Should We Capitalize The 'V' In 'veteran'? One Marine Thinks So (And I Swear It's Not Me)

Here's some excerpts from Marine Corps veteran Patch Baker's change.org petition to get the 'v' in veteran capitalized to Veteran in the AP style guide:

Marines, Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen have given selflessly to this nation with honor and dignity around the globe....

Many have sealed their valor at the cost of their lives. In a similar vein, far too many, in the aftermath of military service, have lost hope of a better horizon and become discouraged enough to take their own lives.

Each of these valiant individuals earns a title when they exit their service. They are given the title of Veteran.

The word “veteran,” however, is not currently acknowledged as a proper noun or title when we speak of a person or group who’s served in the military.

A growing body of U.S. citizens are increasingly concerned about this omission. Of all we can and must do to honor and support these individuals who’ve honored and supported our country so well, one of the immediate and most elemental is to make the honor of their title inherent. In referring to every Veteran, both living and dead, we can magnify the honor we show for the valor and sacrifice by regarding their role with full respect and honor for the title they hold.

Clearly myself & Chaps are slightly less enthused about this idea...

I might be a veteran with a wideset V, but I don't ever want/need to be a veteran with a capital V. And I don't want anyone else to have to make me one when they write (about how great I am, probably) either. 

I fear it would further alienate people who are already afraid to upset vets when they shouldn't be, because some vets put themselves on a holier-than-thou pedestal of greatness with a misguided feeling for some sort of extra respect they deserve. I'm not saying that's Patch's vibe, but intentional or not this request falls into a weird category that I'm not comfortable with.

When it comes to showing thanks for veteran's service, any kindness or acknowledgment of people's own volition is really thoughtful & appreciated, but I don't need a special parking space, I don't expect store discounts, and I don't desire a capital V for 'veteran'. 

Of course, myself & ZBT doesn't speak for all veterans. Vets are not robots, we have a wide array of backgrounds & leanings & feelings, and some vets & their family members do like the 'Big V Veteran' idea & signed the petition. In fact, 676 have signed so far, and I'm sure there's thousands more out there:

So who the hell am I to say or judge. Much love to the BIG V Vets & little v vets of our military.

Sincerely, 

lower case vet who is still totally judging. 

You can hear about Patch's petition (or skip it if this was already too much! ha ha) & more on today's ZeroBlogThirty. 

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