.... I would change your wording to reflect that by not giving second class citizenship to those who never served in a war as most military do not serve in the front lines either. Everyone sacrifices in whatever roll they accept. Many who never served lost loved ones who did serve so be humble.
Who said something about second class citizenship? Besides you, that is.
Did you want me to repeat the exact distasteful statement? Ok here you go:
"Always good to have another Vet among us. Someone who has put some skin in the game versus the usual pack of parasites who will never appreciate how great they have it." The point is not a word game. The point is the point I made that there are few not impacted by the sacrifice of those on the front line. Those on the front line are a smaller group than the rest who serve. Hopefully all, even those who served only in Hawaii understand the sacrifice the few have made. This is not a unique club as families and friends all fully understand what war is and bury their loved ones so no need for anyone to be dismissive.
He didn't say anything about front line combat. For every combat troop there 11 support troops and the combat troops are aware of this fact and appreciate every one of them. The military is a team and a combat troop doesn't think he's the un-expendable star quarterback. We respect the non combat troops, the Reserves, National Guard and all service connected people. We don't hate them even though we rag each other a lot. The people we don't like are the cowards, the unpatriotic and those who live the good life and are willing to take everything for granted without sacrifice. Since you probably were never in the military you wouldn't understand.
Except that is an obnoxious summation, and completely out of character with those who do serve and those who support those who serve. First of all how you manage to decide who appreciates what and how you merged all elements of the military is far removed from reality. One doesn't have to be in the military when you come from a family where many served but maybe they were unusual as they did know the difference in military service and they did know that the public appreciated them, and they did respect those on the front lines just as we all do. I don't need a lecture as I think the good part of who they are is what caused them to serve and caused them not to knock those who didn't. I don't remember one brother ever say something that distasteful as to pretend that someone is more aware than someone who has not served. No one can guess the heart of someone they disagree with so guessing they don't have the same level of respect is unnecessary. I am the one who said front line combat. I said it because we all feel the exact same way about them, great respect for what they sacrificed. I would have said nothing if he had not added in the insult as that is a slap in the face for those who do respect the military and are hit with a discussion that distasteful about them. I wanted to be sure any insulter understands that I know as much about the horror of combat as someone who has never fought in the front lines. We need to all respect one another.