[December 22, 2014] As we approach the end of the year, we would be doing the right thing by honoring those in our military who currently serve and have served our country. To these men and women serving away from home, protecting us, we can freely acknowledge they are doing us proud. While this is a common sentiment, what is not common is the understanding of the military veteran. Who is the military veteran and are they really that different from the rest of us?
Such as lack of understanding is both unfortunate in itself and expected to continue. As our military veteran population declines I don’t expect this to improve. In the United States we’ve seen a swing in how we view veterans. Vietnam was a low point where negative connotations and stereotyping of vets was the norm. Today we honor all veterans yet generally lack knowledge of their challenges or attributes.
Here is a short list of some of the main areas of misunderstanding of our military veterans:
- Brotherhood – especially that formed in combat
- Dedication to the country, their military service, and to their military peers
- Health concerns, combat disabilities (like PTSD, TBI), and illegal drug use
- Traditional values of loyalty, duty, country, family
- Separation from family and friends
- Military culture and ways of getting things done
- Families of veterans – an often forgotten aspect of the veteran
- Negative stereotypical images and discrimination
What I’m not trying to do is show the veteran as a victim. But what we do know is that their experiences and circumstances help explain two things about the veteran. First, they are not any different than the rest of us. They come from our country and really never left us. Second, they deserve to be honored for their special position that any society needs. They fulfill the role of protector – similar to the police officer and fireman – except as protector of the country as a whole.
We will never fully understand the veteran because, as has been said many times, we have not walked in their shoes. What we can do however is at least avoid misunderstandings and unfairly stereotyping them. I think the veteran would at least appreciate that. It is my honor to have served with many of the greatest Americans and allies the world has seen.
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