Veterans Day: A Tradition of Valor, Duty and Community
Traditionally, Veterans Day has been observed on November 11, based on the Armistice Day of November 11, 1918, signaling the end of “The Great War” – now called World War I – a day which ended that period of global war and started a short period of peace. In 1926, to sustain our memory of military sacrifice in World War I, the U.S. proclaimed November 11 as Armistice Day. And in 1938 it became a national holiday. Then, following WWII, in June 1954, Armistice Day was changed to Veterans Day to honor the Veterans from all our wars.
Veterans Day is now symbolic of the millions who have served the nation in uniform. We stand on their shoulders and are forever indebted to all of them – not just the deceased, but also to those who are still with us. Our veterans’ vigilance and readiness to serve their community is now their true weapon after transitioning from their rifle, airplane or ship. Military veterans may have exchanged their uniform for civilian attire, but they have not lost their feeling of responsibility or purpose in community service.
Our United States veterans fought a long and historical path of service in combat for the nation. Starting with the wintry nights and days of Valley Forge; then along the skirmish lines in defense of southern New Orleans in 1812, combat in Mexico, the Civil War’s tragic battlefields across the country, the Argonne forest and Omaha Beach, across the Pacific in Okinawa, and in Korea along the Heartbreak Ridge. The path then led to Southeast Asia and Vietnam, followed by Grenada, Panama, the Middle East, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Our service members and veterans who fought in these wars were a courageous group, but hardly a select one. Most of them were and are our neighbors – just ordinary people, undistinguishable until the day came when they felt the call of service, the call of duty, and lifted their performance and sacrifice to valorous acts.
Our veterans understood the country’s need for their service. They loved both freedom and their country. They understand that freedom is not free – it must be earned by each generation. As Thomas Paine said, “Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must … undergo the fatigue of supporting it.”
Our veterans remind us of this statement, but veterans have been more than service members. They have also offered tremendous community service and civic volunteerism while in uniform. Their work is reflected in so many community-focused projects for the countries where they have been deployed. Veterans have built clinics, civic centers, public utilities and schools. They have sponsored cultural celebrations and arranged for food and clothing to be sent to vulnerable populations in need. They have contributed their time, efforts and resources to help friends and allies overseas. In their own country, veterans have promoted the welfare of their local communities through domestic community action and other volunteer programs, not only in their military duties, but also in their volunteer capacity.
Today, there is another side of the picture. Many veterans are themselves in need of assistance. As U.S. citizens, protected by our military service members, we all have a special obligation to the transitioning veterans to help them achieve what we would all wish for them – a smooth transition to civilian life and employment in purpose-filled, meaningful work.
Let us all be reminded that our veterans are a source of pride in our nation who exemplify the kind of dedication and sacrifice needed for safeguarding all our freedoms. We can remember them and their contributions to the nation – not only on Veterans Day, but for all our days and years.
Colonel (Ret.) James “Brooks” Schultze
Mbroh Chief Operating Officer
U.S. Army Veteran
