@Bill Branstetter, this is a tough question for me. I have been thinking about how to answer this from a neutral mindset since I am a veteran. I'm not sure how to answer this question while standing outside looking in.

On this day two years ago I was sitting at a desk inside a room at the Best Western Motel searching for a three bedroom house, apartment, trailer or box, somewhere for a nine, fifteen, thirty-four year old and myself to call home.

We had been living in motels since April of that year when Isabella, our Acura MDX, blew up climbing a hill in the Virginia mountains.

We had departed the flatlands of the midwest to escape the trap one of us had fallen into at the hands of evil predators. It was a unanimous decision that we relocate somewhere beautiful for a fresh start.

The plans we created had a major flaw within its steps: There was no contingency plan in place if our vehicle blew up.

To make a very long story of struggle, nightmares, and challenges shorter, I will try to write more concisely.

I was given a VA Hud-Vash three bedroom housing voucher and told to let the Hud-Vash office know when I find a place to move us into. In this area places are scarce, regardless of the number of bedrooms. Eventually, I was able find a trailer built in 1982 on a little piece of property with a big tree on the outskirts of town. Three months later we moved in.

Throughout this time, I was told about every veteran event that took place within a sixty mile radius, and we attended each and every one of them.

The reason this posted question sat heavy with me is because it swiftly brought to surface this memory, which I was daily thinking to myself that this is odd. Odd because at every Veteran give away, barbeque, or free food and services event, there would be non-veterans asking, "Can we participate and sign up for the free stuff too?" "Can we eat for free?" Many of these non-veteran folks were children that didn't understand what a veteran is, they only saw other kids eating good food, playing games, winning prizes, and laughing. All things that they themselves rarely experienced due to their poverty status.

What I didn't understand is how anyone could so easily turn these families away because of their non prior military status, especially when there was so much available, enough for veterans and non-veterans.

I didn't see two categories of labeled people; I saw human beings in need. Hungry human beings either passing by or being told about a big shindig in town where free stuff was being handed out.

As I stood there watching, the embarrassment on the faces of those who were turned away due to their non-veteran status hit me so hard that it bothered me very intensely for a long time afterwards. I even questioned my VA case manager a few days later as to why non-veterans couldn't be included. She told me that they also have events for them from time to time. But she also confirmed my next question with the answer, "Yeah, veterans can go to those events too."

Being a veteran, that means that one day in our past we raised our right hand and swore to do whatever it takes, even die, for our country and the people in it. Everything we did was to protect our families, neighbors and residents of this country. Yet there are events sponsored in our honor for celebration that the very people we swore to protect are not allowed to attend. This didn't make any sense to me then, and it doesn't now.

We are not special people who deserve more than anyone else. I've never heard a veteran say that someone who didn't serve isn't as good as they are or that they deserve more than them. During a combat theatre period, every roll is just as important as the next, no matter who you are. The soldiers cannot proclaim victory without the civilians who create the goods, machinery and weapons to ensure that victory. A civilian who does his or her part for the war effort is also a soldier.

So for me, "No," a veteran should not be given a special pass over a non-veteran and be hired first. We should not be given any special treatment or advantage over another. The most qualified person should get the job. We didn't take our oath for the reason that later in life we will be first in line for the goodies. That never enters our mind. We volunteer to serve our country because it's a passion that burns deeply inside of us for our fellow human beings. We are not in it for some kind of tangible reward. We endure the horrendous conditions because we care about people and ourselves won't allow us to turn our backs on anyone.

Sorry this became so lengthy, and thank you for the needed mind stimulation. I would love to hear others' thoughts on this subject.

God Bless America and ALL of her people...

@Bill Branstetter Equal opportunity should apply for everyone and hiring should be based on qualifications, experience, and education. But if they get called to active duty, they should be allowed to have their position back when they come back home.

No. Equal Opportunity. Heard of that?

Honestly yes, such people are the essence of this great country. Far too often, treated as less. For example gay pride month vs Veterans day. What a slap in the face.

I would say that if the veteran and the non veteran both have the same amount of experience and are well suited for the position you are hiring for then by all means my answer would be yes. However if the job requires experience or an education beyond what is known by the other then they should be judged equally and the position given to the person with the most experience and better suited for the role. Having more experience does not necessarily mean that you will be a better fit.

Most of the veterans have laid there life on the line in the name of freedom so yes it should gain them some consideration, but in the end it should be the best person for the jod

Veterans served our country. Freedom isn't free, what have you done? Yes give them first opportunity, I stand for our brave veterans! Thank you!

I disagree with you on that! Even if they didn't serve in combat, they still made the choice to serve their country! That makes them very different than the average American because only an extremely small percentage of Americans join the U.S. military, less than 1/2 of 1 percent of the U.S. population, and an even smaller percentage, 10% of enlisted military, make it a career and stay in until they are eligible to retire! Currently, 77% of young Americans wouldn't even qualify to be in the military without a waiver! Those that volunteer to serve their country are the elite in my humble opinion!

Yes Veterans should be given preferential treatment

Yes, but only if they've seen combat. The guy that couldn't make it through boot camp is way lower on the totem pole in my eyes than the guy that spent time in a war zone. Our vets have a really difficult time coming home and readjusting to civilian life after experiences like those. They DESERVE priority in the hiring process. However after the hiring process, it's fair treatment.