WHAT DOES MY COUNTRY OWE ME? Reflections of a Vietnam Era Veteran

I am a Vietnam Era veteran.  Support for United States military veterans has soared in recent years, and in my view that is a good thing.  During these years of increased support, a lot of emphasis is being placed on how much our nation owes to its active duty, and veteran service members. 

For context, here is my service record:

• United States Navy
• Active duty 1964-1969
• Inactive reserve 1970-1972
• Rank at discharge Petty Officer Second Class
•  Rating:  Electronics Technician, with TACAN certification
• Duty stations:  NTC Naval Nation San Diego; PSI Monterey; CA, ETA School Treasure Island, CA; Sherman Field NAS Pensacola, FL; TACAN C School NTS Great Lakes, IL; NAMI, Pensacola, FL; NAS Keflavik, Iceland; Philadelphia Naval Shipyard.

For the record, I was never stationed anywhere near Vietnam, at sea or on shore.  Like thousands of other non-combat veterans of the Vietnam Era,  I went where I was sent.

I have thought a lot about what my country owes me, and have come to a conclusion.  A conclusion for me.  We must all reach our own conclusions.  So, here are my thoughts on the question of what my country owes me.

First, a few of the things that my country did for me while serving in the United States Navy.  I have bulleted them for ease of reading.

• It took a totally green eighteen year old kid on face value without any assurances that I  would turn out to be a good service member.
• It fed me, clothed me, housed me, gave me free medical and dental treatment, disciplined me, and if that were not enough, it paid me a salary.  It may have not been a large salary, but it was a salary.
• It sent me to school and trained me in a field that made it possible to earn a very good living following military service.  All during that time it still fed me, housed me, clothed me, gave me free medical and dental treatment, and continue to pay me a salary.  It was a better salary than when I started, and it continued to rise as I advanced.
• It gave me (still as little more than a kid), responsibility far beyond what I would have ever had in civilian life at that same age.  It put me in charge of others, and taught me how to be a valuable team member.
• It respected my decision to get married, and even increased my income all the while providing me and my new bride with additional benefits.
• It sent me overseas for two years, gave me an increase in rank and pay, and if that were not enough, it made provisions for my wife to join me at my overseas duty station.
• It took care of my wife when she delivered our first child, and once again, gave me yet another pay raise to help cover the cost of raising a baby boy.
• It did not look the other way when our son needed incredibly expensive medical care.  It covered the entire cost, even the cost of medical flights to another country. 
• When my time of service came to an end, it offered me yet another pay raise, and a reenlistment bonus.  When I respectfully declined, I was mustered out without any cost - all expenses paid, plus a small bonus.
• Following military service I received the full benefit of the GI Bill.  In my senior year of Bible College, my country extended the GI Bill benefits to cover the last term so that could graduate without any tuition debt.
• While in service, I  contracted what is known as a "service connected disability."  Since 1969 whenever I needed treatment for that connection, my nation has paid the entire cost.  Even now, as a veteran I have the assurances that if a crisis in any other area of medical need demanded it, my nation would provide me with certain benefits.
• Finally, my son was born on a Navy base.  He is a Navy veteran of the First Gulf War (a sea combat area veteran).  Together we stand when asked "Are there any veterans in the audience."  Together we fly our nation's flag, and proudly stand on Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and of course, on Veterans Day.  I have a cherished military history, and I share it not only with my son, but with every other United States military veteran.

Just last week, while waiting in an airport, I met a fellow Navy Veteran.  Unlike myself, he was a combat veteran.  He told me how as a Navy corpsman, he had stepped on a landmine in the seventh month of his tour of duty in Vietnam.  He was permanently disabled.  He said, "I have no regrets.  The Navy has taken care of me.  I have lived a wonderful life."

During WWII my wife's father sacrificed his right arm in a foxhole on Guadalcanal in the South Pacific in order to save his Army platoon.  He returned home with an artificial arm, a Purple Heart and Bronze Star.  He never blamed his country.  He was a veteran.

Now, here is what I believe my country owes me:                          .  That's not a typo, that's NOTHING.  That's what my country owes me.  I would like to add what I owe my country, but the list is just too long - way too long.

If you are not a veteran you may not understand.  If you are a veteran, even a disabled combat veteran, you understand.  To all my fellow veterans, I want to say "Thank you for your service."  If you are a Vietnam combat veteran, I want to say, "Welcome Home."  To all I say, "Happy Veterans Day."