Veterans Day
Respect those who fought for freedom
Many people get Veterans Day off from work but don’t have any idea why. For many, it just represents a day when they don’t get mail and the banks are closed, and unlike Thanksgiving or Independence Day, there’s nothing in it for them.
However, if they knew the history of Veterans Day, they might think twice before dismissing it. Celebrating Veterans Day is more than buying a bumper sticker or reciting Veterans Day poems; it is a way of honoring and thanking those who have fought for our freedom and safety.
We have several days in the United States honoring those who have served in the military, and you may wonder how they differ. Memorial Day is a day to remember and pay tribute to men and women who have died while in military service. D Day is not an official holiday, but many people observe it to mark the date that American troops landed on the shores of Normandy in World War II. Gold Star Mother’s Day is a day to thank the mothers of soldiers killed in battle for the sacrifice they have made for their country. There are also specific days for honoring each individual branch of the military.
President Wilson proclaimed the first Armistice Day on November 11, 1919, to commemorate the end of World War I. In 1954, President Eisenhower changed the name to Veterans Day, in order to honor veterans of both world wars as well as the Korean War.
Veterans Day is a time when people should honor all those who have served in the armed forces during times of war. Unfortunately, most of the people who celebrate this day are the veterans themselves.
The question is, what can we do to honor what these men and women have done? Many veterans observe this day by visiting the many memorials where their comrades lie, and they only ask that you simply remember their sacrifice. There are other ways to celebrate this day, though, especially if you have loved ones that served in a war and are veterans. Host a party in their honor. Be sure to invite some of their old friends with whom they can share the memories (good and bad).
The nation’s flag is especially meaningful to veterans, so another Veterans Day idea is to purchase and fly an American flag. This is such a little effort to give back to the men and women who did so much, but it means a lot. Many lives have been lost, and many veterans are never the same after they have served in the military. All they ask of you is to just remember. Consider doing more this Veterans Day.
