Vietnam Veterans

[dbavis]

i've always assumed that the ability to manage it plays into it as well. Retired vets get ID cards whereas separated vets (those that don't do 20+) don't get an ID. Disabled non-retired vets may get some sort of ID but i'm not sure.

there really is no official way to tell a non-retired vet from someone with no military service short of having them provide the form (DD-214) that we get when we leave the service. I'd rather no one get a discount than have to stomach more people faking military (or other) service in order to get a discount.

Now, there is a service online called ID.me that can be used to verify current and former military, first responders, and some other categories. I've used it a few times to get a discount from the Under Armour web site but, so far at least, it seems like the number of places that use it is pretty limited. Maybe something like that will gain traction with more businesses in the future.

ETA: And, again, aside from any unique exceptions, Disney isn't any different here than most other businesses.

 

[OKW Lover]

Good points @dbavis. It would be very difficult to manage that. I'm doubting that most veterans carry around a copy of their DD-214.

 

[SorcererHeidi]

Good points @dbavis. It would be very difficult to manage that. I'm doubting that most veterans carry around a copy of their DD-214.

True, I very carefully protect mine. When needed, I'll bring it with me, but otherwise store it very carefully, along with other important documents, like my Social Security card, birth certificate, passport, etc.

 

[verleniahall]

I (an idiot) always assumed all veterans are retired or not active anymore. Didn't know there were non-retired Vietnam vets.

Vietnam wasn't considered a "war war" - it was considered a police action - therefore those who didn't complete 20+ were just general discharged and they don't recieve all of the same benefits - its on the dd214 as somethign different. My dad did 3 back to back tours to 'Nam with the Special Forces, but he did 20+ and gets the retired benefits, but some of the guys he served with just did 3 years and don't get them becuase it wasn't considered a war, even though alot of good soldiers gave their lives

 

[OKW Lover]

Vietnam wasn't considered a "war war" - it was considered a police action - therefore those who didn't complete 20+ were just general discharged and they don't recieve all of the same benefits - its on the dd214 as somethign different.

Not sure what your point is here. That Vietnam wasn't a declared war has nothing to do with the designation, or lack there of, as "retired". Their DD214 wouldn't be any different than those that served during that time but didn't go to the war zone.

Also, there is a huge difference between a "general discharge" and an "honorable discharge". Almost all that served got an honorable discharge.

Please extend my thanks to your Dad for his service. That was a very difficult time.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

Why should there be though? No snark, honest question. Some people make a career out of it and other people, like my dad, were drafted and didn't have a choice. All still served their country. If the distinction is made solely to limit the pool of veterans that are eligible (because the number would be way too big otherwise), then I guess I can understand that. But any other reason than that I can't wrap my head around.

Those that didn't serve for 20 years or more aren't retired. There is a difference between serving for a few months or years and giving most of your working life. There just is.

 

[dbavis]

Those that didn't serve for 20 years or more aren't retired. There is a difference between serving for a few months or years and giving most of your working life. There just is.

Yeah, but there is also a difference in the type of service that one does over their time. The sacrifice of someone who spent time in combat but didn't retire is at least on par with someone who did 20+ without seeing combat. I honor the service given under both scenarios but I also definitely know that there is one that I'd pick over the other if given the choice ahead of time.

 

[MamaBelle4]

Yeah, but there is also a difference in the type of service that one does over their time. The sacrifice of someone who spent time in combat but didn't retire is at least on par with someone who did 20+ without seeing combat. I honor the service given under both scenarios but I also definitely know that there is one that I'd pick over the other if given the choice ahead of time.

I agree. My one friend's dad has been in the Air Force for we'll over 20 years, and has never seen combat. He has been stationed overseas, sure, but not in combat zones.

My father served the Air Force in Vietnam, he still will not talk about what he experienced (not to me at least, but to my husband and my brothers he has). He came home, was spit on, put down and belittled.

I cannot understand why his service and his sacrifice is less to the veterans or military organization that regulates the discounts.

