Veterans - do you feel that your country honours you?

Question

Please also respond with your country. I am interested in your stories.

Answer 1

I'm a soldier in the United States Army National Guard. I recently returned from a tour in Iraq (actually straight out of Basic & IAT). To be honest, I feel that people give me too much credit for being a soldier. I do what I do because it's what I'm supposed to do. I don't feel I deserve rewards or praise for doing my job.

I firmly believe that being a soldier is harder on those that have to wait behind than it is on the soldier out in the field. I had times when I was scared, times when I wasn't sure if I was noticing everything I should. But in the end, I was ecstatic to be able to return home to my loved ones in one piece. Not everyone I knew over there could say the same. But for everything that happened over-seas, I at least knew what was going on. My family and friends had to sit at home and worry over whether I was alright, afraid to see my body on CNN.

I feel a soldier deserves no more recognition for what we do than anyone else in society who gets up every day, does their job, supports their family, and upholds the law. I became a soldier because I was trying to make the best choice for myself, my future, and my country. No one owes me anything. What I've done, I've done because I owe it to myself and those I care about.

Answer 2

Unlike most that have answered your question, I only served 3 years in the US Army. I served during the original Gulf war, with the 101st Airborne in Saudi Arabia. I think the country as a whole does honor the veterans as much as possible. But, on the other hand, there are too many people and organizations out there down playing and in fact destroying the respect that each and every person who served in the military has earned. Most of those people who are disrespecting the military now and in the past don't know what it is to give up a period of your life and to go possibly into harms way. We (veterans) do not expect a parade every day of our lives, but please remember if it wasn't for us they wouldn't have the freedom of speech.

Answer 3

I am a retired Chief Petty Officer from the United States Navy and a veteran of the Persian Gulf War. I think the country does what it can for veterans, ...but it's never enough; especially for disabled veterans. But I myself didn't join the military to be honored by my countrymen and women, ...I joined to serve my country and to do my part to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States from all enemies, foreign AND DOMESTIC. To serve something greater than myself.

Answer 4

USA - I don't really know how to answer your question directly but I do know that I honor my country. I joined the Marine Corps because I wanted to serve my country and did so proudly.
I don't know if my country honors me or not as a whole, but that never really had any effect on me or my decision to do what I did.
I honor our veterans and think about our military men and woman every day and support them 100 %.
Semper Fi.

Answer 5

I enlisted in the US Marines in 1967, Spent 3 tours in Vietnam, We never lost a battle over there, I spent 30 years fighting around the world in places you have never heard of, I have seen and done things that you can only imagine, I can tell you stories but I won't because I don't like to talk about them. I Will say this, I'm tired of people that have never been there and seen the horrors of war, judging what we have done for you. God Bless And Semper Fi. Can I add this? I wrote this when I came home from Vietnam and was asked what Memorial day meant to me.
to a place where no more internal battles are fought and no more sadness felt for those they once knew and lost. Places no one will ever remember, that is, no one but those who were there. Battles, large and small, in war and within ones-self, that do not rate a mention in history but definitely helped write it. Sounds of long ago but were only yesterday this morning. Survivors A time of remembrance for me... of young faces I once knew a lifetime ago who are no longer here and of a lot that are. Faces of my beloved family who fought in WW2 and Korea who have crossed over guilt but deep inside.... glad it wasn't me. Reading citations and asking myself," Did I really do that"? Looking for lost loves and lost youth knowing that you will find neither. Memories, some good...some bad. Touching the scars on my body from shrapnel and on my chest from a 7.62. Looking at that rifle that I brought home with me that put that bullet there and remembering the young Vietnamese that once held it that I killed almost at the same time as he shot me. Looking into a mirror and then at a picture on a wall and wondering where did that kid disappear to? Still feeling the pride that I felt then and feeling pride in those who wear, or have worn, the uniform of today ( Do you ever really take it off?) Looking at my sons face, my daughters faces, my grandchildren's faces, and whispering a prayer that they will never forget me or others like me who sacrificed so much so other people may seek freedom and have rights and when necessary, fight for this country and for their rights that so many of its citizens take for granted. Looking at the colors and feeling the pride for I know the price many youth have paid to keep it flying. Understanding, that one more year has passed and that I am closer to paying my dues to the one I cheated out of them three+ times. Not really caring about life or death personally anymore for after what I went through, saw, did, etc. what is really left but the waiting.... just like then. Yes, today I especially remember. Thanks for serving. Welcome home. God bless and see you in Fiddler's Green.

Answer 6

when i came back to the USA, in 65, i was told to get out my uniform, tell no one i had been to Viet Nam. this honor is like a yo-yo, it go up and down. my son came back from his 3rd tour in iraq, and he was honored by everyone i know. up cycle. if you notice, most of the anti war (the majority) are those with money or those that don't have to go

Answer 7

im special force pilot in the us army and yes they honour me
i served in afghanistan and iraq