Was it worth, is it worth, any person giving their youth,health and sanity for a bunch of self promoting rouges calling themselves politicians?
Yes.
This requires that those who have given in the past, take up the gudgel and continue to demand equity for their services. One thing that they ought to do, make sure they are listened to. In the UK, those voices are The Royal British Legion and SSAFA. History has shown that for many individuals, these charities are to be found wanting. After all, the powers of these charities did very well for themselves whilst a great percentage of veterans had to settle with an audacious theft of their pensions. See http://www.afpg.info/

Typical of most countries. Soldiers are exploited then thrown on the scrap heap. It is why the people with the stars on their shoulders go to the upper stalls and watch their plans played out.