Posted on Jan 28, 2019
Veterans' Creed - Why We Created It and Why It’s Important.
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*This is an image of Veterans reciting the Veterans' Creed at a Bristol Blues baseball game.
History:
Last June, eleven VSO’s came together and developed a Veteran’s Creed, each of whose elements reflects the foundations of Veterans’ culture, military creeds and related VSO missions.
(AMVETS, DAV (Disabled American Veterans), HillVets, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Reserve Officers Association, Student Veterans of America, Team Rubicon Global, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Wounded Warrior Project)
Today with the addition of the American Legion, the Veteran’s Creed is endorsed by 12 of the largest VSO’s in our country.
Mission:
We believe that a creed developed by, and specifically for, Veterans is a powerful tool to both codify the principles by which Veterans live and to enhance their sense of mission in society. It can also enhance the public’s understanding of Veterans and highlight the positive capabilities that Veterans bring home from military service.
Veteran’s Creed:
1. I am an American Veteran
2. I proudly served my country
3. I live the values I learned in the military
4. I continue to serve my community, my country and my fellow veterans
5. I maintain my physical and mental discipline
6. I continue to lead and improve
7. I make a difference
8. I honor and remember my fallen comrades
Why a Veterans’ Creed?
REMIND Veterans: Of the significance and value of their military service
INSPIRE Veterans: To continue to serve and excel
UNITE Veterans: To make a difference for our country
There are more than 20 million veterans in our country today, and more than 200,000 men and women leave the military every year, creating a steady and significant flow of Veterans back into civilian life.
Veterans learned a lot during their military experience—values, teamwork, leadership, selfless service. These positive traits were instilled in them throughout their service, and these traits remain part of who they are. Veterans have a lot to offer this country.
We believe there is something missing that keeps millions of Veterans from realizing their full potential and having a more positive impact on our society.
What’s missing is a vehicle that causes Veterans to recall the value of their service and the reasons that they served, and to remind them that many opportunities remain to make a difference in our world. What’s missing is a vehicle that gives Veterans a continuing sense of purpose and that inspires them to lead and to excel. What’s missing is a vehicle that recreates the sense of community that Veterans so sorely miss.
We believe that The Veteran’s Creed can serve as that unifying construct to remind Veterans of the significance and value of their military service, to inspire Veterans to continue to serve and lead at the local, state and national levels and to excel at whatever they undertake. I can also unite Veterans in a community to make a difference for our country.
About GEN Casey:
General Casey retired as the 36th Chief of Staff of the US Army. He is the Chairman of the Board of the USO, on the board of advisors at RallyPoint, a board member of Student Veterans of America and several other organizations that support veterans and their families. He remains committed to seeing that the men and women who have served this country so well continue to have the opportunities to contribute to the society that they served.
History:
Last June, eleven VSO’s came together and developed a Veteran’s Creed, each of whose elements reflects the foundations of Veterans’ culture, military creeds and related VSO missions.
(AMVETS, DAV (Disabled American Veterans), HillVets, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Reserve Officers Association, Student Veterans of America, Team Rubicon Global, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Wounded Warrior Project)
Today with the addition of the American Legion, the Veteran’s Creed is endorsed by 12 of the largest VSO’s in our country.
Mission:
We believe that a creed developed by, and specifically for, Veterans is a powerful tool to both codify the principles by which Veterans live and to enhance their sense of mission in society. It can also enhance the public’s understanding of Veterans and highlight the positive capabilities that Veterans bring home from military service.
Veteran’s Creed:
1. I am an American Veteran
2. I proudly served my country
3. I live the values I learned in the military
4. I continue to serve my community, my country and my fellow veterans
5. I maintain my physical and mental discipline
6. I continue to lead and improve
7. I make a difference
8. I honor and remember my fallen comrades
Why a Veterans’ Creed?
REMIND Veterans: Of the significance and value of their military service
INSPIRE Veterans: To continue to serve and excel
UNITE Veterans: To make a difference for our country
There are more than 20 million veterans in our country today, and more than 200,000 men and women leave the military every year, creating a steady and significant flow of Veterans back into civilian life.
