Do you call yourself a Desert Shield, Storm, or Iraqi Freedom Vet? If you didn't serve in the theatre of operations, are you really?

CPT Brent Ferguson — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 01:57:29 -0400

The VA calls me a Desert Storm vet.

I never got sand in my boots.

I treated a lot of GSW, burns, broken bones, and torn flesh - sometimes as many as 50 different patients a day. Infrequently more than that. Yes, I served my combat role. Yes, I was deploy-able - and doing everything I could to make myself more useful to the Army should they chose me to go. (*Air Assault, EFMB, a bunch of other combat related training)

This was true of a lot of support personnel, my veteran wife included.

We worked some long hours, went home and watched CNN 24 hour coverage of the WAR, then went back to work.

We watched our friends and loved ones go, and we prayed they'd come back.

We tried to join them, we never knew when (or if) it would be our turn to deploy.

Bottom line, they got us ready to go several times, but just didn't need us there. You know, needs of the Army...

I waited 23 years to address service injuries with the VA system because I felt like those who were wounded in action deserved to be treated before me.
No joke, 23 years. CS exposure? yep. DEET and Pyr. Bromide? yep. ALL the vaccines prior to deployment? yep - wife even had those while in her first trimester. A few broken bones and a little torn flesh while performing our military roles? we did that too.

Yet, we still feel guilty calling ourselves Desert Storm Vets.

What do you think? Should we? Should someone who deployed but never saw combat, or are they just a veteran who was in country for Desert Storm?

Or should I just buy my wife and myself that damned hat?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2015 2:29 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 02:29:23 -0400

Everyone must be labeled. The VA has to pigeon hole you. Brother, you are what you are. Thank you for your difficult tour. God bless.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Oct 22 at 2015 2:58 AM

PO1 John Miller — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 02:58:14 -0400

I call myself a "Desert Storm era" veteran as I do have the Southwest Asia Service medal and Kuwait Liberation Medal - Kuwait even though I was still in high school when actual combat was occurring. I was in theater (though not boots on ground) while the cease fire was in effect.

I also call myself an OIF veteran because I did deploy in support of it. However, I was on a ship and not boots on ground so I don't qualify for the Iraqi Campaign Medal.

Response by SSG Clayton Blackwell made Oct 22 at 2015 4:53 AM

SSG Clayton Blackwell — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 04:53:12 -0400

For every set of boots on the ground it takes 6-7 support to make their job possible. Everyone has a role and you served yours. You did the role the Army called you to do, so yes, you are.

Response by SSG Stan Morrison Jr made Oct 22 at 2015 6:05 AM

SSG Stan Morrison Jr — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 06:05:21 -0400

Sir, I answered or posted a similar question a few months perhaps a year ago, I see it like this. The Army ie the Generals in charge decide what the force requirements are. Your/my unit activated to support the Desert/ Shield Storm operation. You prepared to go to war. You were ready to do your duty. Whatever the reason for not being deployed, it wasn't your fault for not being deployed. So, in my eyes yes you are a desert Storm vet. Thank you for yours and your wife's service.

Response by SGT William Howell made Oct 22 at 2015 6:42 AM

SGT William Howell — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 06:42:58 -0400

I just check all of the above. Did this on and off since 1987. Haven't missed a war yet.

Response by SSG Dwight Amey MSA, MSL, BS, AS made Oct 22 at 2015 7:37 AM

SSG Dwight Amey MSA, MSL, BS, AS — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 07:37:28 -0400

CPT Brent Ferguson, I served in the Air Force shortly prior to the start of the Gulf War '90-93. I was not deployed but supported the mission as a Substance Specialist. I now work for the VA CBO health resources. Now, in my view, the category veterans are listed due to how they justify giving us benefits. It seems the VA compartmentalize veterans in era's of war when establishing benefit eligibility.

Fact, you and your wife served during wartime. No matter how you look at it that is a true reality. In addition, being deployable is important to recognize.
I think you should buy that hat, shirt, license plate, bumper sticker, join VFW and be proud of your faimily sacrifice.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2015 8:05 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 08:05:41 -0400

I just call myself a Soldier sir. I don't feel a need to apply a label to myself based on where I've gone and where I haven't gone and before you ask, yes, I've been deployed/mobilized several times.

