Posted on 11/26/2015 11:44:24 AM PST by pboyington
We have been asked to provide the Veteran’s Perspective on the topic of “stolen valor†… well, it is a diversion from the issue of Radical Islamic Terrorism and frankly a good way to help us all head into the Thanksgiving holiday on the proper note. Here goes …
Must Be a Sad Illness – To those of us who have served in combat and must deal with the “blessings†and the “burdens†that come with that service it is completely inconceivable that somebody would want to lie about having been to combat. We know firsthand that in reality there is no amount of respect or recognition that one gets from others that is worth the burdens that comes with that service. Those who served recognize that the value and appreciation for one’s service must actually come from within. So, those who feel the need to lie or deceive others in order to obtain some satisfaction or respect must be suffering from some serious emotional or mental problems.
Never Question Another Veteran’s Service – One thing all combat Veterans share is an appreciation that there is somebody else who had it worse, saw more, suffered more and/or is more deserving of recognition. There is a sense of humility that is a common bond amongst the survivors of combat. This humility comes from the basic premise that no Veteran gets to choose his battles – assignments can be as random as the trajectory of fast moving and exploding objects. One goes where he or she is told to go and does whatever needs to be done. If your fortunate enough to be back in the world after having seen violence and death, you know too well how there were others who had it worse. Particularly in the Post 9/11 military environment, one can no longer really know what an individual’s experience was just by knowing their unit or the military occupational skill.
Let Others Sort it Out – The image of some sick person pretending to be a warrior is an unpleasant one. Of course our initial impression is to kick the crap out of that person. But, it is not as unpleasant as the image of some old former warrior being challenged, threatened or criticized because he is wearing his uniform incorrectly. Just imagine the FUBAR — the one day that some old vet decides to go pay respects to his long lost friend after having not touched his medals or uniform in decades. In truth, this has happened – and it is extremely embarrassing to the Veteran community. So, from a Veteran’s Perspective it is preferable that the civilian community deals with these ill impostors. And, that it does so harshly! But, the thought of ordinary Veterans’ getting into the daily business of questioning other Veterans is more disturbing than the sad sole who attempts to steal valor.
True Valor Can Never Be Stolen – From the Veteran’s Perspective, of course we recognize that damage that is done when imposters attempt to benefit from the virtues and sacrifices of others. But, the one thing we as Veterans’ understand better than anybody is that nobody can ever take away from us the things that we know that we did. The valor we witnessed in our brothers and sisters can never be “stolen.â€
Every Day is Thanksgiving Day – So, as we head into the Thanksgiving Holiday, we ask that you remember and be thankful for the fact that we have fine men and women willing to step forward and answer the call in this very dangerous and difficult time. Meanwhile, from the Veteran’s Perspective, we will forever be thankful to our brother and sister veterans who have suffered and sacrificed more so we can enjoy this holiday with our loved ones. Our thoughts will always be with them and their families.
Happy Thanksgiving from The Veteran’s Perspective!!
Why is every “article” you post from the same source?
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/by:pboyington/index?tab=articles
Could it be that you are a re-tread of the Zotted pimp “usdefensewatch”?
http://www.freerepublic.com/~usdefensewatch/
Happy Thanksgiving.
An odd sort of article. The point of it seems to be that combat veterans should ignore the poseurs and freaks who pretend to have been in combat and just leave them to civilians to sort out.
OK, sure. We don’t go looking for the fakes anyway.
But the tone of this article is so larded with pomposity that it begs the question why it was written at all. Is somebody just bragging that he was allegedly in combat and showing off his open- mindedness?
What would FR possibly do without its resident cynic in chief, its grumble gunner. It would lose itself visiting other people’s blogs and might even be tempted to donate to it leading to cases of involuntary crushing poverty. That would never, ever do. The Wisdom from on high has spoken to forfend that.
I personally asked JR a few years ago about reporting on one of my own web items which (shock, gasp) actually tried to sell something on it as well as pushing a conservative point of view. He said that was fine as long as I only talk about the item on the FR post and don’t directly hawk sales of it here. I did it, you didn’t even have the courage to show up. What happened, found your moxie among the turkey and dressing today?
Ah, well, even God uses Satan.
I’ve heard anecdotes of veterans vigilante-clobbering people who go out in public masquerading like this. And basing that on their oath to uphold the Constitution. The emotion I could understand, the logic I never ever could. If you honor a country you at least TRY to do things the official way first. This is to throw the baby out because you can’t stand the bath water.
Never heard of it. Maybe you need to promote better.
Ah now I know. You must have had an off day. Providence still operates.
Kudos and butt smooches to you for sure.. because you sold a product on FR?
No, actually that make you suck, bro.
But you go ahead and look at it however you wish.
It’s the devil’s arse that you’re kissing up to, dude.
Go ahead on and think that.
I do tend to concentrate on thinking the truth.
If i see a poser-veteran, he won’t have a nice day.
Why?
I am of the generation that was spit on, stepped on, thrown feces at, while in uniform returning home.
I am of the generation that was chosen by government offices when to report for military service.
I was the generation that if your daddy had enough money, favors were paid for you to NOT go anywhere, or to be assigned someplace, in some rathole base stateside, where you were not to leave, for all of your required time to serve.
I CHOSE to enlist, to serve, and REQUESTED to be sent ‘over there’, and was, for 3 years time.
that’s why.
Welcome home brother. I am as proud of the fact that I was issued an Army serial number that began with the prefix “RA” as I am of being a combat vet. It shows that I enlisted. I too asked to go over there. (The Green Suck that is)
I’ve run into a couple of fakes in my time and I just found them to be sad. The world is loaded with incomplete and damaged males and it’s a waste of time to try to fix them.
The bigger issue is that the majority of our men never serve at all. What kind of a country can we have when 97% of the allegedly male members are too lazy or cowardly to serve in uniform and maybe risk their lives for their country, their family, their freedom?
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