peace cultures strive for tolerance and positive peace, warrior cultures focus on aggression and domination and this Day demonstrates how both cultures are engrained in the American society.
Veterans have struggles with their civilian life after separating from the U.S Armed Forces. Returning to the civilian life seem to be a big challenge for veterans who have no prior job’s skills for civilian life because they had been influenced from military’s training, have physical and psychological damage.
One of the most serious problems facing all veterans today is the lack of proper healthcare. Soldiers, sailors and airmen are leaving active duty without having proper healthcare to cover their physical or mental injuries. The department responsible for veteran’s healthcare is the Department of Veterans Affairs. (VA) According to The department of Veterans Affairs website, “The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is a government-run military veteran benefit system with Cabinet-level status. It is responsible for administering programs of veterans’ benefits for veterans, their families, and survivors. The benefits provided include disability compensation, pension, education, home loans, life insurance, vocational rehabilitation, survivors’ benefits, medical benefits and burial benefits. It is administered by the United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs.” The VA, who was formerly called the Veterans Administration, was established 21 July 1930, to consolidate and coordinate government activities affecting war veterans. The VA encompassed the functions of the former U.S. Veterans' Bureau, the Bureau of Pensions of the Interior Department and the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers. On 25 October 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed legislation creating a new federal Cabinet-level Department of Veterans Affairs to replace the Veterans Administration effective 15 March 1989 (V.A.)
After speaking out about MST to their sergeants, often they are discharged and told that they are not eligible for benefits within the VA system. This combined with abuse, PTSD, dehumanizing culture of women in the military, and lack of outreach for female veterans, it is easy to understand their “roughness”.
I am ready to start researching this issue and learn more about it. It’s time that we get informed on how much the government actually does for our veterans. Having my research plan already planned out and ready will help things go by smooth. That way when I write, my audience will be able to understand. This issue matters and it needs our attention, because it is rare whenever you hear something about it.