Veteran

From ArticleWorld

Veteran is the term used for an experienced serviceman who has been through many battles and is someone who has given long service. Thus, a person who served in the Armed Forces of a state during a period specified and was honorably discharged or was released under honorable circumstances is known as a veteran. Armed Forces are defined as the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard, including all components.

The term comes from Latin meaning old. Therefore, it is also a term that is loosely used to define any person beyond a certain age or anyone who is experienced in a certain area.

History

The history of veterans, as retired military personnel, may be traced to the Roman Empire where the army consisted not of formally trained warriors but of farmers who doubled up as legionaries when the need arose. During peace or after retirement they needed an occupation and were more often than not pensioned off by being gifted a piece of the lands that they had helped conquer. This state of affairs existed in more or less all countries that did not have any permanent armies. Apart from giving them free land and a place to stay the states seemed to forget during peace time that veterans existed. They had to perforce turn to crime and begging to keep body and soul together.

Modern veterans

Veterans were not treated well after World War I and this led to disgruntlement and volatility among the old soldiers. The unstable situation that Germany and US (Bonus Army) coped with after the WW I was in direct consequence to hardships that the veterans faced during the Great Depression.

After World War II, the discharged soldiers of the participating countries were given access to much better facilities than their predecessors in WW-I. In most states, an elaborate package was prepared for veterans’ rehabilitation of which free and subsidized education and health care were two important elements.

This tradition of treating the veterans with respect has continued to grow and in many countries they enjoy special privileges. November 11th, which was earlier, called Armistice Day or the Remembrance Day is now celebrated as Veteran’s day.