Our Veterans Day Message: Honoring Those Who Have Served Our Nation
We see it every autumn; the constant advertisements of great deals on appliances and mattresses before November 11th, and then the constant “Happy Veterans Day” banners displayed on November 11th, reminding consumers of awesome savings. This commercialism obfuscates the real meaning of Veterans Day.
What Is Veterans Day and What Does It Really Mean?
Simply put, Veterans Day marks the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, which is the time and date that the Great War ended in 1918 through an armistice between involved nations. The holiday was called Armistice Day until 1954, when it was renamed Veterans Day. The purpose of the holiday is to honor and thank all U.S. military veterans for their service, patriotism, and willingness to sacrifice.
What Veterans Day Might Mean To A Veteran
Millions of American men and women have served in the armed forces, and so many of them throughout our nation’s history have put themselves directly in harm’s way to protect our way of life.
Since every Veteran’s history is unique, their experiences and memories of conflict might also have unique meaning to them. This could include the thoughts and memories of friends who were lost, the experience of combat, and dealing with remaining wounds, both visible and invisible. The reality is that for many veterans, there is no such thing as “Happy Veterans Day”.
What To Say To A Veteran on Veterans Day
On November 11th, and on any other day by logical extension, the best thing anyone can possibly say to a Veteran is “Thank you for your service”. This is the most meaningful expression of gratitude someone can give to a veteran. Lincoln Tech would like to extend its sincere gratitude to every man and woman who has served our country. We are truly thankful.
Author’s Note: My father served in the US Army in World War 2, seeing action in Europe all the way to the fall of Berlin, and then for a short time in the Pacific theatre before the fall of Imperial Japan. I once asked him if the scenes in movies where soldiers chatted about “what they were going to do when they get back home” was accurate, and if he and his buddies did the same thing. The answer was eye-opening: “No, we never talked about home … none of us ever thought we were ever going home”.