Response by MSgt John Taylor made Oct 22 at 2015 8:34 AM

MSgt John Taylor — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 08:34:45 -0400

It's all your rack; if you've earned the campaign ribbon, then your a veteran of that campaign, but nothing more. If all you earned was a Nat'l Def medal w/o a campaign medal, then your a Desert Storm era veteran.

Response by SSG Buddy Kemper made Oct 22 at 2015 8:58 AM

SSG Buddy Kemper — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 08:58:05 -0400

Blessings to you and thank you for your service (and wife)!! I usually say I'm a Gulf War vet, but when someone pins me down I'll say "Desert Storm' and/or OEF. Was a kid in '90-'91 and one of the old dudes in Paktia '09!!!! Thanks for sharing your experiences and for posting this discussion. Strike& Kill! Currahee!! AIR ASSAULT!!!!!

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2015 9:40 AM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 09:40:38 -0400

The military calls me a Desert Storm vet, because we were in BENOs in the Persian Gulf on the USS Saipan LHA-2 after the ground offensive wrapped up. They awarded us the SWA. Usually when asked, I just say I was there after the ground operations. Although I qualify for the Desert Storm plates in TX based on my DD214, I just get the Marine Corps plates.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Oct 22 at 2015 9:42 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 09:42:05 -0400

The VA puts us in "buckets" by "Era" because each Era has conditions which are unique to them due to Age of Participant, and Locale. You get different things when you are 60~ and served in a Jungle, than when you are 40~ and served in the Desert. They do this because it's administratively easy, not for any other reason. Don't over think it.

Now, we (vets) are our own worst enemies when it comes to these "caveats" especially when it comes to the "statutory labels" as applied by government agencies, as they are not common sense. Gulf War (era) Vets are those that served from X to Present. Vietnam (era) Vets are those that served from X to Y (longer if you were actually in AO). You're a Combat Vet if you stepped foot in a "Designated Combat Zone," which doesn't mean got shot at, just had the potential to get shot at (again "statutory label").

But we get into pissing contest about the labels bureaucrats & legislators put on us, when Veteran is the only one that matters. Why does it matter? Slap the club patch on the car. Buy the hat with the emblem on it. If someone says something, give them "the look," and go about your day.

Response by CSM Chris McKeown made Oct 22 at 2015 9:50 AM

CSM Chris McKeown — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 09:50:10 -0400

If you served during DESERT SHIELD/STORM then you are Veteran of that Campaign. Be proud that you served during that period because we kicked ass, took names and won. Even if you was not boots on the ground your role of support is what helped us win that war.

Response by 1SG Joseph Yorski, MHS made Oct 22 at 2015 10:26 AM

1SG Joseph Yorski, MHS — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 10:26:47 -0400

Thanks for your service but if you didn't go, you're not a Desert Storm or Iraqi Freedom Vet, in my opinion. Just as I'm not an Afghanistan Vet, even though I served during the entire time we've been there, I didn't go. Only got to go to ODS and later OIF. Be proud of everything you did, it's more than most Americans.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Oct 22 at 2015 10:56 AM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 10:56:02 -0400

They gave us the NDSM during Desert Storm, yet I never went over. I did for OIF. I consider my self a cold war era vet, Desert Storm era vet and an OIF VET. No matter how much we wanted to go, we do what we are ordered and to the best of our abilities.

Response by SPC Robby Robinson made Oct 22 at 2015 10:59 AM

SPC Robby Robinson — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 10:59:41 -0400

I took the ASVAB, so I am pretty much a Green Beret...........
(LOL, just kidding brother)

Response by MSG David Johnson made Oct 22 at 2015 1:31 PM

MSG David Johnson — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 13:31:51 -0400

I am in a motorcycle club made up of Viet Nam Vets and other conflict Vets. The club in case you're curious is the Viet Nam Vets/Legacy Vets MC.

