Understanding a Veteran

Understanding a Veteran

To understand a Veteran you must know
We left home as a teenager or in our early 20's for a unknown adventure.
We loved our country to defend it and protect it with our own lives.
We said good bye to family, then to friends and everything we knew.
We learned the basics and were scattered to the winds, to the far corners of the world.
We found a new families and new friends
We became brothers and sisters regardless of color, race or creed
We had plenty of good times and plenty of bad times
We didn't get enough sleep
We smoked and drank too much
We learned both good and bad habits
We worked hard and played harder
We didn't earn a great wage
We experienced the happiness of mail call and the sadness of missing important events
We didn't know when, or even if, we were ever see home again
We grew up fast, yet somehow, we never grew up at all
We fought for our freedom, as well as the freedom for others.
Some of us saw actual combat, and some of us didn't.
Some of us saw the world, and some of us didn't
Some of us dealt with physical warfare, most of us dealt with psychological warfare
We have seen and experienced and dealt with things we cannot fully describe or explain as not all our sacrifices were physical.
We participated in time honored ceremonies and rituals with each other strengthening our bonds and camaraderie
We counted on each other to get the job done and sometimes just to survive it at all
We have dealt with victories and tragedy
We have celebrated and mourned
We lost a few along the way
When our adventure was over, some of us went back home, some of us started somewhere new, and some of us never came home
We have told amazing and hilarious stories of our exploits and adventures
We share an unspoken bond with each other that most people don't experience and few will understand
We speak highly of our own branch and poke fun of the other branches
We know however, that, if needed we will be there for our brothers and sisters and stand together as one, in a heartbeat
Being a Veteran is something that had to be earned, it can never be taken away
It has no monetary value, but at the same time, it is a priceless gift
People see a Veteran and they say thank them for their service
When we see each other, we give that lil upward head nod, or a slight smile, knowing that we have shared and experienced things that most people have not
So from myself to the rest of the Veterans out there, I commend you and thank you for all you have done and sacrificed for your country
Try to remember the good times and make peace with the bad times
Share your stories
But most importantly, stand tall and proud, for you have earned the right to be called a Veteran!!

Copied and borrowed from another Veteran