Good afternoon,
Today is that most misunderstood of holidays – Veterans Day.
The day was first proclaimed to mark the Armistice that ended World War I.
Sadly, other wars followed and the day was designated as a way to honor veterans. A brief stint as a Monday holiday was met with controversy and Veterans Day returned to the date the Armistice was signed more than a century ago.
Veterans Day continues to be confused with Memorial Day.
(Photo of Veterans Memorial Park near the Delaware Memorial Bridge Del. River and Bay photo)
While is always worthwhile to thank a veteran for his or her service and remember those who have served and passed away, Memorial Day has a different purpose.
The late May holiday honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice in serving their country.
In my small town, the Memorial Day parade was a tradition a couple of decades after the last shot was fired in World War II. Later, the nation became sharply divided by the Vietnam War.
I remember taking a bus to an interview for a reporting job. The scene that remains stuck in my mind on that Memorial Day weekend came as we passed by a cemetery in northern New Mexico. A crowd had gathered on hallowed ground to honor those who were no longer with us.
Such gatherings are less frequent. The percentage of Americans who served our country continues to dwindle.
Far too many who have recently served still face physical and mental trauma stemming from their service in Afghanistan and Iraq. Businesses and the VA have stepped up on the hiring and treatment fronts, but more needs to be done.
The number of World War II veterans is down to a precious few and Korean War veterans are not far behind.
Meanwhile, Memorial Day has become more of a prelude to summer than anything else. Parades are often held before the Memorial Day weekend.
There’s still time to thank the veterans in our families and workplaces while taking a moment to remember those who put their lives on the line and are no longer with us.
People like my father who landed on Utah Beach in 1944 and did not boast about being part of history. Instead, he would first mention those who did not get the opportunity to come home – Doug Rainey, chief content officer.
