Coming into the senior years for anyone has its own peculiarities however veterans may have some special ones. Many people in their later years find more suitable designations to refer to themselves rather than being identified as an “old” person.
In any case, we, as a society, inherently avoid any undertones of being called an old man, or old woman. In many ways that is not such a bad thing and I want to believe that we have earned respect for the wisdom of our life experiences as elders.
However, some of us make a concerted effort to avoid where we actually are in life. Maybe it’s too much like surrendering and that, as you know, for a warrior can be an age-old mindset that really boils down to not giving in and letting things be.
Perhaps even refusing to accept the benefits and support offered to us in our senior years (especially the VA benefits), is part of that.
Maybe the military Code of Conduct kicks in when we hit that wall as well. Remember memorizing this: “I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy?”
We did make a vow, but it does not work in civilian life. And when that mindset creeps in and we find ourselves ignoring or refusing valuable assistance that can make life better for us, and our loved ones, remember that these are rights and privileges that we were willing to sacrifice our young patriotic lives for.
We should now enjoy the harvest. Another way to look at it is that by your service to this country, you were ensuring that many benefits were available for others. I encourage you to consider accepting them graciously without feeling the least bit reluctant.
Perhaps in this new year, it is time for us to recognize where we are, to acknowledge the price that was paid, and then accept what we deserve. We no longer have to stick to an old outlook from our military training (i.e. Military Code of Conduct).
It will only mire us down and hold us back from the good life we’ve earned. Remember, we have the wonderful gift of choice, and we can choose because we fought for the freedom to do so.
It is your right, as a veteran of the best country in the world.
