What Is A Veteran?

The word veteran is a household word, and for most people it has positive connotations. Ironically, however, many would struggle trying to answer this question: What is a veteran?

In its broadest sense, Webster’s Dictionary defines a veteran as a person of long experience in some occupation or skill. In the sports world, Brett Favre comes to mind. After 17 seasons as quarterback for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL), Brett is now using his veteran skills as quarterback for the New York Jets. His arrival to the city of New York has created an atmosphere of excitement and high expectations as fans wait to see what he can do to lead his new team. I believe most people want Brett to succeed.

According to Webster, however, the word veteran has two more frequently used and understood meanings: an old soldier of long service, or a former member of the armed services. Taken together, a veteran is a member or former member of the armed services.

In my opinion, Webster’s definition falls short of capturing the essence of what it means to be a veteran. Recently, a chaplain emailed me this description:

A “Veteran” — whether active duty, discharged, retired, 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 of “up to, and including his life.” (author unknown)

If you have served or are presently serving in the military, you signed your name on this blank check. Thank you! Thanks for your commitment, your sacrifice, and your willingness to serve others, even if it could cost you life or serious injury.

But let me be bold and ask a follow-up question. As you recall signing your name to that check, is that check still in effect? Or do you consider that you made payment in full once you completed your military obligation? If so, that’s fine. I am not being critical.

However, I suspect that many of you signed that check and intended it to be a lifetime commitment to the United States of America. In your mind, your service to our great nation ends when you breathe your last breath and not one day before. I salute your commitment. So does this nation.

Why do I ask about time limits on your commitment. I do so because America has huge challenges on many fronts. Our culture has evolved into a mindset of “what’s in it for me?” Willingness to be a member of a team tends to be rare. As problems mount both nationally and internationally, the pervading mood tends to communicate that there are no answers. Most only care about their own needs and cannot envision any kind of united effort to solve some of these serious problems. So why even try?

I do not share the views expressed in the above paragraph, nor any mindset even close to that perspective. I believe that the American people possess the collective capability to tackle many of the problems that presently plaque our country and our world. But, we must work together.

Much of my optimism hinges on having complete confidence in our veteran population, men and women with proven track records in both word and deed. They know what it is to serve and sacrifice, and they know what it means to win despite the odds. They haven’t just talked about what they were going to do. They have endorsed the blank check and have paid (and continue to pay) regardless of the cost.

The United States has approximately 25 million veterans, the sum total of former members of the armed services plus those presently serving in one of the military components. If each ‘vet’ could catch a vision of what could be accomplished, there is literally no limit to the progress to be made. Do you sense the potential to impact our nation?

With God’s help and the combined efforts and abilities of our veteran/military population, the United States of America can tackle and solve problems that presently threaten to sink us.

Will this be easy? No, definitely not. Will it happen overnight? Of course not. But is it doable? Definitely. The key is buy-in. It begins with individual veterans deciding that some things about our present culture need to change. It gets off the ground as individual veterans reach into their tool bag of experience, leadership, and skills and get busy making a difference—in homes, schools, communities, cities, and beyond.

I am trying to do my part by heading up an effort to establish Veterans With A Vision. In the coming weeks I’ll tell you all about it. For now, consider the vision statement: Veterans With A Vision is a network of prayer and support that empowers veterans, military, and their families.

In closing, let me ask you to consider your own life. As a veteran, can you see yourself stepping up and making a positive difference? Can you see groups of veterans joining together and solving problems? Can you envision a movement across America as thousands of veterans decide it’s time to weigh in and make a difference. Together, we just might be able to do this. With God’s help, we absolutely can.

But the noble man makes noble plans, and by noble deeds he stands. (Isaiah 32:8)