Now to your question because when you get a bunch of Vets together there are going to be war stories. To answer the question from my point of view, there are Viet Nam combat Vets, In Country Vets, and Viet Nam "Era" Vets. These are the 3 catagories I have heard from the Viet Nam Vets themselves. And yes there was the calls of REMF's when they talked about the 'In Country Vets', but there was also different conversations between those who were out in the bush constantly, and those who threw the shells downrange to keep up a steel curtain. I see a lot of 1st Cav Vets, 173rd Vets and a few others thrown in the mix. I know a former tunnel rat, and a Canadian who fought in the US Army.

Now for the current eras, Dec 31, 1975/Jan 1, 1976 is the cutoff dates for the difference between our Patches in the club.
I'm a DS Vet, with 2 tours in Iraq during OIF so I have my own opinions. When I came back from DS in '91 I was one of those who threw it in the face of those who didn't go because I had volunteered to go with another unit before my unit was alerted. In case you who are reading this wonder about my MOS, I'm a Combat Engineer. We used to put in and take out mine fields, build bridges, and freeze our asses off in Graf and Hoenfels living in M113's in the winter. I digress, during our time in the 100 hours of war, we were with a Tank Company of the 3rd AD, even though we came from an Infantry Division. We were there to clear mine fields as needed for the tankers. After the ground war was over we spent 3 weeks in what is now Camp Udhari, Kuwait. We were 4 klicks from the Iraq border. Every day we were given a couple hundred pounds of C4, a direction and distance of something that needed to be destroyed, ASP's, Hospital Bunkers, artillery positions, etc. We once destroyed 2 ASP's. One was a 255 ton detonation, the other was a 205 ton detonation. We had fun doing the enemy tanks, close the turret and the detonation would pop the turret off the tank.

Ok, back on track. You will find many points of view on whether you are a DS Veteran or a DS era Vet. it all boils down to what you would consider yourself.

Me personally, I don't consider anyone who did not qualify for a Campaign Medal a DS Veteran, OIF/OEF Veteran. And I'm referring to the actual Campaign Medals, not the GWOT service. I disagree with the recent change in criteria for the GWOT Expeditionary Medal that makes anyone who deployed to SWA eligible, where before it was only those who were there for OIF 1 and 2.

To wrap all of this up, you can consider yourself an Era Vet, or a DS Vet as you choose, but there will be so many opinions, and there will be some who will actually get into fist fights over their opinions about the matter. Bottom line, you are what you consider yourself, although for some benefits you would have to be a deployed in country Veteran.

I hope this isn't too confusing.

Response by SFC Michael W. made Oct 22 at 2015 2:22 PM

SFC Michael W. — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 14:22:11 -0400

I am both, but I prefer Desert Storm Vet.

Response by SPC Michael Poyma made Oct 22 at 2015 2:58 PM

SPC Michael Poyma — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 14:58:17 -0400

I've struggled with this question for a number of years now. For the past 20-something years, I've always considered myself a "Gulf War" veteran, but not a Desert Shield / Storm veteran. I was in Germany during DS/DS, but of course everyone was activated and ready to go. It was a time of war. We weren't deployed into Turkey and Iraq until April 91 in support of Operation Provide Comfort. We were awarded SWA service medal with one bronze service star and right-shoulder SSI. So I served in the theater of combat operations, but didn't exchange fire with the enemy, but rather repaired and maintained UH-60's and was aircrew on missions into the Northern No-Fly Zone in Iraq. But to refer to myself as a "combat" veteran, or even a DS/DS veteran, I don't think of myself as those. My veteran license plate says "Persian Gulf" - which seems accurate. I'm a member of the VFW, too. Thanks for bringing this topic up, it's a good one!

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2015 8:51 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 20:51:44 -0400

I call myself Veteran, Disable Veteran (yes, I'm service connected), or Dysfunctional Veteran depending on my mood. :) I can care less how the VA calls it, as long as the VA has my disability rating correct. :)

Response by CW3 Guy Snodgrass made Oct 23 at 2015 12:21 AM

CW3 Guy Snodgrass — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 00:21:02 -0400

Yes....interesting times back then.

Response by MAJ Karen Wall made Oct 27 at 2015 11:15 PM

MAJ Karen Wall — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 23:15:10 -0400

I am an Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm veteran and I was in the theater and combat zone.

