[Blindvet-talk] DEFINITION OF A VETERAN

[PresidentNABV at aol.com]

Below please read an interesting note I got from Dalene  at the West  
Virginia, VA vist .
 

Dwight D. Sayer
National  President,
The National Association of Blind Veterans
A Division of the  NFB
presidentnabv at aol.com
president at nabv.org 
_www.nabv.org_ (http://www.nabv.org/) 
 
 
  
____________________________________
 From: Dalene.Renfroe at va.gov
Sent: 5/26/2009 8:26:20 A.M. Eastern Daylight  Time
Subj: DEFINITION OF A VETERAN



One of the veterans wanted to share this with you  all. 
Dalene 

This came from one of my commanders; maybe some  others would like to see 
it.  Jim 
DEFINITION  OF A VETERAN:  A veteran, whether active duty, retired, 
National Guard  or reserve, is someone who, at one point in his life wrote a blank 
check  made payable to "The United States of America" for an amount "up to 
and  including my life". 
Happy Memorial  Day to all.  
Torch 
When a   Veteran leaves the 'job' and retires to a better life, many  are 
jealous, some are  pleased, and others,  who may have already  retired, 
wonder if he knows what  he is leaving behind, because we already  know.

1. We know, for example,  that after a lifetime of camaraderie that  few 
experience, it  will  remain as a longing for those past  times.

2. We know in the  Military life there is a fellowship which  lasts  long 
after the uniforms are  hung up in the back of the  closet.

3. We know even if he  throws them away, they will be on him with  every 
step and breath that  remains in his life. We also know how the  very 
bearing of the man   speaks of what he was and in his heart still  is.

These are the burdens of the job. You will  still look at people 
and see what others do  not see or choose to ignore and 
always will look at the  rest of the Military world with a respect  for 
what they do; only grown  in a lifetime of knowing.

Never think for one  moment you are escaping from that life. You are  only 
escaping the 'job' and  merely being allowed to leave 'active'  duty.

So what I wish for you  is that whenever you ease into retirement,  in 
your heart you never  forget for one moment that you are still a  member 
of the greatest  fraternity the world has ever  known.

NOW! Civilian Friends  vs. Veteran Friends  Comparisons

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Get  upset if you're too busy to talk to them for a  week.
VETERAN FRIENDS: Are glad to see you after  years, and will happily carry 
on the same conversation  you were having the last time you  met.
------------------------------  ---------------------
CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Have  never seen you cry.
VETERAN FRIENDS: Have  cried with you.
---------------------------------------------------
CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Keep  your stuff so long they forget it's  yours.
VETERAN FRIENDS: Borrow your stuff for a few  days then give it back.
------------------------------  -------------------
CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Know a  few things about you.
VETERAN FRIENDS: Could  write a book with direct quotes from  you.
---------------------------------------------------
CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will  leave you behind if that's what the crowd is  doing.
VETERAN FRIENDS: Will kick the crowd's ass  that left you behind.
---------------------------------------------------
CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Are  for a while.
VETERAN FRIENDS: Are for  life.
----------------------------------------------------------
CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Have  shared a few experiences...
VETERAN FRIENDS: Have  shared a lifetime of experiences no citizen  could 
ever dream  of...
---------------------------------------------------
CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will  take your drink away when they think you've  had 
enough.
VETERAN FRIENDS: Will  look at you stumbling all over the place and  say, 
'You better drink the  rest of that before you spill it!' Then carry  you 
home safely and put you  to bed...
----------------------------------------------------
CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will  talk crap to the person who talks crap about  you. 
VETERAN FRIENDS: Will  knock them the hell out OF THEM for using  your 
name in  vain.
---------------------------------------------------


----------------------------------------------------

>From one Veteran to  another, it's an honor to be in your  company. 





 
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