1 week Ago
Tomorrow, Veterans Day 2024, presents a unique opportunity to come together as a nation, transcending political, social and cultural divides to honor those who have dedicated their lives to the service of our country. This day is more than just a federal holiday marked by parades and ceremonies; it is a profound reminder of the sacrifices made by countless men and women who have donned the uniform to protect the freedoms and values we hold dear. In recent years, the United States has experienced significant polarization, with violence, debates and disagreements dominating public discourse.
However, Veterans Day can serve as a unifying force, reminding us of a common thread that binds all Americans: our respect and gratitude for those who have served. It is a moment to pause and reflect on the contributions of veterans from all walks of life, regardless of their backgrounds or the eras in which they served. The stories of veterans are as diverse as the nation they defend.
From the World War II heroes who fought against tyranny to the young men and women returning from modern conflicts, each veteran brings a unique perspective and experience. By listening to their stories and recognizing their sacrifices, we can foster a greater understanding and appreciation for the challenges they have faced and the resilience they have shown. Veterans Day also encourages us to look beyond individual or political differences and focus on shared values.
It is a day to celebrate principles like courage, hard work, dedication and service to others. These are values that transcend partisan lines and remind us of what truly makes America strong. By coming together to honor veterans, we can reinforce these principles in our communities and inspire future generations to uphold them.
Veterans Day started with a different name — Armistice Day — on Nov. 11, 1918. That date was chosen to honor the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, which brought a ceasefire and the beginning of the end of “The Great War,” also known as “The War to End All Wars.
” But of course, it didn’t. When World War II broke out around Sept. 3, 1939, the name of The Great War was changed to “World War I.
” (World War I officially ended with the signing of a peace treaty in Versailles, France, on June 28, 1919.) President Dwight Eisenhower changed the name of the Nov. 11 holiday in 1954 to Veterans Day.
Arlington Cemetery in Washington, D.C., holds an annual remembrance service every Veterans Day.
The cemetery has more than 400,000 graves, and most of those interred served in the military. There is no apostrophe in Veterans Day. The day is not possessive, so it does not belong to one veteran or multiple ones .
It’s a day for all veterans — plural. There are only two major holidays for veterans. Memorial Day pays tribute to those who died as a result of combat .
Veterans Day honors all veterans, both living and dead, who served in the U.S. military either in war time or peace time .
In Colorado, military veterans make up 8.4% of the population, according to the U.S.
Census Bureau. Among those veterans, many live in poverty, and many are homeless, according to 24/7 Wall Street. Some served in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the two Gulf Wars and /or in peacetime.
The entire U.S. veteran population today totals over 16 million — having served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard — the last living combat veteran of World War I was Florence Green who died Feb.
4, 2011. Veterans often are often showered with platitudes but also are ignored by policy. The federal government sometimes is slow to act, and that leaves veterans to fight once more in order to get the medical help and benefits they need for as long as they live.
Veterans take us back to more settled times in America. People overlooked their differences for the most part and did all they could to keep America strong and safe. Veterans Day is not only when we honor our veterans , but is also a time to remember what unites us as Americans and is a call for peace, not violence.
Many issues divide us today. Cable news and social media allow the most extreme voices to dominate the conversation and frame those on the opposite side as their enemy. Veterans know the stakes are much higher in battle.
In the military, you’re all on the same team. Differences of opinion exist, but the focus is on working together to complete a mission. Servicemen and women focus on what unites them, not on what separates them.
Veterans Day honors men and women who have put their lives on the line to defend our nation , and they come from all walks of life, ethnicities, genders, sexual identities, religious beliefs and political camps. Some were born in the United States, others emigrated here. Some have applied their military training to build a successful life in the civilian world.
Some others have struggled the rest of their lives because a war scarred them. Veterans represent every facet of American life. They know the core values of America are worth fighting for and teamwork must prevail.
They set an example for all of us and teach us a lesson we should take to heart. Veterans Day is more than a day of remembrance; it is a call to unity. By honoring the service and sacrifices of our veterans, we remind ourselves of the values that unite us as a nation.
Let us seize this opportunity to come together, setting aside our differences to celebrate the courage and dedication of those who have served , and in doing so, reaffirm our commitment to a more united and compassionate country. Veterans Day is a time to unite. Jim Martin can be reached at jimmartinesq@gmail.
com ..
