Question:
This question is on behalf of Air Force 1st Lt Douglas Brookfield, killed in a Cargomaster crash in Labrador, CAN in 1964. He was just 24. A senior member at his hometown local historical society will not allow Lt. Brookfield's personal items (such as small booklet of poems he wrote) to be displayed in the Society's Veterans Day yearly exhibit. The reason given when questioned was that "he was not a Veteran [since] he did not serve in a period of active war." She claims the local Veteran's agent supports her in this. This seems wrong on several levels?
Jim's Reply:
A "local veterans agent"?
That doesn't sound like someone who is on our side does it? The fact is that anyone who served honorably is a veteran. Whether they served in a period of war makes a difference on some benefits and nothing else.
Serving in the military is a challenge under any circumstances. The physical demands and the mental stress come with the territory and there aren't any civilian careers that compare. The person who you're honoring wouldn't have died in a Cargomaster crash as a civilian and I think that says it all.
It seems particularly mean spirited to not honor a veteran. You can tell her I said so.