Things that Bug Veterans
A group of veterans were watching protesters burning flags on TV. Leonard went crazy, yelling it’s not right for anyone to burn the flag, who do they think they are. That made me think about what Leonard was feeling, and how other veterans felt about various issues in our society. I started talking to other veterans from different generations, as it turns out we don’t look at things the same way. Why do we let some things get to us? Certain things drive some veterans crazy and some things don’t. I thought I would put a few of them together for everyone to mull over. Let’s start with what set Leonard off.
The flag of the United states is sacred to most who served. Burning the flag angers most Americans especially veterans. To those of us who served under the flag it is disrespectful. We have fought, defended, and lost friends while serving under the flag. Our flag is special to us and it is demoralizing to see it desecrated in that manner. Another form of disrespect is displaying the flag upside down. We are taught that the flag being upside down is the sign of distress, and displaying the flag upside down is disrespectful unless used in an actual distress situation. Even though we don’t like it, this is what we fought for, the ability of our people to say or do what they want, it is what makes the US special. At times this includes putting up with people who want to burn our flag, or wear our flag upside down. Because we have fought to give them the right we don't feel it’s appropriate for them to be disrespectful to our values, but we have to accept it.
Being respectful is one of the core values of every military branch. Being on time is one of the key elements of that respect. When we were in the service were taught, if you’re not 15 minutes early you are late, this doesn’t hold true to many civilians and it drives allot veteran’s crazy. Military member feels they respect others and should be respected in return, the problem is many civilians don't feel the same.
Some veterans who have worn the uniform proudly feel disrespected when civilians wear parts of the uniform if they never served. Often times I will walk up to someone wearing parts of the battle dress uniform (BDU) uniform. I usually ask what branch they served in and about 50% of the time they will tell me they never served. They may have gotten the clothes at the surplus store, or given them by family but it still bugs allot of veterans. I understand why they would want to wear the clothing, they are comfortable and great utility work clothing, but it still bugs me and a lot of veterans.
War is not a movie, and telling a veteran that you understand because you have seen a movie is disrespectful. Unless you have served in the military there is no way you can fully understand the culture and brotherhood. The closest a civilian can get is being a spouse or military brat. The media plays a part in the lack of understanding. Countless veterans believe the media does not cover the reality of war. From 1991 to 2009 the media was not allowed to show the flag draped coffins of our fallen. Many veterans and families felt the government was sanitizing the cost of war. The media did not protest loud, they just accepted it. Our fallen were flown in at night when they could not be seen and the media played along. The media did not protest and the cost of war was not seen by the general public. The rules have changed but many media outlets still fail to show the cost of war. Their perception is showing the cost of war, by not showing the coffins of our fallen, is too graphic, war is real and graphic, the media should report the truth. The government played it off as being respectful to the families, but some veterans felt it was to prevent civilians from seeing the true cost of war and eliminate protests against the war and for political gain.
The military branches are not the same. Many times we don’t even understand each other’s rules and dress codes. Every branch is unique. The Air Force and the Marines are totally different, we share very few commonalities. But that’s ok were family. When outsiders disrespect one branch they are disrespecting all of the military and all branches will join the fight. It’s like a brother and sister relationship, I can do it but an outsider can’t.
Please don’t tell a veteran you were going to join the military. Our comment will be why didn’t you join. Just because you “wanted to join” don’t give a civilian the credit or respect they seek from the veteran, it shows veterans your insecurities and you didn’t think you could serve or had the will to do what it takes to become a member of the military. It’s better to not say anything, thank you might work.
The last thing that bugs me is strings. Yes strings on your clothes. It’s crazy but strings on your uniform got you in trouble during inspection and it still drives me crazy to this day. All veterans are brainwashed to a point. We are taught what the military perceives as right and wrong. That sticks with us for most of our lives. This perception of right and wrong can be as small as strings, or as large as burning our flag. I understand why Leonard felt the way he does he, like all who fought under the flag, have differing views of how to look at it. I look at it as being wrong, but I understand that some have given their lives for their rite to burn the flag or protest. I always remind them of that when I get the chance to address protesters. Like everyone else in society veterans are different even though we are the same. We are veterans who have fought for your right to be wrong.
For questions or comments, you can contact me at afterdutyvets@gmail.com or visit my website at www.afterdutyvets.com, and subscribe to my YouTube channel After Duty Vets or like us on Facebook at After Duty Vets.