Response by SPC Gregory Wagner made Nov 3 at 2015 1:07 AM

SPC Gregory Wagner — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 01:07:14 -0500

I will be honest with you. I feel guilty about being a Desert Storm Vet and saying it in the same breath as the men and women coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan since 2002. These men and women are fighting in a "real" war as compared to Desert Storm. I understand that every war is different, but what is happening now is utterly ridiculous. I pray for our soldiers and marines and sailors and airmen constantly. It is wrong to have them over there with no clear directives or outcomes. AND it is even more wrong not to allow them to engage the enemy before the enemy engages them.

LOCK and LOAD soldiers and protect yourselves!!

Response by MAJ Alvin B. made Nov 5 at 2015 2:45 PM

MAJ Alvin B. — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 14:45:56 -0500

Actually call myself a Persian Gulf War Vet. The three campaigns of the Gulf War were given operational names. Yes, I did deploy and served with CENTCOM and qualified for all three campaign stars. However, prior to deploying, I was involved in preparing personnel for deployment. Had I not gone to the sand box, I would not have called myself a Vet of the War or the Campaigns.

It was truly not until after the Gulf War, that the services started to truly acknowledge that not everyone who contributes to a war is in the box that defines the wartime area of operations.

The concept of recognizing "out of the zone combatants" has had a rocky history. Technology allows us to place key assets "in the battle space" while keeping their physical bodies far from direct harm. We talk about asymetric warfare, electronic collocation, virtual warriors. However, we have difficulty acknowledging the relative merit and contributions of these personnel. You can see evidence of this in the uproar over attempted recognition for personnel in direct support (but not within the defined war zone) from liberation of Grenada in the 1980s to the UAS, Predator pilots and systems operators serving today.

For the record I entered the USAR IRR in Jan 1975 and Active Duty in May 1975, which marks me as a Vietnam Era Vet, [and Cold War Vet], but not a Vietnam War Vet.

Response by Sgt Greg Wilcox made Nov 5 at 2015 6:04 PM

Sgt Greg Wilcox — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 18:04:05 -0500

I served from June 1990 to July 1999 in the Air force, then worked for the Army as a civilian until I had to medically retire from civil service due to my servive connected disability (Multiple Sclerosis). No, I never "played in the sand" I served in a support role working Avionics on C 130's 141's and HH-60 Helicopters. I was a Security Manager for a Military Intelligence Group in Europe. I did a 10 day tour of Afghanistan to ensure the locations my group were located in had what they needed from a securty point of view. Do I consider myself a "Veteran", yes, I served our nation in one way or another for 25 years, and became disabled during that time. However, I still somewhat guilty receiving 100% disabilty from the VA, Social Security Benefits and my civil service retirement pension. I am only 51 years old, I can not work anymore, but I know of many more veterans who are having problems getting wha they deserve. If any of this made sense, i'll consider myself lucky.

Response by LCpl Dale Blackmon made Nov 11 at 2015 1:20 PM

LCpl Dale Blackmon — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 13:20:28 -0500

It's more accurate to say that you are a Gulf War Era Vet as I am. I served on Okinawa during that war. I was in ACF for my unit when the balloon went up but, after a few days of waiting for transport ,our ACF duties expired and, they sent our sister battery instead with all of our gear since, it was already crated for load out. I finished my overseas tour on Okinawa and, was sent stateside for the duration of my enlistment.

Response by MSG David Johnson made Apr 18 at 2018 11:44 AM

MSG David Johnson — Wed, 18 Apr 2018 11:44:23 -0400

Deployed to the theater of operations during a time of war to me is a Veteran, whether you served in actual combat or not.

We had a young Soldier who received a Bronze Star Medal because the piece of equipment he was operating could not keep up with the main unit, but ran ahead of the field trains, so was considered to be in 'enemy controlled' territory for most of the ground war.

I know there are those who talk down to those who were not in actual combat, personally I think that's BS.
I'm not sure the ratio, but I've heard it's 6:1, or maybe 10:1. Support Personnel to Combat Personnel.

