Posted on Feb 28, 2018
VetSpective: Being A Veteran Is Not A Cause — It Is A Calling
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Recently, we learned of the courage, character, and selfless service of Junior ROTC cadet, Peter Wang. Wang was last seen holding open the door to allow his fellow students seek safety during the school shooting in Florida last week.
The United States Military Academy at West Point posthumously offered admissions to Wang, stating:
“One of USMA's priorities is to develop leaders of character who are committed to the values of Duty, Honor & Country. Peter Wang's actions on February 14 are an example of those principles & the academy honors his dream of being a West Point cadet with a 2025 letter of acceptance.”
To many in our society, Peter’s actions were heroic — above and beyond. To us, Peter’s actions are that of a Veteran — an ordinary person put in an extraordinary circumstances, who selflessly stepped up and did exactly what needed to be done.
And even though Peter Wang had not formally served in the military, clearly, he had already internalized the values and the selfless commitment to others that we hold dear as Veterans.
He also represented the best of the many young people that join the military all the time — those who were always a little different because they had the strength to stand-up for others against bullies, because they had the character to do the right thing, and because they had the courage to speak the truth.
But being a Veteran does not always seem to be about those unique and timeless values. Being a Veteran has become a cause.
Today, Veterans are the draw to the gala ball. Veterans are the reason for the fundraiser. Veterans are viewed as the victim, the problem — not the solution.
Civilians think that Veterans need them. When really, it may be the other way around.
What if we reversed the polarity of the assumptions and norms about the role of Veterans in our society? What if it were Veterans who helped civilian society — through their leadership and their values?
What if Veterans started mentorship programs for civil society?
What if Veterans established programs that taught the leadership, values, and ethos to civil society?
What if leadership and character actually became valued in society?
My fellow Veterans, we are not a fundraising event; we are not a gala dinner benefit; we are not props for politicians; we are not a cause.
Being a a Veteran, particularly today, is a calling. It is a calling to share with our fellow Americans our insights about true leadership, character, and moral courage.
We, Veterans, do need help. We need help transitioning into civilian life, navigating the job market, and making the challenging life decisions that all must do. That’s why RallyPoint’s Command Post exists. It’s a place where Veterans can interact with each other and help each other with these steps in life.
But this forum must also become a platform from which to change the way our civilian brethren view Veterans.
We have so much to contribute to our fellow Americans. In fact, they need us.
So, we must step up. Let’s fundamentally change what it means to be a Veteran in society today.
Change it from a cause — to a calling.
Alex Gallo is a Veteran and author of “VetSpective.”
The United States Military Academy at West Point posthumously offered admissions to Wang, stating:
“One of USMA's priorities is to develop leaders of character who are committed to the values of Duty, Honor & Country. Peter Wang's actions on February 14 are an example of those principles & the academy honors his dream of being a West Point cadet with a 2025 letter of acceptance.”
To many in our society, Peter’s actions were heroic — above and beyond. To us, Peter’s actions are that of a Veteran — an ordinary person put in an extraordinary circumstances, who selflessly stepped up and did exactly what needed to be done.
And even though Peter Wang had not formally served in the military, clearly, he had already internalized the values and the selfless commitment to others that we hold dear as Veterans.
He also represented the best of the many young people that join the military all the time — those who were always a little different because they had the strength to stand-up for others against bullies, because they had the character to do the right thing, and because they had the courage to speak the truth.
But being a Veteran does not always seem to be about those unique and timeless values. Being a Veteran has become a cause.
Today, Veterans are the draw to the gala ball. Veterans are the reason for the fundraiser. Veterans are viewed as the victim, the problem — not the solution.
Civilians think that Veterans need them. When really, it may be the other way around.
What if we reversed the polarity of the assumptions and norms about the role of Veterans in our society? What if it were Veterans who helped civilian society — through their leadership and their values?
What if Veterans started mentorship programs for civil society?
What if Veterans established programs that taught the leadership, values, and ethos to civil society?
What if leadership and character actually became valued in society?
