On this Veterans Day, consider all sides
World War I was the Great War, pitting Germany, the Austro-Hungarian and the Ottoman empires against the western alliance of the United States, Great Britain, Italy, France, Russia, and Japan —- truly a world war. Over the years Armistice Day, which marked the war’s end, became known as Veterans Day as the country enlarged its recognition to honor all of those who served in the military, especially bringing under its penumbra those who served in World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam and more recently, Afghanistan and Iraq.
It is helpful to distinguish between Veterans Day and Memorial Day. Veterans Day recognizes all who have served or are serving in the military, while Memorial Day asks us to remember those who died in the service of our country. Both days serve an important purpose in our lives and in the life of our country, for they both provide an opportunity to thank those who have given something of their lives (some gave all) so that all of us can enjoy the freedoms we have under our form of government.
I take a personal pride in this, for I served four years in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War — during a time when protests against the war flooded our country and flooded our newspapers. As many know, it was common for returning Vietnam veterans to be jeered and spat upon as they returned home. While I experienced some mild cat-calls as I walked in uniform through airports, my experiences were mild, especially compared to some of my friends who were verbally attacked as they stepped off planes after serving their one-year tour of duty.
Thankfully, our country has learned from that debacle and our military personnel now get the attention and appreciation they deserve. Along with that has come a growing appreciation for our Vietnam vets, many of whom have been living lives of disillusionment ever since. We should all thank them for their service.
Unfortunately, thanking our friends and countrymen for their military service has been dragged into the current controversy as to whether the singing, saluting or standing for our national anthem is a measure of our respect for our men and women in military service. I think there is genuine confusion between the message being conveyed and the perception being received.
I think those who are kneeling, locking arms or otherwise not saluting our national anthem may be protesting the actions of our government, the actions of team owners, or perhaps even the actions of our president. They do believe they have legitimate complaints against what they believe to be racist institutions and a racist culture in our country, and that point of view may need to be part of our continuing national conversation.
However, I don’t think they are intending to malign our military and first responders, as is often suggested or even tweeted.
I believe all of us should take those moments during the national anthem to remember Francis Scott Key, to remember our armistice at the end of World War I, to remember all of our veterans, and to honor our democracy by standing at attention, putting our hand on our heart and proudly proclaiming our thanksgiving for living in the land of the free, and the home of the brave. Happy Veterans Day.