Source: Signs, Of Veteran Entitlement. « breachbangclear.com
There seems to be a trend which is trying to counter the trend of stigmatization of vets. It feels like “suck it up”, but it’s not supposed to be callous, as far as I can tell. It has more to do with trying to consciously reshape some of the harmful effects of propaganda that suggests that every military vet potentially needs to be handled with kid gloves. That’s what it looks like to me, following a few military discussion groups.
As far as your suggestion, I think my personal opinion – not one I would want to offend anybody with, but just my reaction – is that it *is* a really crappy propaganda, and if it needs to be forcefully reshaped by fellow vets so that their brothers are not categorically redefined, I side with them. If the choice is between having each and every vet having a higher demand imposed upon him so that the class generally speaking is more able to thrive and seek self-sufficiency, I would go that way. I would say if you have those feelings about 4th of July celebrations, find a safe quiet place to retreat to, if possible, or else call a support group and be with them. In suggesting that the nature of the celebration should be redefined to fit your problem, I think it is a bad way to deal with vets, in particular. Social adjustments outside of the military can be especially difficult for any person in any era, if you ask me, because the military is in large part about social conditioning, and it’s very specialized in its focus. Coming out of the service is a lot harder for some than others, but creating this illusion that somehow vets need special treatment takes away the great part that go put in by the military training to begin with.
Maybe that doesn’t make sense, or seems improper, but that’s how it seems to me. I say if you go in the service, it’s a hard row to tow, but how it makes you is better, no matter what. And so when you get out, take that experience, just like any person that survives something rigorous, and allow it to elevate you, no matter how difficult a task that may be. Do not let yourself be sucked down into the mire of humanity by perceiving yourself and presenting yourself to the world as a broken, less than adequate thing. Be accountable for who you are, seek help when necessary, but don’t introduce yourself to the world as, “Hi, I’m a vet, and I can’t do what other people do.”
Let the introduction sound like this: “Hi, I’m so and so. Who I am makes this world a better place, and you a better person. Let’s lift each other up.”