He deserves everything and anything he wants. But I'm probably pretty biased because I have the absolute best dad and I am insanely proud of him.

 

[Saltywardog]

There is a gross misunderstanding of how retired works and discounts, it's great your family members or you served but Disney owns you no discount, I'm glad they offer something but if they didn't o-well. The Dis wrote an article about this discounts for regular veterans, it was distasteful and made the writer seem entitled to something. If he wanted the discounts he should have stayed in... worth it right?

Doesn't matter if you saw combat or not, there are other ways to get retired, anyone who got injured in or out of combat can be medically retired. 30% or more disabled from the Veterans Affairs gets you access to base and discounts. I'm 6 years of service retired.

Your DD-214 will tell your story. Don't need an ID i play throw down the DD-214 to prove. If you don't have one your a liar. Even people who get kicked out have a DD-214. Tells about deployments and awards

Shades of Green is a great Resort, stayed in it before and after the last renovation. I like walking to the Poly from there, or a golf cart ride if i'm feeling lazy

 

[MamaBelle4]

There is a gross misunderstanding of how retired works and discounts, it's great your family members or you served but Disney owns you no discount, I'm glad they offer something but if they didn't o-well. The Dis wrote an article about this discounts for regular veterans, it was distasteful and made the writer seem entitled to something. If he wanted the discounts he should have stayed in... worth it right?

Doesn't matter if you saw combat or not, there are other ways to get retired, anyone who got injured in or out of combat can be medically retired. 30% or more disabled from the Veterans Affairs gets you access to base and discounts. I'm 6 years of service retired.

Your DD-214 will tell your story. Don't need an ID i play throw down the DD-214 to prove. If you don't have one your a liar. Even people who get kicked out have a DD-214. Tells about deployments and awards

Shades of Green is a great Resort, stayed in it before and after the last renovation. I like walking to the Poly from there, or a golf cart ride if i'm feeling lazy

Disney does not offer the discount. The people who are eligible are determined by the military (maybe the VA, I'm not sure).

And I absolutely CAN be upset that it doesn't extend to my father because he served a combat tour and then worked for the Army Depot until he retired. I can be upset that the government forced him (he enlisted to avoid being drafted to ground troops) and how many thousands others to fight in a war our nation didn't believe in, to come home and be disrespected and attacked and then forgotten. As a loving daughter, I believe he IS due something because, though he didn't retire in the military, he served when his country asked and has now been forgotten. He deserves better. All of our veterans do.

 

[ConnecticutFlea]

@MamaBelle4, I can understand you being upset. My husband served in Vietnam too and it wasn't a popular war. Many young men were drafted and were treated badly upon their return.

That being said, it doesn't make those who served entitled to discounts. No one is entitled to a discount. Any company can decide whether or not to give discounts and what groups they want to give them too. I am a nurse and a local uniform company gives discounts to nurses who work at a certain hospital. That can be viewed as unfair to nurses working elsewhere, but it is what it is. The uniform shop sets its own rules.

Shades of Green is just one of a number of Armed Forces Recreation Centers. They were financed by service member's own funds and are now self-sustained. They make their own policies on eligibility.

Every year Disney decides what discounts it will offer and to whom. Those of us who currently benefit from these discounts are very thankful, but they are not an entitlement nor are they quaranteed to continue.

Universal also offers discounts. Only active duty qualify for a room discount. There is no room discount for retired military.

My point is eligibility for discounts varies and is determined by the company. They are gifts, not entitlements. While this might seem unfair to some, it is what it is. Life isn't fair.

 

[nkereina]

Those that didn't serve for 20 years or more aren't retired. There is a difference between serving for a few months or years and giving most of your working life. There just is.