Veterans learned a lot during their military experience—values, teamwork, leadership, selfless service. These positive traits were instilled in them throughout their service, and these traits remain part of who they are. Veterans have a lot to offer this country.
We believe there is something missing that keeps millions of Veterans from realizing their full potential and having a more positive impact on our society.
What’s missing is a vehicle that causes Veterans to recall the value of their service and the reasons that they served, and to remind them that many opportunities remain to make a difference in our world. What’s missing is a vehicle that gives Veterans a continuing sense of purpose and that inspires them to lead and to excel. What’s missing is a vehicle that recreates the sense of community that Veterans so sorely miss.
We believe that The Veteran’s Creed can serve as that unifying construct to remind Veterans of the significance and value of their military service, to inspire Veterans to continue to serve and lead at the local, state and national levels and to excel at whatever they undertake. I can also unite Veterans in a community to make a difference for our country.
About GEN Casey:
General Casey retired as the 36th Chief of Staff of the US Army. He is the Chairman of the Board of the USO, on the board of advisors at RallyPoint, a board member of Student Veterans of America and several other organizations that support veterans and their families. He remains committed to seeing that the men and women who have served this country so well continue to have the opportunities to contribute to the society that they served.
RallyPoint
Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)
Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) - Afghanistan
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
USO
Edited 6 y ago
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 80
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I'll be the bad guy...
Yet another creed for people to give lip service to but few will honestly attempt to live by.
I'm retired. I'm done with creeds. I now get to live by my own personal code of ethics.
Yet another creed for people to give lip service to but few will honestly attempt to live by.
I'm retired. I'm done with creeds. I now get to live by my own personal code of ethics.
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SFC Casey O'Mally
1SG John Faircloth - Now you're gonna make me CREATE a creed? Sheesh! OK... here goes:
Understanding that I am human and will not always succeed, nevertheless I promise to do my level best to:
Act honourably in all things;
Do an honest day's work for an honest day's wage;
Treat everyone with respect -
Even those with whom I disagree;
Understand first, judge second (if at all);
Love, honour, and cherish my wife; and
Fight for my country in battles both big and small
That about covers it.
Understanding that I am human and will not always succeed, nevertheless I promise to do my level best to:
Act honourably in all things;
Do an honest day's work for an honest day's wage;
Treat everyone with respect -
Even those with whom I disagree;
Understand first, judge second (if at all);
Love, honour, and cherish my wife; and
Fight for my country in battles both big and small
That about covers it.
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CPT Terry Lewis
SFC Casey O'Mally - I like the part about "Love, honour and cherish my wife" (Spouse for the female vets). God knows the grief the military wives go through. I was a Navy brat for 27 years and I saw first hand what it took my Mom and my friend's Moms to live with. I have nothing but the highest admiration and respect for them. The spouse at home deserves a part of every medal that the military member receives and then some. I know my wife does.
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How about a line in your veteran's creed where it is mentioned "That I will continue to uphold the Oath I took to Support and Defend the Constitution of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic and that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same."
Our Veterans need to understand that the oath we took is duty bound if we as Americans are going to ensure that future generations still have America as a Constitutional Representative Republic.
Our Veterans need to understand that the oath we took is duty bound if we as Americans are going to ensure that future generations still have America as a Constitutional Representative Republic.
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CPL Alynn Beyer
Sgt Clyde Sinclair was a member in my town for three years. It is ran here like a joke along with I had enough of the damn buddy buddy system while I was in.
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PVT Denise Biers
SPC Kenneth Hall yes i agree too. I think it's shameful of our country to Not recognize ALL Veterans for their service.
I've been told because I was in the Army Reserves, I'm considered to be state 'iwned' and that my months serving weren't 'Federal' such as full time Army.
I was told that since I did not serve during 'any' war or conflict I basically do not count.
I've been told because I was in the Army Reserves, I'm considered to be state 'iwned' and that my months serving weren't 'Federal' such as full time Army.
I was told that since I did not serve during 'any' war or conflict I basically do not count.
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GEN George Casey Thank you sir! These words define us as veterans. It was an honor to serve with you in Baghdad.
