Today is Veteran's Day. Like Memorial Day we have the veteran's association on campus showing support. There is a small crowd around the tent talking to the vets that are there. I have had two or three people tell me Happy Veteran's Day, as I have told the vets that work here. Like Memorial Day, I am at work. There are no extra flags on campus. There are no speakers advertised in such a way as a casual stroll around campus would let you know. Like Memorial Day, it will bass relatively un-noticed, just like so many veterans will pass un-noticed. The number of veterans who have experienced war up close has dwindled, and folks with really hellish experiences had dwindled even further. There are people in the Gulf war and in the war in Iraq that have had and this is a good thing.
I bring this up because today is a holiday, like Memorial Day, to honor citizens of the US who have served in war, or who have died in/after service. Today is also a forgotten holiday it seems. When we honor our own, we are not given a day off from work, but we give days for Christmas, Easter, and other religious holidays. I am not complaining because I wanted today off, but because today is a day that I, as a veteran, call my Grandfather, who is a veteran, and tell him I appreciate him and the sacrifice he made. My Grandfather does not talk much about his service because the wounds are deep, and un-healed. He visited Pearl Harbor a few years ago, and could not actually go down to the memorial. He is touched every time he hears the national anthem played at a ball game. That is a man who served his country. That is who today is for.
Myself, I am moved by the anthem and those who serve. I am not in the same category as my Grandfather. I hope to never have to make decisions that he made because I know that I am an emotional person, and I know that I would have ghosts with me like my Grandfather.
For me, today is Veteran's Day, today is a day for my Grandfather.
As usual, Rob, I completely agree with what you've written when it comes to veterans. The phrase "unsung heroes" is thrown around too often to mean much, BUT the people who have served our country are often forgotten or, worse, swept under the rug. It's a sad state of affairs when we talk about being patriotic, but refuse to acknowledge the real people who protect our rights. My grandfather was also in WWII, and I'm ashamed that I didn't call him yet. Thanks for the reminder to do so.
Posted by: Becky at November 11, 2005 05:39 PM