I have a good friend who was a LtCol in the USAR. He always said he felt "less of a veteran" not having served in a combat zone. I said that, in my opinion, anyone who put the uniform on, no matter where they served, or what they did, is a veteran and deserving of our respect.

John Retired US Government (DoD)
Age: 61
SCC/BOT discovered neck mass 11/08
Removed neck mass 09/01/09
Final Diagnosis after scoping on 02/08/09
Chemotherapy and Radiation: Paclitaxel and Carboplatin, 8 weeks of chemo (1X weekly) and daily radiation both sides of neck). First treatment 03/02/09