I remember a time in Canada that the term "Veteran" meant a retired military person who served in a field of conflict or war (mostly overseas). This was later expanded to those who did not leave Canada, but were in the military supporting a war (WW@).

Somehow, that definition seems to have changed - to a point that I suspect most do not know what it means anymore.

A neighbour of mine has a "Veteran" licence plate on the front of his car. When I asked him what it meant, he said he spent a year in the local army reserves at 16, and that he also served in the RCMP and worked as a civilian at DND (helping prepare solders for conflict) and Dept. of Veteran Affairs. He said that this allowed him to be referred to as a veteran.

So, what does it mean, and whom is it limited to in today's Canada?