Obviously there's a technical difference. I understand that. But I agree with PP that being drafted and/or serving for 2-3 years in war time combat is on par with someone who made the military their career and never saw combat. Not sure why it matters in terms of theme park discounts, unless it's merely for the sake of numbers/finances.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

Obviously there's a technical difference. I understand that. But I agree with PP that being drafted and/or serving for 2-3 years in war time combat is on par with someone who made the military their career and never saw combat. Not sure why it matters in terms of theme park discounts, unless it's merely for the sake of numbers/finances.

But obviously the government doesn't see it that way. Nor does the Veterans Administration. So it isn't totally out of bounds to see it the same way as they do.

 

[TCups4Me]

I have to admit that I've been quietly following this thread. I have no opinion or stake as far as discounts go but I have a dad who served in Vietnam but won't tell me much about his service. He told me about his decision to enlist, where he trained and what his specialty was. He said that as a signal officer, he was in helicopters that came under fire. Other than that, he says that he doesn't feel like he has the right to talk about it because he doesn't think he contributed much. He talks about returning to the US and departing the aircraft behind fences because people were spitting and yelling at them. He has a bronze star that he says "was given to everyone." I know there is more to his story but I respect his privacy. I tried to find information online but came up empty and don't want to go behind his back if he'd rather it be his to know alone.

I thank all of you and your loved ones for your service. As a long-time DISer, the connection I have here makes this discussion much more comfortable and relevant than on a random forum.

 

[Saltywardog]

Disney does not offer the discount. The people who are eligible are determined by the military (maybe the VA, I'm not sure).

And I absolutely CAN be upset that it doesn't extend to my father because he served a combat tour and then worked for the Army Depot until he retired. I can be upset that the government forced him (he enlisted to avoid being drafted to ground troops) and how many thousands others to fight in a war our nation didn't believe in, to come home and be disrespected and attacked and then forgotten. As a loving daughter, I believe he IS due something because, though he didn't retire in the military, he served when his country asked and has now been forgotten. He deserves better. All of our veterans do.

no one is disrespecting his service, but you can take that entitled crap somewhere else. I bet he doesn't feel that way. If you weren't there you don't know.

Obviously there's a technical difference. I understand that. But I agree with PP that being drafted and/or serving for 2-3 years in war time combat is on par with someone who made the military their career and never saw combat. Not sure why it matters in terms of theme park discounts, unless it's merely for the sake of numbers/finances.

all of us Grunts love saying that, we make fun of everyone else because they are dirty POG's. I even smiled to think people understand that there are people who don't ever see combat, even grunts. but they didn't do 20 or get hurt like me and medically retired (same as regular)

THE ONLY PEOPLE DESERVING ARE THE ONES THAT DIDN'T COME HOME and the GOLD STAR FAMILIES

Gold Star Familes get discounts

 

[MamaBelle4]

no one is disrespecting his service, but you can take that entitled crap somewhere else. I bet he doesn't feel that way. If you weren't there you don't know.

First, I didn't mean to imply he was being disrespected NOW. He was when he returned.

Entitled means I feel I am due something. Entitled is not the right word for this.

I feel my FATHER is due more than he receives. I feel ALL of our Combat Veterans are. I feel it is wrong for the government to force young men to risk their lives then their service NOT be recognized or rewarded. I do not feel that recognizing and rewarding men and women who risked their lives during combat takes anything away from men and women who retired in the military.

This does not just apply to Disney, but everything in general. We obviously have different perspectives and opinions on this.

As a civilian and a loving daughter of a Vietnam Veteran, I believe he and other Veterans (whether retired or served in combat) deserve the absolute best. No exceptions. I don't believe it should be tiered.

 

[SorcererHeidi]

May I politely stick my nose in here and suggest that this is getting a little unnecessarily "heated" and it sounds like there are anger issues that go FAR BEYOND theme park discounts/tickets that should be handled elsewhere? And last but not least, maybe agree to disagree?

And JarHead - please do NOT curse this Swabby Squid out for suggesting this thread be squashed. I'm only trying to be helpful. I don't think any amount of "back and forth" on this is going to change anything at this point. Just my take. Call me stupid, call me feeble for trying, but I am.