You can't dispute the fact that veterans have access to benefits and other forms of compensation and that their service is invaluable - no one is disputing that. Yet to argue that veterans should always be celebrated, regardless of context, is overly reductive. Comparing the service of veterans to that of saturation divers underscores the point that their roles require similar levels of expertise and bravery, but just in a different context.
Furthermore, the complexity of the federal military budget is precisely why it's necessary to address the issue of fair compensation for veterans. It's not just about paying them a pittance: it's about making sure veterans receive the recognition and economic security they deserve for taking on such a risk in service of their country.
Ultimately, we should value both the work of soldiers and saturation divers equally - not just in terms of financial compensation, but in terms of acknowledgement for their expertise, bravery, and sacrifice. Sure, it would be easy to dismiss the idea of paying veterans more money, but if we want to truly honor them, we must demonstrate our admiration through tangible actions like investing in their wellbeing. Only then can we say we are sufficiently recognizing their commitment to our nation.