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Esteemed GEN George Casey: I went ahead and shared The Veterans' Creed; with the Facebook groups- of which I am the coach.
Sir, I pray that you don't mind; that I did so. Thanks.
Sir, I pray that you don't mind; that I did so. Thanks.
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GEN George Casey "Physical Discipline" Damn It! You Had to Go There? No I'm No Longer The "Navy Cheetah" 6'5" 179 Lbs MAA to COMSPAWARSYSCOM Washington DC Navy 5K Runner. Contribute to Society? Several Years Bell Ringing the Bell for the Salvation Army, Commander of VFW Post 10299 Prairie Village, KS for Several Years? I'm Just Old and Tired Now but Damn I Had Fun for a Long Time and I Survived a Lot of BS. Rock On General!
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Thank you GEN George Casey or making us aware that last spring [2018] eleven Veteran Services Organizations came together and developed a Veteran’s Creed.
Yes this Veterans’ Creed is both inspirational and succinct IMHO.
The rationale you provided certainly is cogent:
REMIND Veterans: Of the significance and value of their military service
INSPIRE Veterans: To continue to serve and excel
UNITE Veterans: To make a difference for our country
Veteran’s Creed:
1. I am an American Veteran
2. I proudly served my country
3. I live the values I learned in the military
4. I continue to serve my community, my country and my fellow veterans
5. I maintain my physical and mental discipline
6. I continue to lead and improve
7. I make a difference
8. I honor and remember my fallen comrades
Thank you for alerting me, my friend CPO Nate S.
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs COL (Join to see) COL Charles Williams LTC Stephen C. LTC Ivan Raiklin, Esq. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Maj William W. 'Bill' Price SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SFC William Farrell Lt Col Charlie Brown Capt Seid Waddell CPT Jack Durish
Yes this Veterans’ Creed is both inspirational and succinct IMHO.
The rationale you provided certainly is cogent:
REMIND Veterans: Of the significance and value of their military service
INSPIRE Veterans: To continue to serve and excel
UNITE Veterans: To make a difference for our country
Veteran’s Creed:
1. I am an American Veteran
2. I proudly served my country
3. I live the values I learned in the military
4. I continue to serve my community, my country and my fellow veterans
5. I maintain my physical and mental discipline
6. I continue to lead and improve
7. I make a difference
8. I honor and remember my fallen comrades
Thank you for alerting me, my friend CPO Nate S.
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs COL (Join to see) COL Charles Williams LTC Stephen C. LTC Ivan Raiklin, Esq. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Maj William W. 'Bill' Price SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SFC William Farrell Lt Col Charlie Brown Capt Seid Waddell CPT Jack Durish
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SSG Herman Bauman
I QUIT running and doing physical exercise on 14 April 1976 and as you can see I've managed to survive.
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I'll take it as soon as Congress and the VA demonstrate some values and sense of mission to Veterans and this Nation .
I followed mine. Let them reach my level before even suggesting I need another.
I followed mine. Let them reach my level before even suggesting I need another.
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SGM Bill Frazer
Your right, no one is forcing you to, but to compare us to the upper echelon of the VA and to most the members of Congress is a slap in the face to us all. They live by their own ideals which over the past decades have been proven to be uncaring, unfaithful and sometimes downright un-American.
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1SG (Join to see)
SGM Bill Frazer Unclear. Compare who to the upper echelon of VA?
Reference to VA is a reference to the upper echelons. Decisions aren't made at the lower levels.
Reference to VA is a reference to the upper echelons. Decisions aren't made at the lower levels.
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SSG Phil Miller
I won't take another creed. He just made that crap up to get recognition. It ain't helping no one. The VA is a bureaucratic nightmare that cannot efficiently care for veterans and they want us to act like they think we matter.
They need to turn our health care over to a competative free market and we will then be treated right.
They need to turn our health care over to a competative free market and we will then be treated right.
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I was at the baseball game shown in the image and was impressed to see CW5 (Join to see) (who is standing in the center of the image, reading the Veterans Creed so the Vets present could recite it) lead by example to organize the UH60 landing, static display, creed recitation and liftoff before the game started that day. Great work Chief!
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