I was a member of an MC for nearly a decade, most of the club was made up of Vietnam Vets, but they differentiated between In Country, and Era Vets.
I hear a lot of chatter now about the same, but its just a lot of trash talking in my opinion. For me personally, anyone in country should be proud to call themselves a Veteran.

Response by Cpl Thomas Lawrence Jr made Apr 20 at 2018 9:03 AM

Cpl Thomas Lawrence Jr — Fri, 20 Apr 2018 09:03:02 -0400

I got a "war on terrorism" service medal. I don't claim to be a desert Storm vet.

Response by SFC Angel Piña-Noble made May 20 at 2018 11:54 AM

SFC Angel Piña-Noble — Sun, 20 May 2018 11:54:58 -0400

SFC Pina-Noble
I served during Jan 1975 to May 1995. Received the NDM for every time the country in a conflict during that period, Vietnam, Panama, Grenada, Desert Storm, Somalia (did set foot in country). My job was in communications Coltano, Italy, Ft Detrick, Md, Pirmasens, GE, Ft. Drum NY (Somalia). Now, should I call my self a combat veteran, I could because Somalia, did I fire my weapon, no, but I was there. Do I consider my self a Veteran of these conflicts yes. Combat veteran NO. Everyone in the Armed Forces have a different job, you could have set foot in a country but never fire your weapon but was doing a job.

Response by CPO Mike Salter made Jun 12 at 2018 11:36 AM

CPO Mike Salter — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 11:36:57 -0400

My Seabee unit was activated and staged in Puerto Rico and was days away from boots on ground and never left PR Does this not qualify me for Southwest Asia Service Medal?

Response by SGT Secundino Rosario made Jul 3 at 2018 1:54 PM

SGT Secundino Rosario — Tue, 03 Jul 2018 13:54:23 -0400

Desert Shield/Storm Veteran that served as an 82nd Airborne Soldier. Originally, I served in the 1st RANGER BN, '77-'80 as an 05E Radio Operator. Got out because Wife got tired being home alone. Served as Asst. Plt.Sgt. in the 347th Quarter-Master, Petroleum Opns. Reserve Unit, serving in S.Korea. Went back on Active duty, as 71L Admin., Re-Up-ed for the 82 Abn. Div. & got there when Just Cause kicked off (didn't go down-range). Did go down-range with Desert Shield/Storm to Iraq while in the 82nd Abn. Division. After that NATO HQ, in Belgium & after that Cmd. Ctr. of CENTCOM @ McDill Air Force Base.

Response by LTC Jaime Franco made Jul 3 at 2018 10:13 PM

LTC Jaime Franco — Tue, 03 Jul 2018 22:13:48 -0400

For starters, I want to thank you and your wife for your service to our our Country. As I read through many of the comments, I found that, they are a variety of different thoughts and options to your question. My first thought was labels are just that labels. As long as you served your Country with honor, be proud of that and do not be ashamed to were whatever hat you and your wife fell comfortable wearing. I spent just shy of 28 years in the Army and I respect and am proud of all those that have served before me and after me and with me, that wear the uniform and served this Country. We all have had a job to do, whether stateside or overseas, wheather in a combat zone or not, you served and I salute you for that. God Bless you, your wife and the United States Military.

Response by A1C Richard Bell made Jul 16 at 2018 12:22 AM

A1C Richard Bell — Mon, 16 Jul 2018 00:22:28 -0400

Let me ask this, I was on the ground in Europe and in direct support of multiple branches going into theater. Why were we not given even a Liberation medal or something to show our direct support? I was a Services Specialist and had 1200 Naval Reservist on base on top of our own troops. I cooked for upwards of 2000 people 3 meals a day. Saw some of our troops deployed on 90 day rotations.

I do consider myself a Shield/Storm vet, but have no way to show it.

Response by CW2 Joey Francisco made Jul 24 at 2018 3:27 PM

CW2 Joey Francisco — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 15:27:50 -0400

Facts are facts, labels, pigeonholes, etc are opportunistic and usually uninformed. As a person in any branch of the military service, past or present, I take my hat off to you. You served, be proud and own it !!

