[Our man in washington]

I signed up for the reserves after 9/11, and ended up not reenlisting for family reasons. I got an honorable discharge. I’m really glad to have done it and was proud to serve, but honestly, one weekend a month and two weeks a year under safe circumstances is just not the same as active duty.

I don’t think I should be marching in a parade next to someone who had bullets flying at them in Iraq or Vietnam. I’m proud of what I did, but there’s a difference between doing a little and doing a lot. I was paid fairly for what I did and got good benefits while I was serving. I’m not owed any more.

Not calling me a veteran doesn’t diminish my service. It just recognizes the reality that there are different levels of service.

[Theoria]

'I’m really glad to have done it and was proud to serve, but honestly, one weekend a month and two weeks a year under safe circumstances is just not the same as active duty.'

No, it is not the same. Especially, living under UCMJ at all times and basically being a piece of equipment in inventory for .gov.