Veterans: look at what this fine State of N.H. gives you and appreciate it

To The Daily Sun,

I've been reading with interest the letters about benefits given to veterans here in New Hampshire. Being a recent immigrant from Massachusetts, I feel like — finally — here is a state that appreciates veterans.

Before Mitt Romney was governor, in order to qualify for a veteran license plate you had to have served in a conflict and have the ribbons to prove it from your DD-214. As a 10-year Navy veteran who served from 1978 to 1988, there weren't any conflicts that made me qualify. I was a "peacetime sailor." I could not get a license plate, or tuition credits, or anything. Mr. Romney was the one who changed that, and I was grateful, although a veteran license plate still cost just as much as a vanity plate. And unless you were on active duty, there was not a single town that I am aware of that offered any property tax breaks to veterans.

Now that I am here in New Hampshire, I feel appreciated. I just picked up my $8 veterans' license plate today. I'm actually excited. And because I spent some time in the Indian Ocean in the 1980-1982 time frame, I received the Naval Expeditionary Medal. That one medal makes me eligible for a $500 tax credit in Gilford — after I've been a New Hampshire resident for at least three years.

See, it's all about perspective. Look at what you have and at what this fine state gives you and appreciate it. Because like many states, they don't have to give you anything at all. Some of you are looking at a gift horse, and counting its teeth. Heck, I'm happy with a license plate.

Alan Vervaeke

Gilford