As a veteran myself, it's nice to at least have a day where I can pat myself on the back. For a long time it was one of the only tangible "veterans' benefits" I received. I was blatantly lied to about the "College Fund," and the GI Bill--when it paid at all, which was sporadically--didn't even cover tuition, let alone books and housing. VGLI sucked so badly that before discharge they told all of us not to get it because it was such a crummy deal. It is at least nice to be thanked for my service once in awhile. Because really, when you're discharged, people care for about half a second after you get home, and that's it. They've all got their own lives they've been worrying about; and you, having been away, don't really have a spot to fill. You might feel excited to be home, but the isolation is, well, a bitch. And it doesn't go away, not really. So here's to all my fellow vets, on the one day we can all call our own. If I had a beer I'd raise it, but this water will have to do. Cheers.
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