WASHINGTON — Eleven major veterans’ organizations have announced the development and adoption of a Veteran’s Creed. The participating organizations presented the creed at an event on Flag Day, June 14, at 1 p.m. at the Reserve Officers Association headquarters at 1 Constitution Avenue, NE, Washington, D.C.
The Creed is the result of extensive discussions and consultations among the group that began last fall at Georgetown University. It is meant to inspire veterans to continue to serve and lead in their communities and our country, and to continue to make a difference in our world.
Eleven major veterans’ organizations, including the VFW, sign the newly created Veteran’s Creed during a ceremony in Washington, D.C., on June 14. The creed is meant to inspire veterans to continue to serve and lead in their communities and our country, and to continue to make a difference in our world.
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“The Creed will help prepare veterans for their productive civilian lives,” said Dr. Joel Kupersmith, Director of Veterans’ Initiatives at Georgetown University. Echoing his comments are Gen. George W. Casey Jr., former Army Chief of Staff, who said “I believe the Veteran’s Creed could remind veterans of what they miss about their service and encourage them to continue to make a difference in their communities and across our country,” he said. “We need their talents.”
Each element of the Creed is rooted in shared military tenets, the missions of participating veterans and military service organizations, and in the altruistic ethos of veterans themselves. It is also meant to remind Americans that the principles and values veterans learned in the military – integrity, leadership, teamwork, selfless service – can greatly benefit our country.
“In the Army I lived both the Soldier’s Creed and the NCO Creed,” said John Towles, Director of National Security & Foreign Affairs for the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. “Both set a path for who I was as a member of the Armed Forces, and served as a constant reminder of my obligations as a leader to those on my left and to my right. As veterans, we must realize that our service does not stop simply because we take off the uniform. Many of us struggle to find our place once we leave the military, but now we have a new set of watchwords to guide and remind our brothers and our sisters in arms that our mission is far from over.”
The eight-point Veteran’s Creed is:
- I am an American Veteran
- I proudly served my country
- I live the values I learned in the military
- I continue to serve my community, my country and my fellow veterans
- I maintain my physical and mental discipline
- I continue to lead and improve
- I make a difference
- I honor and remember my fallen comrades
Along with the VFW, other participating veterans’ groups include AMVETS, 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 and Wounded Warrior Project.