I think it is a misnomer. And I do not mean to discredit anyone having attained or aspiring to attain that status, nor to those who came up with that title. I like the term Raider better. But hey - what's a name? I guess any ol' tag would do. It is the substance behind the name and we have great substance there. However, I see the word veteran associated with something else besides what our veterans are - and the title should more appropriately address the substance. Our present veterans are more like our special forces.
A veteran, basically, is someone who has served or been around a while. Like the military, all who have served are called veterans once they have experienced a lot or just did their time and got out. That is in no way a disrespectful remark against veterans - I am one who never faced combat, although I did help save lives literally in an operating room and helped patch up a few combat vets. And there are veterans who never had to do much of anything dangerous, bold, or noble. Some just turned a wrench. However, my son (a combat disabled veteran) stated what it means to have served when he wrote in his Facebook status today: "A Veteran is someone, who at one point in their life, wrote a blank check payable to the United States of America for an amount up to, and including, their life. That is an honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer remember that fact." That statement shook me to the bone because that was MY son and the price filled on his check was high!
So could we please consider a name change for our current members who are focused on breaking new paths for us as a guild, on the cutting edge of our advancement in the game as a guild? Like I said, they are our special forces and need a title more befitting their status whether as Raiders, Rangers, Pathfinders, or whatever... Veteran just does not seem to fit right as to what the term means to me. And I am quite serious - it is not just a fleeting thought, nor do I expect this to be pushed aside.
And yes, this is very subjective and I know there are other aspects to the word veteran. But I would like to stir up some meaningful, well thought conversation and action on my way idea.
Keep it serious, please, and polite!
A veteran, basically, is someone who has served or been around a while. Like the military, all who have served are called veterans once they have experienced a lot or just did their time and got out. That is in no way a disrespectful remark against veterans - I am one who never faced combat, although I did help save lives literally in an operating room and helped patch up a few combat vets. And there are veterans who never had to do much of anything dangerous, bold, or noble. Some just turned a wrench. However, my son (a combat disabled veteran) stated what it means to have served when he wrote in his Facebook status today: "A Veteran is someone, who at one point in their life, wrote a blank check payable to the United States of America for an amount up to, and including, their life. That is an honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer remember that fact." That statement shook me to the bone because that was MY son and the price filled on his check was high!
So could we please consider a name change for our current members who are focused on breaking new paths for us as a guild, on the cutting edge of our advancement in the game as a guild? Like I said, they are our special forces and need a title more befitting their status whether as Raiders, Rangers, Pathfinders, or whatever... Veteran just does not seem to fit right as to what the term means to me. And I am quite serious - it is not just a fleeting thought, nor do I expect this to be pushed aside.
And yes, this is very subjective and I know there are other aspects to the word veteran. But I would like to stir up some meaningful, well thought conversation and action on my way idea.
Keep it serious, please, and polite!
