I oppose leftists as much as anyone on these forums, but this is a poorly written screed.
I have never heard such nonsense as reservists suddenly being “Not veterans”. I have never heard of someone serving a 2 year active/ 6 innactive contract being “not veterans”.
During Desert Storm I went into Kuwait with a TOW company, but I wouldn’t accuse the REMFs in Saudi or stateside of being “Not Veterans. (They might not be combat veterans though).
Creating new definitions of words like the left did with the George Allen “Maccacca” affair does not reflect well on those who engage in such shennanigans, And you can count me out.
I didn't see anyplace in the article that said he was 2 years active.
You are diverting the point of the article.
I also avoided the draft by enlisting in the Army for 3 years active service, served two years in Germany, then 4 years in the national guard.
There seems to be some stratification at play here. I don’t mean to denigrate ANYBODY’S service, but this what I see. At the highest level, there are Combat veterans, and rightfully so. Then there are active duty, but not combat, veterans. Next are reservists not called to active duty. On the low rung are National Guard.
I find this distressing. As a former Marine, there is no distinction between one Marine or another. We are all the same. Yet, when a combat veteran is in the crowd, respect is due and given.
I myself have a Vietnam Service Medal, but I am NOT a combat veteran. That is those more worthy than myself. People like my high school classmate Corporal Laurence M. King, USMC KIA Quang Tin 09/28/65 RIP Larry.