I went to a Veterans Day ceremony today and felt out of place.?

Question

I am a Gulf War Vet(1991) and I think I was the only one there. I'm not looking for acceptance, but I wasn't expecting to be totally ignored. Am I being looked down at because of which theater I served in?

Answer 1

I am truly sorry this happened to you. I look at any Brother or Sister who has served as a Veteran.

Answer 2

Gulf war veterans are a small group and since the actual war was short it might be easily forgotten by non-vets. All who served and those who served in any conflict/war remember that even the real short ones had the same minute(s) of terror as the long ones. As far as being looked down on-I can remember hearing about the heroes of the Gulf War, no wasn't my war (already retired); mine was Vietnam and it was a long one but we were often forgotten by all but ourselves and the families, both ours and the other vets and heroes was some thing I can never recall be told I was. The important thing is that you remember and that your friends remember the rest will someday also. Could be worse-a friend in the Marines is a Granada vet and people even forgot we ever did anything there; even I gave him a hard time about his one day war but I am joking and he knows it.
Happy Veteran's Day and a Semper Fi to you and hope your Veteran's Day's are better in the future.

Answer 3

Im not a Vet but your question really stuck out to me. My neighbor is also a Gulf War Vet and he has many of the same feelings you do. Last Memorial Day I asked him if he was going to march with the other vets in our Memorial Day Parade and he said no because he isnt old enough. I was shocked and told him that a Vet is a Vet regardless of age or what time you served.
Hey lemme tell ya something. In 1991 when I was a wee lil first grader a lot of us little kids sure looked up to you guys fighting and serving our country. To us you were our heroes...we wanted to be you. Now today, its many of my friends who are in the military fighting in this fight...and many joined remembering the service YOU did back in the early 90's!
You are NOT ignored trust me there. Proudly stand when recognized...and as a civilian its my duty to applaude you for that time of service.
So with that I gotta say thank you for your service and Happy Veterans Day.

Answer 4

"Our" war did not last as long as the current one nor did we suffer the same losses. I would not be bitter about it just accept the fact that history has moved beyond us. Your feelings were no doubt shared by Vets of the Spanish-American war in the 1920's when all of the marches and commemorations were about the First World War. Back then Veteran's day was called "Armistice Day" and commemorated the end of WW1. Otherwise the Spanish-American (1898) and Philippine-American(1898-1902) war vets were overlooked. Then the Korean war vets were passed over in favor of the popular World War 2 and the long and unpopular Vietnam conflict.
The best way to avoid the feeling is to join your unit association or a Persian Gulf 1 vets group and attend Vets and memorial day with them.
In any case your feelings are not uncommon.
I personally thank you for serving your country and receiving an honorable discharge regardless of what branch or arm of service you were in. It is enough that you were good soldier(or sailor, Marine or airman).
I also encourage you to support the younger folks in now and fighting. We needed the help of those that had gone before us to win back in 91 and re-adjust when we got home. Now it is our turn to help these kids doing their part now.

Answer 5

Were you in uniform? A Veteran should NEVER be made to feel out of place wherever they are. If anyone deserves to be anywhere here in this country, it is our Service men and Vets.Maybe they just didn't realize you were a vet. My brother served 24 years in the Air-Force and was turned away from a Veterans Club. They didn't bother to talk to him, they just told him he couldn't come in.He was even offered a job as a teacher for a school the Air-Force has in Texas. He took an early out to spend time with our mom before she died. He had many metals and accommodations . It was their lose.For the people that did this to you, I am sorry and I want to tell you I am proud of you and I appreciate you doing this for us and our country.There are many that care, we just don't know how to show it sometimes.

Answer 6

You are not alone, Like the Korean war vets you got stuck in a short war between two big ones. They felt ignored until recently also. Just remember From one vet to another, you served and should be proud

Answer 7

I'm sorry but I really don't understand. A Veteran is a Veteran, it doesn't matter what theater or war zone you served in, it doesn't even matter if you served no combat at all. You wore the uniform and you served your country ; same as the rest of us.

And that my friend is all that matters. Any Veteran that makes you feel inferior in any way needs to wake up.

Answer 8

Bush 41's mission for the Gulf War was to stop the invasion of Kuwait. It was quick, cheap, and accomplished its goal with few American deaths. Congratulations and many thanks for your honorable service.

Bush 41 was then criticized by some who thought he should have continued the effort to remove Saddam Hussein from power. At the time, it was considered a mistake to do so and now it is very clear as to why.

Bush 43 has wanted to remove SH since before he was elected the first time partly because of the attempt on his father's life by SH and partly due to the criticism 41 received. Bush 43 went to Iraq to finish the job he feels his father started. In that context, he is not going to want to mention the Gulf War. I'm sorry to hear that because it was a clear victory for our military and our country.

Answer 9

First of all, welcome home...and please, don't feel out of place. At this point in time, the "Veteran de Jour" are the WWII vets that are quickly fading (dying out). As a female veteran, even at times where we are the 'featured' veterans I feel very much out of place, mostly because it brings back some bad memories for me. Some veterans, at these functions, look for a lot of attention. I rarely go out on Memorial Day, Vetarans Day, and instead I would rather pay respects in my own way. I have a small community garden that I build my own Veterans Memorial. These days are hard, so make your own sunshine...

Answer 10

From one veteran to another, never think of what you did as something that is looked down upon. You served your country and that's what is important. Some people don't understand what it is we do or why we do it. Keep your head high and never forget what you gave for this country.

I served in Iraq only last year.