McCain Avoids Vietnam Vets Tough Questions

[eastcoast_bsc]

Those who serve during peacetime aren't veterans. How is that relevant to the topic of how to treat veterans? Help me understand how non-veterans are relevant to a topic about veterans.

Your wrong, they are veterans

 

[geocajun]

Your wrong, they are veterans

Show me

 

[MichaelFJF]

Those who serve during peacetime aren't veterans. How is that relevant to the topic of how to treat veterans? Help me understand how non-veterans are relevant to a topic about veterans.

Possibly the most idiotic statement on this board in a long time.

 

[eastcoast_bsc]

War veteran, or just veterans in general ? Because having my father get shot to death in Vietnam after serving 15 years in the Army, I could really care less about some guy who served 2 to 4 years in the military during peacetime, used their GI Bill or other contract agreements unwisely, and now wants a new set of teeth from the American tax payer under the guise of Veteran. My mom went through more crap than that so-called veteran did.

I agree that war veterans should be taken care of, but all veterans deserve respect for serving their country. Your disrespect of certain Veterans, does nothing for your credibility.

 

[eastcoast_bsc]

Possibly the most idiotic statement on this board in a long time.[/quote


Exactly

 

[eastcoast_bsc]

Show me

I am refraining from using the word Idiot, but you are trying my patience. I have my DD form 214 separation from military service that calls me a Veteran.
Take my word on this one, any person that receives and honorable discharge from the US military is classified a veteran.

 

[BAFRIEND]

Your wrong, they are veterans

My uncle who flew fighters over Vietnam and went to sleep alone one night because the other three pilots he shared his quarters with had been killed on bombing runs, then retired 25 years later from the Airforce is a veteran.

My other uncle who flew transports into Khe Sahn during North Vietnamese artillery bombardments and lost his friends on that runway, who retired 15 years later and just went through his second retirement from the airlines, he is a veteran.

My nephew who had a rocket blow up 15 feet away from him and was only spared because of a pallet of water, is a veteran.

Someone who served 2 to 4 years during peacetime, basically extending highschool, is not a person who deserves to be taken care of for life.

 

[eastcoast_bsc]

Here is the provision:

38 USC Sec. 101 01/02/2006

-EXPCITE-

TITLE 38 - VETERANS' BENEFITS

PART I - GENERAL PROVISIONS

CHAPTER 1 - GENERAL

-HEAD-

Sec. 101. Definitions

-STATUTE-

For the purposes of this title -

(1) The terms "Secretary" and "Department" mean the Secretary of

Veterans Affairs and the Department of Veterans Affairs,

respectively.

(2) The term "veteran" means a person who served in the active

military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released

therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable.

 

[geocajun]

So a quick google shows me that veteran benefits were extended to those who served more than 180 days of military service as of 2004-2005 in most or all states. I didn't know that. I grew up military and during that time the only people qualified as "veterans" were those who served during a war.

 

[eastcoast_bsc]

My uncle who flew fighters over Vietnam and went to sleep alone one night because the other three pilots he shared his quarters with had been killed on bombing runs, then retired 25 years later from the Airforce is a veteran.

My other uncle who flew transports into Khe Sahn during North Vietnamese artillery bombardments and lost his friends on that runway, who retired 15 years later and just went through his second retirement from the airlines, he is a veteran.

My nephew who had a rocket blow up 15 feet away from him and was only spared because of a pallet of water, is a veteran.

Someone who served 2 to 4 years during peacetime, basically extending highschool, is not a person who deserves to be taken care of for life.

I never said that they should be cared for life. I said that Combat veterans should and that all veterans should be respected for their service. I respect your relatives service.

 

[BAFRIEND]

This is what I get tired of.

Every election year the VFW and every other lobby group for veterans try to extend benefits. If someone does not give into these people, they are called unpatriotic for not jipping the American tax payer.

Good for McCain.

 

[geocajun]

I am refraining from using the word Idiot.

Good, because it would make you a hypocrite. I can imagine your bliss right now at knowing something someone else didn't. Dear diary.

