Veteran

person who has served in the armed forces

A veteran (from the Latin word vetus, meaning old)[1] is a person who has a long experience in something. The term is most often used to describe people who were in the armed forces, especially those who had to fight in a war.

US veteran of World War I in his original uniform

Veterans associations

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United Kingdom

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The Royal British Legion began in 1921 after the First World War.

United States

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At the end of the American Revolution Army and Navy Officers formed the Society of the Cincinnati. After the US Civil War Veterans from the opposing sides formed their own associations:

  • Union
    • Military Order of the Loyal Legion
    • Grand Army of the Republic
  • Confederate:
    • United Confederate Veterans

After the Spanish-American War of 1898 Veterans formed an associations which still exists, called the Veterans of Foreign Wars. After World War I veterans formed the American Legion

There is also the:

  • AMVETS - American Veterans organization, also "American Veterans of WW2 and Korea", and later Vietnam
  • DAV - Disabled American Veterans organization-for veterans who were disabled by their military service
  • Marine Corps League - United States Marine veterans organization
  • Veterans organizations are also made up of different branches of the armed services - such as the Army; Navy, USMC or USAF or by units such as ships or divisions or regiments

References

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  1. "Veteran". Merriam Webster Dictionary. Retrieved 2009-07-23.