Recognizing Veteran's Day

More and more it seems people are putting politics ahead of the gratitude and recognition our armed service members deserve. This is a time to set aside one's feelings about war and recognize what a tremendous sacrifice our service members and their families are making to ensure our freedom and safety. These men and women volunteer to serve in the military. They are choosing this path as part of their beliefs and commitment to our country and her freedom. Whether you personally support war or not, it is inappropriate to hold this opinion against our military and our veterans. Indeed, this very freedom-to hold individual and opposing opinions-is among the many freedoms our military protects. Over time, Veteran's Day has become just another bank holiday. Many school systems do not observe Veteran's Day as a student holiday, denying students the opportunity to participate in Veteran's Day parades and celebrations. For too many years, this holiday has been relegated to "old men" and civic organizations.

As responsible citizens of the world's most free country, we owe a debt of gratitude to the men and women who have served, and are currently serving, in the United States military. Veteran's Day is a national holiday set aside to recognize and remember the sacrificial service of military members from all the branches of services, and from all periods of service. The November 11th holiday has been previously known as Remembrance Day, referring to it's being set aside to remember our veterans. It was also formerly known as Armistice Day, recalling the Armistice signed in the Forest of Compiegne, France, by the Allies (which included the United States) and the Germans on the eleventh day of the eleventh month, bringing an end to the first World War. Lindell wrote an AC article entitled, The History of Veteran's Day, which effectively outlines the history of this significant day of honor and remembrance. Memorial Day is the day reserved for honoring those who paid the ultimate price for freedom, sacrificing their lives for our country.

There are a number of ways to celebrate Veteran's Day and do your part to honor veterans as well as active military. If you are a parent, the most important thing you can do is educate your children of the history and importance of Veteran's Day. Our children must understand the importance of the service of our veterans. A child reared with an understanding of the importance of national freedom and what preserving that freedom requires will grow up with a healthy respect for our service men and women. A quick internet search will reveal a multitude of ideas and activities for ways you and children can recognize this day.

One way to honor our active military is found at the Let's Say Thanks website. This website allows you and your family to send encouraging postcards to our active duty military, free of charge. You might also contact your local military post to see what ways they offer for civilians to express thanks, offer support for military families or send care packages to active duty troops.

There are also many veterans groups all over the country, like the VFW, reserve support groups, and unit groups for veterans of that particular unit. A call to such an organization may reveal lesser known ways to support troops and veterans in your local area. Perhaps your family would choose to do an act of kindness for a veteran or his family in your area.

You may also contact your local Chamber of Commerce and newspaper for Veteran's Day celebrations and parades that you may attend and participate in. Some cities hold annual parades. Many cities fly donated flags in honor of veterans from the area where you live. In addition to the official wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, many local municipalities hold similar ceremonies at the local cemetery.

Perhaps the easiest way to recognize Veteran's Day is to simply say "Thank You" to a veteran you know. You'll be surprised how grateful they will be. Regardless of how you choose to recognize Veteran's Day, I encourage you to do so with gratitude and somber respect for the men and women of our armed forces.