by General George Casey
Last June, eleven VSO’s came together and developed a Veteran’s Creed, each of whose elements reflects the foundations of Veterans’ culture, military creeds and related VSO missions. The Veterans Creed is supported by AMVETS, DAV (Disabled American Veterans), HillVets, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Reserve Officers Association, Student Veterans of America, Team Rubicon Global, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Wounded Warrior Project.
Today with the addition of the American Legion, the Veteran’s Creed is endorsed by 12 of the largest VSO’s in our country.
Mission:
We believe that a creed developed by, and specifically for, Veterans is a powerful tool to both codify the principles by which Veterans live and to enhance their sense of mission in society. It can also enhance the public’s understanding of Veterans and highlight the positive capabilities that Veterans bring home from military service.
Veteran’s Creed:
1. I am an American Veteran
2. I proudly served my country
3. I live the values I learned in the military
4. I continue to serve my community, my country and my fellow veterans
5. I maintain my physical and mental discipline
6. I continue to lead and improve
7. I make a difference
8. I honor and remember my fallen comrades
Why a Veterans’ Creed?
REMIND Veterans: Of the significance and value of their military service
INSPIRE Veterans: To continue to serve and excel
UNITE Veterans: To make a difference for our country
There are more than 20 million veterans in our country today, and more than 200,000 men and women leave the military every year, creating a steady and significant flow of Veterans back into civilian life.
Veterans learned a lot during their military experience—values, teamwork, leadership, selfless service. These positive traits were instilled in them throughout their service, and these traits remain part of who they are. Veterans have a lot to offer this country.
We believe there is something missing that keeps millions of Veterans from realizing their full potential and having a more positive impact on our society.
What’s missing is a vehicle that causes Veterans to recall the value of their service and the reasons that they served, and to remind them that many opportunities remain to make a difference in our world. What’s missing is a vehicle that gives Veterans a continuing sense of purpose and that inspires them to lead and to excel. What’s missing is a vehicle that recreates the sense of community that Veterans so sorely miss.
We believe that The Veteran’s Creed can serve as that unifying construct to remind Veterans of the significance and value of their military service, to inspire Veterans to continue to serve and lead at the local, state and national levels and to excel at whatever they undertake. I can also unite Veterans in a community to make a difference for our country.
About GEN George Casey:
General Casey retired as the 36th Chief of Staff of the US Army. He is the Chairman of the Board of the USO, on the board of advisors at RallyPoint, a board member of Student Veterans of America and several other organizations that support veterans and their families. He remains committed to seeing that the men and women who have served this country so well continue to have the opportunities to contribute to the society that they served.