Veterans Day for Real Veterans

At a family gathering, a relative once noted that I was not a “real” veteran. The rationale for this declaration seemingly related to the fact that I never served in combat. I’d like to say that I had a pithy retort, but as often happens my immediate response was not even a particularly articulate one.

During my time with the 101st Airborne Division and the Virginia National Guard, I was a peace time soldier. I have never claimed or intimated otherwise. Doing so would be despicable.

An acquaintance once suggested I join the American Legion. When I looked at doing so, I found that I was ineligible because I had served in one of the few periods of “peace” over the last 60 years. During all but about twelve or thirteen years of that timespan we have been in some sort of conflict somewhere or another. That’s kind of disturbing, but it is not a question I choose to address today.

There is an old saw about how joining the military is like giving your country a blank check. That check can be negotiated for any amount, up to and including your life. I am, of course, grateful that the “check” I wrote in 1978 was never cashed. I was fortunate. Many before my time and after my time were not.

I am glad I served. I did my duty.

Even at the time, however, it was clear that I was not a great soldier. One could say I lacked military bearing. Somehow my boots were scuffed and my uniform wrinkled within minutes of leaving my quarters in the morning. I didn’t possess the sort of patience and perspective that is required for military success. At times, my attitude might have been a bit suspect.

Right before I left active duty, the battalion Sergeant Major – a guy who served three or four tours in Vietnam and had at least that many Purple Hearts – told me that although he liked me (because I got stuff done), it was good that I was getting out. He deemed me a “natural civilian” – and clearly not a peacetime Army officer. We were sitting in the Cow Palace Bar outside Gate One, a venerable locale. Drinking a beer with him and the battalion executive officer - another grizzled Vietnam veteran who seconded the Sergeant Major’s assessment - I was kind of insulted.

But only a little.

I knew these true soldiers weren’t wrong. As a Field Artillery officer, I showed great promise as a future lawyer.

They were right. I found my calling as a trial lawyer. For over 25 years, much of my practice is Federal Tort Claims Act cases. I have been able to help many veterans and military families.

What a privilege that is.

So, on this Veterans Day let’s honor real veterans: Every man and woman who took the oath, put on the uniform and served our nation.

All of them deserve our thanks.