It’s time to rethink the false distinction that separates veteran interests from civilian interests. But, if we do conclude that today’s America needs a more homogeneous approach that emphasizes our similarities and not our differences, what then? 

Replace it with an integrated community with a social context that our polarized country desperately needs, and provide it with specific media tools that will create a wider and more thoughtful approach to change.

Civ-Vet

For the moment, we’ll refer to this concept as “Civ-Vet” and explore what this approach might offer. And, what better way to start than utilizing our trove of End Veteran Debt (EVD) stories right here in our media center, Now Hear This?

If you decide to join this exercise, consider EVD’s Civ-Vet platform as a work-in-progress that requires – no, demands – considerable individual and group effort. This will necessitate rules of engagement that facilitate positive thought and action and serve as a template for a movement that I assure you will evolve from our work. The theme is “We, not I.”

Consider the story captioned “Let Thy Food Be Thy Medicine.” It appears to report on the value of partnerships between the veteran and civilian sectors. What it actually concerns is how two entities bridge “differences,” share resources and knowledge, and recognize their mutual, not different, needs. 

The backstory here is the long-developing personal relationship that developed between Staten Island Veteran Task Force Director Michael Matthews (a civilian) and me, as a Navy veteran who founded the End Veteran Debt (EVD) private charitable foundation. 

It was through the fund and awareness-raising “Operation Debt-Day” campaign, a co-venture between our two organizations, that motivated us to rethink the veterans and non-veteran distinction and begin a reformulation.

Context

Speaking personally and factually, before I joined the military, I was a civilian. When I left the service, I returned to that role, much as my military relatives at the end of World War II. In those days, service members like me followed the expected path of packing away our uniforms, disengaging from our military mindset, and joining the “real” world.

Today, this process doesn't appear to be so normal, much less easy. 

Men and women members of the military are now “transitioned” into civilian life, with the expectation that we are somehow different. We are expected to have mental and physical issues that separate us from the ordinary American, a distinction that turns the veteran into a form of “they” and not “us.” Sometimes to our benefit; too often, not.

Bear with me; this “reset” challenges public perception and requires some real thought. 

A different – independent – media is required. And, it ain’t mainstream

A move like this requires us to wean ourselves from Mainstream Media and put the an independent press to work. At minimum, who isn’t tired of broadcast news, mis and dis-information and outright lies that go unquestioned in today’s echo chambers? This will answer, in good part, the common complaint that the MSM does not reflect our communities, nor our values.

That dissatisfaction doesn’t exist in the world of Native Americans, Hispanics, Asians, or African Americans when it comes to the content of the independent media they read and follow. Scan through our article addressing veteran debt and tribal and minority media for some clues. You will find what is much that is interesting – and foreign to today’s standard media outlets.

The icing on the cake is the article by EVD reporter Meta Mereday, which highlights how today’s military is more diverse in its ethnic makeup than the United States itself. 

That train has left the station

You can forget about the current administration’s passionate attempt to “re-white” the armed forces. This blatant, politicized attempt to rewrite history to further separate and divide Americans into distinct camps will only work in MSM…and not well even there. Diversity is baked in – to America’s benefit. 

Intrigued enough to learn more, or even participate? Write me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and help create that new America I described earlier.

America’s movement-to-be couldn’t come at a better time.