 

[eastcoast_bsc]

So a quick google shows me that veteran benefits were extended to those who served more than 180 days of military service as of 2005. I didn't know that. I grew up military and during that time the only people qualified as "veterans" were those who served during a war.

I find it odd that all you and a few others keep telling me about your families service. How about yours ? I served and volunteered US Army 9th infantry 3/5 air cavalry. I went in 1 year after Saigon fell, I was fortunate that I did not have to face combat, no one wants to. I served 3 years honorably and then moved on with my life. It sounds like the same tactic that is being used against John McCain. I know Vets, you won't divide us.

 

[geocajun]

I find it odd that all you and a few others keep telling me about your families service. How about yours ? I served and volunteered US Army 9th infantry 3/5 air cavalry. I went in 1 year after Saigon fell, I was fortunate that I did not have to face combat, no one wants to. I served 3 years honorably and then moved on with my life. It sounds like the same tactic that is being used against John McCain. I know Vets, you won't divide us.

That would be the first time I ever mentioned my fathers service. Frankly I didn't go into the military under the advice of my family and I'm glad I didn't to be honest it isn't for me.
I'm glad you served and your proud of yourself though, kudos.

 

[MichaelFJF]

So a quick google shows me that veteran benefits were extended to those who served more than 180 days of military service as of 2004-2005. I didn't know that. I grew up military and during that time the only people qualified as "veterans" were those who served during a war.

Simply not true. "Qualified" according to whom? Veterans are veterans, period. There are distinctions of "combat veterans" or "Vietnam era" veterans, but to say someone has to serve in a war in order to be a vet. is just plain stupid.

 

[geocajun]

Simply not true. "Qualified" according to whom? Veterans are veterans, period. There are distinctions of "combat veterans" or "Vietnam era" veterans, but to say someone has to serve in a war in order to be a vet. is just plain stupid.

Apparently that qualification isn't made anymore when the same benefits were extended. Why are you insisting on name calling? To do that is to act like crotchety old gray haired guy

 

[BAFRIEND]

I find it odd that all you and a few others keep telling me about your families service. How about yours ? I served and volunteered US Army 9th infantry 3/5 air cavalry. I went in 1 year after Saigon fell, I was fortunate that I did not have to face combat, no one wants to. I served 3 years honorably and then moved on with my life. It sounds like the same tactic that is being used against John McCain. I know Vets, you won't divide us.

How about this ?

I have the flag that draped my father's coffin in its case hanging from above my computer and I don't care about your peace time service or your implications about who serves and who does not. patrotism my butt- people sent my mother letters calling my father a baby killer and murder after he was killed. Think I would serve this country after that ?

Vets stick together ? Did you watch that video- you forgot about John Kerry and the swiftboat garbage from the last election- Weber versus McCain ? I could write a book.

 

[eastcoast_bsc]

That would be the first time I ever mentioned my fathers service. Frankly I didn't go into the military under the advice of my family and I'm glad I didn't to be honest it isn't for me.
I'm glad you served and your proud of yourself though, kudos.

Your disdain is showing.

 

[BAFRIEND]

Simply not true. "Qualified" according to whom? Veterans are veterans, period. There are distinctions of "combat veterans" or "Vietnam era" veterans, but to say someone has to serve in a war in order to be a vet. is just plain stupid.

I have been in a lot of military forums, and believe me, those who have seen combat make the distinction, even so far as using a certain acronym to describe those who served in the rear- combat zone or not.

 

[eastcoast_bsc]

How about this ?

I have the flag that draped my father's coffin in its case hanging from above my computer and I don't care about your peace time service or your implications about who serves and who does not. patrotism my butt- people sent my mother letters calling my father a baby killer and murder after he was killed. Think I would serve this country after that ?

Vets stick together ? Did you watch that video- you forgot about John Kerry and the swiftboat garbage from the last election- Weber versus McCain ? I could write a book.

You sound very conflicted, I am sorry about your Dad. He must have been a brave man.