Letter to the editor: Anyone who served is a veteran

Regarding Robert Ebitz’s letter “Veterans should always count” (July 20, TribLIVE): I agree all veterans should count. What I do take exception with is his definition of veteran.

The official definition is from Title 38 of the United States Code:“a person who served in active military, naval, or air service and was not discharged dishonorably.” That is the nutshell definition as far as Veterans Affairs benefits are concerned.

I don’t know what Ebitz did in the military, but anyone who served where there was hostile action is most certainly a veteran. It doesn’t matter what part of the world you were in: If your country called and you served, you are a veteran.

I am a twice-wounded infantry solider from the Vietnam War. I am most certainly a veteran. I rest my case.

Bill Charlton

Arnold