evidence: Why Veteran Treatment Matters [...] President George Washington’s proclamation that a nation will be judged by how it treats its defenders—meaning its veterans – seems not only prescient but apropos in our current day and age. The judges who matter most are the young people who will be tomorrow’s defenders, and their judgment will inform their decisions to raise their right hands, take the oath and fight for their country. Or choose not to serve. [...] Here’s what that young person will likely not know, however. While our government faces many problems in how it administers benefits and healthcare to veterans, many veterans, because of their military service, enjoy financial security, have good educations, possess strong work ethics, and receive excellent healthcare. Veterans are also generally well-regarded by their local communities and receive many city and county benefits, such as property tax exemptions, college tuition assistance and even dedicated parking spaces in some areas for Purple Heart recipients. Veterans also regularly benefit from random acts of kindness by strangers in the form of upgrades to first class on flights, anonymously paid dinner tabs, and a simple "thank you for your service" by citizens who don’t care what you look like, what your politics are or the number of military decorations you’ve earned. All that matters is their service.