My fellow Veterans, we are not a fundraising event; we are not a gala dinner benefit; we are not props for politicians; we are not a cause.
Being a a Veteran, particularly today, is a calling. It is a calling to share with our fellow Americans our insights about true leadership, character, and moral courage.
We, Veterans, do need help. We need help transitioning into civilian life, navigating the job market, and making the challenging life decisions that all must do. That’s why RallyPoint’s Command Post exists. It’s a place where Veterans can interact with each other and help each other with these steps in life.
But this forum must also become a platform from which to change the way our civilian brethren view Veterans.
We have so much to contribute to our fellow Americans. In fact, they need us.
So, we must step up. Let’s fundamentally change what it means to be a Veteran in society today.
Change it from a cause — to a calling.
Alex Gallo is a Veteran and author of “VetSpective.”
CPT
11A: Infantry Officer
Mentorship
Officers
VetSpective
Posted >1 y ago
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My Dad was a Korean War Soldier (GHQ/FEC) arriving in Pusan Thanksgiving Day 1950. As a 4 year old walking behind my Dad at a cemetery visiting His Moms grave I was amazed to see many American Flags, I started picking them up one by one and by the time Dad saw me I had an armful. Dad was kinda pissed but explained to me that those flags were Veterans flags. I didn't know what that meant so he said. Those are men who went to war and came home. I asked, Dad did you go to war? Dad replied yes. I asked him why he did that, I have never forgotten his response which was "So You don't have to". Dad taught us respect for our Country and flag that I'll never forget. And so, from my Dad in Korea 1950 My Son Matt WIA in Iraq 04 and myself Afghanistan 06 Our Stars and Stripes are sacred.
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1SG Dave Carello
Time really flies doesn't it. My Son Matt was in Fallujah in June of 04. He was WIA via IED 6 July 04 after leaving Speicher on the Sammara bypass. It was a long road of recovery with him but now I have a 5 year old Grandson and 6 month Granddaughter.
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SSgt Bruce Probert
I'm a little older than most of you I remember my Dad's tears looking at all the Crosses and Stars of David at the Omaha Beach US Cemetery in '56 he served in the 25thDiv for the whole war. I have three sons none of which has deployed to date. I wasn't prepared for the impact when I went to see the traveling wall. I already have grandsons, and the legacy falls to them, and we know that not everyone comes home.....
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SSG Roy Neve
Thank you for Your service...I was a Cadet 1st Sgt responsible for the Colour Guard from Zweibrucken American High School, West Germany, 1980 for the Memorial Day Service's at the cemetery on Omaha Beach. I was amazed to view so many military headstones not just at this location, my unit & I were being transported to various locations to honour our service personnel. My father served for two great nations United Kingdom & the United States of America, he served in the Royal Navy & the Merchant Marine & then he served in the United States Army as well. He served in Vietnam '69-'70, 5th Inf Div (M) retired as a Command Sergeant Major in '86 after 27 years. A year after his retirement he was able to obtain his US citizenship. As an Army Brat, I lived & attended many schools mostly overseas. I too am a combat veteran, retired in '12 from the Army. I was naturalized in '87 after my first hitch in the service. My time in Iraq, we had over 4200 personnel, we lost 20 in 15 month deployment. Losing one was to many.
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The common misconception is that military members are "broken." Like something is wrong with us but the reality is that many are put in situations that the average person cannot fathom while declaring how they "would do this or that" if they were in the same situation. So they speculate what they would do, but only those who have stepped up and responded know the true burden of this weight. We are the 1% for a reason, so as some shout from the rooftops, we silently do what must be done. Veterans DO lead from the front. It was because of the sacrifices of those before me that I have the honor to put on my uniform every day and those that forget this needs to take a long, hard look in the mirror.
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PO1 Howard Barnes
Veterans can be found in many occupations such as Fire Fighters and Law Enforcement to mention a couple, meaning Veterans rush into the fire (or fire fight) while others are running away from it.
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I like to think the military is the tip of the spear and keeper of the countries values.
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