> I think the clamoring for entitlements and awareness is driven by veterans advocacy groups, not the veteran community as a whole. In my opinion, it's a reaction to the neglect and apathy that veterans of previous wars experienced, most recently the Vietnam War.
I think this is true, but kind of missing the recent "veteran outrage" that has been going on in the community. For example, the stolen valor shaming is totally out of control. It's not illegal to parade around in uniform and claim you were a badass - but there are tons of vets out there making name and shame videos and then plastering them around of people that do, claiming that they will call the cops or that the person will go to jail etc...
Same with the recent "furor" over some people wading into the reflecting pool at the WWII memorial, or some kids playing on the Vietnam memorial.
In my opinion it's taking it too far and burning up all the good feedback and positive relations we have had over the past decade.
That is all under the backdrop of probably the most supportive civilian population in recent history. I can't tell you how often I was thanked for my service or stopped and given thumbs up or free stuff when I was in uniform.
I have to agree that Stolen Valor nonsense got out of hand (although i have say pretending to be a vet is disgusting)
However, even though i have rather ambivalent opinion on military (especially the modern one), mistreatment of monuments regarding human sacrifice is disgraceful.
I am a hardcore atheist but I'd think to me it's as bad as having kids play on an altar to religious people. Just don't do it. Show some token respect, we all would be better off. (I do not refer to the person above, just to whoever does aforementioned stuff!)
I think there is a difference between mistreating a monument and just not having self-awareness.
The way I look at it, if there are kids laughing and playing on a monument, that is a better representation of freedom and security than any amount of pillars or stone could ever represent.
I think this is true, but kind of missing the recent "veteran outrage" that has been going on in the community. For example, the stolen valor shaming is totally out of control. It's not illegal to parade around in uniform and claim you were a badass - but there are tons of vets out there making name and shame videos and then plastering them around of people that do, claiming that they will call the cops or that the person will go to jail etc...
Same with the recent "furor" over some people wading into the reflecting pool at the WWII memorial, or some kids playing on the Vietnam memorial.
In my opinion it's taking it too far and burning up all the good feedback and positive relations we have had over the past decade.
That is all under the backdrop of probably the most supportive civilian population in recent history. I can't tell you how often I was thanked for my service or stopped and given thumbs up or free stuff when I was in uniform.