With today being Veterans Day in the US, I wanted to bring up something that has been bothering me for a long time.

Firstly, I want to make clear that I mean absolutely no disrespect to all those who have served, are serving, and all their families. If anyone chooses to take offense, I've already said that I intend no disrespect, so I'm not going to apologize for anything I'm going to say.

I remember very clearly how Vets were treated during and after Vietnam. It was pretty damned appalling how they were maligned and disrespected.
Especially since many (if not most) of them had been drafted into military service.

Those returning from WWII weren't really treated all that well either. Granted, they had the GI Bill, but once the initial celebrations were done, everyone returned to business as usual. All the black members of the military had to go right back to being treated like garbage by the racists, and all the women who served were expected to go back to being completely subservient to men.

Okay, here's my point (and yes, I know it's taken a minute to get to it).

While it's great that those in the military are finally being recognized for their service, haven't we, as a society, gone completely too far in the opposite direction? And isn't most of that recognition really damned hypocritical?
Many people are falling all over themselves thanking those who have served, and are still serving.
BUT, veterans are still struggling to get adequate healthcare.
Especially mental health care. Suicides have increased exponentially among past and present military members.
Their families still struggle to make ends meet.

The politicians are all over the place today, making speeches and "honoring" those who served.
45 drones on and on (okay, he LIES) about how he admires veterans, but he's done NOTHING for them.
The VA is STILL a pathetic mess, and funding for it is being cut all the time.
They still have to fight for their benefits, that they are due.

I've also spoken to service members who really aren't comfortable with people thanking them for their service.
I've been told they chose to serve, and that requires no thanks.
They would rather, instead of being thanked (which really amounts to nothing more than "thoughts and prayers" ), people go after the politicians and bureaucrats to get REAL
changes which would actually benefit them and their families.

I know we have members who are veterans.
What are your thoughts?