Response by SSG Mark Ledford made Aug 2 at 2018 2:32 PM

SSG Mark Ledford — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 14:32:01 -0400

QUESTION ON SOLDIERS SERVING IN A COMBAT ZONE IN A (SECURITY AND HUMANITARIAN MISSION) CALL OPERATION PROVIDE COMFORT IN 1995 WHILE RECEIVING HOSTILE FIRE PAY. DO I QUALIFY FOR A COMBAT PATCH.? THE AR 670-1 DOES NOT SHOW MY OPERATION OR TIME PERIOD. ANYONE PLEASE!!!

Response by Sgt Dennis Henke made Mar 15 at 2019 8:23 PM

Sgt Dennis Henke — Fri, 15 Mar 2019 20:23:13 -0400

yes I do, I did have boots on ground as an EOD tech

Response by MAJ R. Andrew Hoskinson made Mar 15 at 2019 9:05 PM

MAJ R. Andrew Hoskinson — Fri, 15 Mar 2019 21:05:35 -0400

You should not call yourself a Desert Storm veteran unless you were present in the combat theater from 1/16/91 to 2/28/91. When I look at someone’s ribbon rack, if I don’t see the Saudi Liberation of Kuwait medal (the most exclusive of the three), I don’t consider them a real Desert Storm veteran.

Response by CPT Brent Ferguson made Mar 15 at 2019 10:37 PM

CPT Brent Ferguson — Fri, 15 Mar 2019 22:37:13 -0400

I'll admit I don't read these much but I have seen some replies to my post and have a couple of answers that might be a benefit to my peers. I still refer to myself as era, but the state and the VA describe me as a desert Storm vet. Based on my service, my state you should meet the desert Storm plate. Some states do not with the same DD-214. I display this plate not to honor myself, my wife, or for personal benefit. For myself, I want people to remember the tremendous sacrifices my friends and loved ones. It does not surprise me that oef oif veterans do not seek honor for themselves this was not why we served. And I'm not talking about wearing a ribbon I did not earn. I was simply talking about wearing the old fart hat. I don't think anyone that wears a Vietnam hat, a Korea hat, or hats from our greatest generation who saw war like we'll never see the likes of which will never be seen again actually wears them to seek personal honor. I believe that we display such memorabilia to honor those we lost. I'm not a recruiter and I don't like a lot of what the army kid but I do honor those choose to serve when they might not he required to do so. Boots in the sand in the line of fire or not, boots on a ship under-fire or not, and the people wearing boots at home who have to pick up the pieces - even when those pieces spring unpleasantness upon their caregivers. The planes from the field, are soldiers clothing and their wounds exposed combat and non-combat soldiers alike too harm. I think this has been the case ever since we coined the term modern warfare. When we lost a nuke in England and a nearby airfield sent band and cook staff to clean up the broken pieces we didn't even acknowledge that radiation could cause many kinds of cancer and those veterans went without succour. It turns out that agent Orange caused problems for our soldiers who even bothered to clean the planes when they got back stateside. And airmen who cleans the planes as well as medical personnel who treated soldiers med evac act from the field we're also exposed. I suppose just like these airman from our base in England they will be dead before I country recognizes their sacrifice.

I thank you all for your service and for your thoughtful consideration has a question I posted so long ago. I still didn't buy the damn hat and it wouldn't matter now if I did. I'm the only person that would see myself in it now. So the hat is kind of pointless because I remember my brothers and sisters everyday.

If I could ask one boon of any of you it would be this:
Remember that someone who honors our country our service and our sacrifices does so with Goodwill even when they fail to comply with current regulations
A boy with tears in his eyes saluting my brother-in-law during his procession to internment in Arlington brought tears to my eyes even though he saluted with his left hand.

Response by SGT Mark Saint Cyr made May 20 at 2019 12:26 AM

SGT Mark Saint Cyr — Mon, 20 May 2019 00:26:58 -0400

Buy the hats!
Not everyone gets to go, because not everyone is needed. But you were in uniform, and got ready to go just the same.
From your descriptions you sound like a member who feels guilty because you weren't there. But you did the job they required of you. You were ready. Just because you don't get to go, doesn't mean you didn't earn it just the same.